countyscore
43.9
County Score
Income & Jobs 94.5Health 93.2Schools 60.9

County Report Card

About Dutchess County, New York

Slightly Below the National Median

Dutchess County receives a composite score of 43.8, placing it below the national median of 50.0. While wealthy, its high costs drag down its overall national percentile ranking.

Close to the New York Average

The county’s score of 43.8 is just behind the state average of 47.0. It remains a key economic driver for the Hudson Valley despite regional cost pressures.

Exceptional Incomes and Healthcare Access

Dutchess County excels with an income score of 94.7 and a health score of 93.2. These are supported by a high median household income of $97,273.

Severe Affordability and Environmental Risk

The cost score of 4.6 is very low, driven by a median home value of $368,100 and rent at $1,522. Additionally, the risk score of 11.7 suggests vulnerability to natural hazards.

Best for High-Income Professionals

This county is built for established professionals who value elite healthcare and high-earning potential. Residents must be prepared for some of the highest housing costs in the state.

204060801003.7556.693.260.994.511.739.852.1Tax3.7Cost5Safety56.6Health93.2Schools60.9Income94.5Risk11.7Water39.8Weather52.143.9/100
This county
National avg
2 above average4 below average

Dutchess County DNA

Foverall

How Dutchess County compares to the national average across nine baseline dimensions

Dutchess County is a tale of two counties — exceptional in Income (94.5/100) but notably weak in Property Tax (3.7/100). This polarized profile creates distinct trade-offs for residents.

Dimension Breakdown

Tax
3.7-48.3
Cost
5-43
Safety
56.6
Health
93.2+43.2
Schools
60.9
Income
94.5+43.5
Risk
11.7-35.3
Water
39.8-18.200000000000003
Weather
52.1
Sponsored

Think property taxes are too high in Dutchess County?

Many homeowners in Dutchess County pay more than they should. A professional appeal could save you hundreds per year.

Check My Assessment

Can You Afford to Live Here?

Median Home Price

$400,600

National median: $185,300

Median Rent

$1,582/mo

National median: $877/mo

Income Needed (home)

$400,600/yr

28% front-end rule

Income Needed (rent)

$63,280/yr

30% rent rule

Affordability Spectrum4.0x income
AffordableNational avgExpensive
Local median income: $99,478/yr
Compare Mortgage Rates

Economic & Education Snapshot

Primary Care

32.3

per 100K

Data from Federal Reserve (FRED), U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, and CMS NPPES.

Explore this county

Property Taxtaxbycounty.comCost of Livingcostbycounty.comIncome & Jobsincomebycounty.comSafetycrimebycounty.comHealthhealthbycounty.comSchoolsschoolsbycounty.comDisaster Riskriskbycounty.comWater Qualitywaterbycounty.comWeather & Climateweatherbycounty.comSoil Qualitysoilbycounty.comLawn Carelawnbycounty.comFarmers Marketsmarketsbycounty.comView on Mapcountyscore.com/map
Compare Dutchess County with Mendocino County →Share on X

Counties with similar scores

Mendocino County
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Median income: $68,092
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Median income: $87,820
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Polk County
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Laurens County
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Parmer County
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Median income: $69,735
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Coffee County
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Saline County
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Moffat County
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Median income: $73,849
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Nearby counties

Putnam County
New York
55.4
Ulster County
New York
45.6
Columbia County
New York
49.4
Northwest Hills Planning Region
Connecticut
49.3
Western Connecticut Planning Region
Connecticut
38.3
Orange County
New York
42.1
Naugatuck Valley Planning Region
Connecticut
32.9
Greene County
New York
52.8

Deep Dives

Dutchess County across the ByCounty Network

Detailed analysis from 9 data dimensions — each powered by a dedicated ByCounty site.

Property Tax in Dutchess County

via TaxByCounty

Dutchess pays highest median tax bill

Dutchess County's effective tax rate of 1.963% exceeds the national median effective rate of roughly 0.71%, but its median property tax of $7,226 is the highest among these eight counties and nearly three times the national median of $2,690. This reflects Dutchess's status as a wealthy Hudson Valley county with median home values of $368,100.

Dutchess rate below state, tax above

Dutchess County's effective rate of 1.963% sits just below New York's state average of 2.046%, yet its median property tax of $7,226 far exceeds the state average of $4,709. The disparity reflects Dutchess's substantially higher property values compared to the state median.

Dutchess taxes dominate region

Dutchess County's median tax of $7,226 is the highest by far in this group, nearly $2,500 more than Columbia County's $4,795 despite having a slightly higher effective rate. This premium reflects Dutchess's desirability and higher home valuations throughout the Hudson Valley.

Dutchess homeowners pay $7,226 tax

A homeowner with a median-valued property of $368,100 in Dutchess County pays an estimated $7,226 in annual property taxes, or roughly $602 per month. Adding mortgage escrow increases the annual burden to approximately $7,498.

Large tax bills warrant assessment review

With median property taxes exceeding $7,200 annually, Dutchess County homeowners should seriously consider requesting a formal assessment review—even a 5% overvaluation means hundreds in unnecessary yearly payments. Your local assessor's office can guide you through the appeal process at no cost.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Income & Jobs in Dutchess County

via IncomeByCounty

Dutchess dominates national income rankings

Dutchess County's median household income of $97,273 exceeds the national median of $74,755 by a striking 30.1%, placing it among the wealthiest American counties. This commanding advantage reflects the county's position as a desirable Hudson Valley destination for affluent New York City commuters.

Highest income tier in New York

Dutchess's $97,273 median income leads nearly all of New York's 62 counties, towering $20,840 above the state average of $76,433. The county's transformation into a bedroom community for Manhattan has driven incomes to the state's upper echelon.

Clear income leader in the region

Dutchess's $97,273 substantially outpaces all regional neighbors, including wealthy Columbia ($83,619), Erie ($71,175), and all rural upstate counties. This income leadership reflects its status as the Hudson Valley's premium residential market.

High income matched by high costs

Dutchess's median home value of $368,100 is among New York's highest, and its 18.8% rent-to-income ratio signals that housing consumes a growing share of earnings. Even with $97,273 in median income, residents face genuine affordability pressures in this premium market.

Wealth-building beyond primary residence

With median income of $97,273, Dutchess residents should look past home equity to build diversified wealth through retirement accounts, taxable investments, and alternative assets. Consult a financial advisor about tax-efficient strategies—your strong income makes complex planning worthwhile.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Safety in Dutchess County

via CrimeByCounty

Dutchess County Maintains High Safety Standards

Dutchess County earns a strong safety score of 98.4, better than the national typical profile. Its total crime rate of 997.4 per 100K is less than half the national average of 2,385.5.

A Typical New York Profile

The county’s safety score of 98.4 aligns closely with the state average of 98.3. Its total crime rate of 997.4 is also slightly better than the New York state average of 1,074.4.

Monitoring a Growing Region

With 14 reporting agencies, Dutchess manages its public safety well compared to more urban neighbors. It experiences slightly more crime than Columbia County but remains a very safe part of the Hudson Valley.

Breaking Down the Local Data

Violent crime occurs at 122.8 per 100K, which is nearly identical to the state average. Property crime makes up the bulk of local reports at 874.6 per 100K residents.

Smart Security for Dutchess Homes

Maintain the county's safety by installing smart locks and keeping packages out of view. These simple actions help suppress the property crimes that constitute most local police activity.

Full safety analysis on CrimeByCounty

Weather & Climate in Dutchess County

via WeatherByCounty

A rainy valley climate

Dutchess County averages 49.4°F, sitting about 5 degrees below the national median of 55°F. It is one of the state's wetter regions, receiving 46.8 inches of annual precipitation.

One of the state's warmest

As a Hudson Valley hub, its average temperature exceeds the state mean of 47.4°F by 2 degrees. This makes it one of the warmer counties in the New York interior.

Snowier and hotter than neighbors

Dutchess faces 15 days of extreme heat annually, more than neighboring Columbia County. It also sees more snow, with 57.9 inches compared to Columbia's 40.3 inches.

Extreme heat and snowy winters

Summers feature a 72°F July average and over two weeks of 90-degree weather. Winters remain cold enough for significant snow, totaling nearly 58 inches.

Prepare for two-way extremes

Central air conditioning is a smart investment to handle the 15 days of 90-degree heat. Residents also need robust heating systems for winters that average 28.3°F.

Full weather & climate analysis on WeatherByCounty

Soil Quality in Dutchess County

via SoilByCounty

Strong Acidity in Local Earth

Dutchess County has an acidic soil pH of 4.93, dipping below the New York state average of 5.11. While taxonomic details are unavailable, this level is significantly lower than the national median of 6.5.

Medium-Textured Soils for Diversity

Silt makes up 42.3% of the soil, while sand accounts for 34.2%. This creates a medium-textured soil that offers a decent balance of drainage and nutrient retention for local farmers and gardeners.

Fast-Drying Soil Needs Attention

Organic matter measures 7.40%, which is healthy by national standards but lower than the 17.01% state average. Consequently, the water capacity of 0.154 in/in is below the state average, indicating faster drying times.

Assess Site Conditions for Building

While formal drainage class data is not available, the county soil score of 41.4 suggests significant environmental hurdles. Site-specific assessments are essential to understand how this ground handles heavy rainfall.

Fruit Trees Love the Valley

Located in zone 6a, Dutchess County supports a wide variety of perennials and orchard fruits. It is a fantastic place to plant apple trees or hardy herbs in your home garden.

Full soil quality analysis on SoilByCounty

Lawn Care in Dutchess County

via LawnByCounty

Challenging Conditions in Dutchess County

Dutchess County presents a more difficult environment for lawn care with a score of 56.9, falling below the New York state average of 61.1. Despite being in a milder Zone 6a, homeowners face unique soil and heat challenges that require more active management.

High Heat and Long Growing Cycles

The county experiences 15 extreme heat days annually—more than double the state average—which can stress cool-season grasses. While the 46.8 inches of rain is high, the 2,747 growing degree days mean your mower will be working overtime from April to October.

Tackle Highly Acidic Soil First

The soil pH of 4.93 is the most significant hurdle here, as it is far below the optimal 6.0-7.0 range for grass. You will likely need significant lime applications to prevent your lawn from thinning and to combat invasive weeds.

Widespread Dryness Impacts Management

Currently, over 97% of the county is abnormally dry, and residents dealt with 13 weeks of drought last year. Water deeply in the early morning and avoid fertilizing during dry spells to prevent burning your grass.

Tough Grasses for a Long Season

Turf-Type Tall Fescue is highly recommended here for its superior heat and drought tolerance compared to other cool-season types. Your spring planting window opens May 4, with a long growing season extending until the first frost on October 14.

Full lawn care analysis on LawnByCounty

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Dutchess County's county score?
Dutchess County, New York has a composite county score of 43.9 out of 100 on CountyScore. This score is calculated from a weighted average of available data dimensions including property tax, cost of living, income, safety, health, and schools.
How does Dutchess County rank among counties in New York?
Dutchess County ranks #39 among all counties in New York on CountyScore's composite ranking. Rankings are based on available data dimensions and updated as new data is added.
What are property taxes like in Dutchess County, New York?
The median annual property tax in Dutchess County is $7,562, with an effective tax rate of 1.89%. This earns Dutchess County a tax score of 3.7/100 on CountyScore (higher = lower taxes).
What is the median household income in Dutchess County?
The median household income in Dutchess County, New York is $99,478 per year according to U.S. Census Bureau data. Dutchess County earns an income score of 94.5/100 on CountyScore.
Is Dutchess County, New York a good place to live?
Dutchess County scores 43.9/100 on CountyScore's overall county ranking, ranking #39 in New York. The best way to evaluate Dutchess County is to compare individual dimension scores — property tax, cost of living, income, safety, health, and schools — based on your personal priorities. Use CountyScore to compare Dutchess County with other counties side by side.
By Evan Brooks, Data EditorUpdated Reviewed by Evan Brooks, Data Editor

ByCounty Network

Property TaxCost of LivingIncome & JobsSafetyHealthSchoolsDisaster RiskWater QualityWeather & ClimateSoil QualityLawn CareFarmers Markets

Data from U.S. Census Bureau ACS, FBI UCR, CDC, FEMA NRI, NCES, EPA SDWIS, NOAA — informational only.