CountyScore

Essex County

New York · NY

#4 in New York
65.4
County Score

County Report Card

About Essex County, New York

Essex Ranks in Top Quartile Nationally

Essex County scores 64.0, substantially exceeding the national median of 50.0 and ranking in the 78th-82nd percentile. The county demonstrates impressive livability on a national scale.

One of New York's Best Performers

Essex scores 64.0, significantly above New York's state average of 54.7, making it one of the state's top-performing counties. The county excels across multiple livability dimensions.

Tax Efficiency and Affordable Housing

Essex shines with a tax score of 58.5 and cost score of 76.8, offering a 1.556% effective tax rate and median rent of just $890/month. The median home value of $200,000 provides strong housing value overall.

Income Opportunities Could Be Stronger

Essex's income score of 29.2 reflects a median household income of $70,215, moderate for a strong overall performer. Job seekers may find limited high-earning employment locally.

Perfect for Tax-Conscious Value Seekers

Essex County suits households prioritizing low taxes and affordable housing, particularly retirees and remote workers with external income. The county offers excellent livability for those less dependent on local employment.

Score breakdown

5 dimensions have live data. 3 more coming as vertical sites launch.

Tax58.5Cost76.8SafetyComing SoonHealth78.6SchoolsComing SoonIncome29.2Risk37.4WaterComing Soon
🏛58.5
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠76.8
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼29.2
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
❤78.6
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
⚡37.4
Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index — flood, fire, tornado, and more
RiskByCounty →
💧Coming Soon
Water Quality
EPA drinking water health violations and safety grades

Explore this county

Property Taxtaxbycounty.comCost of Livingcostbycounty.comIncomeincomebycounty.com
Compare Essex County with another county →

Counties with similar scores

Barrow County
Georgia
65.4
Median income: $77,477
Grady County
Georgia
65.4
Median income: $54,312
Tattnall County
Georgia
65.4
Median income: $52,351
Vanderburgh County
Indiana
65.4
Median income: $60,938
Barber County
Kansas
65.4
Median income: $57,615

Deep Dives

Essex County across the ByCounty Network

Detailed analysis from 5 data dimensions — each powered by a dedicated ByCounty site.

Property Tax in Essex County

via TaxByCounty

Essex has second-lowest rate regionally

Essex County's effective tax rate of 1.556% exceeds the national median effective rate of roughly 0.71%, yet its median property tax of $3,111 is just above the national median of $2,690. This reflects Essex's rural character with home values near the national average at $200,000.

Essex rate well below state average

Essex County's effective rate of 1.556% is notably lower than New York's state average of 2.046%, and its median property tax of $3,111 is substantially below the state average of $4,709. Essex offers one of the more favorable tax profiles in New York.

Essex matches Columbia's low rate

Essex County's effective rate of 1.556% is nearly identical to Columbia County's 1.548%, making both the lowest in this regional group. Essex's median tax of $3,111 is lower than Columbia's $4,795, reflecting the Adirondack county's more modest home values.

Essex homeowners pay $3,111 tax

A homeowner with a median-valued property of $200,000 in Essex County pays an estimated $3,111 in annual property taxes, or about $260 per month. With mortgage escrow, the total typically reaches approximately $3,789.

Low rates don't guarantee fair value

Even with Essex County's favorable tax rate, homeowners should confirm their properties are assessed at fair market value—errors happen regardless of overall county rates. Requesting an assessment review from your local assessor is free and could protect your property investment.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in Essex County

via CostByCounty

Essex County excels at rent affordability

Essex County's rent-to-income ratio of 15.2% ranks among the nation's most affordable, with median rent at just $890 monthly. Despite household incomes of $70,215 running below the national average, housing costs scale remarkably low.

Most affordable county in survey

At 15.2%, Essex's rent-to-income ratio beats every other county in this analysis and significantly outpaces New York's 17.6% average. Median rents of $890 rank among the lowest statewide, making Essex genuine value territory.

Regional affordability champion

Essex's $890 rent sits just above Chenango at $819 but remains $21–$60 cheaper than most neighboring upstate counties. Median home values of $200,000 keep ownership accessible without premium pricing.

Exceptional affordability across household types

With incomes of $70,215, Essex renters paying $890 dedicate just 15.2% of income to housing—the lowest ratio in this group. Homeowners face $1,024 monthly, or 17.5% of income, maintaining affordability for both renters and buyers.

Adirondack living at unbeatable prices

Essex combines Adirondack beauty with New York's best rent affordability, making it ideal for nature lovers with modest incomes. At 15.2%, Essex's rent-to-income ratio is hard to beat anywhere in the state—if Adirondack living appeals, this county delivers.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in Essex County

via IncomeByCounty

Essex keeps close to the nation

Essex County's median household income of $70,215 falls 6.1% below the national median of $74,755, placing it just slightly below the American average. This modest gap reflects a North Country economy with steady tourism, forestry, and public-sector employment.

Slightly below New York's average

At $70,215, Essex trails New York State's $76,433 average by $6,218, ranking it in the lower-middle tier of the state's 62 counties. The county's rural character and reliance on seasonal tourism and government jobs create moderate but stable household incomes.

Competitive with northern tier

Essex's $70,215 sits between neighboring Clinton ($69,208) and falls behind Columbia ($83,619) to the south, placing it squarely in the North Country income band. The region's shared reliance on Lake Champlain tourism and public employment keeps wages relatively aligned.

Best rent affordability in the region

Essex boasts the region's lowest rent-to-income ratio at 15.2%, well below the national 30% benchmark, and a median home value of $200,000. This exceptional housing affordability means households in Essex stretch their $70,215 income further than counterparts elsewhere.

Save aggressively while costs stay low

With $70,215 in median income and just 15.2% going to rent, Essex residents have genuine room to build wealth—the nation's best affordability ratio in this cohort. Automate 15–20% of your income into savings and investments while this advantage holds.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Health in Essex County

via HealthByCounty

Essex matches the national standard

At 78.4 years, Essex County residents live about 2 years longer than the U.S. average of 76.4 years. A 14.7% poor/fair health rate places Essex in the healthier range of this cohort.

Above state average, solid standing

Essex's 78.4-year life expectancy exceeds New York's state average of 77.9 years by 0.5 years. The county ranks in the upper half statewide for health outcomes.

Strong northern Adirondack health profile

Essex (78.4 years) outpaces Clinton County (77.8 years) but trails Columbia County (79.2 years) and Dutchess County (79.3 years). As an Adirondack county, Essex shows the region's variable health profile.

Moderate provider access, good coverage

Essex offers 51 primary care and 204 mental health providers per 100,000 residents, representing moderate access in a rural county. At 5.4% uninsured, Essex is slightly above the state average, but most residents can connect with available providers.

Ensure coverage for preventive care

Essex's moderate health outcomes can improve when residents maintain consistent insurance and preventive relationships. Explore your options at NY State of Health to strengthen coverage and access.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Disaster Risk in Essex County

via RiskByCounty

Essex County ranks among the safest

Essex County's composite risk score of 62.66 places it below the national average, earning a relatively low risk rating. The county benefits from notably low tornado (23.79) and wildfire (24.81) risks, though earthquake (72.84) and flood (76.94) exposures merit attention. This favorable overall positioning reflects Essex's geographic advantages for disaster safety.

Below-average risk within New York

At 62.66, Essex County scores below New York's state average of 69.42, placing it among the state's safer counties for natural disaster exposure. This below-average standing means Essex residents face significantly lower vulnerability compared to most New York neighbors. The county's risk profile provides substantial peace of mind compared to statewide patterns.

Among the safest in this regional group

Essex County's 62.66 ranks it as one of the safest counties in this comparison, trailing only Cortland (51.24) and Clinton (68.80). This favorable position compared to peers like Chenango (72.33) and Columbia (68.67) reflects Essex's geographic protection. Your county enjoys notably lower disaster vulnerability than most surrounding areas.

Earthquake and flood deserve attention

Despite Essex's overall safety ranking, earthquake risk (72.84) and flood exposure (76.94) represent your primary hazard concerns, both moderately elevated. Tornado risk (23.79) and wildfire danger (24.81) remain exceptionally low for a New York county. Your hazard profile is comparatively simple and manageable.

Earthquake and flood insurance provide security

While Essex County enjoys favorable overall disaster risk, your county's moderately elevated earthquake (72.84) and flood (76.94) exposures warrant specialized coverage often overlooked. Flood insurance through the National Flood Insurance Program and seismic coverage through your homeowners insurer provide comprehensive protection. Bundle these with standard homeowners insurance for complete peace of mind.

Full disaster risk analysis on RiskByCounty

ByCounty Network

🏛Property Tax🏠Cost of Living💼Income & Jobs🛡Safety❤Health🎓Schools⚡Disaster Risk💧Water Quality

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