CountyScore

Fulton County

New York · NY

#19 in New York
60.9
County Score

County Report Card

About Fulton County, New York

Fulton County exceeds national average

Fulton County's composite score of 57.8 beats the national median of 50.0, ranking it in the 58th percentile nationally. The county performs solidly on livability across measured dimensions.

Slightly above New York average

With a score of 57.8, Fulton County sits just above New York's state average of 54.7, making it a mid-tier performer statewide. The county holds its own among New York's 62 counties.

Affordable housing in rural upstate

Fulton County's cost score of 77.8 reflects strong housing affordability, with a median home value of $156,100 and monthly rent at $883. These prices make homeownership and renting accessible to working families.

Tax burden and income lag behind

The county's tax score of 42.4 and effective tax rate of 2.13% are moderate concerns, while the income score of 24.3 reflects a median household income of $62,615. Complete data on safety, health, and schools remains unavailable.

Best for budget seekers in upstate

Fulton County appeals to families wanting affordable housing and rural character without steep tax burdens. It suits those willing to trade higher incomes for lower living costs.

Score breakdown

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

Tax42.4Cost77.8SafetyComing SoonHealth72.1SchoolsComing SoonIncome24.3Risk51.4WaterComing Soon
🏛42.4
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠77.8
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼24.3
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
❤72.1
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
⚡51.4
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 Fulton County with another county →

Counties with similar scores

Kings County
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60.9
Median income: $68,750
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Median income: $63,450
Montgomery County
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Median income: $53,242
Bristol County
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60.9
Median income: $84,198
Atascosa County
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60.9
Median income: $69,413

Deep Dives

Fulton County across the ByCounty Network

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

Property Tax in Fulton County

via TaxByCounty

Fulton's rate slightly above U.S. median

Fulton County's effective tax rate of 2.13% is slightly above the national median of 2.13%, placing it right around the middle nationally. This means Fulton homeowners pay roughly average property taxes compared to the rest of America.

Right at New York's state average

Fulton County's 2.13% effective rate is slightly above New York's average of 2.046%, putting it in the middle of the state's tax spectrum. This near-average position reflects Fulton's balanced approach to property taxation within New York.

Middle ground in regional tax rates

Fulton's 2.13% rate sits between Franklin County's 1.88% and Genesee County's 2.51%, making it a moderate option regionally. Compared to Hamilton County's very low 0.98%, Fulton residents pay meaningfully more in property taxes.

Median home taxes run $3,325 yearly

The typical Fulton County home is valued at $156,100 and generates an annual property tax bill of $3,325. With mortgage exemptions, some homeowners may pay $2,793, while others pay up to $3,656.

Assessment errors cost homeowners money

Many properties in Fulton County are assessed above their fair market value, leading to inflated tax bills. Requesting a formal assessment review and filing an appeal if warranted can significantly reduce your annual property tax.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in Fulton County

via CostByCounty

Fulton County beats national average

Fulton County residents spend 16.9% of income on rent, outperforming the national average and tracking close to New York's state average of 17.6%. With median income at $62,615 and rent at $883 monthly, the county offers solid affordability for renters nationwide.

Competitive pricing within New York

Fulton County's median rent of $883 sits well below New York's $1,133 state average, reflecting the county's position as an affordable upstate option. The 16.9% rent-to-income ratio places it among the state's better deals for housing-conscious households.

Middle ground among region

Fulton County's $883 rent positions it between Franklin County ($819) and Genesee County ($909), offering a middle ground in the upstate market. The county's 16.9% rent-to-income ratio trails only Herkimer County and Hamilton County among comparable neighbors.

Housing costs stay manageable

Fulton County households earning the median $62,615 annually allocate $883 monthly to rent, consuming about 17% of gross income. Homebuyers face a median monthly owner cost of $963 and median home value of $156,100, offering reasonable pathways to ownership.

Fulton offers solid upstate value

Relocating to Fulton County means accessing New York housing at 16.9% of income—below state average—with rents averaging $883 and home values around $156,100. The county balances affordability with regional accessibility, making it competitive for budget-conscious homebuyers and renters alike.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in Fulton County

via IncomeByCounty

Fulton income underperforms nationally

Fulton County's median household income of $62,615 ranks 16.2% below the U.S. median of $74,755, placing households here at a meaningful earnings disadvantage compared to the nation. The annual gap of $12,140 reflects economic headwinds in the region.

Second-lowest among New York counties

Fulton County ranks 61st of 62 New York counties for median household income, outpacing only one county statewide. At $62,615, median income falls $13,818 below the state average of $76,433, and per capita income of $34,843 trails the state by 15.3%.

Struggling relative to surrounding counties

Fulton's $62,615 median sits nearly $9,500 below Franklin County ($63,747) and trails Genesee County ($72,055) by nearly $9,500. Among upstate neighbors, Fulton ranks among the most economically challenged.

Housing costs stretch household budgets

Fulton County's rent-to-income ratio of 16.9% remains in the affordable range, but combined with stagnant wages, leaves limited discretionary income for households. The median home value of $156,100 requires roughly 2.5 years of median household income, above what many local earners can comfortably afford.

Strategic saving critical for families

With tighter household budgets, Fulton County residents should prioritize automatic savings—even small amounts directed to savings accounts build resilience against unexpected expenses. Exploring free financial counseling services and employer benefits can help maximize limited resources.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Health in Fulton County

via HealthByCounty

Fulton County faces significant health challenges

At 75.0 years, Fulton County's life expectancy falls 3.2 years below the U.S. average of 78.2 years—one of the steepest gaps among the counties examined. A 18.5% poor or fair health rate further underscores higher disease and disability burden.

Among New York's lowest life expectancy counties

Fulton County's 75.0-year life expectancy trails New York's 77.9-year state average by nearly 3 years, placing it in the lower quartile statewide. This gap reflects persistent barriers to health and healthcare access in the county.

Struggling compared to surrounding counties

Fulton County's 75.0-year life expectancy is 2.4 years below Hamilton County and 2.3 years below both Franklin and Jefferson counties. The county also has the fewest primary care providers (32 per 100K) among its peer group.

Healthcare access remains limited

Fulton County's 5.8% uninsured rate is already above the state average of 5.3%, and the county struggles with provider shortages—just 32 primary care providers and 264 mental health providers per 100,000 residents. This combination creates real delays in accessing care.

Take the first step toward better health

Uninsured Fulton County residents can apply for coverage through the New York State of Health marketplace at nystateofhealth.ny.gov. Many qualify for subsidies that lower premiums and out-of-pocket costs significantly.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Disaster Risk in Fulton County

via RiskByCounty

Fulton County presents below-average U.S. risk

Fulton County's composite risk score of 48.63 places it in the relatively low category nationally, meaning residents face fewer natural disaster threats than typical American communities. The county's risk profile is balanced across multiple hazard types rather than concentrated in any single area.

Below New York's average but mid-range upstate

At 48.63, Fulton County scores about 30% lower than New York's 69.42 average, positioning it as one of the state's safer counties. Only Hamilton County and Franklin County register lower risk in the immediate region.

Slightly riskier than Franklin but safer than Herkimer

Fulton County (48.63) edges out Franklin County (48.85) by a minimal margin, making them roughly equivalent in overall risk. However, both substantially outperform Herkimer County (60.02) and Greene County (68.29), which face considerably higher flooding and tornado threats.

Flooding and hurricanes top the list

Flood risk leads at 66.38, followed by hurricane risk at 64.50—two hazards that often strike together in late summer and fall. Tornado risk of 40.04 also demands attention, placing Fulton County above the national average for this threat, though wildfire remains minimal at 27.42.

Get flood insurance and hurricane prep supplies

Flood insurance should be a priority for Fulton County homeowners, especially those within the 100-year floodplain, given the county's 66.38 risk score. Equally important: secure your home against high winds, maintain emergency supplies, and review your homeowner's policy to ensure hurricane damage is covered.

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.