countyscore
55.2
County Score
Safety 94.9Income & Jobs 82.2Health 79.9

County Report Card

About Kings County, New York

A National Leader

Kings County (Brooklyn) earns a composite score of 55.2, significantly higher than the national median of 50.0. This is a remarkably high score for one of the nation's most densely populated areas.

Leading the New York Pack

The county's 55.2 score sits well above the state average of 47.0. It outshines many other New York counties by offering a unique mix of high income and high safety scores.

Elite Safety and Prosperity

Kings surprises with a near-perfect safety score of 94.9 and a strong income score of 82.2. A surprisingly low 0.688% effective tax rate earns it a high tax score of 64.4.

Extreme Costs and Risks

The cost score of 2.0 reflects immense housing pressure, with median home values at $889,700. Additionally, the environmental risk score is a critical low at 0.7, while water data is currently unavailable.

The Successful Urbanite's Choice

Kings is the perfect match for high-earning professionals who prioritize urban safety and career growth over space. It suits those who can afford premium housing in exchange for a dynamic lifestyle.

Score breakdown

Tax64.4Cost2Safety94.9Health79.9Schools41.4Income82.2Risk0.7WaterComing SoonWeather71.3
🏛64.4
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠2
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼82.2
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡94.9
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
CrimeByCounty →
❤79.9
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓41.4
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
SchoolsByCounty →
⚡0.7
Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index — flood, fire, tornado, and more
RiskByCounty →
💧
Water Quality
EPA drinking water health violations and safety grades
WaterByCounty →
🌤71.3
Weather & Climate
Average temperatures, precipitation, and extreme weather events
WeatherByCounty →
🪨31
Soil Quality
Soil composition, pH, drainage, and organic matter content
SoilByCounty →
🌱54
Lawn Care
Lawn difficulty score based on climate, soil, and grass suitability
LawnByCounty →
🛒
Farmers Markets
Local market density, SNAP/EBT acceptance, and product variety
MarketsByCounty →
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Nearby counties

Hudson County
New Jersey
33.6
Richmond County
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47.1
Queens County
New York
41.6
New York County
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Essex County
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Bronx County
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Union County
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Bergen County
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Deep Dives

Kings County across the ByCounty Network

Detailed analysis from 10 data dimensions — each powered by a dedicated ByCounty site.

Property Tax in Kings County

via TaxByCounty

Kings County's rate is exceptionally low

Kings County's effective tax rate of 0.688% ranks among the lowest in the entire nation, roughly one-third the U.S. median of 2.13%. However, this low rate masks substantial dollar amounts due to extraordinarily high home values.

New York's lowest effective rate

At 0.688%, Kings County has the lowest effective tax rate in New York, well below the state average of 2.046%. Yet Kings residents still pay more in absolute dollars due to homes valued at nearly $900,000 on average.

Rate advantage offset by home prices

Kings County's 0.688% rate is the lowest in the state and region; however, median home values of $889,700 are dramatically higher than Franklin County ($128,600) or Jefferson County ($181,000). The tax advantage is offset by the region's luxury real estate market.

Annual taxes average $6,120

Despite the lowest effective rate in New York, Kings County's median annual property tax is $6,120 due to sky-high home values. Homeowners pay between $5,952 and $6,393 annually, reflecting the county's ultra-premium real estate.

High-value properties deserve scrutiny

In Kings County's luxury market, assessment accuracy is critical—even small percentage errors translate to thousands in misdirected taxes. Request a detailed assessment review and consider professional appraisal if your property's valuation seems inflated.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in Kings County

via CostByCounty

Kings County's affordability crisis

Kings County residents spend 27.3% of income on rent—the highest ratio in this survey and nearly double the national average. With median household income of $78,548 and median rent of $1,784 monthly, even above-average earners struggle with housing costs.

Extreme housing burden statewide

Kings County's 27.3% rent-to-income ratio far exceeds New York's 17.6% state average, positioning it as the state's most housing-stressed county in this survey. Median rent of $1,784 reflects the extreme costs of this densely urban market.

Uniquely expensive market

Kings County's $1,784 median rent dwarfs all upstate neighbors—more than double Jefferson County's $1,214. As Brooklyn, Kings represents a fundamentally different housing market than rural and small-city upstate alternatives.

Extraordinary housing burden

Kings County renters earning the median $78,548 annually pay $1,784 monthly for housing, consuming 27% of gross income. Homebuyers navigate median home values of $889,700 and monthly owner costs of $2,248—extraordinary figures that leave limited discretionary spending across income levels.

Reconsider Kings for affordability

If housing affordability influences your relocation decision, Kings County (Brooklyn) presents a fundamentally different challenge than upstate alternatives—with 27.3% of income going to rent versus 14-17% elsewhere in New York. Moving upstate to counties like Herkimer or Genesee could cut housing costs by 50% or more.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in Kings County

via IncomeByCounty

Kings income tops national average

Kings County's median household income of $78,548 exceeds the national median of $74,755 by 5.1%, placing it among stronger-earning regions nationally. This $3,793 advantage reflects a dense, diverse urban economy with robust earning potential.

Top-tier New York county performer

Kings County ranks 6th of 62 New York counties for median household income, exceeding the state average of $76,433 by $2,115. Per capita income of $46,057 towers above the state average of $41,133 by 12%, indicating strong earnings concentration.

Clear earnings leader in the group

Kings County's $78,548 median dramatically outearns all seven comparison counties, exceeding Greene ($74,011) by $4,537 and Jefferson ($64,978) by $13,570. As Brooklyn, it represents the state's most economically robust county by far.

Income barely covers housing costs

Despite highest incomes, Kings County faces a rent-to-income ratio of 27.3%—approaching the 30% affordability threshold—due to median home values of $889,700. Households earn more but face housing costs that consume a larger share of earnings than anywhere else in the eight-county group.

Navigate wealth amid high costs

Kings County residents earning above-average incomes should resist lifestyle inflation driven by high housing costs and instead prioritize tax-advantaged investments, diversified portfolios, and long-term wealth strategies. Working with financial advisors on real estate investment strategies can help capture property appreciation while freeing capital for broader investments.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Safety in Kings County

via CrimeByCounty

Kings County Reports Exceptionally Low Statistics

Kings County shows an anomalously low total crime rate of 0.7 per 100K, leading to a safety score of 100.0. However, this data comes from only one reporting agency and should be interpreted with significant caution. It does not reflect the standard national average of 2,385.5.

Data Divergence from State Averages

While the New York state average crime rate is 1,074.4, Kings County’s reported 0.7 is a statistical outlier. This suggests that comprehensive reporting for the entire county may be limited in the 2022 dataset. Residents should look to more localized city data for a complete picture.

A Unique Profile in the Region

Compared to nearby counties with more reporting agencies, Kings County’s numbers appear far lower than reality. Neighbors like Jefferson (1,228.7) show more typical reporting patterns for New York. The single-agency data here makes direct comparisons to neighbors difficult.

Reporting Gaps Mask Local Realities

The data reports zero violent crimes and only 0.7 property crimes per 100K. Because these numbers are so low for a major urban area, they likely represent incomplete reporting for the year. Practical safety requires looking beyond these specific 2022 figures.

Always Prioritize Your Personal Safety

Regardless of anomalous statistics, maintaining home security is essential in any urban environment. Use high-quality locks, alarm systems, and stay aware of your surroundings at all times. Reliable safety comes from preparation rather than relying on incomplete data sets.

Full safety analysis on CrimeByCounty

Health in Kings County

via HealthByCounty

Kings County leads the nation on life expectancy

At 80.1 years, Kings County's life expectancy is 1.9 years above the U.S. average of 78.2 years—the highest in this eight-county group and well above national norms. The county's 17.0% poor or fair health rate shows strong overall population health despite urban density.

New York's life expectancy champion

Kings County's 80.1-year life expectancy exceeds New York's 77.9-year state average by 2.2 years, placing it among the state's healthiest counties. This exceptional performance reflects Brooklyn's diverse resources and robust healthcare infrastructure.

Far outpaces regional peer group

Kings County's 80.1-year life expectancy exceeds every other county in this group by at least 1.7 years, with the next-highest being Hamilton County at 78.4 years. The county's 63 primary care providers and 313 mental health providers per 100K far exceed rural peers.

Dense urban provider network, elevated uninsured rate

Kings County's 6.5% uninsured rate is above the state average of 5.3%, though access to providers is exceptional—63 primary care and 313 mental health providers per 100,000 residents, by far the highest in this group. Urban density ensures proximity to care despite insurance gaps.

Navigate coverage options in Kings County

With New York's most robust provider network, Kings County residents who are uninsured should enroll immediately at nystateofhealth.ny.gov. Subsidies and Medicaid eligibility help make coverage affordable in this high-cost urban market.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Schools in Kings County

via SchoolsByCounty

The Massive Scale of Brooklyn's Education System

Kings County manages 572 public schools serving an immense population of 291,255 students. This urban infrastructure includes nearly 300 elementary schools and 147 high schools spread across 102 district segments.

Meeting the Challenges of Urban Education

The county maintains a graduation rate of 77.1% with a per-pupil expenditure of $8,755. While these figures are below state averages, the county's school score of 50.5 aligns perfectly with the national median score.

A Major Hub for Charter School Innovation

Charter schools are a staple of the landscape, with 90 schools representing over 15% of the total educational options. Geographic District #15 is one of the largest, serving over 26,000 students across 49 diverse campuses.

Large High Schools in a Dense City Setting

Almost all 572 schools are located in a city locale, with an average enrollment of 509 students. Brooklyn Technical High School is a standout, serving nearly 6,000 students in one of the nation's largest academic environments.

Navigate Brooklyn's Vast School Market

With over 500 schools, choosing a home in Brooklyn often starts with selecting a geographic district or charter network. Use school quality and specialized programs as your guide when exploring the diverse neighborhoods across the borough.

Full schools analysis on SchoolsByCounty

Disaster Risk in Kings County

via RiskByCounty

Kings County faces extreme U.S. natural disaster risk

Kings County's composite risk score of 99.27 ranks among the nation's most hazardous communities, driven by near-maximum exposure across all five natural disaster categories. This Brooklyn-based urban county faces hurricane, flood, earthquake, and tornado risks that exceed virtually every American county.

New York's single highest-risk county

At 99.27, Kings County's risk score dramatically exceeds New York's 69.42 average—ranking as the state's most vulnerable community by a massive margin. The next-highest county scores roughly 40 points lower, highlighting Kings County's exceptional exposure.

Catastrophically higher risk than any peer

Kings County (99.27) bears no comparison to any neighboring county in New York's risk profile—it stands alone in extreme exposure. All other New York counties measured in this analysis score below 70, making Kings County an outlier facing hazards that dwarf those experienced by residents anywhere else in the state.

All five disaster types pose severe threats

Flood risk of 99.36 and hurricane risk of 97.41 dominate, reflecting Kings County's coastal position and sea-level vulnerability to Atlantic storms and rising waters. Tornado risk of 94.18 and earthquake risk of 98.63 rank only marginally lower, creating a multi-hazard environment where residents face concurrent threats year-round.

Comprehensive insurance is non-negotiable

Kings County residents must obtain flood insurance immediately—the 99.36 risk score makes this essential, not optional, for any property within city limits. Add earthquake coverage, verify wind/hurricane protection, and consider comprehensive umbrella liability insurance given the 99.27 composite score reflecting extreme, pervasive natural disaster exposure.

Full disaster risk analysis on RiskByCounty

Weather & Climate in Kings County

via WeatherByCounty

Warmer and More Humid

Kings County (Brooklyn) is much warmer than the national median with a 55.5°F average annual temperature. Its coastal location provides a humid subtropical influence that keeps winters relatively mild.

Warmest Region in New York

Kings is one of the warmest counties in the state, averaging 55.5°F compared to the 47.4°F state average. It records far more extreme heat days and significantly less snow than upstate New York.

A Different Climate World

Kings is drastically warmer than northern counties like Herkimer (42.8°F) or Hamilton (41.0°F). While upstate neighbors deal with over 100 inches of snow, Kings receives only 24.5 inches.

Hot Summers and Mild Winters

Summers are hot with a 77.5°F July average and 14 days of extreme heat over 90°F. Winters are the mildest in the state, averaging 36.1°F with relatively light snowfall.

Prioritize Cooling Systems

Invest in efficient air conditioning and heat mitigation for the 14 days of extreme summer heat. Heavy winter gear is rarely necessary as snowfall typically stays under 25 inches for the year.

Full weather & climate analysis on WeatherByCounty

Soil Quality in Kings County

via SoilByCounty

Extreme Acidity in Brooklyn's Soil

Kings County soil is very acidic with an average pH of 3.89, far below the national median of 6.5. This level is also significantly lower than the state average of 5.11. Such high acidity is a primary factor for urban gardeners to address through soil amendments.

Urban Sandy Mix with Low Clay

The soil contains 46.3% sand, 14.1% silt, and only 5.2% clay. This high sand content means the soil is likely to drain very quickly but may struggle to hold onto nutrients. The low clay percentage keeps the soil from compacting, which is a rare benefit in an urban environment.

Lower Water Capacity in an Urban Setting

Organic matter is 12.11%, which is lower than the state average of 17.01%. The available water capacity is also low at 0.103 in/in, compared to the state average of 0.182 in/in. These soils may require extra irrigation and organic additions to support thirsty garden plants.

Fast Drainage Challenges for City Soils

Official drainage and hydrologic data are not recorded for this urban county. However, the high sand content and low water capacity point to very rapid drainage. Urban gardeners should focus on improving water retention through mulching and regular watering.

Thriving in the Warmth of Zone 7b

Kings County enjoys a long, warm growing season in hardiness zone 7b. This allows for a wider range of plants, including those that would not survive further north. By adding compost and lime, you can turn this sandy soil into a thriving urban oasis.

Full soil quality analysis on SoilByCounty

Lawn Care in Kings County

via LawnByCounty

Urban Lawn Challenges in Brooklyn

Kings County has a lawn difficulty score of 54.0, making it more challenging than the state average of 61.1. While it is slightly easier than the national median, the local Hardiness Zone 7b environment brings unique urban heat and soil issues. Success here requires managing higher temperatures and acidic urban soils.

Long Growing Season and High Heat

Brooklyn experiences 14 extreme heat days per year, double the New York state average. However, the 47.1 inches of precipitation and a massive 3,780 growing degree days mean grass can grow for a much longer part of the year. This extended season starts in early April and lasts well into November.

High Acidity in Sandy Urban Soil

The soil pH in Kings County is very low at 3.89, requiring significant lime treatment to support healthy grass. The soil is 46.3% sand and only 5.2% clay, which leads to very fast drainage and potential nutrient runoff. Urban lawns here benefit greatly from regular organic fertilization to improve the soil's holding capacity.

Full Drought Exposure in the City

Currently, 100.0% of the county is abnormally dry, and it faced 25 weeks of drought conditions over the past year. In this sandy, high-heat environment, lawns can become parched and dormant very quickly without regular watering. Using a smart sprinkler system can help manage water use during these frequent dry periods.

Selecting Grass for Zone 7b

Tall Fescue is the best choice for Brooklyn because it handles the 14 heat days and sandy soil better than other cool-season grasses. Your planting window is broad, starting after the last frost on April 1 and lasting until the first frost on November 19. Seed in the fall to take advantage of the long, mild autumn temperatures.

Full lawn care analysis on LawnByCounty

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Kings County's county score?
Kings County, New York has a composite county score of 55.2 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 Kings County rank among counties in New York?
Kings County ranks #8 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 Kings County, New York?
The median annual property tax in Kings County is $6,120, with an effective tax rate of 0.69%. This earns Kings County a tax score of 64.4/100 on CountyScore (higher = lower taxes).
What is the median household income in Kings County?
The median household income in Kings County, New York is $78,548 per year according to U.S. Census Bureau data. Kings County earns an income score of 82.2/100 on CountyScore.
Is Kings County, New York a good place to live?
Kings County scores 55.2/100 on CountyScore's overall county ranking, ranking #8 in New York. The best way to evaluate Kings 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 Kings County with other counties side by side.

ByCounty Network

🏛Property Tax🏠Cost of Living💼Income & Jobs🛡Safety❤Health🎓Schools⚡Disaster Risk💧Water Quality🌤Weather & Climate🪨Soil Quality🌱Lawn Care🛒Farmers Markets

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