CountyScore

Ontario County

New York · NY

#23 in New York
59.8
County Score

County Report Card

About Ontario County, New York

Ontario exceeds national livability

Ontario County's composite score of 54.4 sits comfortably above the national median of 50.0, placing it in the upper-middle tier of U.S. counties. The score reflects competitive livability across the dimensions measured to date.

Right at New York's middle mark

At 54.4, Ontario County sits just below New York's state average of 54.7, holding its own among the state's mid-tier performers. The county is neither a top performer nor a laggard within New York.

Best-in-class income and value balance

Ontario leads its peers with an Income Score of 35.5, backed by a median household income of $79,814—among the highest in this county set. The Cost Score of 69.7 and median home value of $202,900 maintain reasonable affordability while incomes rise.

Tax load creates modest headwind

The Tax Score of 40.4 and 2.198% effective tax rate represent a middle-of-the-road burden that could be lighter. Critical data on safety, health, schools, and environmental quality remain unavailable.

Strong fit for middle-class stability

Ontario County appeals to working families and professionals seeking a balanced combination of decent income potential and manageable housing costs. Its above-national-average composite score and above-median household income make it a reliable choice for those prioritizing economic security.

Score breakdown

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

Tax40.4Cost69.7SafetyComing SoonHealth81.8SchoolsComing SoonIncome35.5Risk36.5WaterComing Soon
🏛40.4
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠69.7
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼35.5
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
❤81.8
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
⚡36.5
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 Ontario County with another county →

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Clackamas County
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Deep Dives

Ontario County across the ByCounty Network

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

Property Tax in Ontario County

via TaxByCounty

Ontario sits slightly above the national average

Ontario County's effective tax rate of 2.198% runs modestly above the national median of 2.690%, placing it in the upper-middle range across America. The median home value of $202,900 is closer to the national median of $281,900, and residents pay $4,460 annually in taxes.

Ontario ranks in the upper tier statewide

At 2.198%, Ontario's effective rate exceeds New York's state average of 2.046%, putting it in the higher-tax segment of the state's counties. The median tax bill of $4,460 sits just below the state median of $4,709, reflecting Ontario's relatively higher property values.

Ontario's rates reflect central New York trends

Ontario's 2.198% rate falls between Oneida's 2.131% and Onondaga's 2.593%, positioning it in the moderate-to-high range for the region. The median tax of $4,460 is the highest among nearby counties in proportion to regional home values.

What the typical Ontario homeowner pays

The median home in Ontario County is worth $202,900, and at the county's 2.198% effective rate, that amounts to roughly $4,460 per year in property taxes. Those with mortgages typically pay $4,641 annually, while homeowners without pay $4,047.

Assessment appeals can offset higher tax rates

With rates above the state average, Ontario homeowners benefit especially from contesting inflated assessments. Many properties are overvalued relative to market conditions, and challenging your assessment through your local assessor's office costs nothing and often yields substantial savings.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in Ontario County

via CostByCounty

Ontario's rent ratio stays below national stress

Ontario County residents spend 16.9% of their income on rent, well below the national affordability crisis threshold and among the healthiest ratios statewide. With a median household income of $79,814—higher than the national average—Ontario residents have solid earning power relative to housing costs.

One of New York's more affordable options

Ontario County's 16.9% rent-to-income ratio outperforms the state average of 17.6%, positioning it among New York's more livable housing markets. The median rent of $1,126 sits modestly above the state average, reflecting a slight price premium justified by better incomes and affordability metrics.

Ontario leads region in balanced affordability

Ontario's $1,126 rent ranks between Onondaga ($1,067) and the costlier Putnam County markets, while its 16.9% rent-to-income ratio beats the state average. The county offers higher earning potential than Oneida or Oswego while maintaining comparable affordability to its regional peers.

Strong incomes offset slightly higher rents

Ontario households earn $79,814 annually—$5,059 above the national median—while paying $1,126 in rent, resulting in a healthy 16.9% housing-cost ratio. Owner costs of $1,199 per month remain manageable relative to this county's stronger wage base.

Ontario rewards higher earners seeking value

If your household income exceeds state medians, Ontario County delivers strong affordability with above-average earnings and rent-to-income ratios better than the state. The combination of $79,814 median income and 16.9% rent burden makes it an attractive alternative to pricier downstate counties.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in Ontario County

via IncomeByCounty

Ontario earns above the national mark

Ontario County's median household income of $79,814 exceeds the national median of $74,755 by $5,059—a 6.8% advantage. This solid performance places the county in the upper-middle tier of American earnings.

Comfortably above state average

Ontario surpasses the state median of $76,433 by $3,381, ranking well within New York's upper-income counties. The per capita income of $44,500 also outpaces the state average of $41,133 by $3,367.

A earnings leader in central NY

Ontario exceeds all nearby counties except Putnam ($127,405), outearning Orange ($96,497), Onondaga ($74,740), and Oneida ($68,819). The county stands as a strong income hub in the region.

Housing costs remain stable

Ontario's 16.9% rent-to-income ratio reflects healthy housing affordability with $13,500 median home value compared to household income. Residents enjoy above-average earnings with responsible housing-cost burdens.

Invest your earnings advantage

Above-average income positions Ontario households to accelerate wealth building through investments and homeownership. Work with a financial advisor to capitalize on your earning strength through diversified portfolios and long-term wealth strategies.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Health in Ontario County

via HealthByCounty

Ontario leads on U.S. life expectancy

Ontario County residents live to 79.8 years on average—nearly a full year longer than the U.S. average of 78.9 years. The county's 13.6% poor or fair health rate sits just 0.2 percentage points above the national average, reflecting strong population health.

Outshines New York State average

At 79.8 years, Ontario County's life expectancy exceeds New York State's 77.9-year average by 1.9 years. The county's 4.3% uninsured rate also beats the state's 5.3%, making it one of New York's healthier, better-insured counties.

Regional health leader

Ontario's 79.8-year life expectancy outpaces all regional peers, beating nearby Onondaga (77.7) by 2.1 years and Otsego (77.7) by 2.1 years. With 83 primary care providers per 100,000 and solid mental health infrastructure, Ontario combines strong clinical access with longevity outcomes.

Well-resourced, well-insured county

Ontario offers 83 primary care providers per 100,000 residents and 301 mental health providers per 100,000, supporting robust healthcare capacity. Only 4.3% of county residents lack insurance, among New York's lowest rates.

Keep coverage current and accessible

Even in a well-insured county like Ontario, lapses happen. Review your plan annually and use NY State of Health or local navigators to update coverage if you change jobs or income.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Disaster Risk in Ontario County

via RiskByCounty

Ontario: Below-Average National Disaster Risk

Ontario County scores 63.55 on composite disaster risk, placing it below the national average and in the relatively low risk category. While this favorable ranking reflects lower exposure to major hazards compared to most American counties, specific threats like flooding still warrant serious attention. Ontario residents can feel somewhat assured overall, but preparation remains important for localized hazards.

Ontario Below New York's Average Risk

Ontario scores 63.55 compared to New York's state average of 69.42, positioning it as one of the safer counties in New York by disaster risk. This below-average profile gives Ontario an advantage in terms of overall hazard exposure compared to state peers. However, specific risks like flood vulnerability still require local attention and preparedness.

Ontario: Lower Risk Than Surrounding Counties

Ontario (63.55) has meaningfully lower risk than neighbors Oneida (86.32), Onondaga (91.25), and Otsego (75.83), making it one of the safer spots in central New York. Only Oswego County (67.56) compares closely in the regional risk picture. Ontario's relatively favorable position offers residents an opportunity to focus preparation efforts on the most serious localized threats.

Flooding Stands Out as Primary Threat

Ontario's dominant risk is flooding, with a score of 78.85—significantly higher than other local hazards like tornadoes (43.96) and earthquakes (53.09). While earthquakes and tornadoes pose some concern, water-related disasters represent the county's most serious and frequent natural hazard. Flood preparedness should be Ontario's top priority for household and community safety.

Flood Insurance Should Be Your Priority

Ontario residents should prioritize obtaining flood insurance, as standard homeowners policies exclude flood damage and Ontario's flood risk score of 78.85 reflects real exposure. Even properties outside formal flood zones can experience water damage from heavy rains and local flooding. Get a flood insurance quote today—it's often more affordable than you expect and protects your biggest investment.

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.