countyscore
46.7
County Score
Income & Jobs 94.3Health 91Weather & Climate 71.3

County Report Card

About Richmond County, New York

Staten Island Nears National Median

Richmond County holds a composite score of 47.1, nearly reaching the national median of 50.0. It represents one of the more balanced urban profiles in the New York City region.

Meeting the New York Standard

The county aligns almost perfectly with the New York state average of 47.0. It remains competitive by balancing high incomes against the typical costs of the metropolitan area.

Top-Tier Wealth and Wellness

Economic health is a standout with an Income Score of 94.9 and a median household income of $98,290. Physical health is also excellent, reflected in a Health Score of 91.0.

Affordability and Coastal Risk

Housing remains expensive, yielding a Cost Score of 2.5 with home values averaging $658,500. Environmental risk is also a factor, scoring low at 9.0.

Perfect for High-Income Commuters

Richmond County is best for households seeking city access combined with elite health and income metrics. It offers a more stable profile than many neighboring boroughs despite high housing costs.

2040608010041.42.99155.494.3971.3Tax41.4Cost2.9SafetyHealth91Schools55.4Income94.3Risk9WaterWeather71.346.7/100
This county
National avg
3 above average3 below average

Richmond County DNA

Foverall

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

Richmond County is a tale of two counties — exceptional in Income (94.3/100) but notably weak in Cost of Living (2.9/100). This polarized profile creates distinct trade-offs for residents.

Dimension Breakdown

Tax
41.4-10.600000000000001
Cost
2.9-45.1
Health
91+41
Schools
55.4
Income
94.3+43.3
Risk
9-38
Weather
71.3+15.299999999999997
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Compare mortgage rates in Richmond County

Whether buying or refinancing in Richmond County, compare rates from top lenders to find the best deal.

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Can You Afford to Live Here?

Median Home Price

$675,500

National median: $185,300

Median Rent

$1,733/mo

National median: $877/mo

Income Needed (home)

$675,500/yr

28% front-end rule

Income Needed (rent)

$69,320/yr

30% rent rule

Affordability Spectrum6.9x income
AffordableNational avgExpensive
Local median income: $98,333/yr
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Economic & Education Snapshot

Primary Care

10.4

per 100K

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

Deep Dives

Richmond County across the ByCounty Network

Detailed analysis from 7 data dimensions — each powered by a dedicated ByCounty site.

Property Tax in Richmond County

via TaxByCounty

Staten Island's rate beats national median

Richmond County's effective tax rate of 0.922% sits well below the national median of 1.1%, ranking in the bottom 20% of U.S. counties by burden. Despite a median home value of $658,500—more than double the national median—homeowners pay $6,074 annually, reflecting Staten Island's tax advantages.

New York's second-lowest rate statewide

Richmond County's 0.922% effective rate ranks second-lowest in New York State, exceeded only by Queens County at 0.877%. Both boroughs benefit from state tax structures that favor high-density urban areas, paying roughly half the state average of 2.046%.

Staten Island rivals Queens in tax advantage

Richmond and Queens counties—both at roughly 0.92%—form the lowest-tax tier in the region, standing apart from every other New York County profiled here. This stark contrast reflects the economies of scale in serving millions of residents across concentrated areas.

Median home pays $6,074 yearly in taxes

A homeowner with Richmond County's median property value of $658,500 pays approximately $6,074 in annual property taxes, or about $506 monthly. Even on high-value property, Staten Island's tax rate keeps annual bills manageable.

Verify your assessment despite low rates

Low tax rates don't guarantee accurate assessments—many Staten Island homeowners are still overvalued relative to comparable sales. A free assessment appeal through New York's informal process could identify thousands in potential savings.

Income & Jobs in Richmond County

via IncomeByCounty

Richmond County's strong income advantage

Richmond County's median household income of $98,290 surpasses the national median of $74,755 by 31.5%, placing it well above typical American earnings. This 23-point advantage reflects Staten Island's growing professional workforce and proximity to New York's job centers.

Top-third income earner in New York

Richmond County ranks in the top third of New York's 62 counties with a median income $21,857 above the state average of $76,433. The per capita income of $44,368 remains solid and slightly above state average, showing broad-based earning power.

Strong income in regional comparison

Richmond's $98,290 median household income ranks second only to Rockland County ($110,631) among these eight counties, outpacing Saratoga County ($99,653) by $637. The county benefits from its position as New York City's most suburban borough, attracting both residents and employers.

Housing costs require significant commitment

At 20.6% of household income, Richmond's rent-to-income ratio remains manageable but reflects the median home value of $658,500. Households earning $98,290 can afford homeownership but should plan for mortgages consuming 25-30% of gross income.

Build long-term wealth through homeownership

Richmond County residents earning $98,290 should leverage strong home equity as a wealth-building strategy, as property values often appreciate in suburban locations. Combine mortgage payments with automatic contributions to retirement accounts and consider tax-loss harvesting in investment portfolios to maximize after-tax returns.

Soil Quality in Richmond County

via SoilByCounty

Extreme Acidity on Staten Island

Richmond County has some of the most acidic soil in the region, with a pH of only 3.16. This is dramatically lower than the state average of 5.11 and the national median of 6.5. Such extreme acidity creates a unique chemical environment that heavily influences plant selection and soil management.

Coarse Texture and Low Clay

The soil consists of 33.1% sand and 15.2% silt, with a very low clay content of 5.3%. This composition creates a coarse texture that allows for high permeability but provides very little natural structural integrity. The lack of clay means the soil has a limited ability to hold onto mineral nutrients.

Impressive Organic Matter Levels

Despite its acidity, the soil boasts a high organic matter content of 19.86%, surpassing the New York state average of 17.01%. However, its available water capacity is lower at 0.133 in/in compared to the state's 0.182 in/in. This combination suggests rich biological potential but requires careful monitoring of soil moisture.

Fast-Moving Water Dynamics

While specific drainage classes are not listed, the low clay and high organic matter facilitate rapid water movement. Gardeners should be aware that water may move through the soil profile quickly, potentially leading to dry conditions. Managing this soil requires frequent additions of compost to stabilize water levels.

Zone 7b: A Coastal Opportunity

With a hardiness zone of 7b, Richmond County enjoys a mild climate and a long growing season. Acid-loving plants like blueberries and azaleas can thrive in this naturally low-pH environment. Embrace the unique coastal conditions by planting a diverse urban garden this spring.

Lawn Care in Richmond County

via LawnByCounty

Staten Island's Moderate Lawn Challenge

Richmond County presents a moderate challenge with a lawn difficulty score of 51.5, trailing the New York state average of 61.1. This Zone 7b coastal area requires careful management to overcome significant soil and drought obstacles.

Coastal Rains and Summer Heat

The county receives a generous 47.1 inches of annual precipitation, which is well above the state average. However, 14 extreme heat days per year mean your lawn will likely need supplemental watering during peak summer to prevent dormancy.

Extremely Acidic Coastal Soil

The soil pH of 3.16 is exceptionally low, representing one of the most acidic profiles in the region. With only 5.3% clay, these sandy grounds need heavy lime and compost amendments to support healthy turf growth.

Drought Trends in Richmond

Despite high rainfall, the county experienced 16 weeks of drought last year and remains 100% abnormally dry today. Focus on mulching clippings back into the lawn to retain moisture and build up thin topsoil.

Selecting Turf for Zone 7b

Heat-tolerant varieties like tall fescue are best suited for this Zone 7b environment. While local frost dates vary by site, late spring is typically the safest window to begin new seeding in the city.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Richmond County's county score?
Richmond County, New York has a composite county score of 46.7 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 Richmond County rank among counties in New York?
Richmond County ranks #29 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 Richmond County, New York?
The median annual property tax in Richmond County is $6,247, with an effective tax rate of 0.92%. This earns Richmond County a tax score of 41.4/100 on CountyScore (higher = lower taxes).
What is the median household income in Richmond County?
The median household income in Richmond County, New York is $98,333 per year according to U.S. Census Bureau data. Richmond County earns an income score of 94.3/100 on CountyScore.
Is Richmond County, New York a good place to live?
Richmond County scores 46.7/100 on CountyScore's overall county ranking, ranking #29 in New York. The best way to evaluate Richmond 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 Richmond County with other counties side by side.
By Evan Brooks, Data EditorUpdated Reviewed by Evan Brooks, Data Editor

ByCounty Network

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