countyscore
42.7
County Score
Income & Jobs 96.9Health 85.9Schools 64.3

County Report Card

About Rockland County, New York

Below the National Composite

Rockland County earns a 42.6 composite score, falling short of the national median of 50.0. Its ranking is primarily suppressed by extreme housing and tax costs.

Lagging the State Average

The county remains below the New York state average of 47.0. While wealthy, it is less affordable than many other counties in the state.

Exceptional Income and Health

Rockland boasts an Income Score of 97.6 and a Health Score of 85.9. The median household income is a substantial $110,631, among the highest in the region.

High Cost of Living

Housing costs are a major barrier, resulting in a Cost Score of 1.3 with median rents at $1,826. Tax burdens are also heavy, evidenced by a low Tax Score of 5.5.

Suits Affluent Suburban Families

Rockland is a premier destination for high-earning families who prioritize health and economic stability. Residents must be prepared for some of the highest entry costs in the state.

204060801006.51.351.985.964.396.911.649.159.3Tax6.5Cost1.3Safety51.9Health85.9Schools64.3Income96.9Risk11.6Water49.1Weather59.342.7/100
This county
National avg
3 above average3 below average

Rockland County DNA

Foverall

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

Rockland County is a tale of two counties — exceptional in Income (96.9/100) but notably weak in Cost of Living (1.3/100). This polarized profile creates distinct trade-offs for residents.

Dimension Breakdown

Tax
6.5-45.5
Cost
1.3-46.7
Safety
51.9
Health
85.9+35.900000000000006
Schools
64.3+10.299999999999997
Income
96.9+45.900000000000006
Risk
11.6-35.4
Water
49.1-8.899999999999999
Weather
59.3
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Can You Afford to Live Here?

Median Home Price

$596,900

National median: $185,300

Median Rent

$1,901/mo

National median: $877/mo

Income Needed (home)

$596,900/yr

28% front-end rule

Income Needed (rent)

$76,040/yr

30% rent rule

Affordability Spectrum5.4x income
AffordableNational avgExpensive
Local median income: $109,959/yr
Compare Mortgage Rates

Economic & Education Snapshot

Primary Care

21.5

per 100K

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

Explore this county

Property Taxtaxbycounty.comCost of Livingcostbycounty.comIncome & Jobsincomebycounty.comSafetycrimebycounty.comHealthhealthbycounty.comSchoolsschoolsbycounty.comDisaster Riskriskbycounty.comWater Qualitywaterbycounty.comWeather & Climateweatherbycounty.comSoil Qualitysoilbycounty.comLawn Carelawnbycounty.comFarmers Marketsmarketsbycounty.comView on Mapcountyscore.com/map
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Counties with similar scores

Clark County
Arkansas
Median income: $52,034
42.7
San Francisco County
California
Median income: $140,970
42.7
Tazewell County
Illinois
Median income: $77,982
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Daviess County
Kentucky
Median income: $68,214
42.7
Suffolk County
Massachusetts
Median income: $95,631
42.7
Franklin County
Missouri
Median income: $73,165
42.7
Lyon County
Nevada
Median income: $80,812
42.7
Niagara County
New York
Median income: $69,633
42.7

Nearby counties

Westchester County
New York
45.7
Passaic County
New Jersey
28.8
Bergen County
New Jersey
48.1
Putnam County
New York
55.4
Bronx County
New York
42
Orange County
New York
42.1
New York County
New York
55.9
Essex County
New Jersey
33.5

Deep Dives

Rockland County across the ByCounty Network

Detailed analysis from 8 data dimensions — each powered by a dedicated ByCounty site.

Property Tax in Rockland County

via TaxByCounty

Rockland taxes significantly exceed U.S. median

Rockland County's effective tax rate of 1.773% surpasses the national median of 1.1% by 61%, placing it in the top 30% of U.S. counties. Homeowners here pay $10,001 annually—the highest median tax bill of any county profiled—on a median home valued at $564,200.

Rockland sits above New York's average rate

At 1.773%, Rockland County exceeds the state average of 2.046% but remains mid-range within New York's 62-county landscape. The county's high dollar tax bill reflects both its elevated rate and its substantial median home values.

Suburban Rockland pays steeper bills than neighbors

Rockland's $10,001 median annual tax bill dwarfs Saratoga County's $4,843, despite similar rate structures (1.773% vs. 1.491%). Higher home values in Rockland drive this county into a premium tier for absolute tax dollars.

Median home costs $10,001 yearly in taxes

A Rockland County homeowner with the median property value of $564,200 pays approximately $10,001 in annual property taxes—roughly $833 per month. This is the highest burden of any county in this analysis.

Assessment errors are costly—appeal yours

On a $10,001 annual bill, even a modest 10% overassessment costs $1,000 yearly. Rockland homeowners should verify their assessments against recent comparable sales; a successful appeal could recoup significant money.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Income & Jobs in Rockland County

via IncomeByCounty

Rockland County's exceptional income lead

Rockland County boasts the highest median household income in this analysis at $110,631—a remarkable 48% above the national median of $74,755. This positions Rockland in the nation's top 10% of counties by household income.

Highest-earning county in this eight-county group

Rockland ranks among New York's highest-income counties with a median of $110,631, outpacing the state average by $34,198. The per capita income of $45,538 reflects a workforce earning substantially more than typical New York residents.

Clear income leader among regional counties

Rockland County's $110,631 median household income significantly outpaces all seven comparison counties, exceeding the second-place Saratoga County ($99,653) by $10,978. This premium reflects Rockland's proximity to high-wage jobs in Westchester and beyond.

Housing costs remain challenging despite high income

Even with the highest median income, Rockland residents allocate 19.8% of income to rent—still significant given the median home value of $564,200. High earners here should plan for mortgages consuming 25-30% of gross income while maintaining emergency reserves.

Leverage high income for aggressive wealth-building

Rockland County residents earning $110,631 should maximize tax-advantaged savings: max out 401(k)s ($23,500 in 2024), backdoor Roth conversions, and HSAs. Invest surplus income in diversified portfolios, consider real estate investment beyond primary residence, and work with a tax professional to optimize deductions and retirement planning strategies.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Safety in Rockland County

via CrimeByCounty

Rockland County Maintains High National Safety Standard

With a total crime rate of 1077.6 per 100K, Rockland County is more than twice as safe as the national average of 2,385.5. The county boasts a high safety score of 98.3. This data suggests a very secure environment for residents and businesses alike.

Rockland Matches New York State Safety Benchmarks

Rockland’s safety score of 98.3 perfectly matches the New York state average. Its total crime rate of 1077.6 per 100K is nearly identical to the statewide average of 1074.4. The county maintains a stable position as a typically safe New York suburban hub.

Competitive Safety Profile in the Hudson Valley

Rockland County maintains a significantly lower crime rate than nearby Rensselaer or Schenectady. Its crime rate of 1077.6 per 100K reflects a suburban safety profile that rivals the safest counties in the state. Local departments coordinate closely to maintain these low incident levels.

Violent Crime Rates Below State Averages

Violent crime in Rockland occurs at a rate of 120.4 per 100K, which is lower than the state average of 125.0. Property crime accounts for 957.2 incidents per 100K residents. Nine reporting agencies provide comprehensive data to keep the public informed on these trends.

Maintaining Security in Your Community

Low crime rates offer peace of mind, but residents should remain vigilant against opportunistic property crimes. Installing doorbell cameras and securing first-floor windows are effective ways to deter potential intruders. Community awareness programs continue to play a vital role in Rockland's safety success.

Full safety analysis on CrimeByCounty

Soil Quality in Rockland County

via SoilByCounty

Rockland’s Acidic Gravelly Loams

Rockland County is dominated by gravelly loam and Entisols, with a notably acidic pH of 3.67. This level is much lower than the national median of 6.5 and falls well below the state average of 5.11. These young soils are still developing and reflect the rugged geological history of the Hudson Valley.

A Gritty Mix for Better Airflow

The soil composition features 38.6% sand, 24.4% silt, and 7.8% clay. The dominant gravelly loam texture provides excellent aeration for plant roots. This grit prevents the soil from compacting easily, making it easier to work for gardening and construction alike.

Rich Organic Reserves in Rockland

Rockland features an exceptional organic matter content of 20.71%, which is significantly higher than the state average of 17.01%. Its available water capacity of 0.172 in/in is nearly on par with the state average of 0.182 in/in. This means the soil is naturally fertile and capable of supporting lush vegetation if pH is managed.

Well-Drained Uplands

The county's soils are classified as 'well drained' and belong to hydrologic group C. This means water moves through the profile at a steady rate, reducing the risk of root rot for most plants. These conditions are ideal for building foundations and maintaining healthy residential lawns.

Thriving in Hardiness Zone 7a

In hardiness zone 7a, Rockland gardeners can enjoy a variety of temperate fruits and vegetables. The well-drained gravelly loam is particularly well-suited for grapevines and perennial shrubs. Dig in and take advantage of these fertile, high-organic soils for your next planting project.

Full soil quality analysis on SoilByCounty

Lawn Care in Rockland County

via LawnByCounty

Rockland's Steep Lawn Care Hurdle

Rockland County faces a very difficult lawn environment with a score of 11.6, far below the national median of 50.0. This Zone 7a region requires intensive care and specialized strategies to overcome significant local hurdles.

Navigating the Transition Zone

While specific county heat and rain data is limited, the region follows a Zone 7a transition pattern that can stress cool-season grasses. Homeowners should monitor local weather stations closely to adjust mowing and watering as temperatures shift.

Well-Drained but Acidic Loam

Well-drained gravelly loam dominates the landscape, though the 3.67 pH is significantly more acidic than the 6.0-7.0 ideal. You will need to balance the soil chemistry and manage the 38.6% sand content to keep nutrients from leaching away.

A History of Drought Stress

Drought is a major factor here, with 32 weeks of dry conditions over the past year and a small portion of the county in severe drought. Prioritize water-efficient grass types and use rain barrels to supplement your irrigation needs.

Planning Your Rockland Lawn

Kentucky bluegrass and fine fescues are standard for Zone 7a, though heat-tolerant blends perform better during dry summers. Focus on early fall or late spring for the best establishment success when temperatures are mild.

Full lawn care analysis on LawnByCounty

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Rockland County's county score?
Rockland County, New York has a composite county score of 42.7 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 Rockland County rank among counties in New York?
Rockland County ranks #45 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 Rockland County, New York?
The median annual property tax in Rockland County is $10,001, with an effective tax rate of 1.68%. This earns Rockland County a tax score of 6.5/100 on CountyScore (higher = lower taxes).
What is the median household income in Rockland County?
The median household income in Rockland County, New York is $109,959 per year according to U.S. Census Bureau data. Rockland County earns an income score of 96.9/100 on CountyScore.
Is Rockland County, New York a good place to live?
Rockland County scores 42.7/100 on CountyScore's overall county ranking, ranking #45 in New York. The best way to evaluate Rockland 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 Rockland County with other counties side by side.
By Evan Brooks, Data EditorUpdated Reviewed by Evan Brooks, Data Editor

ByCounty Network

Property TaxCost of LivingIncome & JobsSafetyHealthSchoolsDisaster RiskWater QualityWeather & ClimateSoil QualityLawn CareFarmers Markets

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