CountyScore

Schoharie County

New York · NY

#11 in New York
62.5
County Score

County Report Card

About Schoharie County, New York

Schoharie exceeds national performance baseline

Schoharie County's composite score of 57.5 ranks it 7.5 percentile points above the national median of 50.0, placing it in the top 58th percentile nationally. This above-average position reflects strong affordability offsetting other constraints.

Schoharie ranks in New York's upper tier

With a score of 57.5, Schoharie ranks 2.8 points above New York's county average of 54.7, placing it among the better-performing counties statewide. The county competes effectively despite its rural character.

Exceptional housing and rental affordability

Schoharie's cost score of 76.9 is among the highest regionally, with median home values of just $182,000 and monthly gross rent at $916. These deeply affordable housing options provide substantial living-cost advantages for budget-conscious households.

Income and tax dynamics limit opportunity

An income score of 29.9 and median household income of $71,188 rank among the lowest analyzed, suggesting limited wage growth or economic opportunity. A tax score of 40.8 and effective rate of 2.185% further strain household budgets.

Ideal for retirees and rural lifestyle seekers

Schoharie works best for retirees with existing assets and rural lifestyle seekers willing to accept lower incomes for dramatically lower housing costs. It's less suitable for younger workers or families prioritizing career advancement and income growth.

Score breakdown

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

Tax40.8Cost76.9SafetyComing SoonHealth77.1SchoolsComing SoonIncome29.9Risk58.7WaterComing Soon
🏛40.8
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠76.9
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼29.9
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
❤77.1
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
⚡58.7
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 Schoharie County with another county →

Counties with similar scores

DeSoto County
Florida
62.5
Median income: $50,868
Marion County
Florida
62.5
Median income: $58,535
Clarke County
Georgia
62.5
Median income: $52,267
McDonough County
Illinois
62.5
Median income: $50,434
Morgan County
Illinois
62.5
Median income: $65,175

Deep Dives

Schoharie County across the ByCounty Network

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

Property Tax in Schoharie County

via TaxByCounty

Schoharie taxes nearly double U.S. median

Schoharie County's effective tax rate of 2.185% is nearly double the national median of 1.1%, placing it in the top 25% of U.S. counties. Homeowners pay $3,977 annually on a median home valued at $182,000—relatively low dollar bills reflecting modest property values in this rural county.

Schoharie exceeds New York's average rate

At 2.185%, Schoharie County slightly exceeds the state average of 2.046%, ranking in the upper-middle tier of New York's counties. Rural Schoharie carries a higher tax burden than most downstate areas.

Rural Schoharie taxes competitive with Capital Region

Schoharie's 2.185% rate sits between Rensselaer County (2.193%) and Saratoga County (1.491%), reflecting typical upstate New York tax structures. Among rural counties in the region, Schoharie's burden is neither extreme nor exceptional.

Median home pays $3,977 yearly in taxes

A Schoharie County homeowner with the median property value of $182,000 pays approximately $3,977 in annual property taxes, or about $331 monthly. Rural property values keep absolute tax bills manageable despite elevated rates.

Even modest bills merit assessment review

On a $3,977 annual bill, a 10% overassessment costs $398 yearly—real money for rural homeowners. Free assessment appeals through New York's system could identify errors worth correcting.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in Schoharie County

via CostByCounty

Schoharie offers rock-bottom rents, modest incomes

Schoharie residents spend just 15.4% of their $71,188 median income on rent—among the nation's lowest ratios, though the county's median income trails the national average of $74,755 by roughly 5%. Monthly rents of $916 are the region's cheapest, making Schoharie ideal for those prioritizing affordability over earnings potential.

Schoharie among New York's most affordable counties

At 15.4%, Schoharie's rent-to-income ratio beats New York State's 17.6% average by 2.2 percentage points, ranking it among the state's most affordable counties. The county's median rent of $916 is the lowest in this regional comparison, reflecting its rural Catskills character.

Cheapest rents in the upstate comparison set

Schoharie's median rent of $916 is $231 monthly cheaper than Schenectady ($1,159) and $431 cheaper than Saratoga ($1,347), with a 15.4% rent-to-income ratio that beats all Capital Region neighbors. However, median income of $71,188 trails every comparable county, reflecting Schoharie's rural economic base.

Rental and ownership costs remain remarkably low

Schoharie renters pay just $916 monthly (15.4% of income) while homeowners dedicate $984 monthly (16.5% of income) to properties valued at $182,000. This county offers the region's lowest absolute housing costs, making entry-level homeownership realistic for working households.

Maximum affordability in rural mountain county

Schoharie is unbeatable for pure housing cost—rent at $916, homes under $182,000, and burdens below 16% of income—but factor in lower wage opportunities and limited employment diversity. Compare Schoharie's affordability to Schuyler County (15.7% ratio, $858 rent) if you're seeking rural upstate living with minimal housing costs.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in Schoharie County

via IncomeByCounty

Schoharie's income lags national average

Schoharie County's median household income of $71,188 falls nearly 5% below the national median of $74,755, signaling lower earning potential than the typical U.S. county. The per capita income of $38,100 also trails the national average, reflecting more limited individual earning opportunities.

Below-average income for New York state

Schoharie ranks in the lower half of New York's 62 counties with a median income $5,245 below the state average of $76,433. The per capita income of $38,100 falls $3,033 below the state average, indicating economic challenges in this rural county.

Second-lowest income in regional comparison

Schoharie's $71,188 median household income ranks second-lowest among these eight counties, ahead only of Schuyler County ($65,625). The county significantly trails higher-income neighbors like Saratoga ($99,653) and Rockland ($110,631), reflecting its rural character and limited employment centers.

Low housing costs offset modest income

Schoharie's 15.4% rent-to-income ratio ranks among the best in this group, with a median home value of just $182,000. These affordable housing costs mean homeownership consumes roughly 20% of gross income, leaving room for basic savings despite below-average earnings.

Strategic saving in a lower-income county

Schoharie residents earning $71,188 should focus on building a solid emergency fund (3-6 months expenses) before investing, given more limited income flexibility. Take full advantage of any employer retirement plans and explore low-cost community development accounts or local economic development incentives to support long-term financial stability.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Health in Schoharie County

via HealthByCounty

Schoharie struggles with rural health challenges

Schoharie County's 78.9-year life expectancy exceeds the U.S. average by 3.5 years, yet its 17.3% poor/fair health rate—the highest in this sample—exceeds the national average of 16% by a significant margin. This rural county shows both longer lives and higher chronic disease burden.

Schoharie's poor health rates exceed state norms

Schoharie's 78.9-year life expectancy slightly exceeds New York's 77.9-year average, but its 17.3% poor/fair health rate substantially exceeds the state baseline, suggesting concentrated chronic illness. At 5.0% uninsured, coverage rates match state levels, but health outcomes suggest systemic challenges.

Schoharie faces rural provider shortage

Schoharie's 30 primary care providers per 100,000—less than half the county average in this sample—represents the starkest rural access gap, while 159 mental health providers per 100,000 also rank among the lowest. Its 17.3% poor/fair health rate ties with Schuyler as the worst in the analysis.

Rural isolation drives health disparities

Schoharie's critical shortage of providers—just 30 primary care per 100,000, far below the 59–85 range seen in other counties—leaves residents traveling long distances for routine care or delaying treatment. The 17.3% poor/fair health rate, highest in this analysis, reflects the compounding effects of provider scarcity and limited preventive care access.

Ensure coverage despite distance barriers

In a rural county with provider shortages, health insurance becomes even more critical—it enables telehealth options and ensures coverage for necessary travel to specialists. Verify your coverage includes telehealth services and call 2-1-1 for assistance finding care in nearby counties.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Disaster Risk in Schoharie County

via RiskByCounty

Schoharie poses very low risk overall

Schoharie County scores 41.35 on the composite risk scale, placing it in the Very Low category and substantially below the national average. This reflects minimal exposure across most hazard types, with flood risk (65.59) as the only moderate concern. Schoharie ranks among America's safest counties for natural disaster exposure.

Among New York's safest counties

Schoharie ranks near the bottom of New York's hazard hierarchy with a score of 41.35—40% below the state average of 69.42. Only Schuyler County (16.25) and a handful of others register lower composite risk in New York. Schoharie's position offers significant advantage over most state peers.

Much safer than surrounding counties

Schoharie (41.35) ranks substantially below all nearby counties, including Schenectady (71.28), Saratoga (73.03), and Rensselaer (82.16). This isolation at the lower end of the regional risk spectrum reflects Schoharie's inland location and distance from seismic and coastal threats. The county stands as a relative haven within the Capital Region.

Flooding is your only real concern

Flood risk (65.59) is Schoharie's lone moderate hazard, while tornado risk (32.98), earthquake risk (37.75), and wildfire risk (11.23) all remain quite low. Hurricane risk reaches 64.83 but carries minimal practical threat to an inland county. Seasonal flooding represents the primary natural hazard to plan for.

Basic flood insurance offers good coverage

Even at 65.59, Schoharie's flood risk is lower than most Northeast counties—but localized flooding still occurs, so NFIP or private coverage for flood-prone areas remains prudent. Your homeowners policy likely covers most other perils adequately. A single conversation with your insurance agent can confirm you're properly protected.

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.