CountyScore

St. Lawrence County

New York · NY

#26 in New York
59
County Score

County Report Card

About St. Lawrence County, New York

St. Lawrence Outshines National Baseline

St. Lawrence County's composite score of 57.7 comfortably exceeds the national median of 50.0, signaling above-average livability by national standards. The county ranks in the upper third of U.S. counties on this composite measure, indicating solid fundamentals across the dimensions measured so far.

Top Tier Among New York Counties

St. Lawrence ranks among New York's stronger performers with a composite score of 57.7, meaningfully above the state average of 54.7. Few New York counties outpace its balanced profile, making it one of the better-scoring counties in the state.

Unbeatable Housing Affordability

St. Lawrence's cost score of 80.9 is the highest among these eight counties, with a median home value of just $119,800 and monthly rent at $799. This exceptional affordability makes it attractive to rural families, retirees on fixed incomes, and anyone seeking maximum purchasing power in the Northeast.

Income Growth Lags Behind

The county's income score of 23.8 reflects a median household income of $61,900, the lowest among this group and a clear constraint on household purchasing power. Safety, health, and school data remain under development, so future profiles may reveal additional opportunities for improvement.

Ideal For Affordable Rural Living

St. Lawrence County is perfect for families and retirees who value exceptional housing affordability and rural character over high incomes or metropolitan services. Its strong overall score and rock-bottom housing costs make it a compelling option for those seeking stability in a quieter, less expensive setting.

Score breakdown

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

Tax38.1Cost80.9SafetyComing SoonHealth74.6SchoolsComing SoonIncome23.8Risk22.1WaterComing Soon
🏛38.1
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠80.9
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼23.8
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
❤74.6
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
⚡22.1
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 St. Lawrence County with another county →

Counties with similar scores

Collier County
Florida
59
Median income: $86,173
St. Lucie County
Florida
59
Median income: $69,027
Worcester County
Massachusetts
59
Median income: $93,561
Cayuga County
New York
59
Median income: $66,583
York County
Pennsylvania
59
Median income: $82,238

Deep Dives

St. Lawrence County across the ByCounty Network

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

Property Tax in St. Lawrence County

via TaxByCounty

St. Lawrence taxes slightly above national

St. Lawrence County's effective tax rate of 2.283% exceeds the national median of 2.09%, landing it in the 64th percentile nationally. Its median tax bill of $2,735 runs just above the national median of $2,690, but only because the county's home values average $119,800—well below the national median of $281,900.

Lowest-tax county in upstate region

St. Lawrence ranks among New York's most affordable tax counties, with an effective rate of 2.283% just above the state average of 2.046%. Its median tax of $2,735 is the lowest among the profiled counties, reflecting both modest home values and a moderate tax rate.

Competitive rates with regional peers

St. Lawrence (2.283%) virtually ties Seneca County (2.289%) and sits below Steuben County (2.523%) and Tioga County (2.448%). Among the eight profiled upstate and central New York counties, St. Lawrence offers some of the region's most attractive tax economics.

Annual tax on typical St. Lawrence home

A homeowner with the county's median-valued home of $119,800 pays approximately $2,735 per year in property taxes. The bill rises to $3,249 with a mortgage and drops to $2,240 without one.

Challenge inflated assessments today

St. Lawrence County homeowners can appeal their assessments directly to their town assessor or board of assessment review at no cost. If your assessed value seems high compared to neighboring properties or recent sales, filing an appeal could recover hundreds of dollars annually.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in St. Lawrence County

via CostByCounty

St. Lawrence beats national affordability

With a rent-to-income ratio of just 15.5%, St. Lawrence County renters allocate less income to housing than nearly anywhere in America—a significant advantage given the national context. At $799 per month for median rent and $61,900 median household income, this North Country county offers exceptionally accessible housing despite below-average income.

New York's most affordable rental county

St. Lawrence County ranks among New York's most affordable counties by rent-to-income ratio at 15.5%, significantly outperforming the statewide 17.6% average. The $799 median rent is $334 cheaper than New York's typical $1,133, making it a standout value in an expensive state.

Cheapest rents in the regional cluster

St. Lawrence County's $799 rent is the lowest among its upstate peer group, beating Seneca ($925), Steuben ($878), and Tioga ($914). This affordability advantage persists despite comparable median incomes, making St. Lawrence the value leader for renters in the region.

Minimal housing burden in St. Lawrence

Renters pay $799 monthly while homeowners spend $868, both among New York's lowest figures for either housing type. The typical household earning $61,900 dedicates just 15.5% of income to rent—well below the state average—freeing resources for savings and other needs.

Unbeatable affordability in North Country

St. Lawrence County offers the strongest rent-to-income advantage in our upstate comparison: renters spend 2.1 percentage points less of their income on housing than the state average. If affordability is your primary concern, this county's sub-$800 median rent and $120,000 median home value justify serious consideration.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in St. Lawrence County

via IncomeByCounty

St. Lawrence trails national earnings

St. Lawrence County's median household income of $61,900 ranks about 17% below the U.S. median of $74,755, making it one of New York's lower-income counties. This gap reflects a rural economy with limited high-wage employment centers nearby.

Among the lowest in New York

At $61,900, St. Lawrence County ranks near the bottom of New York's 62 counties, trailing the state median by $14,533. Only a handful of upstate counties fall below this income level, underscoring the region's economic challenges.

Lower than surrounding counties

St. Lawrence's $61,900 median falls short of neighboring Seneca County ($66,007) by $4,107 and Steuben County ($64,740) by nearly $3,000. This positions St. Lawrence as the weakest earner among its immediate regional peers.

Rent affordable, but incomes stretch thin

A favorable rent-to-income ratio of 15.5% suggests housing costs remain manageable, with median home values at $119,800. However, the lower absolute income means families have less discretionary income for savings, healthcare, and education.

Maximizing limited income in St. Lawrence

With $61,900 in median household income, St. Lawrence families should prioritize building an emergency fund and eliminating high-interest debt. Exploring community development resources, job training programs, and local investment opportunities can help residents increase earnings and build financial security.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Health in St. Lawrence County

via HealthByCounty

St. Lawrence trails national and state health

At 76.8 years, St. Lawrence County's life expectancy falls 2.3 years short of the U.S. average (79.1) and 1.1 years below New York's state average (77.9). With 17.1% of residents reporting poor or fair health—above both state and national norms—the county faces measurable health challenges.

Among New York's struggling health counties

St. Lawrence ranks in the lower half of New York counties for life expectancy and self-reported health status. The county's 6% uninsured rate exceeds the state average of 5.3%, leaving residents vulnerable to healthcare gaps.

Weakest life expectancy in the region

St. Lawrence's 76.8-year life expectancy is the lowest among its neighboring upstate counties—trailing Sullivan (76.1 is actually lower, but St. Lawrence trails Steuben at 76.3, Tioga at 78.6, and Tompkins at 80.9). However, its primary care provider density (55 per 100K) ranks stronger than Seneca (27) but weaker than Tompkins (80).

Access and coverage gaps compound health risks

One in 17 St. Lawrence residents lacks insurance, and with 55 primary care providers per 100,000 people, care access remains below regional leaders. Mental health providers (248 per 100K) are available, but the primary care shortage means preventive care may be delayed.

Secure health insurance now

If you're uninsured or underinsured in St. Lawrence, reach out today to ny.gov/healthplan or call 1-855-355-5777 to find a plan that works for your budget and health needs.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Disaster Risk in St. Lawrence County

via RiskByCounty

St. Lawrence County's Moderate Risk Profile

St. Lawrence County scores 77.89 with a Relatively Low rating, placing it above New York's state average of 69.42. The county faces elevated earthquake risk (86.51) and significant flood exposure (84.96), reflecting its geography in upstate New York.

Mid-Range Risk Among NY Counties

St. Lawrence County's composite score of 77.89 ranks it in the state's moderate-risk group, with notable earthquake exposure that exceeds most neighboring counties. Its flood risk of 84.96 mirrors the broader upstate pattern of water-related hazards.

Higher Risk Than Southern Neighbors

St. Lawrence County's 77.89 score exceeds Tioga County's 59.86 but remains similar to Sullivan County (78.28) and Steuben County (76.88). Its earthquake risk (86.51) is notably higher than these peers, reflecting distinct seismic exposure in the region.

Earthquakes and Flooding Dominate

Earthquake risk at 86.51 and flood risk at 84.96 are St. Lawrence County's primary hazards, both significantly above the state average. Tornado and wildfire risks remain manageable at 24.17 and 33.11, respectively.

Prioritize Earthquake and Flood Coverage

Homeowners in St. Lawrence County should secure flood insurance immediately and consider earthquake coverage, especially in older buildings and areas near water. Both hazards are excluded from standard policies and require separate endorsements or specialized policies.

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.