countyscore
51.3
County Score
Health 72.6Soil Quality 70Water Quality 68.6

County Report Card

About St. Lawrence County, New York

Outperforming the national baseline

St. Lawrence County secures a composite score of 51.3, placing it above the national median of 50.0. This ranking indicates the county provides a higher quality of life than the typical American county across several key metrics.

A top performer in New York

With a score of 51.3, the county beats the New York state average of 47.0 by a healthy margin. It stands out as one of the more livable options in the state, particularly when considering the balance between cost and safety.

Superior water quality and public health

The county boasts a strong health score of 72.6 and an impressive water score of 68.6. Housing is a major draw here, with a cost score of 54.0 reflecting a median rent of just $799 and median home values of $119,800.

Low income levels and tax pressures

The tax score is extremely low at 1.5 due to a high 2.283% effective rate, while the risk score of 22.1 points to climate vulnerabilities. An income score of 44.9 suggests that wages, with a median of $61,900, lag behind more urbanized counties.

Ideal for those seeking low-cost safety

St. Lawrence County is a great fit for retirees or remote workers who prioritize affordable housing and clean water over high earning potential. Its safety score of 65.8 and school score of 63.4 make it a secure environment for quiet living.

204060801000.955.265.872.663.442.322.168.651.5Tax0.9Cost55.2Safety65.8Health72.6Schools63.4Income42.3Risk22.1Water68.6Weather51.551.3/100
This county
National avg
3 above average2 below average

St. Lawrence County DNA

Foverall

How St. Lawrence County compares to the national average across nine baseline dimensions

St. Lawrence County is a tale of two counties — exceptional in Health (72.6/100) but notably weak in Property Tax (0.9/100). This polarized profile creates distinct trade-offs for residents.

Dimension Breakdown

Tax
0.9-51.1
Cost
55.2
Safety
65.8+10.799999999999997
Health
72.6+22.599999999999994
Schools
63.4+9.399999999999999
Income
42.3-8.700000000000003
Risk
22.1-24.9
Water
68.6+10.599999999999994
Weather
51.5
Sponsored

Think property taxes are too high in St. Lawrence County?

Many homeowners in St. Lawrence County pay more than they should. A professional appeal could save you hundreds per year.

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Can You Afford to Live Here?

Median Home Price

$121,900

National median: $185,300

Median Rent

$818/mo

National median: $877/mo

Income Needed (home)

$121,900/yr

28% front-end rule

Income Needed (rent)

$32,720/yr

30% rent rule

Affordability Spectrum1.9x income
AffordableNational avgExpensive
Local median income: $62,850/yr
Compare Mortgage Rates

Economic & Education Snapshot

Primary Care

29.7

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
Compare St. Lawrence County with Laurens County →Share on X

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Dare County
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Bibb County
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Columbia County
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Lincoln County
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Nearby counties

Franklin County
New York
53.4
Lewis County
New York
59.6
Jefferson County
New York
41.2
Hamilton County
New York
61.2
Clinton County
New York
51.6
Essex County
New York
59.5
Grand Isle County
Vermont
59.3
Herkimer County
New York
47.2

Deep Dives

St. Lawrence County across the ByCounty Network

Detailed analysis from 9 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

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

Safety in St. Lawrence County

via CrimeByCounty

St. Lawrence County: Highly Rated for Safety

St. Lawrence County reports a total crime rate of 802.5 per 100K, nearly three times lower than the national average of 2,385.5. Its safety score of 98.7 ranks it as one of the safer large counties in the nation. Residents benefit from a low-risk public safety landscape.

Exceeding New York State Safety Performance

The county's safety score of 98.7 is higher than the state average of 98.3. With a crime rate of 802.5 per 100K, St. Lawrence is significantly safer than the statewide average of 1074.4. This data reflects a strong commitment to public safety across the North Country.

A Safety Leader in the North Country

St. Lawrence County maintains a very competitive safety profile compared to its upstate neighbors. Its crime rate of 802.5 per 100K is lower than several adjacent counties. Ten reporting agencies coordinate to manage safety across this expansive geographic area.

Low Violent Crime Across the County

Violent crime is particularly low here, at just 67.2 per 100K compared to the state average of 125.0. Property crime stands at 735.3 per 100K residents. These figures indicate that most criminal activity is non-violent and relatively infrequent.

Protective Measures for Your Property

Given that property crime is the primary local concern, homeowners should use deadbolts and security cameras to deter intruders. Rural residents should also ensure remote buildings and equipment are properly locked. Community-based policing efforts continue to help keep the North Country safe.

Full safety analysis on CrimeByCounty

Weather & Climate in St. Lawrence County

via WeatherByCounty

Frigid Winters and Significant Snow

St. Lawrence County is one of the coldest in the nation with a 44.2°F annual average. Its 81.6 inches of annual snowfall is massive compared to national medians.

A Cold Leader in New York

At 44.2°F, the county is much colder than the state average of 47.4°F. It is also drier than the state average, receiving 39.3 inches of total precipitation.

Dominating the North in Snowfall

St. Lawrence receives 81.6 inches of snow, far exceeding the 50-60 inches seen in more southern counties like Steuben or Saratoga. It is also significantly colder than any neighbor in this group.

Deep Winter and Brief Summers

Winter is intense, averaging 19.7°F with January dipping to 16.5°F. Summers are short but mild, averaging 67.0°F with only 5 days of extreme heat.

Serious Equipment for Heavy Snow

Heavy-duty snowblowers are essential for the 81.6 inches of annual snow. Home insulation must be rated for extreme cold to handle the 16.5°F average in January.

Full weather & climate analysis on WeatherByCounty

Soil Quality in St. Lawrence County

via SoilByCounty

Acidic Profiles Along the Northern Border

St. Lawrence County features an average pH of 5.33, which is slightly less acidic than the state average of 5.11. Despite the low pH compared to the national median of 6.5, the county earns a high soil score of 70.0. This score reflects a robust natural system capable of supporting diverse flora.

Sandy Texture for Quick Response

The soil composition is dominated by 48.5% sand, with 27.2% silt and 10.4% clay. This sandy profile allows for rapid drainage but may require more frequent nutrient amendments. The low clay percentage means the soil warms up quickly in the spring, which is vital for northern latitudes.

Rich Organic Matter and High Water Capacity

With an organic matter content of 23.70%, this soil is significantly richer than both the national average and the state benchmark of 17.01%. This richness supports a high available water capacity of 0.202 in/in. These factors together create a fertile environment that retains moisture well despite the sandy texture.

Efficient Water Movement in Northern Soils

Though specific hydrologic groups are not listed, the 48.5% sand content points toward high permeability. This helps prevent standing water during the heavy snowmelt periods typical of the region. Good drainage is a primary asset for both agriculture and stable building foundations here.

Hardy Growing in Zone 4b

In USDA Zone 4b, growers focus on cold-hardy crops like brassicas, root vegetables, and berries. The high organic matter provides a buffer against the short growing season. With such a high soil score, your northern garden is poised for success with the right cold-tolerant selections.

Full soil quality analysis on SoilByCounty

Lawn Care in St. Lawrence County

via LawnByCounty

Northern Resilience in St. Lawrence County

With a lawn difficulty score of 62.7, St. Lawrence County is slightly easier to manage than the state average despite its harsh winters. This hardiness zone 4b region requires specific cool-season strategies to outperform the national median score of 50.0.

Short Growing Seasons and Cool Summers

The county sees just 5 extreme heat days a year, keeping grass from scorching, but the 2,220 growing degree days limit the total recovery time. With the last spring frost hitting around May 9th, the window for active growth is compressed but supported by 39.3 inches of annual rain. Mowing usually starts late and ends abruptly by the October 1st frost.

Counteracting Acidic, Sandy Soils

The soil pH averages a low 5.33, which is significantly more acidic than the ideal 6.0 to 7.0 range. A high sand content of 48.5% means nutrients wash away quickly, necessitating regular lime applications to balance the acidity. Lawns here require more frequent feeding to compensate for the rapid drainage.

Staying Green Through Dry Periods

The county spent 21 weeks in drought last year, and currently, 100% of the area is abnormally dry. Because the sandy soil drains so fast, it is vital to mulch grass clippings back into the lawn to retain moisture. This natural barrier protects the root zone during the frequent dry spells typical of the North Country.

Best Grasses for the North Country

Perennial ryegrass and fine fescues thrive in zone 4b because they can handle the biting cold of 16.5°F January averages. Plant your seeds in early May after the frost or in late August to take advantage of the cool, moist shoulder seasons. These hardy varieties ensure your lawn bounces back after the long winter snows.

Full lawn care analysis on LawnByCounty

Frequently Asked Questions

What is St. Lawrence County's county score?
St. Lawrence County, New York has a composite county score of 51.3 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 St. Lawrence County rank among counties in New York?
St. Lawrence County ranks #20 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 St. Lawrence County, New York?
The median annual property tax in St. Lawrence County is $2,844, with an effective tax rate of 2.33%. This earns St. Lawrence County a tax score of 0.9/100 on CountyScore (higher = lower taxes).
What is the median household income in St. Lawrence County?
The median household income in St. Lawrence County, New York is $62,850 per year according to U.S. Census Bureau data. St. Lawrence County earns an income score of 42.3/100 on CountyScore.
Is St. Lawrence County, New York a good place to live?
St. Lawrence County scores 51.3/100 on CountyScore's overall county ranking, ranking #20 in New York. The best way to evaluate St. Lawrence 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 St. Lawrence 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.