countyscore
45.6
County Score
Income & Jobs 87.5Health 80.2Safety 66.9

County Report Card

About Ulster County, New York

Trailing the national median score

Ulster County scores 45.4 on the composite index, which is below the national median of 50.0. While it offers high incomes, other factors like climate risk and cost of living weigh on its national ranking.

Slightly behind the state average

At 45.4, Ulster County is just below the New York state average of 47.0. It remains a competitive option in the Hudson Valley but faces specific challenges that prevent it from being a state leader.

Strong income and high health rankings

The county earns an impressive income score of 85.6, with a median household income of $81,804. Health outcomes are also high at 80.2, and a school score of 65.0 indicates a solid educational environment.

Housing costs and environmental vulnerability

The cost score is very low at 9.2, as the median home value has climbed to $315,100. Furthermore, a risk score of 12.3 highlights significant exposure to natural hazards that residents must consider.

Ideal for affluent, health-minded commuters

Ulster County is a great match for well-paid professionals who want a healthy lifestyle and strong schools near the Hudson River. It suits those with the financial flexibility to handle high housing costs and environmental risks.

204060801005.18.666.980.26587.512.34756.8Tax5.1Cost8.6Safety66.9Health80.2Schools65Income87.5Risk12.3Water47Weather56.845.6/100
This county
National avg
4 above average4 below average

Ulster County DNA

Foverall

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

Ulster County is a tale of two counties — exceptional in Income (87.5/100) but notably weak in Property Tax (5.1/100). This polarized profile creates distinct trade-offs for residents.

Dimension Breakdown

Tax
5.1-46.9
Cost
8.6-39.4
Safety
66.9+11.900000000000006
Health
80.2+30.200000000000003
Schools
65+11
Income
87.5+36.5
Risk
12.3-34.7
Water
47-11
Weather
56.8
Sponsored

Think property taxes are too high in Ulster County?

Many homeowners in Ulster 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

$352,500

National median: $185,300

Median Rent

$1,425/mo

National median: $877/mo

Income Needed (home)

$352,500/yr

28% front-end rule

Income Needed (rent)

$57,000/yr

30% rent rule

Affordability Spectrum4.1x income
AffordableNational avgExpensive
Local median income: $86,271/yr
Compare Mortgage Rates

Economic & Education Snapshot

Primary Care

29.1

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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Nearby counties

Greene County
New York
52.8
Dutchess County
New York
43.9
Columbia County
New York
49.4
Orange County
New York
42.1
Sullivan County
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Putnam County
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Delaware County
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Schoharie County
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Deep Dives

Ulster County across the ByCounty Network

Detailed analysis from 9 data dimensions — each powered by a dedicated ByCounty site.

Property Tax in Ulster County

via TaxByCounty

Ulster's tax rate ranks among nation's lowest

Ulster County's effective tax rate of 1.944% sits in the 35th percentile nationally, below the national median of 2.09%. Its median property tax of $6,124 more than doubles the national median of $2,690 because Ulster homes average $315,100—significantly above the national median.

Second-lowest rate in the state sample

Ulster's effective rate of 1.944% ranks second-lowest among the eight profiled counties (behind only Suffolk's 1.854%) and well below New York's state average of 2.046%. The median tax of $6,124 exceeds the state median of $4,709 due to elevated home values in this Hudson Valley county.

Favorable rate among Hudson Valley

Ulster's 1.944% rate is notably lower than Sullivan County (2.164%) and all upstate peers, from Seneca (2.289%) to Steuben (2.523%). The trade-off: actual tax dollars run higher here due to premium home values, making Ulster a middle-cost option for the region.

Annual tax on typical Ulster home

A homeowner with the county's median-valued property of $315,100 pays approximately $6,124 annually in property taxes. With a mortgage, that rises to $6,543; without one, it drops to $5,480.

Favorable rate but verify your assessment

Ulster County's below-average tax rate is a plus, but high home values mean assessment errors carry substantial cost. If your property's assessed value seems inflated compared to recent sales of similar homes, file a free appeal with your town assessor—even modest reductions yield meaningful annual savings.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Income & Jobs in Ulster County

via IncomeByCounty

Ulster exceeds national earning power

Ulster County's median household income of $81,804 exceeds the national median of $74,755 by about 9%, positioning residents above the typical American household. This advantage reflects Ulster's role as a prosperous Hudson Valley county with strong regional economic ties.

Ulster outearns most New York counties

At $81,804, Ulster County ranks in the upper tier of New York's 62 counties, exceeding the state median of $76,433 by roughly $5,400. The county benefits from Hudson Valley proximity to wealthy Westchester and New York City.

Wealthiest among regional peers

Ulster's $81,804 income substantially outpaces Sullivan County ($69,826), Tompkins County ($73,012), and all Southern Tier neighbors. Only Long Island's Suffolk County ($128,329) significantly exceeds Ulster in the broader region.

Higher income offset by home prices

Ulster's rent-to-income ratio of 19.6% reflects manageable housing costs relative to income, though median home values of $315,100 show the county's appeal. The strong income cushion helps families absorb elevated housing prices that reflect the area's desirability.

Capitalizing on Ulster's strong earnings

With median household income at $81,804, Ulster County residents enjoy above-average earnings that support aggressive wealth building. Strategies including diversified investment portfolios, real estate leverage, education funding, and tax-efficient retirement planning can help families amplify their financial advantage.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Safety in Ulster County

via CrimeByCounty

Ulster County offers high levels of safety

Ulster County scores a 98.8 for safety, representing a very secure environment. Its crime rate of 776.3 per 100,000 is approximately one-third of the national average of 2,385.5.

Stronger safety rankings than the average

Ulster's safety score of 98.8 beats the state average of 98.3. Its total crime rate of 776.3 is also significantly lower than the New York average of 1,074.4.

Safest among its southern neighbors

Ulster's crime rate of 776.3 is notably lower than Suffolk County's 1,357.4. It maintains a safe corridor in the Hudson Valley, reporting less crime than Warren County further north.

Violent crime remains very low

The violent crime rate in Ulster is just 74.1, far below the state average of 125.0. Property crime sits at 702.2, which remains the focus for the county's 17 reporting agencies.

Stay protected in Ulster County

Ulster is a very safe place to live, but property crimes do occur occasionally. Utilizing motion-activated cameras can help ensure your home remains as safe as the rest of the county.

Full safety analysis on CrimeByCounty

Weather & Climate in Ulster County

via WeatherByCounty

Wet and Cool in the Hudson Valley

Ulster County averages 46.8°F annually, falling below the national median in a region characterized by high moisture. The terrain causes significant local variations in weather patterns.

Surpassing State Precipitation Norms

While its 46.8°F average temperature is close to the state's 47.4°F, Ulster is much wetter than average. It receives 53.9 inches of annual precipitation, over 10 inches more than the state benchmark.

The Snow Capital of the Region

Ulster stands out among its neighbors with a staggering 82.0 inches of annual snowfall. This makes it one of the snowiest counties in the Hudson Valley corridor, nearly doubling the state average snowfall.

Deep Snow and Steady Summers

Winters are cold with a January average of 23.1°F, while 82.0 inches of snow define the landscape. Summers remain mild, with only 4 extreme heat days per year where temperatures top 90°F.

Prepare for Heavy Snow Loads

Homeowners must ensure roofs are rated for heavy snow given the 82.0-inch annual average. Waterproofing and sump pumps are also essential to manage the high 53.9-inch annual precipitation.

Full weather & climate analysis on WeatherByCounty

Soil Quality in Ulster County

via SoilByCounty

Typical New York Acidity in the Hudson Valley

Ulster County's soil pH of 5.13 aligns almost perfectly with the New York state average of 5.11. This acidic profile results in a soil score of 54.6, which is slightly below the state average of 59.7. Local growers often use amendments to balance this natural acidity for sensitive crops.

Balanced Textures for Valley Farming

The soil contains 43.0% silt, 35.8% sand, and 13.9% clay. This mixture provides a versatile loam-like texture that supports the county's famous apple orchards. The balance of particles ensures the soil is neither too heavy nor too porous for standard agriculture.

Healthy Organic Matter and Average Water Access

Organic matter content is 13.62%, which is robust even if it sits below the state benchmark of 17.01%. Available water capacity is 0.179 in/in, very close to the state average of 0.182 in/in. These metrics indicate a soil with good structural health and reliable water retention.

Consistent Hydrology in the Mid-Hudson

Specific drainage and hydrologic group data are unavailable, but the 43.0% silt content points to a soil that manages moisture effectively. It provides enough drainage to prevent waterlogging while holding onto the rains of the Hudson Valley. This stability is a key reason for the region's long agricultural history.

The Orchard Expert’s Zone 6a

Ulster County’s Zone 6a climate is legendary for stone fruits, berries, and cider apples. The acidic soil is a natural fit for many native shrubs and specialized orchard varieties. Dive into gardening here to experience the rich agricultural heritage of the Hudson Valley.

Full soil quality analysis on SoilByCounty

Lawn Care in Ulster County

via LawnByCounty

The Uphill Battle for Ulster Lawns

Ulster County's lawn difficulty score of 48.5 indicates a challenging environment for turf care. This is significantly tougher than the New York state average of 61.1, requiring homeowners to be more proactive with their lawn management.

High Rainfall and a Long Growing Season

Ulster receives a heavy 53.9 inches of rain per year, which is far above the ideal range and can lead to saturated roots. However, the season is long, with 2,322 growing degree days and a frost-free window that lasts until October 27th. This extended period allows for late-season growth, but the excess moisture may require better drainage solutions.

Solving the Acidic Soil Puzzle

The local soil pH is 5.13, which is quite acidic and typically requires significant lime applications to correct. The soil is composed of 35.8% sand and 13.9% clay, creating a texture that needs organic matter to improve nutrient holding capacity. Without correction, grass will struggle to grow deeply and resist common pests.

Managing Unpredictable Dry Stretches

The county spent 22 weeks in drought last year, and 79.2% of the area is currently abnormally dry. When the rain stops, the acidic soil can make it even harder for grass to stay resilient. Deep watering once a week is essential during these dry periods to keep the lawn from thinning out and allowing weeds to take over.

Choosing Hardy Varieties for Ulster

Tall fescues are your best option for zone 6a, as they handle the high 53.9-inch rainfall and acidic soil better than other types. Seed your lawn in early May after the frost or in September to maximize the long fall growing season. These hardy grasses will better withstand the 23.1°F January temperatures and the humid summer months.

Full lawn care analysis on LawnByCounty

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Ulster County's county score?
Ulster County, New York has a composite county score of 45.6 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 Ulster County rank among counties in New York?
Ulster County ranks #36 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 Ulster County, New York?
The median annual property tax in Ulster County is $6,238, with an effective tax rate of 1.77%. This earns Ulster County a tax score of 5.1/100 on CountyScore (higher = lower taxes).
What is the median household income in Ulster County?
The median household income in Ulster County, New York is $86,271 per year according to U.S. Census Bureau data. Ulster County earns an income score of 87.5/100 on CountyScore.
Is Ulster County, New York a good place to live?
Ulster County scores 45.6/100 on CountyScore's overall county ranking, ranking #36 in New York. The best way to evaluate Ulster 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 Ulster 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.