CountyScore

Yates County

New York · NY

#9 in New York
63
County Score

County Report Card

About Yates County, New York

Yates: Competitive Performance Nationally

Yates County scores 61.0 on the CountyScore composite index, placing it above the national median of 50.0 by 11 points. This ranks it at approximately the 72nd percentile nationally, among the upper quarter of U.S. counties.

Among New York's Best Counties

Yates's 61.0 composite score surpasses New York's state average of 54.7, establishing it as one of the state's more livable counties. The score reflects a balanced profile across available metrics.

Excellent Housing Affordability

Yates County features a Cost Score of 78.9 with median rent of just $802/month and median home value of $178,000. This exceptional affordability, combined with a Tax Score of 48.3, creates strong financial appeal.

Limited Income Growth Potential

Yates's Income Score of 27.5 is the lowest among these six counties, reflecting a median household income of just $67,521. Economic opportunity appears constrained, though this limitation may suit those seeking stability over growth.

Ideal for Stable, Simple Living

Yates suits families and retirees seeking affordable rural living, strong housing value, and lower tax burdens without demanding high income potential. It's perfect for those prioritizing community stability, affordability, and quality of life over career advancement.

Score breakdown

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

Tax48.3Cost78.9SafetyComing SoonHealth71.6SchoolsComing SoonIncome27.5Risk53.4WaterComing Soon
🏛48.3
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠78.9
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼27.5
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
❤71.6
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
⚡53.4
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 Yates County with another county →

Counties with similar scores

Shasta County
California
63
Median income: $71,931
Escambia County
Florida
63
Median income: $65,715
Walton County
Florida
63
Median income: $79,281
Mason County
Illinois
63
Median income: $62,127
Brown County
Texas
63
Median income: $55,305

Deep Dives

Yates County across the ByCounty Network

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

Property Tax in Yates County

via TaxByCounty

Yates taxes below state average

Yates County's effective tax rate of 1.920% falls below New York's state average of 2.046% and modestly above the national median. The median property tax of $3,417 sits 27% higher than the national median of $2,690, reflecting New York's generally elevated property tax burden.

Lower-middle tier in New York

Yates County ranks in the lower-middle range among New York's 62 counties for effective tax rates, placing it below the state average in burden. Its median tax of $3,417 runs well below the state average of $4,709, offering residents moderate relief.

Competitive with nearby counties

Yates County's 1.920% rate falls between Warren County (1.530%) and Washington County (2.082%), offering a middle-ground option in the region. It significantly undercuts Wayne County (2.551%) and Wyoming County (2.299%), making it one of the better-taxed areas in its geographic vicinity.

Median home costs $3,417 yearly

On Yates County's median home value of $178,000, you'll pay approximately $3,417 in annual property taxes—or about $3,514 with mortgage escrow included. That's roughly $285-293 per month, among the most affordable in the state.

Appeal your assessment if you haven't

Even in lower-tax Yates County, overassessment occurs, with some properties valued 10-20% above market rate. Filing a free assessment appeal takes minimal effort and could save $300-500 annually—especially valuable if your property hasn't been reassessed in several years.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in Yates County

via CostByCounty

Yates County Offers Solid National Affordability

Yates County's 14.3% rent-to-income ratio sits comfortably below the national average, meaning residents spend notably less on rent than typical Americans. With median rent of just $802 monthly and a median household income of $67,521, Yates delivers honest affordability for budget-conscious households.

Among New York's Most Affordable Counties

Yates ranks third statewide for affordability with a 14.3% rent-to-income ratio significantly below New York's 17.6% average. At $802 monthly, rent runs $331 cheaper than the state average, establishing Yates as a clear value leader in the state's housing market.

Competitive Southern Tier Pricing

Yates' $802 rent nearly ties Wyoming County's $782 as the cheapest in the region, with both dramatically undercut the northern counties: Wayne ($929), Washington ($1,000), Warren ($1,089). Westchester's $1,876 makes the north-south housing divide starkly apparent.

Renters and Owners Both Benefit

Renters commit just 14.3% of their $67,521 income to $802 monthly rent, while owners spend $997 monthly on homes averaging $178,000. Yates offers genuine affordability for both housing paths against modest regional incomes.

Strong Value in Finger Lakes Country

Yates County combines Southern Tier affordability with Finger Lakes character, delivering a 14.3% rent-to-income ratio and $802 monthly rent among the state's best. If you're seeking rural New York living with serious housing value, Yates deserves consideration alongside neighboring Wyoming and Wayne counties.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in Yates County

via IncomeByCounty

Yates ranks below national income median

Yates County's median household income of $67,521 falls $7,234 short of the U.S. median of $74,755, positioning it in the bottom 40% of American counties. The county reflects a rural Finger Lakes economy rooted in wine production, agriculture, and small-scale manufacturing.

Yates ranks 50th in New York State

Yates County's median household income of $67,521 ranks it 50th among New York's 62 counties, lagging the state average of $76,433 by $8,912. The county sits firmly in the lower-half of New York's income distribution, though not among the state's poorest regions.

Yates is the region's lowest-income county

Yates's $67,521 trails all five neighboring counties: Warren ($78,239), Washington ($72,342), Wayne ($73,914), Westchester ($118,411), and Wyoming ($68,913). Only Wyoming comes close, and Yates ranks as the lowest-income among the six-county comparison, reflecting economic headwinds in rural Finger Lakes.

Housing affordability is Yates's strength

Yates households spend just 14.3% of income on rent—one of the region's best ratios and well below the 30% affordability standard. Median home values of $178,000 remain accessible for median-income families, making homeownership realistic despite lower baseline earnings.

Strategic saving turns affordability into wealth

Though Yates earns below state and national averages, its 14.3% rent-to-income ratio creates meaningful room for saving and investment. Automate transfers to a savings account, maximize any employer retirement benefits, and explore affordable index funds to build wealth systematically from your current income level.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Health in Yates County

via HealthByCounty

Yates County life expectancy above U.S. average

At 78.1 years, Yates County residents live 2.0 years longer than the U.S. average of 76.1 years, yet 17.9% report poor or fair health—the highest rate among all comparison counties. This gap suggests significant health inequality within the population despite a strong life expectancy.

Yates struggles with uninsured rates

At 9.7% uninsured, Yates County residents face nearly double New York State's 5.3% uninsured rate, creating barriers to routine care and prevention. This coverage gap likely contributes to the county's high poor/fair health reporting at 17.9%.

Highest uninsured rate in the region

Yates's 9.7% uninsured rate far exceeds all neighbors—Warren (4.9%), Wyoming (4.6%), and Washington (5.4%)—making it a regional outlier. Combined with just 49 primary care providers per 100,000, Yates residents face compounded access challenges.

Insurance crisis impairs healthcare access

Nearly 1 in 10 Yates residents lack health insurance, among the worst rates in New York, and the county's 49 primary care providers per 100,000 fall well below peer counties. Uninsured residents delay or skip needed care, explaining Yates's troubling 17.9% poor/fair health rate.

Yates County: enrollment is urgent

With nearly 10% uninsured, Yates residents must prioritize health insurance enrollment to access preventive and emergency care. Visit healthcare.gov or New York's health plan marketplace today—coverage could transform health outcomes in your community.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Disaster Risk in Yates County

via RiskByCounty

Yates County below national average risk

With a composite risk score of 46.63, Yates County ranks as relatively low risk—meaningfully safer than the national average for natural disaster exposure. This favorable position reflects a county where hazards are present but collectively manageable compared to higher-risk communities nationwide.

Well-protected within New York

Yates County's 46.63 score falls substantially below New York's state average of 69.42, placing it among the state's safer counties. This 23-point gap positions Yates clearly in New York's lower-risk tier, benefiting from both geography and local hazard mitigation.

Safer than most, but not the safest

Yates County (46.63) ranks second-safest in this six-county sample, trailing only Wyoming County (41.25) and substantially ahead of Warren County (62.31). This positioning shows that central New York counties share lower hazard exposure compared to more vulnerable western and southern regions.

Hurricanes and floods primary concerns

Hurricane risk (63.62) and flood risk (67.49) represent Yates County's two highest threats, both driven by the county's Finger Lakes location and regional storm patterns. Tornado risk (29.71) remains secondary and well below state average, while wildfire (12.72) and earthquake (27.39) threats are minimal.

Flood and wind coverage recommended

Yates County residents should secure flood insurance, particularly those near waterways and flood-prone areas, and ensure adequate wind/hurricane coverage in their homeowners policy. These two protections address your primary hazards while keeping overall insurance costs reasonable given your favorable risk profile.

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.