1st Advantage MortgageDelaware County households have a median income of $63,337 and median rent of $880 a month (ACS 2020 to 2024). Those figures describe the county, not you: compare at least three written offers by APR and total cost, and confirm the lender's license before you apply.
On this page
- Delaware County at a glance
- Renting and owning in Delaware County
- Household income in Delaware County
- The Delaware County job picture
- Places inside Delaware County
- How Delaware County compares with nearby counties
- What a median Delaware County budget can carry
- Who lives in Delaware County, in numbers
- Reading the Delaware County data as a borrower
- Before you sign
- Lender oversight for Delaware County
- Nearby and statewide guides
- Frequently asked questions
Delaware County at a glance
Roughly 44,487 residents live in Delaware County, New York, 53rd by population among the state's 62 counties and county equivalents. Land area is 1,443 square miles (2024 Gazetteer), so density runs near 31 per square mile. Under the July 2023 OMB definitions, Delaware County is not part of any metropolitan area. The Census Bureau counts 13 places in the county (9 incorporated, 4 census-designated); the largest is Sidney, with about 3,931 residents, or 9% of the county.
Renting and owning in Delaware County
Renters in Delaware County pay a median of $880 a month, 46% below the New York figure of $1,621. Rent takes 30% or more of income for 45% of renter households here. With a median value of $183,100, a typical Delaware County house costs 2.9 times what the median household earns in a year. 77% of Delaware County households own their home and 23% rent. Median construction year: 1972.
| Home costs | Delaware County | New York | U.S. middle county |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median gross rent | $880/mo | $1,621/mo | $877/mo |
| Median home value | $183,100 | $423,800 | $185,300 |
| Owners | 77% | 54% | 75% |
| Rent-burdened renters | 45% | 52% | 45% |
| Burdened owners | 28% | 33% | n/a |
In an owner-heavy county like Delaware County, many borrowers can also choose a home equity loan or line of credit. Those can price lower but put the house on the line, so compare the two in writing; our personal loan vs. HELOC guide walks through it.
Household income in Delaware County
Half of Delaware County households take in less than $63,337 a year and half take in more, 26% below the New York median of $85,974. Only 54 New York counties post a higher median.
| Band | Delaware County | Compared with New York |
|---|---|---|
| Under $35,000 | 27.3% | +5.1 pts |
| $35,000 to $99,999 | 42.9% | +8.9 pts |
| $100,000 to $199,999 | 23.2% | -3.6 pts |
| $200,000 or more | 6.6% | -10.4 pts |
About 27% of households earn under $35,000, while 30% clear $100,000. 14.4% of residents fall below the federal poverty line (statewide: 14.0%). The Gini index of income inequality is 0.459 (0 is perfect equality). A household earning below the $63,337 median should test any payment carefully; one earning above it should still pick the shortest term it can manage.
The Delaware County job picture
Education and health care employs 28% of working residents, the largest share; retail trade is next with 13%. Manufacturing stands out: 10% of workers here, versus 6% statewide. The survey's unemployment rate for Delaware County averages 6.4% over 2020 to 2024 (state: 6.4%). Long commutes are the exception here: 14% of workers spend 45 minutes or longer getting to work. 8.6% of households have no vehicle.
| Top industries | Delaware County share | +/- vs New York |
|---|---|---|
| Education and health care | 28.3% | -1.0 pts |
| Retail trade | 13.2% | +3.6 pts |
| Manufacturing | 10.4% | +4.6 pts |
| Professional and administrative services | 8.5% | -4.7 pts |
| Arts, lodging and food service | 8.5% | +0.4 pts |
| Construction | 8.2% | +2.6 pts |
Shorter commutes usually mean lower vehicle costs, which can leave more room for a payment, or for paying a loan off early.
Places inside Delaware County
Here are the 13 most populous of the county's 13 Census places, with income and rent from the same 2020 to 2024 survey. About 31% of Delaware County residents live in one of the 13. Incomes vary by place: $57,586 at the median in Delhi, $34,676 in Walton. No Delaware County place has a separate guide yet; this county page serves all 13.
| Place in county | Status | Population (ACS) | Median HH income | Monthly rent | Distance from center |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sidney | village | 3,931 | $50,208 | $902 | 23 mi |
| Delhi | village | 3,136 | $57,586 | $866 | 6 mi |
| Walton | village | 2,423 | $34,676 | $771 | 9 mi |
| Stamford | village | 1,053 | $43,716 | $824 | 23 mi |
| Hancock | village | 745 | $51,765 | $958 | 23 mi |
| Margaretville | village | 617 | $39,201 | $995 | 17 mi |
| Franklin | village | 424 | $81,912 | $763 | 14 mi |
| Davenport Center | CDP | 414 | $125,517 | n/a | 18 mi |
| Hobart | village | 409 | $85,208 | $728 | 20 mi |
| Bloomville | CDP | 289 | $87,917 | n/a | 12 mi |
| Downsville | CDP | 163 | $58,958 | n/a | 8 mi |
| Andes | CDP | 151 | $49,531 | n/a | 10 mi |
| Fleischmanns | village | 148 | $101,667 | n/a | 22 mi |
How Delaware County compares with nearby counties
Six nearby counties, 30 to 41 miles away by the straight-line distance between their centers. Ulster County leads the group on income ($86,271), Wayne County trails ($62,381), and Delaware County out-earns 2 of the six. Some neighbors are in Pennsylvania. Lender licensing is state by state, so a loan for a Delaware County resident follows New York rules.
| Neighbor | Distance | Income | Rent | Own |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Delaware County | - | $63,337 | $880/mo | 77% |
| Otsego County, NY | 30 mi | $68,885 | $987/mo | 74% |
| Sullivan County, NY | 34 mi | $72,382 | $1,106/mo | 67% |
| Chenango County, NY | 38 mi | $62,948 | $875/mo | 75% |
| Schoharie County, NY | 38 mi | $70,133 | $909/mo | 76% |
| Ulster County, NY | 40 mi | $86,271 | $1,425/mo | 70% |
| Wayne County, PA | 41 mi | $62,381 | $1,038/mo | 81% |
What a median Delaware County budget can carry
Here is the Delaware County median household run through a simple DTI check. Your numbers will differ.
- Monthly gross at the median, Delaware County: $5,278
- 17% goes to median rent ($880)
- With a 35% ceiling, about $967 remains for car, card, student and any new loan payments
- Under a 45% cap, $2,375 total minus rent leaves $1,495
If your rent is above $880, the room shrinks dollar for dollar.
Who lives in Delaware County, in numbers
Degree holders: 28% of adults over 25. The uninsured rate is 5.0%, against 5.1% for New York.
| Indicator | Delaware County | All of New York | U.S. county median |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 48.8 | 39.8 | 41.5 |
| Bachelor's or higher | 27.6% | 40.2% | 22.2% |
| No high school diploma | 9.0% | 12.0% | n/a |
| No health insurance | 5.0% | 5.1% | 7.8% |
| No vehicle | 8.6% | 29.2% | 5.4% |
| Work from home | 12.5% | 14.9% | 8.7% |
| Poverty rate | 14.4% | 14.0% | 13.2% |
| Unemployment (ACS) | 6.4% | 6.4% | 4.4% |
| Minutes to work | Delaware County workers |
|---|---|
| Under 15 min | 38.1% |
| 15 to 29 min | 30.0% |
| 30 to 44 min | 17.6% |
| 45 to 59 min | 6.8% |
| 60+ min | 7.5% |
Reading the Delaware County data as a borrower
The county's numbers point to a few situations that come up often for Delaware County borrowers.
- Repairs on manufactured housing. With 13% of homes here, compare a personal loan with any dealer or park repair program.
- Older households. A 48.8 median age means fixed-income borrowing is common; a fixed payment and short term limit risk.
- Debt consolidation. One fixed payment can save money only if the written APR and fees beat what you pay now (guide).
Before you sign
Before you apply, wherever you live in Delaware County:
- Know the exact dollar figure you need before talking to a lender.
- Prequalify with soft pulls where offered, then compare in writing.
- Only work with lenders licensed for New York borrowers.
- Keep a small cushion so one surprise bill does not mean another loan.
Lender oversight for Delaware County
Delaware County borrowers fall under statewide rules, enforced by the New York State Department of Financial Services. Problems with a lender can also go to the CFPB. The New York guide covers state rules in more detail.
Nearby and statewide guides
The New York guide covers the whole state.
Frequently asked questions
How much do households in Delaware County earn?
The median is $63,337; 30% earn $100,000 or more and 27% under $35,000. A lender uses your own documented income, not this figure.
Is Delaware County expensive for renters?
Median rent is $880 against $1,621 statewide, and 45% of renter households are cost-burdened.
Does this page cover Sidney?
Yes, along with the other 12 Census places in Delaware County, such as Delhi, Walton, Stamford.
Is the fit check different in Delaware County?
No. It is identical everywhere, and it never looks at your neighborhood.
Where can someone in Delaware County check a lender's license?
With the New York State Department of Financial Services. If a lender is unlicensed or asks for a fee before funding, walk away.