1st Advantage MortgageHerkimer County households have a median income of $68,515 and median rent of $823 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
- Herkimer County, NY: the basics
- Paychecks and income spread in Herkimer County
- Employment and commuting in Herkimer County
- Herkimer County housing compared with New York
- Places inside Herkimer County
- Counties near Herkimer County
- A Herkimer County household budget, worked through
- People and households in Herkimer County
- Local borrowing considerations for Herkimer County
- Steps before you apply in Herkimer County
- New York rules that apply in Herkimer County
- Nearby and statewide guides
- Frequently asked questions
Herkimer County, NY: the basics
Herkimer County is home to about 59,757 people, according to the Census Bureau's 2020 to 2024 American Community Survey, which makes it the 43rd most populous of 62 county-level areas in New York. Land area is 1,411 square miles (2024 Gazetteer), so density runs near 42 per square mile. For statistical purposes it belongs to the Utica-Rome, NY metro area, as delineated by the Office of Management and Budget in July 2023. The Census Bureau counts 17 places in the county (10 incorporated, 7 census-designated); the largest is Ilion, with about 7,593 residents, or 13% of the county.
Paychecks and income spread in Herkimer County
Half of Herkimer County households take in less than $68,515 a year and half take in more, 20% below the New York median of $85,974. In the state ranking that is 43rd of 62.
| Yearly household income | Herkimer County | Gap to New York |
|---|---|---|
| Under $35,000 | 26.1% | +3.9 pts |
| $35,000 to $99,999 | 42.6% | +8.7 pts |
| $100,000 to $199,999 | 25.5% | -1.3 pts |
| $200,000 or more | 5.7% | -11.4 pts |
About 26% of households earn under $35,000, while 31% clear $100,000. Census counts 13.4% of Herkimer County residents in poverty, against 14.0% across New York. Income inequality, measured by the Gini index, comes to 0.442 here. A household earning below the $68,515 median should test any payment carefully; one earning above it should still pick the shortest term it can manage.
Employment and commuting in Herkimer County
The biggest employer of Herkimer County residents, by industry, is education and health care at 29% of workers, followed by retail trade (12%). Compared with New York, the county leans toward manufacturing (10% against 6%). Averaged over the five survey years, 4.3% of the labor force was out of work and looking. Long commutes are the exception here: 15% of workers spend 45 minutes or longer getting to work. 9.6% of households have no vehicle.
| Industry (employed residents 16+) | Herkimer County | Gap to New York |
|---|---|---|
| Education and health care | 28.6% | -0.7 pts |
| Retail trade | 11.7% | +2.1 pts |
| Manufacturing | 10.1% | +4.3 pts |
| Construction | 7.7% | +2.0 pts |
| Professional and administrative services | 7.1% | -6.2 pts |
| Arts, lodging and food service | 7.0% | -1.1 pts |
Industry shapes paperwork. Salaried and public jobs are easy to verify, while hourly, tipped, commission or contract earners in Herkimer County should have bank statements and tax returns ready.
Herkimer County housing compared with New York
Median gross rent, utilities included, comes to $823 in Herkimer County versus $1,621 statewide. Rent takes 30% or more of income for 41% of renter households here. With a median value of $147,700, a typical Herkimer County house costs 2.2 times what the median household earns in a year. The ownership rate is 77%. The median home was built in 1954, so roofs, wiring and heating systems are a common source of repair bills.
| Cost | Herkimer County | New York figure | Median county, U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median gross rent | $823/mo | $1,621/mo | $877/mo |
| Median home value | $147,700 | $423,800 | $185,300 |
| Owners | 77% | 54% | 75% |
| Rent-burdened renters | 41% | 52% | 45% |
| Burdened owners | 24% | 33% | n/a |
| Mobile homes | 8.7% | 2.1% | n/a |
Because most Herkimer County households own, home repairs are a frequent reason to borrow. An unsecured personal loan leaves the house out of the deal, while a HELOC uses it as collateral.
Places inside Herkimer County
17 Census places fall mainly inside Herkimer County; the 14 biggest are below. They account for 29,685 residents, leaving about 50% of the county in unincorporated, unnamed areas. Among places of 500 or more people, median income runs from $48,529 in Herkimer to $86,154 in East Herkimer. Median rent ranges from $679 in West Winfield to $1,164 in Old Forge. None of the 17 has its own city guide, so this page covers all of them.
| Town or CDP | Type | People | Median household income | Median gross rent | Miles from center |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ilion | village | 7,593 | $62,843 | $694 | 40 mi |
| Herkimer | village | 7,566 | $48,529 | $821 | 38 mi |
| Little Falls | city | 4,550 | $53,544 | $804 | 36 mi |
| Mohawk | village | 2,520 | $72,813 | $705 | 40 mi |
| Frankfort | village | 2,503 | $50,909 | $874 | 39 mi |
| West Winfield | village | 837 | $76,667 | $679 | 51 mi |
| East Herkimer | CDP | 659 | $86,154 | $825 | 38 mi |
| Middleville | village | 652 | $84,125 | $1,125 | 31 mi |
| Old Forge | CDP | 574 | $75,076 | $1,164 | 11 mi |
| East Frankfort | CDP | 571 | $57,833 | $963 | 40 mi |
| Newport | village | 491 | $86,750 | n/a | 28 mi |
| Poland | village | 449 | $61,250 | $782 | 26 mi |
| Salisbury Center | CDP | 207 | $73,533 | n/a | 30 mi |
| South Ilion | CDP | 195 | $103,333 | n/a | 41 mi |
Counties near Herkimer County
Hamilton County is closest, 18 miles from center to center; the sixth, Montgomery County, is 51 miles off. Warren County leads the group on income ($78,442), Montgomery County trails ($64,943), and Herkimer County out-earns 3 of the six.
| County | Miles | Median household income | Median rent | Homeownership |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Herkimer County | - | $68,515 | $823/mo | 77% |
| Hamilton County, NY | 18 mi | $68,835 | $912/mo | 82% |
| Lewis County, NY | 33 mi | $68,182 | $837/mo | 80% |
| Oneida County, NY | 37 mi | $70,154 | $944/mo | 68% |
| Fulton County, NY | 38 mi | $66,533 | $912/mo | 71% |
| Warren County, NY | 50 mi | $78,442 | $1,105/mo | 72% |
| Montgomery County, NY | 51 mi | $64,943 | $940/mo | 70% |
A Herkimer County household budget, worked through
The debt-to-income ratio is the main affordability test lenders use. Applied to Herkimer County's medians:
- Median income divided by twelve: $5,710 before taxes
- Housing at the median rent of $823 uses 14%
- $1,175: what a 35% ratio leaves once rent is paid
- With a 45% ceiling, about $1,746 remains for car, card, student and any new loan payments
Subtract what you already pay on other debts. A new payment should fit in what remains, with some to spare.
People and households in Herkimer County
23% of Herkimer County adults 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or more. The uninsured rate is 4.9%, against 5.1% for New York.
| Residents | Herkimer County | New York | Middle U.S. county |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 44.8 | 39.8 | 41.5 |
| Bachelor's or higher | 22.7% | 40.2% | 22.2% |
| No high school diploma | 8.5% | 12.0% | n/a |
| No health insurance | 4.9% | 5.1% | 7.8% |
| No vehicle | 9.6% | 29.2% | 5.4% |
| Work from home | 10.1% | 14.9% | 8.7% |
| Poverty rate | 13.4% | 14.0% | 13.2% |
| Unemployment (ACS) | 4.3% | 6.4% | 4.4% |
| Commute length | Herkimer County |
|---|---|
| Under 15 min | 31.8% |
| 15 to 29 min | 33.8% |
| 30 to 44 min | 19.7% |
| 45 to 59 min | 6.6% |
| 60+ min | 8.1% |
Local borrowing considerations for Herkimer County
Based on the Herkimer County data above, these borrowing questions are most likely to matter locally.
- Consolidating cards in Herkimer County. Compare the total repaid, not the monthly figure (how).
- Credit reports. Pull free reports at AnnualCreditReport.com and dispute errors before applying.
- Requirements. Lenders weigh credit history, documented income and existing debt (what to gather).
Steps before you apply in Herkimer County
A short checklist for Herkimer County borrowers:
- Get a written quote for whatever you are paying for in Herkimer County.
- Prequalify with soft pulls where offered, then compare in writing.
- Check the license, then the reviews, then the offer.
- Keep a small cushion so one surprise bill does not mean another loan.
New York rules that apply in Herkimer County
The New York State Department of Financial Services is the place to verify any lender's New York license. Federal complaints: consumerfinance.gov. See the New York state guide for the statewide picture.
Nearby and statewide guides
The New York guide covers the whole state.
Frequently asked questions
What does a typical Herkimer County household make?
About $68,515 a year at the median (ACS 2020-24), 20% below the New York median.
What do renters pay in Herkimer County?
$823 a month at the median, about 14% of median household income.
I own my home in Herkimer County. Personal loan or HELOC?
A HELOC uses the house as collateral; a personal loan usually does not. With 77% of homes owner-occupied here, many readers can compare both in writing.
What are the biggest places in Herkimer County?
By population: Ilion, Herkimer, Little Falls, Mohawk, Frankfort. The county has 17 Census places in all.
Does living in Herkimer County change what I qualify for?
Not in our fit check, which uses only the amount, credit range, income and payments you enter, the same for a Herkimer County resident as anyone. Lenders decide under fair-lending law.