1st Advantage MortgageJefferson County households have a median income of $66,301 and median rent of $1,213 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
- A quick profile of Jefferson County
- What Jefferson County households earn
- What it costs to live in Jefferson County
- The Jefferson County job picture
- Cities, towns and CDPs in Jefferson County
- How Jefferson County compares with nearby counties
- A Jefferson County household budget, worked through
- Reading the Jefferson County data as a borrower
- Jefferson County residents: age, schooling, coverage
- Checking a lender's license in New York
- Steps before you apply in Jefferson County
- Related local guides
- Frequently asked questions
A quick profile of Jefferson County
With an estimated 115,040 residents (ACS 2020 to 2024), Jefferson County ranks 25th of 62 in New York for population. Packed into 1,268 square miles, that is close to 91 residents for every square mile of land. For statistical purposes it belongs to the Watertown-Fort Drum, NY metro area, as delineated by the Office of Management and Budget in July 2023. The Census Bureau counts 41 places in the county (20 incorporated, 21 census-designated); the largest is Watertown, with about 24,375 residents, or 21% of the county.
What Jefferson County households earn
The median household income in Jefferson County is $66,301; statewide it is $85,974, so Jefferson County runs 23% below New York as a whole.
| Band | Jefferson County | Compared with New York |
|---|---|---|
| Under $35,000 | 24.0% | +1.8 pts |
| $35,000 to $99,999 | 45.3% | +11.4 pts |
| $100,000 to $199,999 | 25.0% | -1.9 pts |
| $200,000 or more | 5.8% | -11.3 pts |
Some 24% of households here live on less than $35,000 a year; 31% have six-figure incomes. Census counts 13.7% of Jefferson County residents in poverty, against 14.0% across New York. The Gini index of income inequality is 0.439 (0 is perfect equality). If your income is irregular, as it often is with tips, gig work or seasonal jobs, plan around your leaner months rather than the Jefferson County median.
What it costs to live in Jefferson County
Renters in Jefferson County pay a median of $1,213 a month, 25% below the New York figure of $1,621. Rent takes 30% or more of income for 48% of renter households here. Home values center on $188,200, or 2.8 years of median income. The ownership rate is 55%. Median construction year: 1972.
| Measure | Jefferson County | New York | Median U.S. county |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median gross rent | $1,213/mo | $1,621/mo | $877/mo |
| Median home value | $188,200 | $423,800 | $185,300 |
| Owners | 55% | 54% | 75% |
| Rent-burdened renters | 48% | 52% | 45% |
| Burdened owners | 25% | 33% | n/a |
For the many renters in Jefferson County, deposits, moving costs and card balances are typical reasons to borrow. Keep the amount small and the term short.
The Jefferson County job picture
The biggest employer of Jefferson County residents, by industry, is education and health care at 27% of workers, followed by retail trade (14%). The sharpest difference from the state is in public administration, at 9% locally and 5% for New York. ACS puts five-year average unemployment at 5.9% in Jefferson County. 7% of commuters travel 45 minutes or more each way, and 8% work from home.
| Top industries | Jefferson County share | +/- vs New York |
|---|---|---|
| Education and health care | 26.8% | -2.6 pts |
| Retail trade | 14.0% | +4.4 pts |
| Arts, lodging and food service | 10.0% | +1.9 pts |
| Public administration | 9.5% | +4.7 pts |
| Professional and administrative services | 7.1% | -6.2 pts |
| Manufacturing | 6.9% | +1.2 pts |
A lender verifies what your own job pays. The county's industry mix tells you about the local economy, not about your application.
Cities, towns and CDPs in Jefferson County
The table lists the 14 largest of 41 Census places in Jefferson County, by population. Together all 41 hold about 70,125 people, so roughly 39% of residents live outside any named place. Incomes vary by place: $123,482 at the median in Pamelia Center, $43,125 in Glen Park. Live in one of these Jefferson County communities, or between them? This is your local guide.
| Place | Type | Population | Median income | Median rent | From county center |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Watertown | city | 24,375 | $51,753 | $967 | 7 mi |
| Fort Drum | CDP | 16,065 | $62,291 | $1,622 | 14 mi |
| Carthage | village | 3,510 | $58,125 | $913 | 22 mi |
| Calcium | CDP | 2,935 | $57,668 | $1,347 | 11 mi |
| West Carthage | village | 1,864 | $49,885 | $985 | 22 mi |
| Clayton | village | 1,661 | $60,573 | $1,071 | 17 mi |
| Black River | village | 1,651 | $86,645 | $906 | 13 mi |
| Adams | village | 1,531 | $64,432 | $900 | 13 mi |
| Sackets Harbor | village | 1,490 | $77,043 | $1,343 | 5 mi |
| Alexandria Bay | village | 1,212 | $55,048 | $625 | 24 mi |
| Adams Center | CDP | 1,075 | $87,727 | n/a | 9 mi |
| Theresa | village | 945 | $58,583 | $946 | 20 mi |
| Great Bend | CDP | 938 | n/a | n/a | 18 mi |
| Pamelia Center | CDP | 907 | $123,482 | n/a | 8 mi |
How Jefferson County compares with nearby counties
Nearest neighbors first, measured between county centers (34 to 69 miles). Onondaga County leads the group on income ($76,945), St. Lawrence County trails ($62,850), and Jefferson County out-earns 1 of the six.
| County | Distance | Median income | Median rent | Owners |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jefferson County | - | $66,301 | $1,213/mo | 55% |
| Lewis County, NY | 34 mi | $68,182 | $837/mo | 80% |
| Oswego County, NY | 38 mi | $69,183 | $967/mo | 73% |
| St. Lawrence County, NY | 59 mi | $62,850 | $818/mo | 72% |
| Oneida County, NY | 61 mi | $70,154 | $944/mo | 68% |
| Herkimer County, NY | 67 mi | $68,515 | $823/mo | 77% |
| Onondaga County, NY | 69 mi | $76,945 | $1,108/mo | 66% |
A Jefferson County household budget, worked through
How much room does a median Jefferson County budget have? Take median income, subtract median rent, and check what is left under a few common debt-to-income limits.
- Median income divided by twelve: $5,525 before taxes
- Housing at the median rent of $1,213 uses 22%
- 43% debt-to-income limit: $1,163 left for all other debt payments
Car, student loan and card payments come out of that room first. Try your own numbers in the calculator.
Reading the Jefferson County data as a borrower
Based on the Jefferson County data above, these borrowing questions are most likely to matter locally.
- Rent squeeze. 48% of renters spend 30%+ of income on rent; borrow only if the loan cuts what you pay overall.
- Fraud. Gift cards, wire transfers or fees to unlock a loan mean walk away (report it).
- Paperwork. ID, proof of income and a bank account are the basics (requirements).
Jefferson County residents: age, schooling, coverage
26% of Jefferson County adults 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or more. About 5% go without health insurance.
| Measure | Jefferson County | New York statewide | Typical U.S. county |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 33.7 | 39.8 | 41.5 |
| Bachelor's or higher | 26.5% | 40.2% | 22.2% |
| No high school diploma | 8.0% | 12.0% | n/a |
| No health insurance | 5.5% | 5.1% | 7.8% |
| No vehicle | 9.7% | 29.2% | 5.4% |
| Work from home | 7.7% | 14.9% | 8.7% |
| Poverty rate | 13.7% | 14.0% | 13.2% |
| Unemployment (ACS) | 5.9% | 6.4% | 4.4% |
| Travel time to work | Workers |
|---|---|
| Under 15 min | 41.9% |
| 15 to 29 min | 38.2% |
| 30 to 44 min | 13.0% |
| 45 to 59 min | 2.9% |
| 60+ min | 4.0% |
Checking a lender's license in New York
Consumer lenders serving Jefferson County are licensed by the state, not the county; in New York that is the New York State Department of Financial Services. The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau accepts complaints nationwide. More on New York: New York personal loans.
Steps before you apply in Jefferson County
Before you apply, wherever you live in Jefferson County:
- Price the Jefferson County expense first and borrow that amount, no more.
- Line up offers side by side: APR, fees in dollars, total cost.
- Only work with lenders licensed for New York borrowers.
- Confirm the first due date before setting up autopay.
Related local guides
For statewide rules and data, see the New York guide.
Frequently asked questions
Is Jefferson County a high-income county?
Its $66,301 median ranks 49th of 62 New York counties and compares with $65,681 for the median U.S. county.
How much is rent in Jefferson County?
Median gross rent, utilities included, is $1,213 a month; 48% of renters spend 30% or more of income on it.
What are the biggest places in Jefferson County?
By population: Watertown, Fort Drum, Carthage, Calcium, West Carthage. The county has 41 Census places in all.
Can Jefferson County residents use the questionnaire?
Yes. It asks the same questions in every New York county, lists every requirement up front and does not affect your credit score.
Who regulates personal lenders for Jefferson County residents?
The New York State Department of Financial Services licenses consumer lenders in New York; the CFPB takes complaints about any lender, and the FTC wants to hear about fee-first offers.