1st Advantage MortgageThe median Monroe County household earns $76,382, and 14% of residents live below the poverty line. Your income, debts and credit decide what you qualify for. Get offers in writing, compare the total repaid, and never pay a fee up front.
On this page
- First look: Monroe County, NY
- Monroe County's most unusual numbers
- Monroe County industries and commutes
- The $76,382 median and what sits around it
- Housing costs in Monroe County
- Neighboring counties at a glance
- Towns and communities in Monroe County
- Local borrowing considerations for Monroe County
- Age, degrees and coverage in Monroe County
- Budget math at the Monroe County median
- New York lender licensing
- Four steps for Monroe County borrowers
- Beyond Monroe County
- Frequently asked questions
First look: Monroe County, NY
Monroe County is home to about 753,753 people, according to the Census Bureau's 2020 to 2024 American Community Survey, which makes it the 9th most populous of 62 county-level areas in New York. Land area is 657 square miles (2024 Gazetteer), so density runs near 1,147 per square mile. Monroe County counts toward the Rochester, NY metro in the 2023 OMB delineation, so regional figures for Rochester, NY include it. Of the 21 Census places inside Monroe County, Rochester leads by population with about 208,772; 11 of the 21 are incorporated.
Monroe County's most unusual numbers
Out of every New York county, Monroe County is most unusual on these measures.
- On the share of commutes over 45 minutes, Monroe County sits near the bottom of New York at 5%, the lowest of 62. Less driving means fewer surprise repair bills.
- On the uninsured rate, Monroe County sits near the bottom of New York at 3.1%, 6th lowest of 62. Even insured households face deductibles; ask the provider about a payment plan.
- The housing vacancy rate: 6% in Monroe County. Only 7 of 62 New York counties are lower. Few vacant units can mean a tight housing market.
Monroe County industries and commutes
By the Census industry count, 33% of employed Monroe County residents work in education and health care and 13% in professional and administrative services. Compared with New York, the county leans toward manufacturing (10% against 6%). 4.9% of Monroe County's labor force reported being unemployed, averaged across 2020 to 2024. 32% of Monroe County workers get to work in under 15 minutes, while 5% need 45 or more.
| Top industries | Monroe County share | +/- vs New York |
|---|---|---|
| Education and health care | 32.8% | +3.5 pts |
| Professional and administrative services | 13.3% | 0.0 pts |
| Manufacturing | 10.3% | +4.5 pts |
| Retail trade | 10.3% | +0.7 pts |
| Arts, lodging and food service | 7.4% | -0.7 pts |
| Finance, insurance and real estate | 5.4% | -2.6 pts |
A lender verifies what your own job pays. The county's industry mix tells you about the local economy, not about your application.
The $76,382 median and what sits around it
At $76,382, the typical Monroe County household income is 16% above the median U.S. county ($65,681). In the state ranking that is 22nd of 62.
| Household income | Monroe County | vs New York |
|---|---|---|
| Under $35,000 | 23.0% | +0.9 pts |
| $35,000 to $99,999 | 39.2% | +5.3 pts |
| $100,000 to $199,999 | 27.1% | +0.2 pts |
| $200,000 or more | 10.7% | -6.4 pts |
On the low end, 23% of Monroe County households report under $35,000; at the top, 38% report $100,000-plus. Monroe County counts about 102,851 residents below the poverty line, 13.6% of the population. Gini index for Monroe County: 0.466. For a borrower in Monroe County, the county median is only context: a lender looks at the income you can document, so pay stubs, benefit letters or tax returns matter more than any average.
Housing costs in Monroe County
Monroe County rent at the median: $1,173 a month, utilities in ($1,621 in New York). By the Census definition, 51% of Monroe County renters are cost-burdened. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $213,700, about 2.8 times the median household income. 64% of Monroe County households own their home and 36% rent. Median construction year: 1965.
| Monroe County | New York | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Burdened owners | 24% | 33% | -9.7 pts |
| Owners | 64% | 54% | +9.3 pts |
| Median home value | $213,700 | $423,800 | 50% lower |
| Median gross rent | $1,173/mo | $1,621/mo | 28% lower |
| Mobile homes | 0.9% | 2.1% | -1.3 pts |
| Rent-burdened renters | 51% | 52% | -0.7 pts |
Rent pressure is real here, so run any payment through the debt-to-income calculator before you apply.
Neighboring counties at a glance
Nearest neighbors first, measured between county centers (26 to 46 miles). Ontario County leads the group on income ($82,324), Orleans County trails ($65,969), and Monroe County out-earns 5 of the six.
| Nearby county | Center to center | Household income | Gross rent | Owner-occupied |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Monroe County | - | $76,382 | $1,173/mo | 64% |
| Orleans County, NY | 26 mi | $65,969 | $874/mo | 77% |
| Genesee County, NY | 30 mi | $73,314 | $929/mo | 74% |
| Wayne County, NY | 33 mi | $74,506 | $938/mo | 80% |
| Ontario County, NY | 34 mi | $82,324 | $1,150/mo | 74% |
| Livingston County, NY | 36 mi | $74,001 | $931/mo | 76% |
| Wyoming County, NY | 46 mi | $69,110 | $802/mo | 76% |
Towns and communities in Monroe County
Places, by size: the top 14 of 21. Roughly 49% of Monroe County lives outside all of them, in open country or unnamed settlements. Among places of 500 or more people, median income runs from $20,192 in Rochester Institute of Technology to $119,211 in Pittsford. One of them, Rochester, has a separate city guide (linked); for the rest, this is the local guide.
| Place | Type | Population | Median income | Median rent | From county center |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rochester | city | 208,772 | $47,213 | $1,081 | 7 mi |
| Irondequoit | CDP | 50,657 | $79,162 | $1,159 | 7 mi |
| Brighton | CDP | 36,834 | $85,467 | $1,350 | 11 mi |
| Greece | CDP | 13,943 | $65,849 | $1,168 | 3 mi |
| North Gates | CDP | 9,904 | $76,277 | $1,137 | 5 mi |
| Brockport | village | 7,277 | $69,866 | $995 | 12 mi |
| Rochester Institute of Technology | CDP | 6,959 | $20,192 | $1,037 | 12 mi |
| East Rochester | village | 6,218 | $73,344 | $1,132 | 14 mi |
| Hilton | village | 5,968 | $87,377 | $1,262 | 5 mi |
| Webster | village | 5,718 | $70,495 | $1,239 | 14 mi |
| Fairport | village | 5,403 | $107,009 | $1,165 | 17 mi |
| Hamlin | CDP | 4,987 | $73,314 | $996 | 12 mi |
| Clarkson | CDP | 4,836 | $76,368 | $1,081 | 11 mi |
| Gates | CDP | 4,691 | $54,647 | $2,110 | 7 mi |
CDP: census-designated place, an unincorporated community mapped for statistics.
Local borrowing considerations for Monroe County
The county's numbers point to a few situations that come up often for Monroe County borrowers.
- 51% rent-burdened. A payment on top of high rent needs a cushion; size it with the calculator.
- Consolidating cards in Monroe County. Compare the total repaid, not the monthly figure (how).
- Credit reports. Pull free reports at AnnualCreditReport.com and dispute errors before applying.
Age, degrees and coverage in Monroe County
College graduates make up 41% of the adult population. Uninsured, Monroe County: 3.1%; New York: 5.1%.
| Monroe County | vs New York | vs U.S. county median | |
|---|---|---|---|
| No vehicle | 10.8% | -18.5 pts | +5.3 pts |
| No high school diploma | 7.9% | -4.1 pts | n/a |
| No health insurance | 3.1% | -1.9 pts | -4.7 pts |
| Unemployment (ACS) | 4.9% | -1.4 pts | +0.5 pts |
| Bachelor's or higher | 41.5% | +1.2 pts | +19.3 pts |
| Work from home | 15.6% | +0.6 pts | +6.9 pts |
| Poverty rate | 13.6% | -0.4 pts | +0.5 pts |
| Median age | 39.6 | -0.2 yrs | -1.9 yrs |
| Commute length | Monroe County |
|---|---|
| Under 15 min | 31.8% |
| 15 to 29 min | 49.9% |
| 30 to 44 min | 13.3% |
| 45 to 59 min | 2.2% |
| 60+ min | 2.8% |
Budget math at the Monroe County median
Here is the Monroe County median household run through a simple DTI check. Your numbers will differ.
- Start: $6,365 gross per month ($76,382 / 12)
- Rent at the median, $1,173, takes 18% of that
- 43% debt-to-income limit: $1,564 left for all other debt payments
Homeowners in Monroe County should swap in their mortgage, taxes and insurance for rent.
New York lender licensing
The New York State Department of Financial Services is the place to verify any lender's New York license. A CFPB complaint gets forwarded to the company for a response. State-level detail for Monroe County borrowers is in the New York guide.
Four steps for Monroe County borrowers
A short checklist for Monroe County borrowers:
- Price the Monroe County expense first and borrow that amount, no more.
- Collect three written offers and compare APR and total repaid.
- Look the lender up with the state regulator first.
- Keep a small cushion so one surprise bill does not mean another loan.
Beyond Monroe County
More local guides:
Frequently asked questions
Is $76,382 a good income in Monroe County?
It is the county median, so half of Monroe County households earn more and half less; 38% earn $100,000 or more.
How much is rent in Monroe County?
Median gross rent, utilities included, is $1,173 a month; 51% of renters spend 30% or more of income on it.
What are the biggest places in Monroe County?
By population: Rochester, Irondequoit, Brighton, Greece, North Gates. The county has 21 Census places in all.
Does my county matter to the questionnaire?
Only your state does. Whether you live in Monroe County or elsewhere in New York, the same rules apply.
Where can someone in Monroe 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.