1st Advantage MortgageAbout 68% of Oneida County homes are owner-occupied, and the median household income is $70,154. A loan makes sense only if its total cost beats your alternatives and the payment fits your budget. Check the lender's New York license first.
On this page
- Who lives in Oneida County
- Household income in Oneida County
- What it costs to live in Oneida County
- How Oneida County residents earn a living
- Places inside Oneida County
- Counties near Oneida County
- A Oneida County household budget, worked through
- Before borrowing in Oneida County
- People and households in Oneida County
- Licensing and complaints for Oneida County
- Before you sign
- More guides for Oneida County
- Frequently asked questions
Who lives in Oneida County
With an estimated 229,124 residents (ACS 2020 to 2024), Oneida County ranks 17th of 62 in New York for population. Land area is 1,212 square miles (2024 Gazetteer), so density runs near 189 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. Utica is the biggest of its 35 Census places, at roughly 64,217 people (28% of the county total).
Household income in Oneida County
At $70,154, the typical Oneida County household income is 7% above the median U.S. county ($65,681). In the state ranking that is 35th of 62.
| Income band | Share in Oneida County | Difference from New York |
|---|---|---|
| Under $35,000 | 25.2% | +3.0 pts |
| $35,000 to $99,999 | 40.8% | +6.8 pts |
| $100,000 to $199,999 | 27.2% | +0.4 pts |
| $200,000 or more | 6.9% | -10.2 pts |
The spread is wide: 34% of Oneida County households make $100,000 or more, and 25% make less than $35,000. Census counts 15.5% of Oneida County residents in poverty, against 14.0% across New York. Income inequality, measured by the Gini index, comes to 0.451 here. For a borrower in Oneida 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.
What it costs to live in Oneida County
A typical Oneida County rental runs $944 a month including utilities, which is 42% below New York. By the Census definition, 46% of Oneida County renters are cost-burdened. Home values center on $182,600, or 2.6 years of median income. The ownership rate is 68%. The median home was built in 1958, so roofs, wiring and heating systems are a common source of repair bills.
| Measure | Oneida County | New York | Median U.S. county |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median gross rent | $944/mo | $1,621/mo | $877/mo |
| Median home value | $182,600 | $423,800 | $185,300 |
| Owners | 68% | 54% | 75% |
| Rent-burdened renters | 46% | 52% | 45% |
| Burdened owners | 22% | 33% | n/a |
| Vacant units | 10% | 10% | n/a |
How Oneida County residents earn a living
Education and health care employs 28% of working residents, the largest share; retail trade is next with 12%. Compared with New York, the county leans toward manufacturing (9% against 6%). Averaged over the five survey years, 4.6% of the labor force was out of work and looking. Long commutes are the exception here: 9% of workers spend 45 minutes or longer getting to work. Households without a car make up 12.0% of the total (29.2% statewide).
| Where residents work | Oneida County | Difference from New York |
|---|---|---|
| Education and health care | 28.3% | -1.1 pts |
| Retail trade | 11.7% | +2.1 pts |
| Professional and administrative services | 9.2% | -4.1 pts |
| Manufacturing | 9.2% | +3.4 pts |
| Arts, lodging and food service | 8.2% | +0.1 pts |
| Finance, insurance and real estate | 7.8% | -0.2 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 Oneida County
Here are the 14 most populous of the county's 35 Census places, with income and rent from the same 2020 to 2024 survey. About 61% of Oneida County residents live in one of the 35. Incomes vary by place: $134,397 at the median in Washington Mills, $44,648 in Marcy. Median rent ranges from $589 in Boonville to $1,582 in New Hartford. This guide covers each of the 35 places and the rural areas around them.
| Place | Type | Population | Median income | Median rent | From county center |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Utica | city | 64,217 | $52,484 | $951 | 15 mi |
| Rome | city | 31,795 | $59,925 | $909 | 3 mi |
| New York Mills | village | 3,856 | $57,578 | $909 | 12 mi |
| Whitesboro | village | 3,633 | $45,934 | $924 | 11 mi |
| Lake Delta | CDP | 3,202 | $100,094 | $907 | 4 mi |
| Sherrill | city | 3,028 | $88,947 | $1,122 | 15 mi |
| Camden | village | 2,695 | $78,375 | $748 | 17 mi |
| Yorkville | village | 2,613 | $72,969 | $985 | 12 mi |
| Washington Mills | CDP | 2,112 | $134,397 | $1,149 | 16 mi |
| Hamilton College | CDP | 2,058 | n/a | n/a | 13 mi |
| New Hartford | village | 1,989 | $82,717 | $1,582 | 14 mi |
| Boonville | village | 1,880 | $51,316 | $589 | 17 mi |
| Clinton | village | 1,813 | $88,182 | $1,095 | 14 mi |
| Waterville | village | 1,731 | $82,273 | $820 | 22 mi |
A CDP is a named community without its own municipal government.
Counties near Oneida County
Nearest neighbors first, measured between county centers (26 to 47 miles). Onondaga County leads the group on income ($76,945), Lewis County trails ($68,182), and Oneida County out-earns 4 of the six.
| County | Miles | Median household income | Median rent | Homeownership |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oneida County | - | $70,154 | $944/mo | 68% |
| Madison County, NY | 26 mi | $75,499 | $928/mo | 78% |
| Lewis County, NY | 37 mi | $68,182 | $837/mo | 80% |
| Herkimer County, NY | 37 mi | $68,515 | $823/mo | 77% |
| Onondaga County, NY | 42 mi | $76,945 | $1,108/mo | 66% |
| Oswego County, NY | 42 mi | $69,183 | $967/mo | 73% |
| Otsego County, NY | 47 mi | $68,885 | $987/mo | 74% |
A Oneida County household budget, worked through
Here is the Oneida County median household run through a simple DTI check. Your numbers will differ.
- $70,154 a year is $5,846 of gross monthly income
- Less median rent of $944, which is 16% of it
- At 35%, room after rent is $1,102 a month
- With a 45% ceiling, about $1,687 remains for car, card, student and any new loan payments
Two-income households and single earners in Oneida County land in very different places on this math, so run it for your own budget.
Before borrowing in Oneida County
Based on the Oneida County data above, these borrowing questions are most likely to matter locally.
- Rent squeeze. 46% of renters spend 30%+ of income on rent; borrow only if the loan cuts what you pay overall.
- Consolidating cards in Oneida County. Compare the total repaid, not the monthly figure (how).
- Paperwork. ID, proof of income and a bank account are the basics (requirements).
People and households in Oneida County
Degree holders: 28% of adults over 25. About 3% go without health insurance.
| Indicator | Oneida County | All of New York | U.S. county median |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 40.7 | 39.8 | 41.5 |
| Bachelor's or higher | 27.8% | 40.2% | 22.2% |
| No high school diploma | 11.0% | 12.0% | n/a |
| No health insurance | 3.3% | 5.1% | 7.8% |
| No vehicle | 12.0% | 29.2% | 5.4% |
| Work from home | 10.8% | 14.9% | 8.7% |
| Poverty rate | 15.5% | 14.0% | 13.2% |
| Unemployment (ACS) | 4.6% | 6.4% | 4.4% |
| Commute length | Oneida County |
|---|---|
| Under 15 min | 41.2% |
| 15 to 29 min | 36.1% |
| 30 to 44 min | 13.3% |
| 45 to 59 min | 4.5% |
| 60+ min | 4.8% |
Licensing and complaints for Oneida County
Consumer lenders serving Oneida County are licensed by the state, not the county; in New York that is the New York State Department of Financial Services. Federal complaints: consumerfinance.gov. The New York guide covers state rules in more detail.
Before you sign
Before you apply, wherever you live in Oneida County:
- Get a written quote for whatever you are paying for in Oneida County.
- Line up offers side by side: APR, fees in dollars, total cost.
- Only work with lenders licensed for New York borrowers.
- Keep a small cushion so one surprise bill does not mean another loan.
More guides for Oneida County
For statewide rules and data, see the New York guide.
Frequently asked questions
What is the median household income in Oneida County?
$70,154 a year in the 2020 to 2024 Census survey, versus $85,974 for New York. It ranks 35th of 62 in the state.
How much is rent in Oneida County?
Median gross rent, utilities included, is $944 a month; 46% of renters spend 30% or more of income on it.
What are the biggest places in Oneida County?
By population: Utica, Rome, New York Mills, Whitesboro, Lake Delta. The county has 35 Census places in all.
Will a Oneida County address affect my match?
Beyond confirming New York as your state, no. Your answers about amount, credit, income and payments are all that count.
Where can someone in Oneida 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.