1st Advantage MortgageIn Oswego County, New York, the typical household earns $69,183 a year and the typical rent is $967. 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
- Oswego County at a glance
- Housing costs in Oswego County
- How much Oswego County households make
- How Oswego County residents earn a living
- Regional comparison for Oswego County
- The communities that make up Oswego County
- What a median Oswego County budget can carry
- Local borrowing considerations for Oswego County
- People and households in Oswego County
- Four steps for Oswego County borrowers
- New York rules that apply in Oswego County
- Nearby and statewide guides
- Frequently asked questions
Oswego County at a glance
The latest five-year Census estimate puts Oswego County's population at 117,953; only 23 of New York's 62 county-level areas are larger. Land area is 952 square miles (2024 Gazetteer), so density runs near 124 per square mile. It is one of the counties that make up the Syracuse, NY metropolitan statistical area (OMB, 2023). Of the 16 Census places inside Oswego County, Oswego leads by population with about 17,033; 11 of the 16 are incorporated.
Housing costs in Oswego County
Renters in Oswego County pay a median of $967 a month, 40% below the New York figure of $1,621. By the Census definition, 51% of Oswego County renters are cost-burdened. Home values center on $151,700, or 2.2 years of median income. 73% of Oswego County households own their home and 27% rent. Half the housing stock was built before 1971.
| Measure | Oswego County | New York | Median U.S. county |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median gross rent | $967/mo | $1,621/mo | $877/mo |
| Median home value | $151,700 | $423,800 | $185,300 |
| Owners | 73% | 54% | 75% |
| Rent-burdened renters | 51% | 52% | 45% |
| Burdened owners | 25% | 33% | n/a |
| Mobile homes | 12.8% | 2.1% | n/a |
| Vacant units | 14% | 10% | n/a |
Because most Oswego 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. Rent pressure is real here, so run any payment through the debt-to-income calculator before you apply.
How much Oswego County households make
At $69,183, the typical Oswego County household income is 5% above the median U.S. county ($65,681).
| Household income | Oswego County | vs 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 | 27.3% | +0.5 pts |
| $200,000 or more | 6.7% | -10.4 pts |
The spread is wide: 34% of Oswego County households make $100,000 or more, and 25% make less than $35,000. Census counts 16.3% of Oswego County residents in poverty, against 14.0% across New York. The Gini index of income inequality is 0.444 (0 is perfect equality). For a borrower in Oswego 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.
How Oswego County residents earn a living
Education and health care employs 25% of working residents, the largest share; retail trade is next with 14%. Manufacturing stands out: 11% of workers here, versus 6% statewide. ACS puts five-year average unemployment at 7.0% in Oswego County. About 78% drive to work alone and 15% have trips of 45 minutes or more. 8.4% of households have no vehicle.
| Top industries | Oswego County share | +/- vs New York |
|---|---|---|
| Education and health care | 24.9% | -4.5 pts |
| Retail trade | 13.6% | +4.0 pts |
| Manufacturing | 10.6% | +4.8 pts |
| Construction | 8.4% | +2.7 pts |
| Transportation, warehousing and utilities | 8.2% | +2.5 pts |
| Professional and administrative services | 7.6% | -5.7 pts |
Industry shapes paperwork. Salaried and public jobs are easy to verify, while hourly, tipped, commission or contract earners in Oswego County should have bank statements and tax returns ready.
Regional comparison for Oswego County
Six nearby counties, 31 to 45 miles away by the straight-line distance between their centers. 3 of the six report a higher median household income than Oswego County; Onondaga County is highest at $76,945 and Jefferson County lowest at $66,301.
| County | Miles | Median household income | Median rent | Homeownership |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oswego County | - | $69,183 | $967/mo | 73% |
| Onondaga County, NY | 31 mi | $76,945 | $1,108/mo | 66% |
| Cayuga County, NY | 36 mi | $67,904 | $942/mo | 71% |
| Jefferson County, NY | 38 mi | $66,301 | $1,213/mo | 55% |
| Oneida County, NY | 42 mi | $70,154 | $944/mo | 68% |
| Lewis County, NY | 44 mi | $68,182 | $837/mo | 80% |
| Wayne County, NY | 45 mi | $74,506 | $938/mo | 80% |
The communities that make up Oswego County
Here are the 14 most populous of the county's 16 Census places, with income and rent from the same 2020 to 2024 survey. About 41% of Oswego County residents live in one of the 16. Among places of 500 or more people, median income runs from $34,821 in Sand Ridge to $107,885 in Constantia. Median rent ranges from $668 in Sandy Creek to $1,163 in Cleveland. This guide covers each of the 16 places and the rural areas around them.
| Name | Kind | Pop. | Income | Rent | Miles |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oswego | city | 17,033 | $53,172 | $1,109 | 15 mi |
| Fulton | city | 11,272 | $52,046 | $887 | 14 mi |
| SUNY Oswego | CDP | 3,564 | n/a | n/a | 17 mi |
| Phoenix | village | 2,329 | $59,327 | $976 | 17 mi |
| Mexico | village | 2,241 | $73,229 | $893 | 1 mi |
| Central Square | village | 2,163 | $69,500 | $908 | 13 mi |
| Pulaski | village | 2,156 | $50,481 | $868 | 8 mi |
| Minetto | CDP | 1,437 | $91,912 | $844 | 14 mi |
| Constantia | CDP | 1,371 | $107,885 | n/a | 17 mi |
| Sand Ridge | CDP | 838 | $34,821 | n/a | 14 mi |
| Lacona | village | 808 | $76,500 | $699 | 14 mi |
| Cleveland | village | 785 | $77,857 | $1,163 | 22 mi |
| Sandy Creek | village | 638 | $64,028 | $668 | 14 mi |
| Parish | village | 601 | $88,333 | $781 | 6 mi |
CDP: census-designated place, an unincorporated community mapped for statistics.
What a median Oswego County budget can carry
Lenders compare monthly debt payments with gross monthly income, the debt-to-income ratio. For a Oswego County household at the medians it works out like this; treat it as an illustration only.
- Start: $5,765 gross per month ($69,183 / 12)
- Rent at the median, $967, takes 17% of that
- $1,339: what a 40% ratio leaves once rent is paid
Lenders set their own limits and look beyond the ratio. The DTI calculator uses your figures instead of Oswego County's.
Local borrowing considerations for Oswego County
The county's numbers point to a few situations that come up often for Oswego County borrowers.
- Mobile home upkeep. 13% of units fall in this category; roof, skirting and HVAC jobs are common reasons to borrow.
- Tight rental budgets. With 51% of Oswego County renters cost-burdened, test a new payment against a lean month.
- Requirements. Lenders weigh credit history, documented income and existing debt (what to gather).
People and households in Oswego County
College graduates make up 22% of the adult population. 4.2% of residents have no health coverage.
| People and households | Oswego County | New York | Median county |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 40.9 | 39.8 | 41.5 |
| Bachelor's or higher | 21.6% | 40.2% | 22.2% |
| No high school diploma | 10.1% | 12.0% | n/a |
| No health insurance | 4.2% | 5.1% | 7.8% |
| No vehicle | 8.4% | 29.2% | 5.4% |
| Work from home | 8.3% | 14.9% | 8.7% |
| Poverty rate | 16.3% | 14.0% | 13.2% |
| Unemployment (ACS) | 7.0% | 6.4% | 4.4% |
| Travel time to work | Workers |
|---|---|
| Under 15 min | 31.8% |
| 15 to 29 min | 31.0% |
| 30 to 44 min | 22.5% |
| 45 to 59 min | 8.6% |
| 60+ min | 6.2% |
Four steps for Oswego County borrowers
Steps that save money for Oswego County residents:
- Get a written quote for whatever you are paying for in Oswego County.
- Ask each lender for the APR and all fees in writing.
- Check the license, then the reviews, then the offer.
- Pick the shortest term whose payment still fits.
New York rules that apply in Oswego County
Before sharing details with a lender, a Oswego County resident can confirm its license with the New York State Department of Financial Services. A CFPB complaint gets forwarded to the company for a response. The New York guide covers state rules in more detail.
Nearby and statewide guides
For statewide rules and data, see the New York guide.
Frequently asked questions
What is the median household income in Oswego County?
$69,183 a year in the 2020 to 2024 Census survey, versus $85,974 for New York. It ranks 39th of 62 in the state.
How does Oswego County rent compare with New York?
$967 locally versus $1,621 for the state, 40% below.
Does this page cover Oswego?
Yes, along with the other 15 Census places in Oswego County, such as Fulton, SUNY Oswego, Phoenix.
Is the fit check different in Oswego County?
No. It is identical everywhere, and it never looks at your neighborhood.
Who do I complain to about a lender in Oswego County?
Start with the New York State Department of Financial Services, then the CFPB complaint portal. Keep copies of every message.