1st Advantage MortgageSchuyler County households have a median income of $67,663 and median rent of $899 a month (ACS 2020 to 2024). 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 Schuyler County
- Income in Schuyler County compared with New York
- What it costs to live in Schuyler County
- The Schuyler County job picture
- Cities, towns and CDPs in Schuyler County
- The counties around Schuyler County
- Debt-to-income at Schuyler County's medians
- People and households in Schuyler County
- Reading the Schuyler County data as a borrower
- Before you sign
- New York rules that apply in Schuyler County
- Related local guides
- Frequently asked questions
Who lives in Schuyler County
The latest five-year Census estimate puts Schuyler County's population at 17,562; only 60 of New York's 62 county-level areas are larger. It covers 328 square miles of land, or about 53 people per square mile. It sits outside every metropolitan statistical area in the July 2023 OMB delineation. Of the 4 Census places inside Schuyler County, Montour Falls leads by population with about 1,743; 4 of the 4 are incorporated.
Income in Schuyler County compared with New York
Half of Schuyler County households take in less than $67,663 a year and half take in more, 21% below the New York median of $85,974. Only 46 New York counties post a higher median.
| Households earning | Schuyler County | +/- vs New York |
|---|---|---|
| Under $35,000 | 25.5% | +3.4 pts |
| $35,000 to $99,999 | 42.8% | +8.8 pts |
| $100,000 to $199,999 | 24.6% | -2.3 pts |
| $200,000 or more | 7.1% | -9.9 pts |
Some 26% of households here live on less than $35,000 a year; 32% have six-figure incomes. The poverty rate is 14.8%, 1 point higher than the state's 14.0%. Income inequality, measured by the Gini index, comes to 0.446 here. A household earning below the $67,663 median should test any payment carefully; one earning above it should still pick the shortest term it can manage.
What it costs to live in Schuyler County
Renters in Schuyler County pay a median of $899 a month, 45% below the New York figure of $1,621. By the Census definition, 50% of Schuyler County renters are cost-burdened. Home values center on $171,800, or 2.5 years of median income. Owners occupy 79% of homes. The median home was built in 1969, so roofs, wiring and heating systems are a common source of repair bills.
| Home costs | Schuyler County | New York | U.S. middle county |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median gross rent | $899/mo | $1,621/mo | $877/mo |
| Median home value | $171,800 | $423,800 | $185,300 |
| Owners | 79% | 54% | 75% |
| Rent-burdened renters | 50% | 52% | 45% |
| Burdened owners | 30% | 33% | n/a |
In an owner-heavy county like Schuyler County, many borrowers can also choose a home equity loan or line of credit. Those can price lower but put the house on the line, so compare the two in writing; our personal loan vs. HELOC guide walks through it. Rent pressure is real here, so run any payment through the debt-to-income calculator before you apply.
The Schuyler County job picture
By the Census industry count, 30% of employed Schuyler County residents work in education and health care and 12% in manufacturing. The sharpest difference from the state is in manufacturing, at 12% locally and 6% for New York. The survey's unemployment rate for Schuyler County averages 6.5% over 2020 to 2024 (state: 6.4%). Long commutes are common here: 16% of workers spend 45 minutes or longer getting to work. Only 6.8% of homes here go without a vehicle.
| Industry (employed residents 16+) | Schuyler County | Gap to New York |
|---|---|---|
| Education and health care | 30.1% | +0.8 pts |
| Manufacturing | 12.2% | +6.4 pts |
| Retail trade | 10.7% | +1.2 pts |
| Construction | 8.9% | +3.2 pts |
| Arts, lodging and food service | 7.9% | -0.3 pts |
| Public administration | 7.3% | +2.5 pts |
Industry shapes paperwork. Salaried and public jobs are easy to verify, while hourly, tipped, commission or contract earners in Schuyler County should have bank statements and tax returns ready.
Cities, towns and CDPs in Schuyler County
The table lists the 4 largest of 4 Census places in Schuyler County, by population. Together all 4 hold about 4,512 people, so roughly 74% of residents live outside any named place. Among places of 500 or more people, median income runs from $49,632 in Watkins Glen to $80,385 in Odessa. Live in one of these Schuyler County communities, or between them? This is your local guide.
| Place | Type | Population | Median income | Median rent | From county center |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Montour Falls | village | 1,743 | $50,526 | $751 | 7 mi |
| Watkins Glen | village | 1,725 | $49,632 | $741 | 5 mi |
| Burdett | village | 536 | $68,750 | n/a | 5 mi |
| Odessa | village | 508 | $80,385 | $817 | 10 mi |
The counties around Schuyler County
Distances run center to center, from Yates County at 17 miles out to Ontario County at 35. 4 of the six report a higher median household income than Schuyler County; Ontario County is highest at $82,324 and Chemung County lowest at $63,716.
| County | Miles | Median household income | Median rent | Homeownership |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Schuyler County | - | $67,663 | $899/mo | 79% |
| Yates County, NY | 17 mi | $69,701 | $834/mo | 77% |
| Chemung County, NY | 21 mi | $63,716 | $1,059/mo | 68% |
| Tompkins County, NY | 24 mi | $74,024 | $1,411/mo | 54% |
| Steuben County, NY | 25 mi | $65,887 | $894/mo | 73% |
| Seneca County, NY | 26 mi | $68,089 | $957/mo | 71% |
| Ontario County, NY | 35 mi | $82,324 | $1,150/mo | 74% |
Debt-to-income at Schuyler County's medians
How much room does a median Schuyler 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: $5,639 before taxes
- Housing at the median rent of $899 uses 16%
- With a 40% ceiling, about $1,356 remains for car, card, student and any new loan payments
If your rent is above $899, the room shrinks dollar for dollar.
People and households in Schuyler County
26% of Schuyler County adults 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or more. 3.9% of residents have no health coverage.
| Indicator | Schuyler County | All of New York | U.S. county median |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 47.6 | 39.8 | 41.5 |
| Bachelor's or higher | 26.4% | 40.2% | 22.2% |
| No high school diploma | 9.6% | 12.0% | n/a |
| No health insurance | 3.9% | 5.1% | 7.8% |
| No vehicle | 6.8% | 29.2% | 5.4% |
| Work from home | 9.4% | 14.9% | 8.7% |
| Poverty rate | 14.8% | 14.0% | 13.2% |
| Unemployment (ACS) | 6.5% | 6.4% | 4.4% |
| One-way commute | Share of Schuyler County workers |
|---|---|
| Under 15 min | 31.6% |
| 15 to 29 min | 33.1% |
| 30 to 44 min | 19.1% |
| 45 to 59 min | 11.7% |
| 60+ min | 4.6% |
Reading the Schuyler County data as a borrower
The county's numbers point to a few situations that come up often for Schuyler County borrowers.
- Manufactured homes. 17% of Schuyler County housing units are mobile homes, and their repairs are often paid with unsecured loans. Get the quote in writing.
- Benefit income. With half of residents older than 48, lenders often see pension and Social Security income, which counts like wages.
- Renters under pressure. When 50% pay 30% or more for rent, the smallest loan that solves the problem is the right size.
Before you sign
Steps that save money for Schuyler County residents:
- Borrow the amount the job needs; extra cash adds interest.
- Collect three written offers and compare APR and total repaid.
- Verify the New York license before giving out your Social Security number.
- Never pay a fee up front to get a loan.
New York rules that apply in Schuyler County
Licensing happens at the state level, so a lender working with Schuyler County borrowers answers to the New York State Department of Financial Services. Banks and credit unions have their own regulators, and the CFPB takes complaints about any lender. More on New York: New York personal loans.
Related local guides
The New York guide covers the whole state.
Frequently asked questions
What is the median household income in Schuyler County?
$67,663 a year in the 2020 to 2024 Census survey, versus $85,974 for New York. It ranks 47th of 62 in the state.
How much is rent in Schuyler County?
Median gross rent, utilities included, is $899 a month; 50% of renters spend 30% or more of income on it.
Should Schuyler County homeowners use home equity instead?
Maybe, but weigh the risk: 79% of Schuyler County homes are owner-occupied, and a home-equity loan or line is secured by the house while a personal loan usually is not.
What are the biggest places in Schuyler County?
By population: Montour Falls, Watkins Glen, Burdett, Odessa. The county has 4 Census places in all.
Can Schuyler 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.