1st Advantage MortgageSeneca County households have a median income of $68,089 and median rent of $957 a month (ACS 2020 to 2024). 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
- Seneca County by the numbers
- Paychecks and income spread in Seneca County
- Housing costs in Seneca County
- Jobs and commutes in Seneca County
- Seneca County towns compared
- Seneca County and the counties next door
- Debt-to-income at Seneca County's medians
- Local borrowing considerations for Seneca County
- Who lives in Seneca County, in numbers
- Checking a lender's license in New York
- Checklist for Seneca County applicants
- Related local guides
- Frequently asked questions
Seneca County by the numbers
Seneca County is home to about 32,920 people, according to the Census Bureau's 2020 to 2024 American Community Survey, which makes it the 57th most populous of 62 county-level areas in New York. Land area is 324 square miles (2024 Gazetteer), so density runs near 102 per square mile. Under the July 2023 OMB definitions, Seneca County is not part of any metropolitan area. The Census Bureau counts 7 places in the county (5 incorporated, 2 census-designated); the largest is Geneva, with about 12,512 residents, or 38% of the county.
Paychecks and income spread in Seneca County
Seneca County households have a median income of $68,089 (ACS 2020 to 2024), which ranks 45th of 62 in New York.
| Yearly household income | Seneca County | Gap to New York |
|---|---|---|
| Under $35,000 | 25.1% | +2.9 pts |
| $35,000 to $99,999 | 44.6% | +10.6 pts |
| $100,000 to $199,999 | 24.2% | -2.6 pts |
| $200,000 or more | 6.1% | -11.0 pts |
About 25% of households earn under $35,000, while 30% clear $100,000. The poverty rate is 13.5%, 1 point lower than the state's 14.0%. Income inequality, measured by the Gini index, comes to 0.460 here. A household earning below the $68,089 median should test any payment carefully; one earning above it should still pick the shortest term it can manage.
Housing costs in Seneca County
A typical Seneca County rental runs $957 a month including utilities, which is 41% below New York. Rent takes 30% or more of income for 45% of renter households here. With a median value of $155,400, a typical Seneca County house costs 2.3 times what the median household earns in a year. Owners occupy 71% of homes. The median home was built in 1959, so roofs, wiring and heating systems are a common source of repair bills.
| Housing | Seneca County | New York statewide | Typical U.S. county |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median gross rent | $957/mo | $1,621/mo | $877/mo |
| Median home value | $155,400 | $423,800 | $185,300 |
| Owners | 71% | 54% | 75% |
| Rent-burdened renters | 45% | 52% | 45% |
| Burdened owners | 25% | 33% | n/a |
| Mobile homes | 9.9% | 2.1% | n/a |
| Vacant units | 16% | 10% | n/a |
Jobs and commutes in Seneca County
The biggest employer of Seneca County residents, by industry, is education and health care at 27% of workers, followed by manufacturing (12%). Compared with New York, the county leans toward manufacturing (12% against 6%). Averaged over the five survey years, 4.5% of the labor force was out of work and looking. About 76% drive to work alone and 12% have trips of 45 minutes or more. Only 8.8% of homes here go without a vehicle.
| Sector | Seneca County | Compared with New York |
|---|---|---|
| Education and health care | 26.7% | -2.7 pts |
| Manufacturing | 12.3% | +6.5 pts |
| Retail trade | 10.9% | +1.4 pts |
| Arts, lodging and food service | 8.6% | +0.5 pts |
| Public administration | 7.1% | +2.3 pts |
| Construction | 6.5% | +0.8 pts |
Industry shapes paperwork. Salaried and public jobs are easy to verify, while hourly, tipped, commission or contract earners in Seneca County should have bank statements and tax returns ready.
Seneca County towns compared
7 Census places fall mainly inside Seneca County; the 7 biggest are below. They account for 25,540 residents, leaving about 22% of the county in unincorporated, unnamed areas. Incomes vary by place: $79,435 at the median in Geneva, $51,642 in Waterloo. Median rent ranges from $927 in Waterloo to $972 in Geneva. No Seneca County place has a separate guide yet; this county page serves all 7.
| Place in county | Status | Population (ACS) | Median HH income | Monthly rent | Distance from center |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Geneva | city | 12,512 | $79,435 | $972 | 10 mi |
| Seneca Falls | CDP | 6,956 | $59,864 | $951 | 9 mi |
| Waterloo | village | 4,605 | $51,642 | $927 | 9 mi |
| Interlaken | village | 493 | $59,028 | $1,214 | 12 mi |
| Ovid | village | 402 | $79,583 | $1,182 | 7 mi |
| Lodi | village | 307 | $54,125 | $950 | 12 mi |
| Romulus | CDP | 265 | $45,417 | n/a | 2 mi |
Seneca County and the counties next door
Nearest neighbors first, measured between county centers (17 to 32 miles). 4 of the six report a higher median household income than Seneca County; Ontario County is highest at $82,324 and Schuyler County lowest at $67,663.
| Nearby county | Center to center | Household income | Gross rent | Owner-occupied |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Seneca County | - | $68,089 | $957/mo | 71% |
| Yates County, NY | 17 mi | $69,701 | $834/mo | 77% |
| Cayuga County, NY | 20 mi | $67,904 | $942/mo | 71% |
| Ontario County, NY | 25 mi | $82,324 | $1,150/mo | 74% |
| Schuyler County, NY | 26 mi | $67,663 | $899/mo | 79% |
| Tompkins County, NY | 29 mi | $74,024 | $1,411/mo | 54% |
| Wayne County, NY | 32 mi | $74,506 | $938/mo | 80% |
Debt-to-income at Seneca County's medians
Here is the Seneca County median household run through a simple DTI check. Your numbers will differ.
- Start: $5,674 gross per month ($68,089 / 12)
- Housing at the median rent of $957 uses 17%
- $1,313: what a 40% ratio leaves once rent is paid
Subtract what you already pay on other debts. A new payment should fit in what remains, with some to spare.
Local borrowing considerations for Seneca County
Based on the Seneca County data above, these borrowing questions are most likely to matter locally.
- Scams. A fee demanded before funding is a red flag; report it at ReportFraud.ftc.gov (spotting scams).
- Getting ready. Gather pay stubs or benefit letters before you apply (checklist).
- Know your credit. Review all three bureau reports for free (AnnualCreditReport.com).
Who lives in Seneca County, in numbers
Degree holders: 25% of adults over 25. About 9% go without health insurance.
| Measure | Seneca County | New York statewide | Typical U.S. county |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 43.0 | 39.8 | 41.5 |
| Bachelor's or higher | 25.2% | 40.2% | 22.2% |
| No high school diploma | 15.3% | 12.0% | n/a |
| No health insurance | 9.0% | 5.1% | 7.8% |
| No vehicle | 8.8% | 29.2% | 5.4% |
| Work from home | 8.6% | 14.9% | 8.7% |
| Poverty rate | 13.5% | 14.0% | 13.2% |
| Unemployment (ACS) | 4.5% | 6.4% | 4.4% |
| One-way commute | Share of Seneca County workers |
|---|---|
| Under 15 min | 42.8% |
| 15 to 29 min | 30.5% |
| 30 to 44 min | 14.9% |
| 45 to 59 min | 6.4% |
| 60+ min | 5.4% |
Checking a lender's license in New York
No county office licenses personal lenders. For Seneca County, check 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.
Checklist for Seneca County applicants
A short checklist for Seneca County borrowers:
- Size the loan to the bill, not to the most a lender offers.
- Collect three written offers and compare APR and total repaid.
- Verify the New York license before giving out your Social Security number.
- Read the final agreement; it must match the offer.
Related local guides
The New York guide covers the whole state.
Frequently asked questions
Is Seneca County a high-income county?
Its $68,089 median ranks 45th of 62 New York counties and compares with $65,681 for the median U.S. county.
How does Seneca County rent compare with New York?
$957 locally versus $1,621 for the state, 41% below.
I live in a small Seneca County town. Is this my guide?
Yes. If your town has no city guide, this county page is the local one; it covers Geneva, Seneca Falls, Waterloo, Interlaken, Ovid and 2 more.
Does my county matter to the questionnaire?
Only your state does. Whether you live in Seneca County or elsewhere in New York, the same rules apply.
Is there a Seneca County office that licenses lenders?
No, licensing is statewide. In New York it is the New York State Department of Financial Services.