1st Advantage MortgageAbout 67% of Sullivan County homes are owner-occupied, and the median household income is $72,382. 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
- Sullivan County by the numbers
- Paychecks and income spread in Sullivan County
- Sullivan County housing compared with New York
- Employment and commuting in Sullivan County
- Sullivan County next to its neighbors
- Towns and communities in Sullivan County
- A Sullivan County household budget, worked through
- Who lives in Sullivan County, in numbers
- Reading the Sullivan County data as a borrower
- Licensing and complaints for Sullivan County
- Four steps for Sullivan County borrowers
- Nearby and statewide guides
- Frequently asked questions
Sullivan County by the numbers
The latest five-year Census estimate puts Sullivan County's population at 79,721; only 32 of New York's 62 county-level areas are larger. It covers 968 square miles of land, or about 82 people per square mile. No metropolitan area includes Sullivan County in the 2023 federal delineation, so its numbers stand on their own rather than as part of a metro. Monticello is the biggest of its 31 Census places, at roughly 7,279 people (9% of the county total).
Paychecks and income spread in Sullivan County
The median household income in Sullivan County is $72,382; statewide it is $85,974, so Sullivan County runs 16% below New York as a whole. In the state ranking that is 31st of 62.
| Income band | Share in Sullivan County | Difference from New York |
|---|---|---|
| Under $35,000 | 24.4% | +2.2 pts |
| $35,000 to $99,999 | 39.7% | +5.7 pts |
| $100,000 to $199,999 | 24.8% | -2.0 pts |
| $200,000 or more | 11.1% | -6.0 pts |
About 24% of households earn under $35,000, while 36% clear $100,000. Census counts 15.9% of Sullivan County residents in poverty, against 14.0% across New York. The Gini index of income inequality is 0.495 (0 is perfect equality). Income from any regular source can count, including Social Security, pensions and disability benefits, as long as you can document it.
Sullivan County housing compared with New York
Median gross rent, utilities included, comes to $1,106 in Sullivan County versus $1,621 statewide. By the Census definition, 48% of Sullivan County renters are cost-burdened. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $249,000, about 3.4 times the median household income. Owners occupy 67% of homes.
| Measure | Sullivan County | New York | Median U.S. county |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median gross rent | $1,106/mo | $1,621/mo | $877/mo |
| Median home value | $249,000 | $423,800 | $185,300 |
| Owners | 67% | 54% | 75% |
| Rent-burdened renters | 48% | 52% | 45% |
| Burdened owners | 28% | 33% | n/a |
| Mobile homes | 8.8% | 2.1% | n/a |
Employment and commuting in Sullivan County
By the Census industry count, 30% of employed Sullivan County residents work in education and health care and 10% in arts, lodging and food service. Averaged over the five survey years, 5.8% of the labor force was out of work and looking. About 71% drive to work alone and 18% have trips of 45 minutes or more. Households without a car make up 8.6% of the total (29.2% statewide).
| Industry | Share of Sullivan County workers | vs New York |
|---|---|---|
| Education and health care | 29.7% | +0.4 pts |
| Arts, lodging and food service | 9.8% | +1.7 pts |
| Retail trade | 9.5% | -0.1 pts |
| Professional and administrative services | 9.1% | -4.2 pts |
| Manufacturing | 7.2% | +1.4 pts |
| Construction | 6.5% | +0.8 pts |
Where long drives are the norm, a car repair is one of the most common surprise bills. A small repair fund can keep a breakdown from turning into a loan.
Sullivan County next to its neighbors
Wayne County is closest, 27 miles from center to center; the sixth, Sussex County, is 40 miles off. Income ranges from $62,381 in Wayne County to $116,186 in Sussex County; 4 of these neighbors top Sullivan County's median. Some neighbors are in New Jersey and Pennsylvania. Lender licensing is state by state, so a loan for a Sullivan County resident follows New York rules.
| Neighbor | Distance | Income | Rent | Own |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sullivan County | - | $72,382 | $1,106/mo | 67% |
| Wayne County, PA | 27 mi | $62,381 | $1,038/mo | 81% |
| Pike County, PA | 30 mi | $81,323 | $1,378/mo | 87% |
| Ulster County, NY | 30 mi | $86,271 | $1,425/mo | 70% |
| Orange County, NY | 33 mi | $97,178 | $1,680/mo | 68% |
| Delaware County, NY | 34 mi | $63,337 | $880/mo | 77% |
| Sussex County, NJ | 40 mi | $116,186 | $1,585/mo | 84% |
Towns and communities in Sullivan County
31 Census places fall mainly inside Sullivan County; the 14 biggest are below. They account for 32,472 residents, leaving about 59% of the county in unincorporated, unnamed areas. Incomes vary by place: $112,344 at the median in Rock Hill, $27,214 in Loch Sheldrake. None of the 31 has its own city guide, so this page covers all of them.
| Town or CDP | Type | People | Median household income | Median gross rent | Miles from center |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Monticello | village | 7,279 | $50,583 | $1,166 | 6 mi |
| Liberty | village | 5,142 | $64,913 | $889 | 5 mi |
| Rock Hill | CDP | 2,546 | $112,344 | $1,723 | 12 mi |
| South Fallsburg | CDP | 1,914 | $44,706 | $975 | 7 mi |
| Fallsburg | CDP | 1,865 | $56,056 | n/a | 8 mi |
| Loch Sheldrake | CDP | 1,308 | $27,214 | $1,158 | 7 mi |
| Wurtsboro | village | 1,243 | $79,000 | $1,408 | 18 mi |
| Wurtsboro Hills | CDP | 1,179 | $78,514 | $1,825 | 16 mi |
| Hurleyville | CDP | 1,061 | $85,846 | $1,051 | 5 mi |
| Woodridge | village | 955 | $61,298 | $1,155 | 10 mi |
| Livingston Manor | CDP | 727 | $48,580 | $1,016 | 12 mi |
| Smallwood | CDP | 693 | $65,186 | n/a | 5 mi |
| Bloomingburg | village | 680 | $28,958 | $1,296 | 21 mi |
| Roscoe | CDP | 627 | $72,566 | $1,059 | 17 mi |
A Sullivan County household budget, worked through
Sullivan County at the medians, through a lender's eyes (what DTI means):
- Monthly gross at the median, Sullivan County: $6,032
- Housing at the median rent of $1,106 uses 18%
- 36% debt-to-income limit: $1,065 left for all other debt payments
Subtract what you already pay on other debts. A new payment should fit in what remains, with some to spare.
Who lives in Sullivan County, in numbers
College graduates make up 30% of the adult population. 5.5% of residents have no health coverage.
| Measure | Sullivan County | New York statewide | Typical U.S. county |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 41.7 | 39.8 | 41.5 |
| Bachelor's or higher | 30.1% | 40.2% | 22.2% |
| No high school diploma | 12.1% | 12.0% | n/a |
| No health insurance | 5.5% | 5.1% | 7.8% |
| No vehicle | 8.6% | 29.2% | 5.4% |
| Work from home | 13.2% | 14.9% | 8.7% |
| Poverty rate | 15.9% | 14.0% | 13.2% |
| Unemployment (ACS) | 5.8% | 6.4% | 4.4% |
| Minutes to work | Sullivan County workers |
|---|---|
| Under 15 min | 30.4% |
| 15 to 29 min | 36.1% |
| 30 to 44 min | 15.6% |
| 45 to 59 min | 7.4% |
| 60+ min | 10.5% |
Reading the Sullivan County data as a borrower
Where the Sullivan County numbers stand out, and why it matters for a loan:
- 48% rent-burdened. A payment on top of high rent needs a cushion; size it with the calculator.
- Credit reports. Pull free reports at AnnualCreditReport.com and dispute errors before applying.
- Getting ready. Gather pay stubs or benefit letters before you apply (checklist).
Licensing and complaints for Sullivan County
Licensing happens at the state level, so a lender working with Sullivan County borrowers answers to the New York State Department of Financial Services. The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau accepts complaints nationwide. The New York guide covers state rules in more detail.
Four steps for Sullivan County borrowers
Before you apply, wherever you live in Sullivan County:
- Borrow the amount the job needs; extra cash adds interest.
- Compare the total repaid on every offer, not just the payment.
- Confirm the lender is licensed in New York.
- Read the final agreement; it must match the offer.
Nearby and statewide guides
For statewide rules and data, see the New York guide.
Frequently asked questions
How much do households in Sullivan County earn?
The median is $72,382; 36% earn $100,000 or more and 24% under $35,000. A lender uses your own documented income, not this figure.
How does Sullivan County rent compare with New York?
$1,106 locally versus $1,621 for the state, 32% below.
What are the biggest places in Sullivan County?
By population: Monticello, Liberty, Rock Hill, South Fallsburg, Fallsburg. The county has 31 Census places in all.
Are Sullivan County applicants treated differently?
No. Everyone answers the same questions and is screened on the same objective points; lending partners set their own criteria under fair-lending laws.
Is there a Sullivan County office that licenses lenders?
No, licensing is statewide. In New York it is the New York State Department of Financial Services.