1st Advantage Mortgage35% of Tioga County households earn $100,000 or more; the median is $72,739 (ACS 2020-24). Use those as context only. A lender looks at your own documented income and debts; compare APR and total repaid on every Tioga County offer.
On this page
- Who lives in Tioga County
- Where Tioga County works
- Housing costs in Tioga County
- Where Tioga County differs from the rest of New York
- Tioga County income bands
- Counties near Tioga County
- Cities, towns and CDPs in Tioga County
- Tioga County residents: age, schooling, coverage
- Reading the Tioga County data as a borrower
- Room for a loan payment in Tioga County
- New York lender licensing
- Checklist for Tioga County applicants
- More guides for Tioga County
- Frequently asked questions
Who lives in Tioga County
Roughly 47,864 residents live in Tioga County, New York, 47th by population among the state's 62 counties and county equivalents. Its 519 square miles average 92 people per square mile, by the 2024 Census Gazetteer. Metro area: Binghamton, NY (OMB, 2023). Waverly (4,305 people) heads the county's list of 9 Census places, 6 incorporated and 3 census-designated.
Where Tioga County works
Education and health care employs 28% of working residents, the largest share; manufacturing is next with 13%. Manufacturing stands out: 13% of workers here, versus 6% statewide. The survey's unemployment rate for Tioga County averages 5.5% over 2020 to 2024 (state: 6.4%). 32% of Tioga County workers get to work in under 15 minutes, while 11% need 45 or more. Households without a car make up 7.2% of the total (29.2% statewide).
| Industry (employed residents 16+) | Tioga County | Gap to New York |
|---|---|---|
| Education and health care | 28.5% | -0.9 pts |
| Manufacturing | 13.0% | +7.3 pts |
| Retail trade | 11.3% | +1.8 pts |
| Professional and administrative services | 10.5% | -2.7 pts |
| Construction | 7.6% | +1.9 pts |
| Arts, lodging and food service | 7.6% | -0.5 pts |
A lender verifies what your own job pays. The county's industry mix tells you about the local economy, not about your application.
Housing costs in Tioga County
Half of Tioga County renters pay more than $928 a month and half pay less; the New York midpoint is $1,621. Cost-burdened renters, paying 30%-plus of income: 51% in Tioga County, 52% statewide. Tioga County homes are worth $160,800 at the median, a 2.2-to-1 ratio to income. The ownership rate is 79%. Median construction year: 1969.
| Home costs | Tioga County | New York | Compared with New York |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median gross rent | $928/mo | $1,621/mo | 43% lower |
| Median home value | $160,800 | $423,800 | 62% lower |
| Owners | 79% | 54% | +24.7 pts |
| Rent-burdened renters | 51% | 52% | -1.0 pts |
| Burdened owners | 23% | 33% | -9.9 pts |
At a $160,800 median value, many Tioga County owners hold equity. Using it lowers cost only if you can carry the risk (equity vs. unsecured). When half or more of renters are already stretched, a new payment needs a stress test: what happens if a paycheck is a week late?
Where Tioga County differs from the rest of New York
The 3 Tioga County numbers that rank furthest from typical in New York, and what each means for a borrower:
- Few New York counties match Tioga County on the uninsured rate: 2.8% here, 5.1% for the state, ranking 2nd lowest of 62. Lower uninsured rates still leave deductibles; check what a plan covers first.
- Few New York counties match Tioga County on the share of mobile homes: 14.9% here, 2.1% for the state, ranking 4th highest of 62. Repairs on manufactured homes are a common loan purpose; get written quotes.
- Homeownership: 79% in Tioga County. Only 8 of 62 New York counties are higher. Most households here own, so home equity is often an alternative to weigh.
Tioga County income bands
Tioga County households have a median income of $72,739 (ACS 2020 to 2024), which ranks 30th of 62 in New York.
| Household income | Tioga County | vs New York |
|---|---|---|
| Under $35,000 | 23.3% | +1.1 pts |
| $35,000 to $99,999 | 42.0% | +8.0 pts |
| $100,000 to $199,999 | 26.3% | -0.5 pts |
| $200,000 or more | 8.4% | -8.7 pts |
23% under $35,000 and 35% at $100,000 or more: that is the Tioga County income split. Poverty rate, Tioga County: 13.4%; New York: 14.0%. A household earning below the $72,739 median should test any payment carefully; one earning above it should still pick the shortest term it can manage.
Counties near Tioga County
Distances run center to center, from Tompkins County at 21 miles out to Susquehanna County at 36. Tompkins County leads the group on income ($74,024), Broome County trails ($62,616), and Tioga County out-earns 5 of the six. The list crosses into Pennsylvania, where different lending rules and regulators apply.
| Neighbor | Distance | Income | Rent | Own |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tioga County | - | $72,739 | $928/mo | 79% |
| Tompkins County, NY | 21 mi | $74,024 | $1,411/mo | 54% |
| Chemung County, NY | 23 mi | $63,716 | $1,059/mo | 68% |
| Broome County, NY | 24 mi | $62,616 | $941/mo | 65% |
| Bradford County, PA | 29 mi | $63,675 | $901/mo | 72% |
| Cortland County, NY | 31 mi | $70,418 | $984/mo | 66% |
| Susquehanna County, PA | 36 mi | $68,487 | $933/mo | 78% |
Cities, towns and CDPs in Tioga County
Here are the 9 most populous of the county's 9 Census places, with income and rent from the same 2020 to 2024 survey. About 38% of Tioga County residents live in one of the 9. Crest View Heights has the highest median household income on the list ($167,083) and Candor the lowest ($47,417), counting places with at least 500 residents. Rent is cheapest in Newark Valley ($822) and steepest in Apalachin ($1,078). This guide covers each of the 9 places and the rural areas around them.
| Name | Kind | Pop. | Income | Rent | Miles |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Waverly | village | 4,305 | $54,274 | $958 | 17 mi |
| Owego | village | 3,912 | $60,139 | $901 | 5 mi |
| Apalachin | CDP | 2,553 | $81,337 | $1,078 | 11 mi |
| Tioga Terrace | CDP | 2,057 | $131,817 | n/a | 13 mi |
| Crest View Heights | CDP | 1,852 | $167,083 | n/a | 11 mi |
| Newark Valley | village | 1,051 | $71,369 | $822 | 6 mi |
| Candor | village | 984 | $47,417 | $871 | 4 mi |
| Spencer | village | 932 | $51,765 | $1,046 | 10 mi |
| Nichols | village | 601 | $66,250 | $842 | 12 mi |
CDPs are unincorporated communities the Census Bureau defines for counting.
Tioga County residents: age, schooling, coverage
Bachelor's degree or higher: 25% of Tioga County adults. The uninsured rate is 2.8%, against 5.1% for New York.
| Indicator | Tioga County | +/- New York | +/- U.S. county |
|---|---|---|---|
| No vehicle | 7.2% | -22.1 pts | +1.7 pts |
| Bachelor's or higher | 25.3% | -15.0 pts | +3.1 pts |
| Median age | 44.8 | +5.0 yrs | +3.3 yrs |
| Work from home | 10.1% | -4.8 pts | +1.4 pts |
| No high school diploma | 8.6% | -3.4 pts | n/a |
| No health insurance | 2.8% | -2.2 pts | -5.0 pts |
| Unemployment (ACS) | 5.5% | -0.9 pts | +1.1 pts |
| Poverty rate | 13.4% | -0.6 pts | +0.2 pts |
| Commute length | Tioga County |
|---|---|
| Under 15 min | 32.2% |
| 15 to 29 min | 33.1% |
| 30 to 44 min | 23.7% |
| 45 to 59 min | 7.0% |
| 60+ min | 4.0% |
Reading the Tioga County data as a borrower
- Manufactured homes. 15% of Tioga County housing units are mobile homes, and their repairs are often paid with unsecured loans. Get the quote in writing.
- Renters under pressure. When 51% pay 30% or more for rent, the smallest loan that solves the problem is the right size.
- Know your credit. Review all three bureau reports for free (AnnualCreditReport.com).
Room for a loan payment in Tioga County
Tioga County at the medians, through a lender's eyes (what DTI means):
- $72,739 a year is $6,062 of gross monthly income
- Median rent: $928, or 15 cents of every gross dollar
- $1,254: what a 36% ratio leaves once rent is paid
These are gross figures; take-home pay in Tioga County will be lower after taxes and deductions.
New York lender licensing
Licensing happens at the state level, so a lender working with Tioga County borrowers answers to the New York State Department of Financial Services. The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau accepts complaints nationwide. More on New York: New York personal loans.
Checklist for Tioga County applicants
Quick steps for Tioga County:
- Price the Tioga County expense first and borrow that amount, no more.
- Shop at least three lenders, including one Tioga County-area credit union.
- Confirm the lender is licensed in New York.
- Keep a small cushion so one surprise bill does not mean another loan.
More guides for Tioga County
Next step up from Tioga County:
Frequently asked questions
How much do households in Tioga County earn?
The median is $72,739; 35% earn $100,000 or more and 23% under $35,000. A lender uses your own documented income, not this figure.
What is the median rent in Tioga County, NY?
$928 a month, utilities included, or $11,136 a year.
How many towns are in Tioga County?
The Census Bureau counts 9 places mainly in the county, led by Waverly, Owego, Apalachin, Tioga Terrace, Crest View Heights.
Is the fit check different in Tioga County?
No. It is identical everywhere, and it never looks at your neighborhood.
Who regulates personal lenders for Tioga County residents?
The New York State Department of Financial Services licenses consumer lenders in New York; the CFPB takes complaints about any lender, and the FTC wants to hear about fee-first offers.