1st Advantage MortgageIn Ulster County, New York, the typical household earns $86,271 a year and the typical rent is $1,425. Those figures describe the county, not you: compare at least three written offers by APR and total cost, and confirm the lender's license before you apply.
On this page
- Ulster County by the numbers
- Income in Ulster County compared with New York
- Ulster County housing compared with New York
- Employment and commuting in Ulster County
- Cities, towns and CDPs in Ulster County
- Regional comparison for Ulster County
- Ulster County households compared
- Borrowing situations common in Ulster County
- What a median Ulster County budget can carry
- Before you sign
- Licensing and complaints for Ulster County
- Nearby and statewide guides
- Frequently asked questions
Ulster County by the numbers
With an estimated 182,601 residents (ACS 2020 to 2024), Ulster County ranks 20th of 62 in New York for population. Packed into 1,124 square miles, that is close to 162 residents for every square mile of land. For statistical purposes it belongs to the Kingston, NY metro area, as delineated by the Office of Management and Budget in July 2023. Of the 38 Census places inside Ulster County, Kingston leads by population with about 23,911; 4 of the 38 are incorporated.
Income in Ulster County compared with New York
At $86,271, the typical Ulster County household income is 31% above the median U.S. county ($65,681). In the state ranking that is 12th of 62.
| Household income | Ulster County | vs New York |
|---|---|---|
| Under $35,000 | 21.6% | -0.5 pts |
| $35,000 to $99,999 | 34.5% | +0.5 pts |
| $100,000 to $199,999 | 29.3% | +2.5 pts |
| $200,000 or more | 14.6% | -2.5 pts |
About 22% of households earn under $35,000, while 44% clear $100,000. The poverty rate is 14.6%, 1 point higher than the state's 14.0%. Income inequality, measured by the Gini index, comes to 0.480 here. Income from any regular source can count, including Social Security, pensions and disability benefits, as long as you can document it.
Ulster County housing compared with New York
A typical Ulster County rental runs $1,425 a month including utilities, which is 12% below New York. By the Census definition, 57% of Ulster County renters are cost-burdened. With a median value of $352,500, a typical Ulster County house costs 4.1 times what the median household earns in a year. 70% of Ulster County households own their home and 30% rent. Median construction year: 1966.
| Home costs | Ulster County | New York | U.S. middle county |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median gross rent | $1,425/mo | $1,621/mo | $877/mo |
| Median home value | $352,500 | $423,800 | $185,300 |
| Owners | 70% | 54% | 75% |
| Rent-burdened renters | 57% | 52% | 45% |
| Burdened owners | 33% | 33% | n/a |
| Mobile homes | 5.8% | 2.1% | n/a |
| Vacant units | 14% | 10% | n/a |
Rent pressure is real here, so run any payment through the debt-to-income calculator before you apply.
Employment and commuting in Ulster County
The biggest employer of Ulster County residents, by industry, is education and health care at 29% of workers, followed by professional and administrative services (12%). ACS puts five-year average unemployment at 5.4% in Ulster County. 17% of commuters travel 45 minutes or more each way, and 18% work from home.
| Top industries | Ulster County share | +/- vs New York |
|---|---|---|
| Education and health care | 29.4% | 0.0 pts |
| Professional and administrative services | 12.0% | -1.3 pts |
| Retail trade | 10.4% | +0.8 pts |
| Arts, lodging and food service | 9.2% | +1.1 pts |
| Construction | 7.3% | +1.6 pts |
| Finance, insurance and real estate | 5.7% | -2.3 pts |
A lender verifies what your own job pays. The county's industry mix tells you about the local economy, not about your application.
Cities, towns and CDPs in Ulster County
Here are the 14 most populous of the county's 38 Census places, with income and rent from the same 2020 to 2024 survey. About 53% of Ulster County residents live in one of the 38. Among places of 500 or more people, median income runs from $2,499 in Rifton to $154,250 in Zena. Rent is cheapest in Clintondale ($1,162) and steepest in High Falls ($3,044). None of the 38 has its own city guide, so this page covers all of them.
| Place | Type | Population | Median income | Median rent | From county center |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kingston | city | 23,911 | $68,186 | $1,469 | 14 mi |
| New Paltz | village | 8,314 | $52,774 | $1,672 | 17 mi |
| Highland | CDP | 6,367 | $101,917 | $1,483 | 22 mi |
| Ellenville | village | 4,211 | $42,969 | $1,320 | 17 mi |
| Watchtower | CDP | 3,974 | n/a | n/a | 21 mi |
| Saugerties | village | 3,884 | $57,778 | $1,164 | 19 mi |
| Marlboro | CDP | 3,679 | $119,318 | $1,828 | 28 mi |
| Port Ewen | CDP | 3,426 | $79,386 | $1,681 | 15 mi |
| Hurley | CDP | 3,346 | $90,152 | $1,172 | 11 mi |
| Lincoln Park | CDP | 2,431 | $76,971 | $1,453 | 13 mi |
| Saugerties South | CDP | 2,251 | $89,375 | $1,169 | 18 mi |
| Woodstock | CDP | 2,239 | $52,091 | $1,746 | 10 mi |
| Glasco | CDP | 2,210 | $61,321 | $1,628 | 18 mi |
| Lake Katrine | CDP | 2,176 | $72,031 | $1,748 | 14 mi |
CDP: census-designated place, an unincorporated community mapped for statistics.
Regional comparison for Ulster County
Distances run center to center, from Greene County at 24 miles out to Delaware County at 40. Dutchess County leads the group on income ($99,478), Delaware County trails ($63,337), and Ulster County out-earns 4 of the six.
| County | Miles | Median household income | Median rent | Homeownership |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ulster County | - | $86,271 | $1,425/mo | 70% |
| Greene County, NY | 24 mi | $77,945 | $1,004/mo | 77% |
| Dutchess County, NY | 30 mi | $99,478 | $1,582/mo | 69% |
| Sullivan County, NY | 30 mi | $72,382 | $1,106/mo | 67% |
| Orange County, NY | 38 mi | $97,178 | $1,680/mo | 68% |
| Columbia County, NY | 39 mi | $81,528 | $1,260/mo | 76% |
| Delaware County, NY | 40 mi | $63,337 | $880/mo | 77% |
Ulster County households compared
Degree holders: 38% of adults over 25. The uninsured rate is 6.9%, against 5.1% for New York.
| Measure | Ulster County | New York statewide | Typical U.S. county |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 44.1 | 39.8 | 41.5 |
| Bachelor's or higher | 38.2% | 40.2% | 22.2% |
| No high school diploma | 7.8% | 12.0% | n/a |
| No health insurance | 6.9% | 5.1% | 7.8% |
| No vehicle | 7.3% | 29.2% | 5.4% |
| Work from home | 17.6% | 14.9% | 8.7% |
| Poverty rate | 14.6% | 14.0% | 13.2% |
| Unemployment (ACS) | 5.4% | 6.4% | 4.4% |
| Travel time to work | Workers |
|---|---|
| Under 15 min | 29.8% |
| 15 to 29 min | 34.0% |
| 30 to 44 min | 19.5% |
| 45 to 59 min | 7.1% |
| 60+ min | 9.6% |
Borrowing situations common in Ulster County
Based on the Ulster County data above, these borrowing questions are most likely to matter locally.
- Strong incomes, long terms. 44% of Ulster County households earn $100,000+. The risk is a term that outlasts the need.
- 57% rent-burdened. A payment on top of high rent needs a cushion; size it with the calculator.
- Fraud. Gift cards, wire transfers or fees to unlock a loan mean walk away (report it).
What a median Ulster County budget can carry
How much room does a median Ulster County budget have? Take median income, subtract median rent, and check what is left under a few common debt-to-income limits.
- Monthly gross at the median, Ulster County: $7,189
- Rent at the median, $1,425, takes 20% of that
- With a 43% ceiling, about $1,666 remains for car, card, student and any new loan payments
Subtract what you already pay on other debts. A new payment should fit in what remains, with some to spare.
Before you sign
Four checks before you sign anything:
- Borrow the amount the job needs; extra cash adds interest.
- Line up offers side by side: APR, fees in dollars, total cost.
- A New York license check takes minutes; do it first.
- Keep a small cushion so one surprise bill does not mean another loan.
Licensing and complaints for Ulster County
No county office licenses personal lenders. For Ulster County, check 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.
Nearby and statewide guides
For statewide rules and data, see the New York guide.
Frequently asked questions
What does a typical Ulster County household make?
About $86,271 a year at the median (ACS 2020-24).
How does Ulster County rent compare with New York?
$1,425 locally versus $1,621 for the state, 12% below.
What are the biggest places in Ulster County?
By population: Kingston, New Paltz, Highland, Ellenville, Watchtower. The county has 38 Census places in all.
Will a Ulster County address affect my match?
Beyond confirming New York as your state, no. Your answers about amount, credit, income and payments are all that count.
Is there a Ulster County office that licenses lenders?
No, licensing is statewide. In New York it is the New York State Department of Financial Services.