RANK #137 / 996 · POP 53,280 · NY
PROJECTED GROWTH: +2.5%
Fulton County, New York, is often recognized for its "Land of 44 Lakes" designation, with Great Sacandaga Lake being a prominent feature, offering extensive outdoor recreation. Located in east-central New York, northwest of Albany, the county sits in the foothills of the Adirondack Mountains, with nearly 60% of its area within the Adirondack Park. This provides a backdrop for activities like hiking, fishing, boating, and winter sports. The county seat, Johnstown, and the most populous city, Gloversville, were historically known as the "Glove Cities" due to their past as a major center for leather tanning and glove manufacturing. Commute times within the county are generally short, and Albany is approximately 40 minutes away.
Life in Fulton County offers a small-town lifestyle with a reasonable cost of living. The community has a diversified economy, with healthcare being the largest industry, alongside a manufacturing base. Educational opportunities include several public school districts, such as Broadalbin-Perth and Johnstown, and Fulton-Montgomery Community College. Recent economic developments show investment flowing into sectors like renewable energy and infrastructure, with efforts to attract new businesses and expand tourism. The county also focuses on revitalizing its downtown areas in Gloversville and Johnstown, aiming to create walkable neighborhoods with diverse housing and retail options.
Below national median (4.7x)
Below national median
Below-average climate & terrain
Above national median (13x)
Housing is fairly valued at 4.0x relative to local economic output. The typical U.S. county is 4–6x.
Source: Redfin · Census BPS — Browse sales on Redfin →
| PROJECT | AMOUNT | STATUS |
|---|---|---|
|
Renewable Energy Portfolio (Wind and Solar Farms)
Wesson Group
|
$100M | Planned |
|
Tryon Technology Park Infrastructure Investment
Fulton County Industrial Development Agency (IDA)
|
$50M | Planned |
|
Hales Mills Development Area Infrastructure & Mixed-Use
Fulton County/Local Developers
|
$50M | Planned |
|
Vail Mills Development Area Mixed-Use
Fulton County/Local Developers
|
$50M | Planned |
Source: public records, news, corporate announcements. Amounts are estimates where noted.
Bars show percentile rank among all 996 counties.
Fulton County has a Boom Town Index score of 86/100, ranking #137 among 996 U.S. counties. With job growth at -0.1% and a median household income of $60,557, it's an above-average county on economic indicators.
The median home value in Fulton County is $142,000 with median rent at $855/month. The income-to-home-value ratio is 0.4265, which is more affordable than the national average.
Population growth: -0.6% year-over-year. Job growth: -0.1%. Home values changed +4.3% in the past 12 months.
Yes — 2.95% of Fulton County's population moved from another state, which is above the national average and indicates strong in-migration.