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Orange County, NY

RANK #237 / 996  ·  POP 401,237  ·  NY

PROJECTED GROWTH: +1.8%

Orange County combines solid growth with real affordability — a rare combination.

[01] Why Orange County?

Orange County, New York, is often recognized for the United States Military Academy at West Point, a prominent landmark overlooking the Hudson River. Located approximately 60 miles north of Midtown Manhattan, the county offers a blend of suburban and rural living. Commute options to New York City include Metro-North Railroad's Port Jervis Line and express bus services, with average commute times around 33.5 minutes for county residents. The landscape features mountains, rivers, and lakes, providing opportunities for outdoor recreation like hiking, biking, and rafting on the Delaware River.

Life in Orange County appeals to families and those seeking a balance between natural scenery and accessibility to urban centers. Towns like Warwick, Cornwall, and Chester offer walkable village centers with local shops and restaurants. The public school systems in districts such as Monroe-Woodbury, Warwick Valley, and Cornwall Central are noted for their academic programs. Economically, the county is leveraging its logistical infrastructure, including New York Stewart International Airport, to attract advanced manufacturing, life sciences, and clean technology industries. Tourism also plays a significant role, with attractions like LEGOLAND New York Resort and Storm King Art Center contributing to the local economy.

[02] Market Snapshot

Housing Ratio
6.3x

Above national median (4.7x)

GDP Growth
+2.9%

Above national median

Home Prices
+3.1%

Outpacing national median

Climate & Terrain
0.1

Moderate climate & terrain

Price/Rent
13x

Below national median (13x)

Housing is fairly valued at 6.3x relative to local economic output. The typical U.S. county is 4–6x.

[03] Signal Profile

[04] Home Value Growth vs National

Orange County U.S. National

The Numbers

DEMOGRAPHICS
Population
401,237
+0.74% YoY
Median Household Income
$91,806
Median Home Value
$337,800
+3.09% 12mo
Median Rent
$1,494
Average Annual Pay
$62,619
+2.8% YoY
Employment
155,524
+1.6% YoY
Income-to-Home-Value
0.2718
More affordable than average
Migration Inflow
2.99%
of pop. from another state

Market Activity

REAL ESTATE
Median Sale Price
$440,000
Days on Market
56
Moderate pace
Months of Supply
3.7
Balanced market
Sale-to-List Ratio
98.7%
Near asking price
Sold Above List
35.1%
Listings w/ Price Drops
13.8%
Building Permits (2024)
2,172
Single-Family Permits
445

Source: Redfin · Census BPS — Browse sales on Redfin →

[06] Score Breakdown

GDP Growth +2.9% 54 percentile
Population Growth +0.7% 62 percentile
Income Growth +7.2% 20 percentile
Vacancy Rate 1.0% 60 percentile
Home Price Change +3.1% 73 percentile
Rent Growth +3.0% 49 percentile
Price/Rent 13x 58 percentile

Bars show percentile rank among all 996 counties.

[07] Frequently Asked Questions

Is Orange County, NY a good place to move to?

Orange County has a Boom Town Index score of 76/100, ranking #237 among 996 U.S. counties. With job growth at +1.6% and a median household income of $91,806, it's an above-average county on economic indicators.

Is Orange County affordable?

The median home value in Orange County is $337,800 with median rent at $1,494/month. The income-to-home-value ratio is 0.2718, which is more affordable than the national average.

Is Orange County growing or shrinking?

Population growth: +0.7% year-over-year. Job growth: +1.6%. Home values changed +3.1% in the past 12 months.

Are people moving to Orange County?

Yes — 2.99% of Orange County's population moved from another state, which is above the national average and indicates strong in-migration.

[08] Similar Metros

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