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County in New York

Jefferson County, New York

Jefferson County, in New York, has 115,040 residents: No. 25 of 62 by population. Jefferson County has an FHA limit of $541,287 for one-unit homes. The typical home value here is $188,200. HUD's Fair Market Rent for a 2-bedroom apartment is $1,453 a month; to pay it without spending more than 30% of your income, you need to earn about $27.94 an hour.

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  • Typical home price

    $188,200

    −56% vs. New York −43% vs. U.S.

    Half of owner-occupied homes are worth more and half are worth less.

    • Jefferson
    • New York
    • United States

    Source: U.S. Census Bureau, Average 2020–2024

  • Fair market rent, 2 bedrooms

    $1,453 a month

    −40% vs. New York −17% vs. U.S.

    HUD's reference rent for a two-bedroom apartment, with basic utilities.

    • Jefferson
    • New York
    • United States

    Source: HUD, Fiscal year 2027

  • FHA limit 2026, 1 unit

    $541,287

    FHA national floor limit

    The most you can borrow with an FHA loan for a one-unit home here.

    • Jefferson
    • Floor
    • Ceiling

    Source: HUD, 2026 data

  • Property tax

    1.54% of value per year

    Same as New York +64% vs. U.S.

    $2,899 a year for the typical owner

    • Jefferson
    • New York
    • United States

    Source: U.S. Census Bureau, Average 2020–2024

Market now, with Zillow data

Zillow data
Typical home value
$234,099
6% more than 12 months ago
Typical rent
$1,496 a month
7.5% more than 12 months ago

From Zillow (ZHVI/ZORI), September 2026. The Census figures above are 5-year averages (2020–2024).

Data from October 2026

In short

What is housing like in Jefferson County today?

The monthly payment on a typical home with FHA would be about $1,655, that is, 30% of the typical household income in Jefferson County. Homes here are worth 56% less than the average across New York. The typical property tax is $2,899 a year (about 1.54% of home value), lower than in New York.

Sources: U.S. Census Bureau (Average 2020–2024).

Only here

What sets Jefferson County apart

  1. Jefferson County has the highest typical rent in its area: $1,213, more than any of its 6 neighboring counties; next is Onondaga County ($1,108).

  2. Among the neighboring counties, St. Lawrence County has the lowest typical home value ($121,900), 35% below the $188,200 in Jefferson County.

  3. From 2020 to 2025, home prices in Jefferson County rose 34% on FHFA's index, slower than in New York (52%).

  4. At 55%, Jefferson County ranks 6th among the 62 counties in New York for the lowest homeownership rate.

Sources: U.S. Census Bureau (Average 2020–2024); FHFA (2025 data).

The homes here

Housing in Jefferson County

What homes there are in Jefferson County, what they cost, how that changed and how people live, from Census figures (2020–2024).

What homes there are

U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year, 2020–2024

Kind of home

Detached houses, standing on their own, make up 57% of homes here, against 41% in New York.

Mobile homes are 10% of homes in Jefferson County, more than in New York (2%).

Year built

Here half of the homes date from 1972 or later; in New York, from 1959 or later.

In Jefferson County, 59% of homes have 3 bedrooms or more, more than in New York (49%).

All homes, occupied or empty. A figure the Census cannot measure precisely enough here is not shown.

Census tables: B25024, B25034, B25035, B25041

What it costs here

U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year, 2020–2024

Value of owner-occupied homes

About 95% of owner-occupied homes in Jefferson County are worth less than the FHA loan limit for this county ($541,287).

Monthly rent with utilities

About 71% of rented homes in Jefferson County cost less than HUD's 2-bedroom fair market rent for this county ($1,453).

With a mortgage

$1,555 a month

New York: $2,555 a month

Without a mortgage

$591 a month

New York: $958 a month

Owners with a mortgage

57%

New York: 58%

The typical cost for an owner with a mortgage in Jefferson County is $1,555 a month, less than in New York ($2,555); without one, $591.

Value: what owners think their home is worth. Rent: rent plus utilities, for homes of every size. The FHA limit is the most an FHA loan (Federal Housing Administration) lends for a one-unit home; the fair market rent (FMR) is the one HUD uses for housing vouchers.

Census tables: B25075, B25063, B25088, B25081

How it changed

U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year, 2015–2019 and 2020–2024

Change since 2015–2019

From 2015–2019 to 2020–2024, the typical home value in Jefferson County rose 26%; in New York, it rose 35%.

Rents in Jefferson County rose more slowly than in New York: 23% since 2015–2019, against 27%.

To compare: typical income in Jefferson County rose 26%; the home, +26%; the rent, +23%.

Change between two 5-year periods that do not overlap, in each period's dollars, not adjusted for inflation.

Census tables: B25077, B25064, B19013

How people live

U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year, 2020–2024

MeasureJefferson CountyNew YorkUnited States
Rental vacancy 4.4%3.8%5.5%
Homeowner vacancy 1.9%1.1%0.9%
More than one person per room 1.9%5.3%3.4%
People per household 2.322.492.53
Drive alone 78%49%69%
Carpool 8%6%9%
Public transit Unreliable estimate22%3%
Walk or bike 4%6%3%
Work from home 8%15%15%
Other means 2%2%2%
Typical commute 10 to 19 minutes20 to 29 minutes20 to 29 minutes

Open rentals in Jefferson County look like those in New York: the rental vacancy rate is 4.4%.

Fewer households are short on space in Jefferson County: 1.9% have more than one person per room; in New York, 5.3%.

Households in Jefferson County are smaller: 2.32 people on average; in New York, 2.49.

The car rules in Jefferson County: 78% of workers drive to work alone, and the typical trip takes 10 to 19 minutes.

Vacancy: empty homes offered for rent or for sale. Rooms: every room in the home, not only bedrooms. Commute: the minute range of the typical worker.

Census tables: B25004, B25003, B25014, B25010, B08301, B08303

Do the math

What would you pay each month in Jefferson County?

A typical home is tight for the typical income

We start with a typical home of $188,200, an FHA loan with 3.5% down and the latest average rate (7.18%). That payment would take 30% of the typical household income here, which is $66,301 a year. For that payment to be 28% of income, a household would need to earn about $70,929 a year.

Your numbers

Local data
$

Starts at the typical home value in Jefferson County. Change it to the price you have in mind.

Loan type
Your credit score

Your score changes which loans apply and FHA's minimum down payment. Your real rate also depends on your credit.

Down payment
%

That is $6,587 (3.5% of the price). The usual minimum for this loan is 3.5%.

This week's average ± a quarter or half point.

Term

National average as of November 5, 2026 (Freddie Mac); your rate may be different.

Adjust advanced details

Estimated monthly payment

Local data

$1,655

at 7.18% · 30 years

Loan amount
$184,791
Total interest
$265,871
Paid off in
November 2056

Includes $3,178 FHA upfront mortgage insurance premium.

Does it fit the income?

  • Comfortable

    up to $1,547 a month

  • Tight

    $1,547 to $1,989 a month

    Your payment · 30%

  • Hard

    more than $1,989 a month

Compared with the typical household income in Jefferson County ($66,301 a year). Reference: HUD calls paying more than 30% of income for housing a cost burden.

Show the result as
per month$1,655
Principal & interest$1,252
Property tax$242
Home insurance$78
FHA mortgage insurance (MIP)$83

You need at least $6,587 for the down payment, plus closing costs.

Next step

This is an estimate to give you an idea, not a loan offer. Your real payment depends on your rate, your credit, and the insurance and taxes on the home you buy.

Buying a home

Buying a home in Jefferson County

Here you'll see how prices have changed, how Jefferson County compares with New York and the country, and what you'd pay each month with four kinds of loans.

How have home prices changed?

According to the FHFA House Price Index, home prices in Jefferson County rose 42% in the 10 years through 2025. FHFA's index follows the price of the same homes over the years.

Period Here New York United States
In 2025 +4.0% +6.0% +2.9%
5 years (2020–2025) +34% +52% +47%
10 years (2015–2025) +42% +86% +85%
See each year's change

The index follows the prices of the same homes over time (sales and appraisals on loans bought or guaranteed by Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac). It is not the average price of a home. FHFA considers its annual county indexes experimental. Source: FHFA, 2025 data

Jefferson County compared with New York and the United States

Home value, rent and household income, side by side. "Typical" is the median: half are above it and half below.

Typical home value
  • Jefferson $188,200
  • New York $423,800
  • United States $332,700
Typical rent a month
  • Jefferson $1,213
  • New York $1,621
  • United States $1,413
Typical household income a year
  • Jefferson $66,301
  • New York $85,974
  • United States $80,734
See the full table
Jefferson compared with New York and the United States
MeasureHereNew YorkU.S.
Residents115,04019,852,366334,922,499
Typical home value$188,200$423,800$332,700
Typical household income$66,301$85,974$80,734
Typical rent$1,213$1,621$1,413
Fair Market Rent (2 bedrooms)$1,453$2,402$1,750
Hourly wage to rent a 2-bedroom$27.94$46.19$33.65
Typical property tax$2,899$6,582$3,119
Effective tax rate1.54%1.55%0.94%
Households that own their home55%54%65%
Renters spending 30% or more on rent48%52%51%
FHA limit (1 unit)*$541,287$541,287$541,287

FHA limit: New York shows the median of its counties; the United States, the national floor. Download CSV

Four ways to pay for a typical home in Jefferson County

For a typical $188,200 home at Freddie Mac's average rate (7.18% as of November 5, 2026) over 30 years. The monthly payment adds principal and interest, the county's property tax, an example homeowners insurance and mortgage insurance when it applies.

Loan Monthly payment Down payment Loan amount Rate Mortgage insurance Cash to close Minimum score
FHA, 3.5% down $1,655 $6,587 $184,791 7.18% FHA MIP · $83 $12,233 580
Conventional, 5% down $1,621 $9,410 $178,790 7.18% PMI · $89 $15,056 620*
Conventional, 20% down, no PMI $1,340 $37,640 $150,560 7.18% None $43,286 620*
ITIN, 15% down (example) $1,514 $28,230 $159,970 8.18% None $33,876 Set by the lender
  • Cash to close = down payment plus 3% of the price in closing costs (example).
  • Minimum score: FHA requires 580 or higher for the minimum down payment (HUD Handbook 4000.1). * Fannie Mae requires 620 when a loan is underwritten by hand; its automated system has no fixed minimum.
  • The ITIN row is an example with a rate 1 percentage point higher: ITIN loans follow no federal rule and each lender sets its own down payment and rate. Nothing in this table promises an approval.

Everything about buying in Jefferson County: income, limits and help How much house can I afford? Closing costs

Loan limits

FHA loans in Jefferson County use the national floor limit: it isn't a high-cost area. If the loan you need is above these amounts, it doesn't fit FHA or it becomes a "jumbo" loan.

VA loans. If you have full VA entitlement, VA doesn't cap the loan amount. If you've used part of your entitlement, the calculation uses the county limit ($832,750 for one unit). VA loan limits (va.gov)

USDA loans. They're for homes in eligible rural areas and households with incomes within USDA's limit. Check whether the address and your income qualify on the official site. USDA eligibility (usda.gov)

Home type FHA limit Conforming limit
1 unit $541,287 $832,750
2 units $693,050 $1,066,250
3 units $837,700 $1,288,800
4 units $1,041,125 $1,601,750

Source: HUD, 2026 data · Source: FHFA, 2026 data

Taxes and risks

Property tax and flooding in Jefferson County

Two costs that change a lot from place to place and that a house payment does include: property tax and, in risk zones, flood insurance.

Property tax

In Jefferson County, the typical owner pays $2,899 a year: about 1.54% of the home's value. That is close to the rest of New York and more than the national average.

  • Jefferson 1.54%
  • New York 1.55%
  • United States 0.94%

What New York publishes Basic STAR school tax relief (New York State Department of Taxation and Finance)

Exemptions and deadlines in New York

Is there a flood risk?

According to FEMA, in Jefferson County 0% of homes (3) are in a high-risk flood zone.

  • A high-risk zone (Special Flood Hazard Area) has a 1% or greater chance of flooding each year. (44 CFR 59.1)
  • If the home is in that zone and the loan comes from a regulated lender, federal law requires flood insurance for the life of the loan, in communities that take part in the NFIP. (42 U.S.C. 4012a)
  • Most homeowners insurance does not cover flood damage. (FEMA, FloodSmart)

Source: FEMA, As of August 3, 2026

Look up your address on FEMA’s map

Owning a home here

Owning a home in Jefferson County

The natural hazards FEMA measures in Jefferson County, a maintenance plan for your climate and what the trades earn in your area.

Risks to your home

FEMA, National Risk Index 1.20.0 (December 2025)

According to FEMA, the natural hazard risk in Jefferson County is relatively low.

To rate it, FEMA weighs the expected loss with social vulnerability and community resilience.

In Jefferson County, FEMA expects natural hazards to cause $25.7 million in losses a year, counting buildings, people and crops.

Of all the hazards, FEMA expects inland flooding to do the most damage to buildings: about $19.3 million a year.

Loss FEMA expects each year to homes and buildings, by hazard
  1. Inland floodingRelatively moderate $19.3 million a year
  2. EarthquakeRelatively low $786,241 a year
  3. TornadoRelatively low $141,922 a year
  4. HurricaneVery low $82,354 a year
  5. Winter weatherRelatively high $30,348 a year

What it means for your home

The ratings are FEMA's own. FEMA says its data is meant for planning and does not replace a local study. Drought is not shown: FEMA counts its loss in crops only.

National Risk Index, version 1.20.0 (December 2025), retrieved November 6, 2026

FEMA notice: This product uses the Federal Emergency Management Agency's National Risk Index dataset API or downloadable datasets but is not endorsed by FEMA. The Federal Government or FEMA cannot vouch for the data or analyses derived from these data after the data have been retrieved from the Agency's website(s).

Climate and upkeep

Department of Energy (PNNL), 2021 IECC zones

Jefferson County is in climate zone 6A of the home energy code (IECC): cold.

The zone's number says how hot or cold it gets; the letter says how humid: A is moist, B is dry and C is marine.

  • Spring

    • Book the air conditioner's check-up before the heat: ENERGY STAR advises checking the cooling system in the spring, because contractors get busy once summer comes. ENERGY STAR (EPA)
    • Clean and repair the roof gutters. EPA

  • Summer

    • Seal the air ducts that run through the attic, crawlspace, basement or garage with duct mastic or foil tape, then wrap them in insulation. ENERGY STAR (EPA)
    • Check that the ground slopes away from the house, so water does not collect around the foundation. EPA

  • Fall

    • Book the heating check-up in the fall. If it runs on gas or oil, the technician should check the connections: faulty ones are a fire hazard. ENERGY STAR (EPA)
    • Seal air leaks and add insulation in the attic: ENERGY STAR says it lowers the chance of ice dams on the roof in snowy climates. ENERGY STAR (EPA)

  • Winter

    • Get the house ready for the cold with insulation, caulking and weather stripping, and learn how to keep pipes from freezing. Ready.gov (FEMA)
    • Put clear plastic film over the windows: it is inexpensive, cuts drafts, helps the house feel warmer in winter and reduces moisture on the glass. ENERGY STAR (EPA)

All year

  • Check the air filter every month, especially in heavy-use months. If it looks dirty, change it; change it at least every 3 months. ENERGY STAR (EPA)
  • Test the smoke alarms every month and replace their batteries at least once a year. USFA (FEMA)

Each task comes from the official page beside it. The spring air-conditioning and fall heating check-ups are the timing ENERGY STAR advises; the rest is a suggested order.

Climate zones by county, 2021 IECC

What the trades charge here

BLS, wages for May 2025

TradeTypical hourly wage8 in 10 earn between
Electricians$37.76$21.69 and $45.10
Plumbers, pipefitters and steamfitters$29.56$18.86 and $68.18
Heating, air conditioning and refrigeration mechanics$30.22$20.28 and $40.17
Carpenters$27.81$20.42 and $36.67
Painters, construction and maintenance$22.71$18.70 and $32.37
Maintenance and repair workers, general$23.61$17.32 and $32.37

According to BLS, an electrician earns about $37.76 an hour in the Watertown-Fort Drum, NY area; a plumber, about $29.56.

These are workers' hourly wages, not the price of a job.

BLS publishes no wages for roofers in this area.

Need help paying for a repair?

Renting

Renting in Jefferson County

The typical rent in Jefferson County is $1,213 a month. HUD also publishes a “fair market rent” by unit size: it's the one programs like Section 8 use.

48% of renter households in Jefferson County spend 30% or more of their income on housing. 23% spend half or more.

Fair market rent by size

To pay the fair market rent without spending more than 30% of income, working full time (40 hours a week).

Size Fair rent a month Hourly wage Income needed per year
Studio $1,012 $19.46 $40,480
1 bedroom $1,111 $21.37 $44,440
2 bedrooms $1,453 $27.94 $58,120
3 bedrooms $1,995 $38.37 $79,800
4 bedrooms $2,376 $45.69 $95,040

Includes basic utilities. It isn't the lowest or highest rent: it's a reference point. Source: HUD, Fiscal year 2027

Free help in Jefferson County

Programs and counseling in Jefferson County

There is 1 HUD-approved housing counseling agency in Jefferson County. They can help you get ready to buy, with your credit, with rent, or if you've fallen behind on payments.

Official programs for the down payment and loans for buyers. Check which ones you might qualify for with your income and your county.

A father and mother walk their son by the hand down the sidewalk.

HUD counseling is free or low-cost

New York down payment programs

  1. SONYMA Down Payment Assistance Loan (DPAL)

    SONYMA second loan with no interest, forgiven after ten years, for the down payment with a SONYMA mortgage in New York

    The source does not say whether you must be a first-time buyer. Run by State of New York Mortgage Agency (SONYMA).

    Forgivable Verified November 5, 2026

  2. Achieving the Dream

    SONYMA mortgage at a very low fixed rate for low-income first-time buyers in New York, with a minimal down payment

    First-time buyers only. Run by State of New York Mortgage Agency (SONYMA).

    Forgivable Verified November 5, 2026

Which programs do I qualify for? See all New York programs

Help in Spanish in Jefferson County

None of the 1 agencies on this list say they serve in Spanish.

Ask for service in Spanish

When you call, say “Spanish, please” or ask if someone speaks Spanish. If not, ask whether they offer an interpreter.

Public housing agencies

They run public housing and Section 8 vouchers (Housing Choice Vouchers) in this county.

Free legal help

If you have a problem with your landlord, an eviction notice or a scam, the Legal Services Corporation (LSC) search shows the free legal aid offices that serve your area.

Find legal aid (lsc.gov)

Housing counseling nearby

These agencies have an office in Jefferson County. The full list is on the New York counselors page. Official HUD list. Confirm hours and fees with the agency before you go.

  • Neighbors of Watertown, Inc.

    112 Franklin St, Watertown

    • Mortgage delinquency and default
    • Budget and financial counseling
    • and 3 more
    (315) 782-8497
See every agency in New York

Places

Cities in Jefferson County

This site has no city pages of Jefferson County. The neighboring counties are below.

See all 2 cities of Jefferson County

Nearby counties

Each row compares its typical value, typical rent and FHA limit with Jefferson County.

Read next

Guides that help here

We picked them by this county's numbers: what weighs most here is what's worth understanding first.

Frequently asked questions

What is the FHA loan limit in Jefferson County in 2026?

Jefferson County has an FHA limit of $541,287 for a one-unit home. For 2 units it's $693,050, for 3 it's $837,700 and for 4 it's $1,041,125. It's the national floor limit.

What is the conforming loan limit in Jefferson County?

Jefferson County has a conforming limit of $832,750 for one-unit conventional loans in 2026. A bigger loan is a “jumbo” loan.

How much does a typical home cost in Jefferson County?

The typical home value in Jefferson County is $188,200 (Average 2020–2024, U.S. Census). Across New York it's $423,800.

How much does it cost to rent in Jefferson County?

Jefferson County has a typical rent of $1,213 a month (Average 2020–2024, U.S. Census). HUD's fair market rent for a 2-bedroom apartment is $1,453 (Fiscal year 2027).

How much do you need to earn to rent a 2-bedroom apartment in Jefferson County?

About $27.94 an hour working full time (2,080 hours a year), or $58,120 a year, so the fair market rent of $1,453 stays under 30% of income.

Sources: American Community Survey (Average 2020–2024); FHA mortgage limits (2026 data); Conforming loan limits (2026 data); Fair Market Rents (Fiscal year 2027); Income Limits (Fiscal year 2026); HUD-approved housing counseling agencies (Retrieved November 6, 2026); Public Housing Agencies (Retrieved November 6, 2026); Freddie Mac Primary Mortgage Market Survey (As of November 5, 2026); FHFA House Price Index (2025 data); Homes with flood insurance (As of August 3, 2026); National Risk Index (2025 data); IECC climate zones by county (2021 data); Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (2025 data); Census Bureau cartographic boundary files (2024 data).