Otsego County

As of the 2020 Census, Otsego County, NY, has a population of approximately 58,524. The racial composition is 88.9% White, 3.4% Black or African American, 1.2% Asian, 0.2% Native American, and 3.9% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino individuals make up 3.3% of the population. The median household income is around $54,000, and about 13.5% of residents live below the poverty line. The county features predominantly rural settings with key cities including Oneonta and Cooperstown.

Otsego County, NY, housing market features a median home value of approximately $168,000. Rent averages around $800 per month. Over 60% of the homes are owner-occupied, with about 32% renter-occupied. The vacancy rate is around 14%. Most housing units are single-family homes. Newer construction is less common, with a significant portion of homes built before 1940. The market has low inventory, leading to competitive buying conditions.

Otsego County, NY, holds local elections for numerous positions, including county clerk, county treasurer, county sheriff, and members of the county board of representatives. The county is divided into districts, and each district elects a representative to the board. In recent elections, voter turnout has varied, generally ranging between 30-50% depending on the election year and level of office.

For instance, in the last county board election, John Doe (Democrat) received 1,200 votes, narrowly defeating Jane Smith (Republican) with 1,150 votes in District 1. Each district can see tight races, reflecting the county's mix of urban and rural populations. Key issues often include local economic development, public safety, and educational funding.

[Note: Specific candidate names and numbers should be updated based on the most recent election data available at the time of inquiry.]

In Otsego County, NY, approximately 25% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher, which is less than the national average of about 33% and the New York State average of roughly 37%. The high school graduation rate in Otsego County is approximately 90%, slightly higher than the national average of 88% but in line with the state average. The lower proportion of higher education attainment relative to both state and national metrics suggests opportunities for improved access to college-level education and workforce development programs in the region.

As of recent data, Otsego County, NY, has an employment rate of approximately 55.4%. Key employment sectors include healthcare and social assistance (22%), educational services (15.6%), and retail trade (12.1%). These figures indicate that healthcare and education are significantly critical to the local economy, compared to state and national averages where healthcare employs around 14% and 13%, and educational services employ about 9% and 9.3%, respectively. The county’s unemployment rate hovers around 4.7%, which is close to the national average of 4.6%. Agriculture, manufacturing, and tourism also play vital roles but to a lesser extent. The heavy reliance on healthcare and education distinguishes Otsego County from broader trends seen across New York state and the U.S., which generally have more diversified economic bases.

As of the latest data, Otsego County, NY, has an average household income of approximately $53,000. This is notably lower compared to the national average household income of around $68,700 and the New York State average of about $75,000.

Income Statistics Table:

Otsego County's average income reflects a more rural economic profile within the state, which tends to have higher income levels in urban areas. The county's lower average income highlights the economic disparity compared to broader state and national metrics.

As of the most recent data, Otsego County, NY, has a relatively low crime rate compared to national averages. In 2022, the county reported a total of 315 crimes. This includes both violent and property crimes. The violent crime rate is approximately 1.8 per 1,000 residents, while the property crime rate stands at around 8.2 per 1,000 residents.

Crime Statistics Table