Ulster County
NY · Pop. 182,109 · Mixed County
Ulster County, New York covers 1,124 square miles with a population of 182,109 and a density of 162 people per square mile. The agricultural economy is rated weak, built on hay, haylage, corn. The median home price is $315,000, with an effective property tax rate of 1.94%. The climate sits in USDA hardiness zone 6a with a 148-day growing season, average summer highs of 70.6°F and average winter lows of 14.1°F. Annual rainfall averages 52.3 inches, and with drought risk rated high, water storage and irrigation planning matter. Healthalliance Hospital Mary's Avenue Campus is 13.8 miles away and includes an emergency room. Broadband reaches 96.2% of homes. On the hazard side, flood risk is very high, tornado risk is very high, wildfire risk is high, drought risk is high, so plan infrastructure and insurance accordingly.
Pros
- Broadband reaches 96.2% of homes, making remote work and online farm sales realistic.
- A low unemployment rate of 3.6% reflects a stable local job base.
- A median household income of $81,804 anchors the local economy.
Cons
- Tornado risk is very high, so a storm shelter and wind-resistant structures are practical necessities.
- Flood risk is very high, so careful parcel siting and flood insurance are essential.
- A 148-day growing season limits crop diversity and calls for season-extension tools.
- An effective property tax rate of 1.94% is on the higher side and adds to annual carrying costs.
- Average winter lows of 14.1°F demand serious cold-weather infrastructure for livestock and water systems.
At a glance
Ulster County, NY is a challenging place to homestead on the data.
- Homestead score
- 14/100
- Median home price
- $315k
- Property tax
- 1.94%
- Growing season
- 148 days (zone 6a)
- Annual rainfall
- 52.3"
- Broadband
- 96.2%
- Nearest hospital
- Healthalliance Hospital Mary's Avenue Campus, 13.8 mi
Taxes & Cost of Living
Land & Building
Climate & Growing
Natural Disaster Risk
Healthcare
Infrastructure & Community
Business & Employment
Homesteading in Ulster County: FAQ
- What is the growing season like in Ulster County?
- Ulster County is in USDA hardiness zone 6a with a 148-day growing season, average summer highs of 70.6°F, and average winter lows of 14.1°F. The established crops are hay, haylage, corn.
- How affordable is land and property here?
- The median home price is $315,000 and the effective property tax rate is 1.94%. County-level per-acre prices aren't published, so compare current local listings for raw land.
- Is broadband internet available?
- Broadband reaches 96.2% of homes, strong coverage that supports remote work for most parcels.
- How close is healthcare?
- Healthalliance Hospital Mary's Avenue Campus is 13.8 miles away and includes an emergency room; there are 3 hospitals in the county.
Explore New York Resources
Partner links — we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you
LandWatch
Browse rural land, farms, and ranches for sale across every state.
Lands of America
The largest listing site for rural property — farms, ranches, hunting land, and timberland.
AcreTrader
Invest in farmland online — vetted properties with passive income potential.
More counties in New York
All New York countiesNearby counties
The closest counties to Ulster County by distance, including across state lines.
Data sources
Verified
Figures are sourced from public datasets: U.S. Census Bureau — ACS 5-year & Gazetteer, USDA NASS Census of Agriculture, USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map, NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals (1991–2020), FEMA National Risk Index, FCC Broadband Data Collection, BLS Local Area Unemployment Statistics, HIFLD Hospitals. Always confirm specifics locally before relying on them. See our methodology for how the homestead score is calculated.
Your brand here — Reach our audience of professional directory owners and boost your sales.