Houghton, NY

New York

Houghton is a small town in New York with a population of 1,685. Residents earn $87,188 per year, which is 16% above the national average.

4.8 /5.0
A+ Excellent
1,685 Population 619/sq mi density
$87,188 Median Income $19,254 per capita
$153,300 Home Value $185,047 Zillow
$975 Median Rent
46°F Avg Temperature
A+
Overall
4.8 / 5.0
Excellent overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
A
Economy
4.4 / 5.0
$87,188 median income, 4.1% unemployment
A+
Affordability
5.0 / 5.0
$153,300 home value, $975/mo rent
A+
Education
5.0 / 5.0
74.4% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $87,188
16% higher than US avg
Home Value $153,300
46% lower than US avg
Bachelor's+ 74.4%
121% higher than US avg
Median Rent $975
16% lower than US avg
Obesity Rate 35.1%
9% higher than US avg
Unemployment 4.1%
14% higher than US avg
Poverty Rate 0.0%
100% lower than US avg

How Houghton Compares to the U.S. Average (100% = U.S. avg)

People

Population1,685
Median Age21.2 yrs
Density619/mi²
Male / Female46% / 54%
Largest GroupWhite 92%

Economy

A
Median Income$87,188
Per Capita$19,254
Unemployment4.1%
Poverty0.0%
County GDP$1,955M
Commute14 min

Housing

A+
Home Value$153,300
Rent$975
OwnershipN/A
Zillow$185,047

Crime

ViolentN/A
PropertyN/A

Health

Obesity35.1%
UninsuredN/A
Depression21.4%
Heart Disease5.6%

Climate

Avg Temp46°F
AQI36 (Good)
Rain40.2 in/yr
Elevation1,400 ft

Education

A+
Bachelor's+74.4%
High School+93.3%
School Score5.39

Community

2024 VoteR 72% / D 28%
Commute14 min
EV Stations3
Libraries17

Is Houghton a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, Houghton receives an overall livability score of 4.8 out of 5.0, earning a grade of A+. Key strengths include above-average household incomes, a highly educated population, affordable housing, a low poverty rate. Houghton stands out as an excellent place to live, with strong marks across most quality-of-life indicators.

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in Houghton is $87,188, 16% above the national average of $75,149. Residents generally enjoy above-average earning potential. Unemployment stands at 4.1%, indicating a healthy job market. Only 0.0% of residents live below the poverty line, well below the national rate of 12.4%. Workers commute an average of 14 minutes, shorter than most U.S. cities.

Cost of Living & Housing

The median home value in Houghton is $153,300, 46% below the national median — offering relatively affordable homeownership. Renters pay a median of $975 per month, below the national average — a plus for affordability. At just 1.8x median income, home prices are very affordable relative to local earnings.

Education

Houghton is a highly educated community — 74.4% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, well above the national average of 33.7%. 93.3% have completed high school. Area schools have an average test score of 5.4/10.

Climate & Weather

Houghton experiences four distinct seasons with an average temperature of 46°F. Winters average 23°F in January while summers reach 67°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 40.2 inches, including 72.4 inches of snow. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 36.

Houghton has a population of 1,685 with a density of 619 people per square mile. The median age is 21.2 years, 46% younger than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly White (91.6%), with 3.9% Black.

Population

1,685
Total Population
619
People / sq mi
21.2yrs
Median Age
46% below US avg
2.7mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 46.2%
Female 53.8%

Race & Ethnicity

Houghton vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

English Only96.2%
23% above US avg
Spanish3.8%
72% below US avg

Social Characteristics

Houghton vs U.S. Average

The median household income in Houghton is $87,188, which is 16% above the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 4.1% (above the 3.6% US average). 0.0% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 14 minutes.

Income: Houghton vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$87,188
16% above US avg
Per Capita Income$19,254
Avg Weekly Wage$1,019
IRS Avg AGI$57,516

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment4.1%
14% above US avg
Poverty Rate0.0%
100% below US avg
Establishments (County)911
County GDP$1,955M

Business (County)

Restaurants94
Healthcare81
Retail127
Manufacturing34

Tax & Cost of Living

Property Tax (IRS)$6,513
86% above US avg
Effective Tax Rate4.25%

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time13.7 min
Work from Home15.1%

Walkability

The median home value in Houghton is $153,300, 46% below the national average. Monthly rent averages $975 (16% below US avg). Zillow estimates the typical home value at $185,047.

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$153,300
46% below US avg
Zillow ZHVI$185,047

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Rental Costs

Census Median Rent$975
16% below US avg

HUD Fair Market Rent

Studio$1,215
1 Bedroom$1,315
2 Bedrooms$1,579
3 Bedrooms$1,976
4 Bedrooms$2,193

Ownership & Property

Owner-Occupied57.0%

Property Tax

Avg Tax (IRS)$6,513
86% above US avg
Effective Rate4.25%
In Houghton, 35.1% of adults are obese (above the 32.1% national rate). 21.4% report depression. 24.0% are physically inactive.

Health Metrics: Houghton vs U.S. Average (%)

Chronic Conditions

Obesity35.1%
9% above US avg
Diabetes9.4%
Heart Disease5.6%
High Blood Pressure31.6%
Asthma11.2%
COPD6.5%
Stroke2.9%

Behaviors & Mental Health

Binge Drinking18.9%
Physical Inactivity24.0%
Depression21.4%
Mental Distress17.7%
Physical Distress13.0%

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate98.6%
Checkup Rate78.4%
Premature Death8,271/100K

Food & Exercise

Food Environment8.2/10
Exercise Access45.8%
Healthcare Facilities81

Crime Rates: Houghton vs U.S. Average (per 100,000)

Violent Crime

Property Crime

Traffic Safety

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)3

Safety Score

Houghton has an average annual temperature of 46°F (8°C). Winters average 23°F in January while summers reach 67°F in July. Annual precipitation is 40.2 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 36.

Temperature

23°F Jan (-5°C) 67°F Jul (20°C)
Annual Average45.8°F
15% below US avg
January Average23°F (-5°C)
July Average67°F (20°C)

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall40.2 inches
6% above US avg
Snowfall72.4 inches/yr

Air Quality

AQI Median36.0
RatingGood

Geography

Elevation1,400 ft (427 m)
Area2.7 sq mi (7.0 km²)
Population Density619/sq mi
Coordinates42.4283°N, 78.1726°W
County FIPS36003
It is classified as Nonmetro — Urban 2.5K–20K. 74.4% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (121% above US avg). In the 2024 election, the county voted Republican by a 43.2-point margin.

2024 Presidential Election (County)

R 71.6%
D 28.4%

Winner: Republican by 43.2 points

Education

Bachelor's Degree+74.4%
121% above US avg
High School+93.3%
School Test Score5.39
A+ Education Grade (5.0/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 7Nonmetro — Urban 2.5K–20K
Population Density619/sq mi
Total Area2.7 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

EV Charging Stations3
Alt Fuel Stations3
Public Libraries17
Healthcare Facilities81
Restaurants94
Retail Stores127

Safety & Disasters

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)3

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute13.7 min
Work from Home15.1%

Nearby Cities

Compare Houghton with another city: