New Paltz, NY

New York · Metropolitan Area

New Paltz is a small city in New York with a population of 8,028. Residents earn $59,375 per year, which is 21% below the national average.

3.6 /5.0
B+ Good
8,028 Population 4,561/sq mi density
$59,375 Median Income $23,922 per capita
$397,800 Home Value
$1,630 Median Rent
50°F Avg Temperature
B+
Overall
3.6 / 5.0
Good overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
C+
Economy
2.8 / 5.0
$59,375 median income, 5.4% unemployment
C+
Affordability
2.9 / 5.0
$397,800 home value, $1,630/mo rent
A+
Education
5.0 / 5.0
69.8% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $59,375
21% lower than US avg
Home Value $397,800
41% higher than US avg
Bachelor's+ 69.8%
107% higher than US avg
Median Rent $1,630
40% higher than US avg
Obesity Rate 32.6%
2% higher than US avg
Unemployment 5.4%
50% higher than US avg
Poverty Rate 22.4%
81% higher than US avg

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

People

Population8,028
Median Age21.6 yrs
Density4,561/mi²
Male / Female42% / 58%
Largest GroupWhite 71%

Economy

C+
Median Income$59,375
Per Capita$23,922
Unemployment5.4%
Poverty22.4%
County GDP$10,454M
Commute25 min

Housing

C+
Home Value$397,800
Rent$1,630
OwnershipN/A

Crime

ViolentN/A
PropertyN/A

Health

Obesity32.6%
UninsuredN/A
Depression21.4%
Heart Disease5.7%

Climate

Avg Temp50°F
AQI36 (Good)
Rain52.6 in/yr
Elevation286 ft

Education

A+
Bachelor's+69.8%
High School+98.8%
School Score5.39

Community

2024 VoteR 41% / D 59%
Commute25 min
EV Stations23
Libraries22

Is New Paltz a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, New Paltz receives an overall livability score of 3.6 out of 5.0, earning a grade of B+. Key strengths include a highly educated population, high health insurance coverage. Areas to be aware of include high housing costs, above-average unemployment, an elevated poverty rate. New Paltz offers a solid quality of life with a good balance of affordability, safety, and opportunity.

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in New Paltz is $59,375, 21% below the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate of 5.4% is somewhat elevated compared to the national rate of 3.6%. The poverty rate of 22.4% exceeds the national average of 12.4%, indicating economic hardship for a significant portion of the population. Workers commute an average of 25 minutes.

Cost of Living & Housing

The median home value in New Paltz is $397,800, 41% above the national median. Renters pay a median of $1,630 per month, significantly above the national average of $1,163. The price-to-income ratio of 6.7x means housing costs are stretched relative to local earnings.

Education

New Paltz is a highly educated community — 69.8% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, well above the national average of 33.7%. 98.8% have completed high school. Area schools have an average test score of 5.4/10.

Climate & Weather

New Paltz experiences four distinct seasons with an average temperature of 50°F. Winters average 26°F in January while summers reach 73°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 52.6 inches, including 59.2 inches of snow. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 36.

New Paltz has a population of 8,028 with a density of 4,561 people per square mile. The median age is 21.6 years, 44% younger than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly White (71.1%), with 1.1% Hispanic, 8.1% Black.

Population

8,028
Total Population
4,561
People / sq mi
21.6yrs
Median Age
44% below US avg
1.8mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 41.9%
Female 58.1%

Race & Ethnicity

New Paltz vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

English Only83.5%
6% above US avg
Spanish16.5%
23% above US avg

Social Characteristics

New Paltz vs U.S. Average

The median household income in New Paltz is $59,375, which is 21% below the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 5.4% (above the 3.6% US average). 22.4% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 25 minutes.

Income: New Paltz vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$59,375
21% below US avg
Per Capita Income$23,922
Avg Weekly Wage$1,176
IRS Avg AGI$86,783

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment5.4%
50% above US avg
Poverty Rate22.4%
81% above US avg
Establishments (County)5,871
County GDP$10,454M

Business (County)

Restaurants622
Healthcare522
Retail683
Manufacturing205

Tax & Cost of Living

Property Tax (IRS)$9,767
179% above US avg
Effective Tax Rate2.46%

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time25.0 min
Work from Home12.7%

Walkability

The median home value in New Paltz is $397,800, 41% above the national average. Monthly rent averages $1,630 (40% above US avg).

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$397,800
41% above US avg
Median List Price$179,000

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Median List Price$179,000
$/Sq Ft$392
Homes Sold1
Sale-to-List Ratio100.0%
Price Drops25.0%
Inventory4

Rental Costs

Census Median Rent$1,630
40% above 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-Occupied28.1%

Property Tax

Avg Tax (IRS)$9,767
179% above US avg
Effective Rate2.46%
In New Paltz, 32.6% of adults are obese (above the 32.1% national rate). 21.4% report depression. 24.6% are physically inactive.

Health Metrics: New Paltz vs U.S. Average (%)

Chronic Conditions

Obesity32.6%
2% above US avg
Diabetes10.2%
Heart Disease5.7%
High Blood Pressure33.9%
Asthma11.0%
COPD6.4%
Stroke3.1%

Behaviors & Mental Health

Binge Drinking15.6%
Physical Inactivity24.6%
Depression21.4%
Mental Distress17.4%
Physical Distress13.2%

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate97.2%
Checkup Rate80.0%
Premature Death7,045/100K

Food & Exercise

Food Environment8.1/10
Exercise Access81.0%
Healthcare Facilities522

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

Violent Crime

Property Crime

Traffic Safety

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)16

Safety Score

New Paltz has an average annual temperature of 50°F (10°C). Winters average 26°F in January while summers reach 73°F in July. Annual precipitation is 52.6 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 36.

Temperature

26°F Jan (-3°C) 73°F Jul (23°C)
Annual Average50.4°F
7% below US avg
January Average26°F (-3°C)
July Average73°F (23°C)

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall52.6 inches
39% above US avg
Snowfall59.2 inches/yr

Air Quality

AQI Median36.0
RatingGood

Geography

Elevation286 ft (87 m)
Area1.8 sq mi (4.6 km²)
Population Density4,561/sq mi
Coordinates41.7499°N, 74.0797°W
County FIPS36111
It is classified as Metro — under 250K. 69.8% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (107% above US avg). In the 2024 election, the county voted Democrat by a 18.7-point margin.

2024 Presidential Election (County)

R 40.7%
D 59.3%

Winner: Democrat by 18.7 points

Education

Bachelor's Degree+69.8%
107% above US avg
High School+98.8%
School Test Score5.39
A+ Education Grade (5.0/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 3Metro — under 250K
Population Density4,561/sq mi
Total Area1.8 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

EV Charging Stations23
Alt Fuel Stations23
Public Libraries22
Healthcare Facilities522
Restaurants622
Retail Stores683

Safety & Disasters

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)16

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute25.0 min
Work from Home12.7%

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