Oswego, NY

New York · Metropolitan Area

Oswego is a small city in New York with a population of 17,028. Residents earn $53,286 per year, which is 29% below the national average.

3.2 /5.0
B Good
17,028 Population 2,238/sq mi density
$53,286 Median Income $31,339 per capita
$114,600 Home Value
$1,031 Median Rent
49°F Avg Temperature
276 Violent Crime/100K 3,467 property/100K
B
Overall
3.2 / 5.0
Good overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
B
Economy
3.4 / 5.0
$53,286 median income, 3.3% unemployment
A+
Affordability
5.0 / 5.0
$114,600 home value, $1,031/mo rent
F
Safety
1.0 / 5.0
276 violent crimes/100K (27% below avg)
B
Education
3.3 / 5.0
28.5% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $53,286
29% lower than US avg
Home Value $114,600
59% lower than US avg
Violent Crime 276/100K
27% lower than US avg
Bachelor's+ 28.5%
15% lower than US avg
Median Rent $1,031
11% lower than US avg
Obesity Rate 37.7%
17% higher than US avg
Unemployment 3.3%
8% lower than US avg
Poverty Rate 14.2%
15% higher than US avg

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

People

Population17,028
Median Age35.6 yrs
Density2,238/mi²
Male / Female50% / 50%
Largest GroupWhite 91%

Economy

B
Median Income$53,286
Per Capita$31,339
Unemployment3.3%
Poverty14.2%
County GDP$9,256M
Commute18 min

Housing

A+
Home Value$114,600
Rent$1,031
OwnershipN/A

Crime

F
Violent276/100K
Property3,467/100K
Murder0.0/100K
Assault171/100K
Burglary569/100K

Health

Obesity37.7%
UninsuredN/A
Depression22.8%
Heart Disease6.0%

Climate

Avg Temp49°F
AQI32 (Good)
Rain43.1 in/yr
Elevation304 ft

Education

B
Bachelor's+28.5%
High School+92.0%
School Score5.13

Community

2024 VoteR 62% / D 38%
Commute18 min
EV Stations20
Libraries11

Is Oswego a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, Oswego receives an overall livability score of 3.2 out of 5.0, earning a grade of B. Key strengths include low unemployment, low crime rates, affordable housing, high health insurance coverage. Areas to be aware of include below-average incomes. Oswego offers a solid quality of life with a good balance of affordability, safety, and opportunity.

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in Oswego is $53,286, 29% below the national average of $75,149. Unemployment stands at 3.3%, indicating a healthy job market. 14.2% of residents live in poverty, near the national average of 12.4%. Workers commute an average of 18 minutes, shorter than most U.S. cities.

Cost of Living & Housing

The median home value in Oswego is $114,600, 59% below the national median — offering relatively affordable homeownership. Renters pay a median of $1,031 per month, below the national average — a plus for affordability. At just 2.2x median income, home prices are very affordable relative to local earnings.

Safety & Crime

Violent crime in Oswego is below the national average at 276 per 100,000 residents (U.S. avg: 380). Property crime occurs at a rate of 3,467 per 100,000, 77% above the national average.

Education

28.5% of residents hold a bachelor's degree, below the national average of 33.7%. 92.0% have completed high school. Area schools have an average test score of 5.1/10.

Climate & Weather

Oswego experiences four distinct seasons with an average temperature of 49°F. Winters average 25°F in January while summers reach 72°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 43.1 inches, including 140.1 inches of snow. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 32.

Oswego has a population of 17,028 with a density of 2,238 people per square mile. The median age is 35.6 years, 8% younger than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly White (90.8%), with 1.2% Black.

Population

17,028
Total Population
2,238
People / sq mi
35.6yrs
Median Age
8% below US avg
7.6mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 50.1%
Female 49.9%

Race & Ethnicity

Oswego vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

English Only95.2%
21% above US avg
Spanish4.8%
64% below US avg

Social Characteristics

Oswego vs U.S. Average

The median household income in Oswego is $53,286, which is 29% below the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 3.3% (below the 3.6% US average). 14.2% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 18 minutes.

Income: Oswego vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$53,286
29% below US avg
Per Capita Income$31,339
Avg Weekly Wage$1,195
IRS Avg AGI$64,442

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment3.3%
8% below US avg
Poverty Rate14.2%
15% above US avg
Establishments (County)2,324
County GDP$9,256M

Business (County)

Restaurants277
Healthcare193
Retail338
Manufacturing78

Tax & Cost of Living

Property Tax (IRS)$6,555
87% above US avg
Effective Tax Rate5.72%

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time18.3 min
Work from Home8.0%

Walkability

The median home value in Oswego is $114,600, 59% below the national average. Monthly rent averages $1,031 (11% below US avg).

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$114,600
59% below US avg
Median List Price$174,900

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Median List Price$174,900
$/Sq Ft$109
Homes Sold14
Sale-to-List Ratio95.6%
Price Drops14.3%
Inventory28

Rental Costs

Census Median Rent$1,031
11% below US avg
Zillow Rent (ZORI)$1,378

HUD Fair Market Rent

Studio$995
1 Bedroom$1,123
2 Bedrooms$1,392
3 Bedrooms$1,691
4 Bedrooms$1,848

Ownership & Property

Owner-Occupied51.4%

Property Tax

Avg Tax (IRS)$6,555
87% above US avg
Effective Rate5.72%
In Oswego, 37.7% of adults are obese (above the 32.1% national rate). 22.8% report depression. 28.6% are physically inactive.

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

Chronic Conditions

Obesity37.7%
17% above US avg
Diabetes10.0%
Heart Disease6.0%
High Blood Pressure32.2%
Asthma11.6%
COPD7.6%
Stroke3.2%

Behaviors & Mental Health

Binge Drinking18.4%
Physical Inactivity28.6%
Depression22.8%
Mental Distress19.2%
Physical Distress14.3%

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate95.7%
Checkup Rate78.9%
Premature Death9,165/100K

Food & Exercise

Food Environment8.1/10
Exercise Access65.6%
Healthcare Facilities193
Oswego has a violent crime rate of 276 per 100,000 residents, 27% below the national average of 380. Property crime stands at 3,467 per 100,000 (77% above US avg). The murder rate is 0.0 per 100,000.

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

Violent Crime

Total Violent276.0/100K
27% below US avg
Murder0.0/100K
100% below US avg
Rape66.3/100K
Robbery38.7/100K
Assault171.2/100K

Property Crime

Total Property3,467.1/100K
77% above US avg
Burglary568.7/100K
Theft2,859.8/100K
Vehicle Theft38.7/100K
Arson11.0/100K

Traffic Safety

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)9

Safety Score

Safety GradeF
Safety Score1.0 / 5.0
Oswego has an average annual temperature of 49°F (9°C). Winters average 25°F in January while summers reach 72°F in July. Annual precipitation is 43.1 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 32.

Temperature

25°F Jan (-4°C) 72°F Jul (22°C)
Annual Average48.7°F
10% below US avg
January Average25°F (-4°C)
July Average72°F (22°C)

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall43.1 inches
14% above US avg
Snowfall140.1 inches/yr

Air Quality

AQI Median32.0
RatingGood
Good Days %98.3%
Unhealthy Days0

Geography

Elevation304 ft (93 m)
Area7.6 sq mi (19.7 km²)
Population Density2,238/sq mi
Coordinates43.4581°N, 76.5037°W
County FIPS36075
It is classified as Metro — 250K–1M. 28.5% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (15% below US avg). In the 2024 election, the county voted Republican by a 24.2-point margin.

2024 Presidential Election (County)

R 62.1%
D 37.9%

Winner: Republican by 24.2 points

Education

Bachelor's Degree+28.5%
15% below US avg
High School+92.0%
School Test Score5.13
B Education Grade (3.3/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 2Metro — 250K–1M
Population Density2,238/sq mi
Total Area7.6 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

EV Charging Stations20
Alt Fuel Stations20
Public Libraries11
Healthcare Facilities193
Restaurants277
Retail Stores338

Safety & Disasters

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)9
F Safety Grade (1.0/5.0)

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute18.3 min
Work from Home8.0%

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