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Rifton, NY

New York · Metropolitan Area

Rifton is a small town in New York with a population of 462. Residents earn $2,499 per year, which is 97% below the national average.

2.1 /5.0
C Fair
462 Population 373/sq mi density
$2,499 Median Income $54,498 per capita
$232,500 Home Value
50°F Avg Temperature 271 sunny days/yr
C
Overall
2.1 / 5.0
Fair overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
C
Economy
2.2 / 5.0
$2,499 median income, 0.0% unemployment
F
Affordability
1.0 / 5.0
$232,500 home value
B
Education
3.2 / 5.0
27.5% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $2,499
97% lower than US avg
Home Value $232,500
18% lower than US avg
Bachelor's+ 27.5%
18% lower than US avg
Obesity Rate 31.8%
1% lower than US avg
Unemployment 0.0%
100% lower than US avg
Poverty Rate 44.6%
260% higher than US avg

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

People

Population462
Median Age58.7 yrs
Density373/mi²
Male / Female38% / 62%
Largest GroupWhite 83%
Veterans0.0%

Economy

C
Median Income$2,499
Per Capita$54,498
Unemployment0.0%
Poverty44.6%
County GDP$10,454M
Commute37 min

Housing

F
Home Value$232,500
RentN/A
OwnershipN/A
Housing Units465
Rent Burden33.2%

Health

Obesity31.8%
Uninsured6.3%
Smoking13.8%
Depression20.7%
Heart Disease5.8%

Climate

Avg Temp50°F (10°C)
AQI36 (Good)
Rain52.6 in/yr
Sunny Days271/yr
Elevation296 ft (90 m)

Education

B
Bachelor's+27.5%
High School+100.0%
Graduate+17.2%
School Score5.39

Community

2024 VoteR 41% / D 59%
Commute37 min
Broadband96.4%
Libraries22

Is Rifton a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, Rifton receives an overall livability score of 2.1 out of 5.0, earning a grade of C. Key strengths include low unemployment, affordable housing, abundant sunshine, strong internet connectivity. Areas to be aware of include an elevated poverty rate, below-average incomes, long commute times. Rifton has some notable strengths but also faces challenges that prospective residents should consider.

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in Rifton is $2,499, 97% below the national average of $75,149. The job market is very strong with unemployment at just 0.0%. The poverty rate of 44.6% exceeds the national average of 12.4%, indicating economic hardship for a significant portion of the population. Workers commute an average of 37 minutes, longer than the typical American commute of 28 minutes.

Cost of Living & Housing

The median home value in Rifton is $232,500, 18% below the national median — offering relatively affordable homeownership. With a home price-to-income ratio of 93x, housing affordability is a significant challenge for many families.

Education

27.5% of residents hold a bachelor's degree, below the national average of 33.7%. 100.0% have completed high school. Area schools have an average test score of 5.4/10.

Climate & Weather

Rifton experiences four distinct seasons with an average temperature of 50°F. Winters average 26°F in January while summers reach 73°F in July. With 271 sunny days per year, residents enjoy well above the national average of sunshine. Annual precipitation totals 52.6 inches, including 59.2 inches of snow. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 36.

Rifton has a population of 462 with a density of 373 people per square mile. The median age is 58.7 years, 51% older than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly White (83.1%), with 8.7% Hispanic, 5% Black.

Population

462
Total Population
373
People / sq mi
58.7yrs
Median Age
51% above US avg
1.2mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 37.7%
Female 62.3%

Race & Ethnicity

Rifton vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

English Only100.0%
27% above US avg
Spanish0.0%
100% below US avg

Social Characteristics

Rifton vs U.S. Average

The median household income in Rifton is $2,499, which is 97% below the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 0.0% (below the 3.6% US average). 44.6% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 37 minutes.

Income: Rifton vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$2,499
97% below US avg
Per Capita Income$54,498
Avg Weekly Wage$1,176
IRS Avg AGI$86,783

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment0.0%
100% below US avg
Poverty Rate44.6%
260% 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
Cost of Living107.90 (100=avg)
Effective Tax Rate4.20%

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time36.5 min
Drive Alone74.5%
Public Transit0.0%
Work from Home25.5%

Walkability

The median home value in Rifton is $232,500, 18% below the national average.

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$232,500
18% below US avg

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

$/Sq Ft$264
Homes Sold1
Sale-to-List Ratio96.1%
Price Drops0.0%
Inventory3

Rental Costs

Rent Burden33.2%

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-Occupied82.2%
Housing Units465
Median Year Built1938

Property Tax

Avg Tax (IRS)$9,767
179% above US avg
Effective Rate4.20%
In Rifton, 31.8% of adults are obese (below the 32.1% national rate). 6.3% of residents lack health insurance. 13.8% are current smokers. 20.7% report depression. 23.1% are physically inactive.

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

Chronic Conditions

Obesity31.8%
1% below US avg
Diabetes9.3%
Heart Disease5.8%
High Blood Pressure33.5%
Asthma10.4%
COPD6.6%
Cancer7.7%
Stroke3.0%

Behaviors & Mental Health

Smoking13.8%
1% below US avg
Binge Drinking18.4%
Physical Inactivity23.1%
Depression20.7%
Mental Distress16.9%
Physical Distress13.0%
Short Sleep38.9%

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate63.0%
Uninsured6.3%
27% below US avg
Checkup Rate78.0%
Dental Visits60.3%
Premature Death7,045/100K

Food & Exercise

Food Environment8.1/10
Exercise Access81.0%
Healthcare Facilities522
Rifton 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. The area enjoys 271 sunny days per year. 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)
Sunny Days271 days/yr

Precipitation & Snow

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

Air Quality

AQI Median36.0
RatingGood

Geography

Elevation296 ft (90 m)
Area1.2 sq mi (3.2 km²)
Population Density373/sq mi
Coordinates41.8297°N, 74.0380°W
TimezoneAmerica/New_York
County FIPS36111
It is classified as Metro — under 250K. 27.5% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (18% below US avg). In the 2024 election, the county voted Democrat by a 18.7-point margin. 96.4% of households have broadband internet.

2024 Presidential Election (County)

R 40.7%
D 59.3%

Winner: Democrat by 18.7 points

Education

Bachelor's Degree+27.5%
18% below US avg
High School+100.0%
Graduate Degree+17.2%
School Test Score5.39
B Education Grade (3.2/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 3Metro — under 250K
Population Density373/sq mi
Total Area1.2 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

Broadband Access96.4%
Public Libraries22
Healthcare Facilities522
Restaurants622
Retail Stores683

Safety & Disasters

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)16

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute36.5 min
Drive Alone74.5%
Public Transit0.0%
Work from Home25.5%

Nearby Cities

Tillson, NY 1,799 pop · 1.8 mi Hurley, NY 3,420 pop · 5.7 mi New Paltz, NY 8,028 pop · 5.9 mi Port Ewen, NY 3,402 pop · 6.0 mi Stone Ridge, NY 1,970 pop · 6.1 mi Hyde Park, NY 2,100 pop · 6.2 mi Kingston, NY 23,942 pop · 7.3 mi Highland, NY 6,321 pop · 8.4 mi Haviland, NY 3,694 pop · 8.5 mi Lincoln Park, NY 2,406 pop · 9.0 mi Marist College, NY 2,300 pop · 9.2 mi Fairview CDP (Dutchess County), NY 6,454 pop · 9.3 mi Rhinebeck, NY 2,674 pop · 9.5 mi Clintondale, NY 1,682 pop · 9.6 mi
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