Rifton, NY
Full City Profile · New York · Ulster County County
2.5
/5.0
C+
Fair
462
Population
373/sq mi density
$2,499
Median Income
$54,498 per capita
$232,500
Home Value
$399,139 Zillow
50°F
Avg Temperature
C+
Overall
2.5 / 5.0
Fair overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
B
Economy
3.4 / 5.0
$2,499 median income, 0.0% unemployment
F
Affordability
1.0 / 5.0
$232,500 home value, /mo rent
B
Education
3.2 / 5.0
27.5% bachelor's degree or higher
Rifton experiences four distinct seasons with an average annual temperature of 50°F (10°C). Winters average 26°F in January while summers reach 73°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 46.2 inches. The area receives 59.2 inches of snow annually.
Temperature
26°F Jan (-3°C)
73°F Jul (23°C)
| Annual Average | 50.4°F |
| 7% below US avg | |
| January Average | 26°F (-3°C) |
| July Average | 73°F (23°C) |
Geography
| Elevation | 296 ft (90 m) |
| Area | 1.2 sq mi (3.1 km²) |
| Population Density | 373/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 41.8297°N, 74.0380°W |
| Timezone | America/New_York |
| County | Ulster County County |
| Nearest Airport | Hudson Valley Regional (POU) 16 miles away |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
Natural Hazard Risk
| Overall Risk | Relatively Moderate |
| Risk Score | 87.7 / 100 |
| Social Vulnerability | 45.2 / 100 |
| Community Resilience | 80.7 / 100 |
Hazard Breakdown
| Tornado | Relatively Moderate |
| Hurricane | Relatively Moderate |
| Earthquake | Relatively Low |
| Wildfire | Very Low |
| Flood | Relatively Moderate |
| Hail | Relatively Moderate |
| Strong Wind | Relatively High |
| Heat Wave | Relatively Low |
| Winter Weather | Relatively Moderate |
| Lightning | Relatively High |
| Ice Storm | Relatively Moderate |
| Drought | Relatively Low |
| Cold Wave | Relatively Moderate |
| Landslide | Relatively Moderate |
| Coastal Flood | Relatively Low |
| Avalanche | Relatively Low |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)
Tsunami History
2 tsunamis recorded within 500 km. Highest wave on record: 0.3 m (1 ft).
| Year | Location | Cause | Max Wave | Deaths | Distance |
| 1964 | LONG ISLAND, NY | Meteorological | 0.3 m | - | 139 km |
| 1895 | HIGH BRIDGE, NJ | Earthquake | - | - | 147 km |
Source: NOAA/NCEI Historical Tsunami Database. Sorted by wave height.
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 26°F (-3°C) | 3.6 in | Coldest |
| February | 29°F (-2°C) | 2.6 in | Driest |
| March | 37°F (3°C) | 3.7 in | |
| April | 49°F (10°C) | 3.6 in | |
| May | 60°F (16°C) | 3.1 in | |
| June | 69°F (20°C) | 4.5 in | |
| July | 73°F (23°C) | 4.3 in | Warmest |
| August | 71°F (22°C) | 4.5 in | |
| September | 64°F (18°C) | 4.6 in | |
| October | 53°F (12°C) | 4.8 in | Wettest |
| November | 42°F (5°C) | 3.3 in | |
| December | 32°F (-0°C) | 3.8 in |
Rifton has a seasonal temperature swing of 47°F / from 26°F in January to 73°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 46.3 inches, with October being the wettest month (4.8") and February the driest (2.6").