County · New York
Ulster County, New York
Ulster County, New York. Ulster County had 183,330 residents in 2025 by the Census Bureau's estimate, up 0.8% since 2020, while New York shrank 1.0%. It holds 58 places (4 cities, villages and boroughs, 20 towns and townships and 34 census-designated) and 50 census tracts. GEOID 36111.
Ulster County is the county of the Kingston, NY metropolitan statistical area (the Census Bureau's July 2023 delineation).
Residents, July 2025 estimate
183,330
Census Bureau estimate (no margin published)
2020 Census count: 181,851 · ACS 2020-2024: 182,601
Median household income
$86,271
±$2,871 (90% margin)
New York: $85,974
Median home value
$352,500
±$6,261 (90% margin)
New York: $423,800
Median gross rent
$1,425
±$48 (90% margin)
New York: $1,621
How many people live in Ulster County, and is it growing?
The 2020 Census counted 181,851 residents in Ulster County. The Census Bureau estimates 183,330 for July 1, 2025, up 0.8% since 2020, while New York shrank 1.0%. The 2020-2024 American Community Survey puts the population at 182,601 over 1,124 square miles of land.
| Measure | Ulster County | New York | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total population | 182,601 | 19,852,366 | +3,936 |
| Households | 74,278±803 | 7,722,646 | +4,958 |
| Average household size | 2.26±0.02 | 2.49 | −0.15 |
| Housing units | 86,503±151 | 8,585,241 | +1,364 |
Ulster County's population since 2000
From 177,749 in 2000 to 183,330 in 2025: up 3.1%. The 2000, 2010 and 2020 figures are census counts. The 2005 figure is the Census Bureau's intercensal estimate, revised to fit the 2000 and 2010 counts and drawn on 2010 boundaries; 2015 and 2025 are July 1 estimates made from the census before them.
Source: The 2000, 2010 and 2020 Census counts and the Census Bureau's population estimates (intercensal 2000-2010, Vintage 2020, Vintage 2025) · Census population estimates
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026); PEP Vintage 2025 (CO-EST2025); 2020 Census · Check it at data.census.gov
What cities and towns are in Ulster County?
Ulster County holds 58 places: 4 cities, villages and boroughs (incorporated places), 20 towns and townships (county subdivisions with their own government) and 34 census-designated places. The largest is Kingston with 23,942 residents (2025 estimate). Places that cross a county line are listed with the share of their 2020 residents who live in this county.
| Kingston | 24,069 | $68,186 |
|---|---|---|
| Saugerties (town) | 19,038 | $78,271 |
| New Paltz (town) | 14,407 | $83,133 |
| Shawangunk (town) | 13,563 | $109,536 |
| Wawarsing (town) | 12,771 | $64,321 |
| Ulster (town) | 12,660 | $79,769 |
| Lloyd (town) | 11,133 | $92,220 |
| Plattekill (town) | 10,424 | $103,045 |
| Esopus (town) | 9,548 | $88,837 |
| Marlborough (town) | 8,712 | $106,627 |
| New Paltz | 7,324 | $52,774 |
| Rochester (town) | 7,272 | $86,691 |
| Highland | 6,385 | $101,917 |
| Woodstock (town) | 6,287 | $92,118 |
| Hurley (town) | 6,178 | $101,099 |
| Rosendale (town) | 5,782 | $71,875 |
| Marbletown (town) | 5,658 | $114,330 |
| Gardiner (town) | 5,610 | $115,234 |
| Olive (town) | 4,226 | $114,018 |
| Ellenville | 4,167 | $42,969 |
| Saugerties | 3,899 | $57,778 |
| Marlboro | 3,699 | $119,318 |
| Port Ewen | 3,678 | $79,386 |
| Hurley | 3,346 | $90,152 |
| Shandaken (town) | 2,866 | $66,031 |
| Lincoln Park | 2,545 | $76,971 |
| Lake Katrine | 2,522 | $72,031 |
| Woodstock | 2,521 | $52,091 |
| Saugerties South | 2,442 | $89,375 |
| Wallkill | 2,166 | $103,571 |
| Glasco | 2,013 | $61,321 |
| Clintondale | 1,938 | $76,071 |
| West Hurley | 1,917 | $93,789 |
| Kerhonkson | 1,722 | $78,459 |
| WatchtowerGEOID 3678487 | 1,709 | not published |
| Milton (Ulster County) | 1,650 | $87,763 |
| Tillson | 1,516 | $98,750 |
| PlattekillGEOID 3658541 | 1,296 | $107,813 |
| RosendaleGEOID 3663725 | 1,285 | $70,858 |
| Walker Valley | 1,269 | $119,625 |
| Stone Ridge | 1,234 | $127,601 |
| NapanochGEOID 3649418 | 1,131 | $68,250 |
| ShokanGEOID 3667081 | 1,075 | $137,361 |
| ZenaGEOID 3684187 | 1,038 | $154,250 |
| GardinerGEOID 3628244 | 952 | $112,411 |
| Kingston (town) | 933 | $73,125 |
| RubyGEOID 3664056 | 918 | $104,831 |
| HillsideGEOID 3634786 | 860 | $141,964 |
| High FallsGEOID 3634451 | 700 | not published |
| AccordGEOID 3600155 | 573 | $107,614 |
| Denning (town) | 493 | $86,250 |
| RiftonGEOID 3661797 | 481 | $2,500 or less |
| CragsmoorGEOID 3618762 | 433 | $79,618 |
| Malden-on-HudsonGEOID 3644677 | 365 | not published |
| East KingstonGEOID 3622370 | 277 | $68,194 |
| Pine HillGEOID 3658057 | 275 | $87,039 |
| PhoeniciaGEOID 3657650 | 268 | not published |
| Hardenburgh (town)GEOID 3611132116 | 221 | $69,028 |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026); 2020 place-by-county parts · Check it at data.census.gov
Who lives in Ulster County?
The median resident of Ulster County is 44.1 years old; 17.1% are under 18 and 21.3% are 65 or older. The largest group is non-Hispanic white residents at 72.4%, then Hispanic or Latino residents (of any race) at 12.2%. 8.1% of residents were born outside the United States.
| Measure | Ulster County | New York | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 44.1±0.2 | 39.8 | no clear change |
| Under 18 years | 17.1% | 20.5% | – |
| 65 years and over | 21.3% | 17.9% | – |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 12.2% | 19.8% | +2.0 pts |
| White alone, not Hispanic | 72.4%±0.9 pts | 52.8% | −6.7 pts |
| Black or African American alone, not Hispanic | 5.7%±0.3 pts | 13.4% | no clear change |
| Asian alone, not Hispanic | 2.1%±0.2 pts | 9.0% | no clear change |
| American Indian and Alaska Native alone, not Hispanic | 0.0%±0.1 pts | 0.2% | – |
| Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander alone, not Hispanic | 0.0%±0.1 pts | 0.0% | – |
| Two or more races, not Hispanic | 6.3%±0.9 pts | 3.8% | – |
| Some other race alone, not Hispanic | 1.3%±0.5 pts | 1.0% | – |
| Born outside the United States | 8.1%±0.7 pts | 22.8% | no clear change |
| Speak a language other than English at home (age 5+) | 12.1%±0.8 pts | 30.9% | – |
| Civilian veterans (age 18+) | 4.3%±0.3 pts | 3.7% | – |
| With a disability | 14.3%±0.7 pts | 12.6% | – |
| No health insurance coverage | 6.9%±0.8 pts | 5.1% | +1.5 pts |
| High school graduate or higher (age 25+) | 92.2%±0.7 pts | 88.0% | – |
| Bachelor's degree or higher (age 25+) | 38.2%±1.2 pts | 40.2% | +5.7 pts |
| Graduate or professional degree (age 25+) | 17.5%±0.8 pts | 17.9% | – |
| Moved from another state in the past year | 1.4%±0.4 pts | 1.5% | – |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profiles DP02, DP05) · Check it at data.census.gov
What do households in Ulster County earn?
Half of Ulster County's 74,278 households earn less than $86,271 a year (±$2,871), against $85,974 in New York. In 2015-2019 the median was $79,139 in 2024 dollars, so it rose by $7,132 after inflation. 14.6% of residents live below the poverty line.
| Measure | Ulster County | New York | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median household income | $86,271±$2,871 | $85,974 | +$7,132 |
| Mean household income | $117,353±$3,718 | $128,247 | – |
| Per capita income | $47,778±$1,445 | $50,712 | +$4,908 |
| People below the poverty line | 14.6%±0.9 pts | 14.0% | no clear change |
| Children under 18 below the poverty line | 13.5%±2.6 pts | 18.3% | −3.7 pts |
| Households receiving SNAP | 9.8%±0.9 pts | 15.6% | – |
| Households with a broadband subscription | 92.4%±0.8 pts | 90.8% | – |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profile DP03) · Check it at data.census.gov
What does housing cost in Ulster County?
Owners occupy 69.9% of Ulster County's occupied homes and renters 30.1%. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $352,500 by its owner (±$6,261). The median renter pays $1,425 a month including utilities, and 49.6% of renters pay 35% or more of their income on rent.
| Measure | Ulster County | New York | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median home value (owner-occupied) | $352,500±$6,261 | $423,800 | +$68,825 |
| Median gross rent | $1,425±$48 | $1,621 | +$56 |
| Renters paying 35% or more of income on rent | 49.6%±3.3 pts | 43.1% | no clear change |
| Median monthly owner costs, with a mortgage | $2,287±$50 | $2,555 | – |
| Owner-occupied homes | 69.9%±1.5 pts | 54.3% | no clear change |
| Housing units | 86,503±151 | 8,585,241 | +1,364 |
| Homeowner vacancy rate | 1.1%±0.4 pts | 1.1% | – |
| Rental vacancy rate | 4.9%±1.3 pts | 3.8% | – |
| Single-family detached homes | 67.8%±1.3 pts | 41.2% | – |
| Mobile homes | 5.8%±0.7 pts | 2.1% | – |
| Built 2020 or later | 0.9%±0.3 pts | 0.8% | – |
| Built 1939 or earlier | 26.5%±1.4 pts | 30.3% | – |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profile DP04) · Check it at data.census.gov
How many new homes is Ulster County building?
Builders took permits for 434 new housing units across Ulster County in 2025 (273 single-family), 2.4 per 1,000 residents.
Source: Building Permits Survey, annual county files 2019-2025, U.S. Census Bureau · Census Building Permits Survey
How do people in Ulster County get to work?
68.9% of Ulster County's workers drive alone and 17.6% work from home. The average trip to work takes 27.5 minutes. The unemployment rate in 2020-2024 averaged 5.4%.
| Measure | Ulster County | New York | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| In the labor force (age 16+) | 58.1%±0.9 pts | 62.7% | – |
| Unemployment rate | 5.4%±0.9 pts | 6.4% | no clear change |
| Drove alone to work | 68.9%±1.5 pts | 48.8% | – |
| Carpooled | 6.5%±0.8 pts | 6.3% | – |
| Public transportation | 1.9%±0.4 pts | 21.6% | – |
| Walked | 3.3%±0.6 pts | 5.6% | – |
| Worked from home | 17.6%±1.1 pts | 14.9% | +9.6 pts |
| Mean travel time to work | 27.5 min±0.8 | 32.6 min | −1.5 min |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profile DP03) · Check it at data.census.gov
What are Ulster County's census tracts?
Ulster County is divided into 50 census tracts. Among those with a reliable estimate, median household income runs from $51,221 (Tract 9524) to $146,824 (Tract 9544.01).
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) · Check it at data.census.gov
How does Ulster County compare with New York's other counties?
| Measure | Rank |
|---|---|
| Population | 20th of 62 |
| Growth 2020-2025 | 16th of 62 |
| Residents per square mile | 26th of 62 |
| Median household income | 12th of 62 |
| Median home value | 13th of 62 |
| Median gross rent | 13th of 62 |
| Poverty rate | 17th of 62 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 15th of 62 |
| Median age | 14th of 62 |
Source: PlainCities ranks from the American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) and PEP Vintage 2025 · How ranks are computed
How these figures are made: methodology and release checks · reading a margin of error · every state · corrections
Not on this page: crime, weather and schools for Ulster County are other agencies' records. Crime: the FBI's Crime Data Explorer · climate: NOAA's U.S. Climate Normals · schools: the National Center for Education Statistics' school search.