Ulster County, New York Demographics 2026

Population Overview

Ulster County is located in New York with a total population of 182,109. It is the 20th most populous county out of 62 in New York. The county encompasses 1 Census-designated place.

Age Demographics

The median age in Ulster County is 44.2 years. This is 12% higher than the state median of 39.6 years.

Economy, Income & Housing

The median household income in Ulster County is $81,804. This is 3% lower than the state median of $84,578. Compared to the national median of $78,538, household income here is 4% higher. The poverty rate stands at 14.3%. This is 5% higher than the state poverty rate of 13.7%. The unemployment rate is 5.1%. This is 18% lower than the state rate of 6.2%. The median home value is $315,100. Housing costs are 22% lower than the state median of $403,000. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.9x. 70.0% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 29% higher than the state average of 54.3%.

Race & Ethnicity

The largest racial or ethnic group in Ulster County is White (non-Hispanic), making up 73.5% of the population. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 11.8%. The Black or African American population (5.7%) is well below the state average of 13.6%. The Asian population (2.0%) is well below the state average of 8.8%.

Education

37.0% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 6% lower than the state rate of 39.6%. Nationally, 35.0% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 91.8%. Notably, 16.9% of adults hold a graduate or professional degree, indicating a highly educated workforce.