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Clinton County, NY

Plattsburgh

RANK #309 / 996 NAT  ·  #19 / 45 NY  ·  POP 79,839

1YR FORECAST: +1.4%

5YR OUTLOOK: +29%

Our model projects above-average housing market growth for Clinton County at +1.4% over the next year.

[01] Why Clinton County?

Plattsburgh, the county seat of Clinton County, New York, is notable for its significant role in American history, particularly during the War of 1812. The Macdonough Monument stands in Plattsburgh, commemorating a crucial American victory. Located in the northeastern corner of New York, Clinton County borders Quebec, Canada, to the north and Vermont to the east, with Lake Champlain forming much of the eastern boundary. The county is part of the Adirondack Coast, offering access to Lake Champlain and the Adirondack Mountains, providing opportunities for hiking, fishing, boating, and skiing. Commute times average around 20.4 minutes for residents.

Life in Clinton County offers access to natural scenery and outdoor activities. The county is home to Plattsburgh City Beach, one of the largest freshwater beaches in America, and Point Au Roche State Park, which features trails and lake access. Educational institutions include Plattsburgh State University College and Clinton Community College. The economy has seen job growth in recent years, with manufacturing and healthcare being significant employment sectors. There is also ongoing investment in infrastructure and development projects across various sectors.

[02] Market Snapshot

Housing Ratio
3.5x

Undervalued relative to economy

GDP Growth
+2.0%

Below national median

Home Prices
+3.8%

Outpacing national median

Climate & Terrain
-0.3

Below-average climate & terrain

Price/Rent
15x

Above national median (13x)

Housing looks undervalued at 3.5x — home prices are low relative to local economic output. The typical U.S. county is 4–6x.

[03] Top Employers

  1. 1
    University of Vermont Health Network – Champlain Valley Physicians Hospital (CVPH) Healthcare
    5,000+
  2. 2
    Alstom (formerly Bombardier) Manufacturing
    2,500+
  3. 3
    Walmart Retail
  4. 4
    SUNY Plattsburgh Education
    1,000+
  5. 5
    Clinton County Government Government
  6. 6
    Plattsburgh International Airport Logistics
  7. 7
    Mold-Rite Plastics Manufacturing
  8. 8
    Schluter Systems Manufacturing
  9. 9
    Camso (Michelin Group) Manufacturing
  10. 10
    Novabus (Volvo Group) Manufacturing

Estimated local headcount ranges. Larger employers shown as floor + "+"; smaller employers show exact counts where reported.

[04] Home Value Growth vs National

Clinton County U.S. National

The Numbers

DEMOGRAPHICS
Population
79,839
-0.32% YoY
Median Household Income
$67,097
Median Home Value
$165,200
+3.82% 12mo
Median Rent
$944
Average Annual Pay
$59,550
+1.9% YoY
Employment
32,264
-1.4% YoY
Income-to-Home-Value
0.4062
More affordable than average
Migration Inflow
4.09%
of pop. from another state
Bachelor's Degree+
27.2%
of residents (national avg: 33%)

Market Activity

REAL ESTATE
Median Sale Price
$216,500
Days on Market
63
Slower market
Months of Supply
5.5
Buyer's market
Sale-to-List Ratio
97.5%
Negotiation room for buyers
Sold Above List
35.0%
Listings w/ Price Drops
22.7%
Building Permits (2024)
183
Single-Family Permits
117

Source: Redfin · Census BPS — Browse sales on Redfin →

[05] Crime & Safety

B+
SAFETY
GRADE
Firearm Fatalities
5.0
per 100K · nat avg 14.8
Injury Deaths
63.9
per 100K · nat avg 76.3
vs National Average
based on homicide rate

Source: CDC/NCHS vital statistics via County Health Rankings (2020–2022 avg). Rates per 100,000 population. Grade based on homicide rate relative to national average (~6.3). Learn more →

[06] Capital Investment

$1,299M
TOTAL
PROJECT AMOUNT STATUS
Bull Run Wind Energy Center
Invenergy
$449M Proposed
North Country Wind Farm
Terra-Gen
$360M Under Construction
Marble River Wind Farm
EDP Renewables
$215M Operating
Valcour Storage
Undisclosed
$150M Planned
Leo Energy Storage
Undisclosed
$75M Planned
Community Solar Portfolio (Multiple Projects)
Various
$50M Operating/Under Construction

Source: public records, news, corporate announcements. Amounts are estimates where noted.

[07] Score Breakdown

GDP Growth +2.0% 35 percentile
Population Growth -0.3% 15 percentile
Income Growth +7.4% 24 percentile
Vacancy Rate 0.6% 88 percentile
Home Price Change +3.8% 81 percentile
Price/Rent 15x 38 percentile

Bars show percentile rank among all 996 counties.

[08] Frequently Asked Questions

Is Clinton County, NY a good place to move to?

With a Boom Town Index score of 69/100, Clinton County sits in the upper half of all 996 ranked counties. and median household income stands at $67,097 — indicators that suggest solid fundamentals even if it's not among the fastest-growing counties in NY.

Is Clinton County affordable?

By national standards, Clinton County is quite affordable. Homes here have a median value of $165,200, and the income-to-home-value ratio of 0.41 is well above the U.S. average — especially with median rent at just $944/month. Residents can generally buy a home without being cost-burdened.

Is Clinton County growing or shrinking?

Clinton County's job market is contracting (-1.4% YoY) while population is roughly stable (-0.3% change). Home values are +3.8% over the past 12 months. Hiring headwinds without an offsetting exodus — residents are staying, but local employers are shedding payroll.

Are people moving to Clinton County?

There's a moderate stream of newcomers. About 4.09% of residents moved from another state, which is above average and suggests Clinton County has appeal as a relocation destination — though it's not among the highest-inflow counties nationally.

[09] Similar Counties by Size & Score

Cattaraugus County, NY 68 Herkimer County, NY 72 Schenectady County, NY 72 Kings County, NY 66 Onondaga County, NY 73 Wayne County, NY 73 Rutland County, VT 69 Madison County, ID 69