German Flatts
RANK #277 / 996 NAT · #17 / 45 NY · POP 60,293
1YR FORECAST: +1.9%
5YR OUTLOOK: +30%
Herkimer County, located in central New York State, is known for its "Herkimer diamonds," which are unique quartz crystals found in the area. The county sits northwest of Albany and east of Syracuse, with the northern part extending into the Adirondack Park. Commuting within the county is primarily by car, with an average commute time of 25.7 minutes. Bus services are available for longer distances, including routes to New York City. The community offers a blend of small-town warmth and access to outdoor recreation, including hiking trails, lakes, and the historic Erie Canal.
Life in Herkimer County offers affordability and a focus on community. The housing market is generally more accessible than in larger urban areas, appealing to young families, retirees, and remote workers seeking more space. Local school districts, such as Herkimer Central School District and Central Valley Central School District, serve the area. The economy is seeing efforts towards diversification, with recent state grants supporting the redevelopment of the former Remington Arms factory site in Ilion to attract new manufacturers and high-tech employers.
Below national median (4.7x)
Below national median
Below-average climate & terrain
Above national median (13x)
Housing is fairly valued at 4.4x relative to local economic output. The typical U.S. county is 4–6x.
Estimated local headcount ranges. Larger employers shown as floor + "+"; smaller employers show exact counts where reported.
Source: Redfin · Census BPS — Browse sales on Redfin →
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 →
Bars show percentile rank among all 996 counties.
With a Boom Town Index score of 72/100, Herkimer County sits in the upper half of all 996 ranked counties. and median household income stands at $68,104 — indicators that suggest solid fundamentals even if it's not among the fastest-growing counties in NY.
By national standards, Herkimer County is quite affordable. Homes here have a median value of $130,900, and the income-to-home-value ratio of 0.52 is well above the U.S. average — especially with median rent at just $776/month. Residents can generally buy a home without being cost-burdened.
Population and employment in Herkimer County are both close to flat — population -0.5% YoY and jobs +0.4%. Home values shifted +3.5% over the past 12 months. A steady-state county, neither expanding quickly nor shrinking.
There's a moderate stream of newcomers. About 3.02% of residents moved from another state, which is above average and suggests Herkimer County has appeal as a relocation destination — though it's not among the highest-inflow counties nationally.