RANK #513 / 1001 NAT · #37 / 45 NY · POP 406,616
1YR FORECAST: +2.6%
5YR OUTLOOK: +18%
Orange County, New York, is often recognized for the United States Military Academy at West Point, a prominent landmark overlooking the Hudson River. Located approximately 60 miles north of Midtown Manhattan, the county offers a blend of suburban and rural living. Commute options to New York City include Metro-North Railroad's Port Jervis Line and express bus services, with average commute times around 33.5 minutes for county residents. The landscape features mountains, rivers, and lakes, providing opportunities for outdoor recreation like hiking, biking, and rafting on the Delaware River.
Life in Orange County appeals to families and those seeking a balance between natural scenery and accessibility to urban centers. Towns like Warwick, Cornwall, and Chester offer walkable village centers with local shops and restaurants. The public school systems in districts such as Monroe-Woodbury, Warwick Valley, and Cornwall Central are noted for their academic programs. Economically, the county is leveraging its logistical infrastructure, including New York Stewart International Airport, to attract advanced manufacturing, life sciences, and clean technology industries. Tourism also plays a significant role, with attractions like LEGOLAND New York Resort and Storm King Art Center contributing to the local economy.
Orange County is one of 110 U.S. counties in this market profile — near the profile average on the BoomTown Index. Within this cohort, its recent home-price change of +4.0% runs above the profile's typical +2.4%.
See all 110 Educated Suburban Growth counties →Overvalued relative to economy
Moderate climate & terrain
Below national median (15x)
Housing looks overvalued at 15.9x — home prices are high 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.
Bars show trailing 12-month growth. The dashed Forecast bars are the model's next-12-month projection; the whisker marks the ±1% range (cooling–accelerating).
Source: Redfin · Census BPS — Browse sales on Redfin →
Source: Homicide rates from CDC/NCHS vital-statistics mortality data — a multi-year average that stabilizes counts in smaller counties — compiled in the County Health Rankings 2025 release. Rates per 100,000 population; U.S. average ≈ 6.5. Grade reflects homicide rate relative to the national average. Learn more →
See where Orange County stands nationally: safest large counties in America · highest homicide-rate counties · counties where safety is improving.
Source: EPA Air Quality System (2021–2023). Grade based on 3-year average median AQI. Learn about AQI →
Bars show percentile rank among all 1001 counties.
Orange County scores 48/100 on the Boom Town Index, landing in the middle of the pack among 1001 U.S. counties (#513). Median household income is $97,178 and job growth is running at -0.4%. The data points to a county with mixed signals — some positive indicators alongside areas that lag faster-growing peers.
Housing in Orange County is roughly in line with national affordability norms. The median home costs $387,900 and the income-to-home-value ratio sits at 0.25, with rents averaging $1,680/month. Not a bargain, but not a stretch for most local earners either.
Orange County's population is growing — up +0.7% YoY — while the job market is roughly flat (employment change of -0.4%). Home values shifted +4.0% over the past year. In-migration is outpacing local hiring, which often points to remote workers or retirees driving the headcount.
There's a moderate stream of newcomers. About 2.97% of residents moved from another state, which is above average and suggests Orange County has appeal as a relocation destination — though it's not among the highest-inflow counties nationally.