RANK #32 / 996 NAT · #1 / 45 NY · POP 118,037
1YR FORECAST: +5.3%
5YR OUTLOOK: +41%
Oswego County, New York, distinguishes itself with its position on the southeastern shore of Lake Ontario, offering residents access to extensive freshwater recreation and scenic views. The city of Oswego, the county seat, serves as a major port on the Great Lakes and is home to SUNY Oswego. Commutes within the county are generally short, with an average one-way time of 17 minutes in Oswego city. The county's landscape, featuring dense forests, rivers, and waterfalls, provides opportunities for fishing, snowmobiling, hiking, and boating. Public transit options, including Oswego County Public Transit (OPT) and connections to Centro bus services, facilitate travel throughout the area.
Life in Oswego County offers a blend of suburban and rural communities, appealing to families and individuals seeking a connection to the outdoors. The local economy is influenced by its energy production, with two nuclear power plants and multiple hydroelectric facilities located within the county. Recent economic developments include investments in advanced manufacturing and downtown revitalization projects in cities like Oswego and Fulton. These initiatives aim to strengthen the workforce and attract new businesses, contributing to job growth and infrastructure enhancements.
Above national median
Below-average climate & terrain
Housing looks undervalued at 2.2x — home prices are low 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 →
Source: EPA Air Quality System (2021–2023). Grade based on 3-year average median AQI. Learn about AQI →
Bars show percentile rank among all 996 counties.
Oswego County ranks #32 out of 996 U.S. counties on the Boom Town Index with a score of 97/100, putting it in the top tier nationally. Job growth of +1.2% and a median household income of $65,054 point to a county with active economic momentum.
By national standards, Oswego County is quite affordable. Homes here have a median value of $131,800, and the income-to-home-value ratio of 0.49 is well above the U.S. average — especially with median rent at just $899/month. Residents can generally buy a home without being cost-burdened.
Employers in Oswego County are hiring — job growth of +1.2% — but the population is close to flat (+0.0% YoY). Home values moved +3.2% over the past year. Labor demand is outpacing local population growth, which tends to tighten wages and housing.
There's a moderate stream of newcomers. About 4.4% of residents moved from another state, which is above average and suggests Oswego County has appeal as a relocation destination — though it's not among the highest-inflow counties nationally.