RANK #612 / 1001 NAT · #40 / 45 NY · POP 341,883
1YR FORECAST: +1.3%
5YR OUTLOOK: +27%
Nyack, a village known for its artistic and cultural scene, offers a glimpse into Rockland County's distinctive character, with unique shops, diverse cuisine, and art galleries. Located just 30 miles north of New York City, Rockland County provides a suburban environment with convenient access to urban amenities. The commute to New York City is feasible by train, bus, or car, typically taking around an hour or less. The county is characterized by its hilly terrain and extensive parklands, with nearly a third of its area dedicated to parks. Notable outdoor spaces include Bear Mountain State Park and Harriman State Park, offering hiking, biking, and scenic views of the Hudson River.
Life in Rockland County balances suburban tranquility with access to city opportunities, appealing to families and professionals. The county's public schools are highly rated, contributing to its appeal for families. Recent economic developments show investment in various sectors, including advanced manufacturing, financial services, and data infrastructure. These investments aim to create stable, well-paying jobs and expand employment opportunities for residents. While housing affordability remains a concern, the county benefits from its proximity to New York City and ongoing business activity across the Hudson Valley.
Rockland County is one of 110 U.S. counties in this market profile — weaker than typical on the BoomTown Index. Within this cohort, its recent home-price change of +3.5% runs above the profile's typical +2.4%.
See all 110 Educated Suburban Growth counties →Overvalued relative to economy
Moderate climate & terrain
Above national median (15x)
Housing looks overvalued at 21.9x — 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: 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 →
| PROJECT | AMOUNT | STATUS |
|---|---|---|
|
Bloomberg-RDC 8 Data Center
Bloomberg / Russo Development
|
$840M | Operating |
|
Databank Data Center (Phase I)
Databank
|
$200M | Operating |
|
Databank Data Center (Phase II)
Databank
|
$200M | Proposed |
|
Amazon Logistics Delivery Station
Amazon
|
$50M | Operating |
|
Envision Rockland Comprehensive Plan Implementation
Rockland County Department of Planning
|
$50M | Planned |
Source: public records, news, corporate announcements. Amounts are estimates where noted.
Bars show percentile rank among all 1001 counties.
At 38/100, Rockland County faces headwinds that place it in the lower third of the 1001 counties we track. Median income of $109,959 combined with job growth of -0.1% suggests the local economy is struggling to keep pace with national trends.
Rockland County leans toward the expensive side. A median home value of $596,900 against an income-to-home-value ratio of 0.18 means housing eats a bigger share of local earnings than the national norm. Renters face $1,901/month on average.
Rockland County's population is growing — up +0.9% YoY — while the job market is roughly flat (employment change of -0.1%). Home values shifted +3.5% 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 2.32% of residents moved from another state, which is above average and suggests Rockland County has appeal as a relocation destination — though it's not among the highest-inflow counties nationally.