Thompson
RANK #385 / 996 NAT · #24 / 45 NY · POP 78,725
1YR FORECAST: +2.6%
5YR OUTLOOK: +26%
Sullivan County, New York, distinguishes itself as the historic home of the 1969 Woodstock Festival, a legacy honored today by the Bethel Woods Center for the Arts. Located in the Catskill Mountains, about 90 minutes northwest of New York City, the county offers a blend of rural charm and natural beauty. Rolling hills, lakes, and the Delaware River provide extensive outdoor recreation opportunities, including hiking, fishing, kayaking, and camping. Towns like Livingston Manor, Roscoe, Callicoon, and Narrowsburg feature local shops, art galleries, and farm-to-table dining, contributing to a community atmosphere.
Life in Sullivan County attracts a mix of residents, including those seeking a quieter lifestyle, remote workers, and families. The county's public school districts include Eldred, Fallsburg, Liberty, Livingston Manor, Monticello, Roscoe, Sullivan West, and Tri-Valley. Commute times to New York City by car are around two hours, with bus services also available. The economy is seeing new investments, particularly in sectors such as professional and business services, private education and health services, and leisure and hospitality. The Sullivan County International Airport has also undergone modernization, aiming to support tourism and economic growth.
Above national median (4.7x)
Below national median
Above national median
Moderate climate & terrain
Housing is fairly valued at 5.0x 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 →
| PROJECT | AMOUNT | STATUS |
|---|---|---|
|
Heartland Industrial Park Data Center Campus
Undisclosed (first tenant is a $65B private investment)
|
$65,000M | Under Construction |
|
Town Line Solar and Battery Storage
RWE Solar Development, LLC
|
$200M | Active in Interconnection Queue |
|
Community Solar Portfolio (Multiple Projects)
Various (e.g., Scale Sustainable I, LLC, Bullrock-NxtGenREA, Delaware River Solar LLC)
|
$50M | Operating/Under Construction |
|
Sullivan County Broadband Project (ConnectALL)
Archtop Fiber (in partnership with Sullivan County)
|
$30M | Under Construction |
Source: public records, news, corporate announcements. Amounts are estimates where noted.
Bars show percentile rank among all 996 counties.
With a Boom Town Index score of 61/100, Sullivan County sits in the upper half of all 996 ranked counties. and median household income stands at $67,841 — indicators that suggest solid fundamentals even if it's not among the fastest-growing counties in NY.
Housing in Sullivan County is roughly in line with national affordability norms. The median home costs $220,200 and the income-to-home-value ratio sits at 0.31, with rents averaging $996/month. Not a bargain, but not a stretch for most local earners either.
Sullivan County's population is growing — up +0.6% YoY — while the job market is roughly flat (employment change of +0.3%). Home values shifted +1.5% 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 3.33% of residents moved from another state, which is above average and suggests Sullivan County has appeal as a relocation destination — though it's not among the highest-inflow counties nationally.