Population 117,953 · Census ACS 2020–24
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Population and households in Oswego County
Household size in Oswego County
| Period | Oswego County | Syracuse area | New York | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 2.55 | 2.51 | 2.68 | 2.68 |
| 2010–14 | 2.58 | 2.50 | 2.72 | 2.73 |
| 2015–19 | 2.48 | 2.46 | 2.69 | 2.71 |
| 2020–24 | 2.42 | 2.34 | 2.65 | 2.65 |
| Change | −0.13 | −0.17 | −0.03 | −0.03 |
Households in Oswego County run small, averaging 2.42 people against 2.65 nationally, which usually means more singles and couples and fewer children. Still, the typical household here is bigger than in the wider Syracuse area, where it has 2.34 people. Household size has dropped from 2.55 in 2006–10, a much bigger shift than nationally.
Household size: the average number of people living in each occupied home. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25010).
Median age in Oswego County
| Period | Oswego County | Syracuse area | New York | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 38.3 | 38.9 | 38.3 | 37.7 |
| 2010–14 | 39.5 | 39.7 | 39.0 | 38.6 |
| 2015–19 | 40.7 | 40.7 | 40.2 | 39.6 |
| 2020–24 | 41.6 | 41.4 | 40.8 | 40.1 |
| Change | +3.3 | +2.5 | +2.5 | +2.3 |
Oswego County skews a little older than the country: its median age is 41.6, against 40.1 nationally. The median age has climbed from 38.3 in 2006–10, mirroring the country. Residents skew youngest in the west and oldest in the north.
Median age: the age that splits residents into two equal halves. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B01002).
Single-parent households in Oswego County
| Period | Oswego County | Syracuse area | New York | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 11.1% | 12.1% | 13.1% | 12.3% |
| 2010–14 | 12.5% | 12.1% | 12.7% | 12.3% |
| 2015–19 | 13.7% | 12.0% | 11.6% | 11.6% |
| 2020–24 | 13.6% | 11.4% | 11.6% | 11.6% |
| Change | +2.5 pts | −0.7 pts | −1.5 pts | −0.6 pts |
Single parents head nearly one in seven households in Oswego County (13.6%), above the national share of 11.6%. Since 2006–10, the single-parent share has risen 2.5 points, even as the national share fell. Only two of New York's 62 counties have a higher share of single-parent households.
Single-parent households: households where one adult with no spouse present lives with children under 18. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B11003).
Housing in Oswego County
Renters in Oswego County
| Period | Oswego County | Syracuse area | New York | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 26.4% | 31.6% | 44.8% | 33.3% |
| 2010–14 | 27.8% | 32.9% | 46.2% | 35.6% |
| 2015–19 | 26.3% | 32.9% | 46.2% | 36.0% |
| 2020–24 | 26.6% | 31.6% | 45.7% | 34.8% |
| Change | +0.2 pts | −0.0 pts | +0.9 pts | +1.5 pts |
Most households in Oswego County own their homes; 26.6% rent, below the national share of 34.8%. More than four in ten owners (43.6%) have paid off their mortgages, above the national share of 39.8%. Rentals cluster in the west; owners are most common in the southeast.
Renters: occupied homes that are rented rather than owned. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25003).
Vacant homes in Oswego County
| Period | Oswego County | Syracuse area | New York | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 13.6% | 11.2% | 10.3% | 11.4% |
| 2010–14 | 14.1% | 11.4% | 10.4% | 11.4% |
| 2015–19 | 13.5% | 13.0% | 11.0% | 11.1% |
| 2020–24 | 12.0% | 9.4% | 9.7% | 9.6% |
| Change | −1.6 pts | −1.8 pts | −0.6 pts | −1.8 pts |
Vacancy runs a little high in Oswego County: 12.0% of homes are empty, against 9.6% nationally. The count includes vacation homes and homes between owners or tenants, not just abandoned ones. Since 2006–10, vacancy has fallen 1.6 points, mirroring the country.
Vacant homes: homes with no one living in them, including vacation homes and homes for sale or rent. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25002).
Age of homes in Oswego County
| Period | Oswego County | Syracuse area | New York | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 1967 | 1962 | 1956 | 1974 |
| 2010–14 | 1967 | 1963 | 1957 | 1975 |
| 2015–19 | 1968 | 1964 | 1958 | 1977 |
| 2020–24 | 1971 | 1967 | 1961 | 1980 |
| Change | +4 | +5 | +5 | +6 |
The housing in Oswego County is old by national standards: the median home dates to 1971, against 1980 for the U.S., so buyers will find more older houses, some of them due for updates. The median year built has moved up from 1967 in 2006–10, a sign of steady new building. The newest homes are mostly in the center, the oldest in the southwest.
Age of homes: the year that splits the housing stock into older and newer halves. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25035).
Rent in Oswego County
| Period | Oswego County | Syracuse area | New York | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | $740 | $748 | $1,095 | $965 |
| 2010–14 | $766 | $794 | $1,201 | $1,040 |
| 2015–19 | $844 | $911 | $1,426 | $1,213 |
| 2020–24 | $982 | $1,138 | $1,794 | $1,571 |
| Change | +$243 | +$390 | +$698 | +$606 |
A typical rental in Oswego County costs $982 a month with utilities, well below the national median of $1,571. Rent has climbed $243 a month since 2006–10, up 33%, a slower climb than the nation's. The typical renter here spends 30.4% of household income on rent, just over the 30% mark often used to define affordable rent. Rents run highest in the west and lowest in the northeast.
Rent: monthly rent plus the utilities renters pay themselves. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25064).
Education in Oswego County
Bachelor's degrees in Oswego County
| Period | Oswego County | Syracuse area | New York | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 16.4% | 28.7% | 31.9% | 28.4% |
| 2010–14 | 18.4% | 30.7% | 33.4% | 29.6% |
| 2015–19 | 19.4% | 31.8% | 36.2% | 32.1% |
| 2020–24 | 21.8% | 35.8% | 39.8% | 35.6% |
| Change | +5.5 pts | +7.2 pts | +8.0 pts | +7.2 pts |
Fewer adults in Oswego County have a four-year degree than in the country as a whole: 21.8%, against 35.6% nationally. The share with a degree has risen 5.5 points since 2006–10, mirroring the country. Oswego County has a lower share of college graduates than the great majority of New York counties.
Bachelor's degrees: adults 25 and older with a bachelor's degree or higher. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B15003).
High school graduates in Oswego County
| Period | Oswego County | Syracuse area | New York | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 86.4% | 88.6% | 84.0% | 84.9% |
| 2010–14 | 86.5% | 89.1% | 84.9% | 86.1% |
| 2015–19 | 88.3% | 90.3% | 86.5% | 87.7% |
| 2020–24 | 89.3% | 91.3% | 87.3% | 89.3% |
| Change | +2.9 pts | +2.7 pts | +3.3 pts | +4.3 pts |
Just as many adults in Oswego County have finished high school as nationally: 89.3%. The rate is lower than in the wider Syracuse area (91.3%). The share with a diploma is up 2.9 points from 2006–10, in line with the national trend.
High school graduates: adults 25 and older with a high school diploma, GED or more. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B15003).
Jobs in Oswego County
| Period | Oswego County | Syracuse area | New York | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 10.2% | 7.3% | 7.7% | 8.1% |
| 2010–14 | 10.5% | 8.5% | 9.2% | 9.4% |
| 2015–19 | 7.0% | 5.8% | 5.7% | 5.6% |
| 2020–24 | 7.1% | 5.6% | 6.6% | 5.4% |
| Change | −3.1 pts | −1.7 pts | −1.2 pts | −2.7 pts |
Unemployment runs high in Oswego County: 7.1% of the labor force was out of work and looking, against 5.4% nationally. Only four of New York's 62 counties have higher unemployment. Unemployment is down 3.1 points from 2006–10, as it has nationally.
Unemployment: people looking for work as a share of everyone working or looking. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B23025).
Oswego County compared with nearby counties
| County | Household size | Median age | Single parents | Renters | Vacant homes | Median year built | Median rent | Bachelor's degree | High school diploma | Unemployment |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oswego County | 2.42 | 41.6 | 13.6% | 26.6% | 12.0% | 1971 | $982 | 21.8% | 89.3% | 7.1% |
| Orleans County | 2.35 | 44.8 | 11.8% | 22.8% | 10.5% | 1955 | $888 | 18.3% | 87.1% | 5.3% |
| Warren County | 2.18 | 46.8 | 9.1% | 27.9% | 17.8% | 1971 | $1,224 | 36.7% | 93.3% | 4.5% |
| Washington County | 2.39 | 45.8 | 9.7% | 23.4% | 13.8% | 1964 | $1,030 | 22.6% | 90.5% | 5.0% |
| Sullivan County | 2.64 | 47.4 | 8.8% | 24.6% | 21.2% | 1970 | $1,317 | 29.8% | 92.3% | 3.4% |
| Merrimack County | 2.49 | 43.1 | 8.1% | 26.5% | 8.4% | 1974 | $1,449 | 38.8% | 94.6% | 3.1% |
| Strafford County | 2.48 | 41.0 | 7.9% | 32.9% | 10.1% | 1977 | $1,557 | 40.7% | 95.1% | 3.5% |
| York County | 2.38 | 45.4 | 8.2% | 22.7% | 15.5% | 1977 | $1,432 | 36.4% | 95.5% | 3.4% |
| Sanilac County | 2.32 | 44.9 | 9.7% | 17.4% | 14.1% | 1971 | $803 | 16.2% | 90.1% | 5.9% |
| Tuscola County | 2.46 | 45.7 | 8.3% | 13.6% | 10.6% | 1968 | $920 | 16.6% | 92.7% | 6.0% |
| Saginaw County | 2.40 | 42.2 | 12.9% | 25.9% | 10.1% | 1969 | $1,004 | 24.3% | 91.7% | 6.7% |
All figures 2020–24.
Counties with similar populations: Blair County, PA · Allegan County, MI · Morgan County, AL · Richland County, OH · Kennebec County, ME · Saline County, AR · Jasper County, MO · Sheboygan County, WI · Gregg County, TX · St. Mary's County, MD
About these numbers
Every figure on this page is a BestNeighborhood calculation from the Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS), built up from the Census block groups that make up Oswego County. Each ACS 5-year release pools five years of responses; this page shows the last 15 releases, 2006–10 through 2020–24. Neighboring releases share four of their five years, so they move gradually and small changes between them are within the survey's margin of error; in small places the lines can jump from one release to the next for the same reason. The maps show the same measures for each neighborhood, ranked against the whole country.
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