Demographics
As of the 2020 Census, Schoharie County, NY, had a population of 29,714. The median age was 45.5 years. About 50.8% of residents were female and 49.2% male. Racially, the population was 92% White, 3.8% Hispanic or Latino, 1.8% Black or African American, 0.8% Asian, and 2.4% identifying as two or more races. The county has a predominantly older, White demographic with small but growing diversity.
Elections
Schoharie County, NY, had approximately 20,000 registered voters in 2022, split mainly between Republican (about 45%) and Democratic (31%) parties. The County Board of Elections administers local, state, and federal elections, including primaries and referenda, with around 30 polling locations. Recent elections have shown Republican candidates winning by wide margins, the 2020 presidential vote favoring Trump (60%). Issues like rural infrastructure and economic development are prominent. The Board ensures voter registration, absentee ballots, and fair conduct with bipartisan leadership, typically reported voter turnout between 55-65% in general elections.
Education, Employment and Housing
Schoharie County, NY, has 15 public schools serving roughly 3,000 K-12 students, with a high school graduation rate of about 85%. Only 23% of adults hold a bachelor’s degree or higher, below the state average. The county reports low rates of school violence, prioritizing safety with SROs and emergency protocols. Educational programs include BOCES vocational training and adult education classes, reaching over 400 participants annually. School performance scores average 76/100 on state assessments, reflecting steady academic achievement.
As of 2023, Schoharie County, NY, had an unemployment rate of approximately 3.7%. Major employment sectors include education and health services (20%), retail trade (13%), and manufacturing (10%). Most jobs are in office and administrative support (15%), education (13%), and sales-related occupations (10%). About 75% of workers commute by car, with an average commute time of 29 minutes; around 40% work outside the county, mainly traveling to Albany and Schenectady. The labor force participation rate stands at about 58%.
Schoharie County, NY, features a homeownership rate of about 78%, with a median home value around $170,000 and typical monthly rents near $1,000. The housing market has seen modest growth, with property values rising approximately 4% annually. Housing types include historic farmhouses, single-family homes, and rural cottages. Key neighborhoods include Schoharie village, Cobleskill, and Middleburgh. Property tax rates average about $28 per $1,000 of assessed value, making local taxes significant in yearly costs. The region’s affordability, small-town atmosphere, and scenic rural landscapes appeal to both buyers and renters seeking a quiet lifestyle.
County Crime & Safety
Schoharie County, NY, maintains a relatively low crime rate compared to state and national averages. According to recent data, the county’s violent crime rate is about 1.5 per 1,000 residents, and property crime stands at 6.7 per 1,000—both significantly below the New York State averages of 3.7 and 13.8, respectively. The Schoharie County Sheriff’s Office reports consistent year-over-year declines in overall incidents, with community safety initiatives and active neighborhood watch programs contributing to ongoing improvements in local safety and crime prevention.
Popular names
- Brian Garreau
- David Merwin
- John Miller
- Robert Lang
- Robert Smith
- Alonzo Odell
- Ariel Gerhard
- Ashley Oliver
- David Miller
- Dawn Johnson
- Donald Cornell
- Frank Madl
- James Clifford
- James Hotaling
- James Lawyer
- Jeffrey Smith
- Jeremy Scott
- John Borst
- John Warner
- Joseph Ventura
- Joshua Smith
- Joyce Pickett
- Karen Slater
- Kristy Coalts
- Melinda Cooper
- Mitchell Cooper
- Monique Borden
- Patrick Burke
- Paul Chichester
- Richard Smith
- Ronald Sanchez
- Samantha Jackson
- Scott Vangasbeck
- Steven Smith
- Tanner Brown
- William Anderson
- William Miller
- William Trendell
- Aaron France
- Abigail Ball
- Adam Smith
- Allison Coons
- Alyson Kutinsky
- Amanda Baxter
- Amanda Goss
- Amanda Munger
- Amy Wilson
- Angela Maxwell
- Anthony Smith
- April Lawyer
- Aurora Hylander
- Bradley Strobeck
- Brian Buder
- Charles Olsen
- Cherie Neumann
- Christine Palmatier
- Christopher Riquier
- Cyle Conley
- Daniel Hotaling
- Daniel Mattice
Other Counties in New York
- Albany
- Allegany
- Bronx
- Broome
- Cattaraugus
- Cayuga
- Chautauqua
- Chemung
- Chenango
- Clinton
- Columbia
- Cortland
- Delaware
- Dutchess
- Erie
- Essex
- Franklin
- Fulton
- Genesee
- Greene
- Hamilton
- Herkimer
- Jefferson
- Kings
- Lewis
- Livingston
- Madison
- Monroe
- Montgomery
- Nassau
- New York
- Niagara
- Oneida
- Onondaga
- Ontario
- Orange
- Orleans
- Oswego
- Otsego
- Putnam
- Queens
- Rensselaer
- Richmond
- Rockland
- Saint Lawrence
- Saratoga
- Schenectady
- Schuyler
- Seneca
- Steuben