Cost of Living
Jefferson County is safe, affordable and full of opportunities. It has a low crime rate, a low cost of living, and quality educational institutions.
Education:
Education is something that Jefferson County residents value very highly. After all, it’s an investment that can enrich your life and boost your career.
| Educational Attainment (percent of adults, 25 years or older) |
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| Jefferson County | New York | United States | |
| High School Diploma | 83.10% | 78.80% | 80.61% |
| 2-Year Degree | 9.48% | 7.14% | 6.39% |
| Population Holding Only a High School Degree (percent of adults, 25 years or older) |
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| Jefferson County | New York | United States | |
| High School Degree | 37.30% | 28.60% | 29.30% |
Source: Sperling’s Best Places, 2011
Jefferson County has a higher-than-average rate of high school and two-year degree graduates, ranking higher than both New York and the United States.
We work closely with our workforce development and educational partners. Let us help you with your workforce needs and connect you with the appropriate resources!!
Location and transportation mean nothing without an abundant, skilled labor force to manufacture your products. In Jefferson County you’ll have access to a growing, well-trained labor force at a competitive cost. In fact, the average hourly wage is 17% lower than the national average across all occupations, and up to 31% lower than the national average for key manufacturing occupations.
Climate
Jefferson County has a comfortable climate and ranks higher on the comfort index than New York and the United States averages.
| Comparative Climate Stats | |||
| Jefferson County | New York | United States | |
| Rainfall (in.) | 38.2 | 41.1 | 36.5 |
| Snowfall (in.) | 93.1 | 57.9 | 25 |
| Precipitation Days | 145 | 133 | 100 |
| Sunny Days | 161 | 165 | 205 |
| Avg. July High | 80 | 81.8 | 86.5 |
| Avg. Jan. Low | 9.8 | 16.6 | 20.5 |
| Comfort Index (higher=better) | 58 | 53 | 44 |
| UV Index | 3.3 | 3.3 | 4.3 |
Source: Sperling’s Best Places, 2011
The UV index is a measure of an area’s exposure to the sun’s ultraviolet rays. Often times this is a combination of sunny weather, altitude, and latitude. The UV index in Jefferson County is lower than the US average, which is 4.3.
The comfort index is a scale that uses a combination of afternoon summer temperature and humidity to closely predict the effect that the humidity will have on people. A higher ranking indicates more comfort. The US average is 44, so Jefferson County is slightly more comfortable during the warmer months than the rest of the country.
Healthcare by itself is very important, but it’s even more important to have quality healthcare facilities within a close distance. There are four hospitals and clinics in Jefferson County, so quality health care will always be readily available.
Carthage Area Hospital
CAH offers a variety of services in a number of locations and facilities, including a specialization in care for military veterans and their beneficiaries.
North Country Children’s Clinic
By specializing in the needs of children and families alongside government programs, the North Country Children’s Clinic offers help by providing medical support and has a financial impact of $21 million dollars in their four-county service area.
River Hospital, Alexandria Bay
The River Hospital’s mission is to provide affordable, quality and accessible health care to the residents and visitors of the River Communities. This is done by implementing quality inpatient, outpatient and specialty services through partnerships with the communities they serve.
Samaritan Health System
The Samaritan Health Center, founded in 1881, has grown from a five-bed hospital serving only the City of Watertown into leading provider of healthcare services in Jefferson, Lewis, St. Lawrence and northern Oswego County. The facility now has 287 beds and offers a full scope of medical services.
