Population
111,540
2025
−3.9% since 2020
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, Population Estimates Program (Vintage 2025), 2025. Resident population, July 1 estimate.
Jefferson County, NY: population growth, jobs and income
Jefferson County lost 1,255 residents between 2024 and 2025 (−1.1%).
Jefferson County had an estimated 111,540 residents in 2025, down 3.9% (4,535 fewer people) since 2020. That is slower than New York as a whole (−0.6%), and the 61st fastest growth of 62 counties in New York.
Data as of 2025 · updated
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In the Jefferson County report
One-time $99 PDF: everything on this page for Jefferson County, ranked against New York and the U.S., plus these figures that are not on the free page:
- Median gross rent$1,213/mo2020–24
- Vacant homes, incl. seasonal and second homes23.0%2020–24
- New homes permitted, last 12 months2732025-10/2026-09
- Rent growth, 5 yearsIn the report
- Permits in 5+ unit buildingsIn the report
- IRS income moving in (net AGI)In the report
- Neighbouring-county comparison tableIn the report
What's inside: 5 pages
- 1 Summary, headline numbers and ranks (free preview)
- 2 Ranks and the neighbouring-county table
- 3 Migration, with IRS mover and income flows
- 4 Rent, vacant homes, permits and employers
- 5 Every source and the methods
Headline numbers
Net domestic migration
−2,009
2025
−18.0 per 1,000 residents
−9,045 in total, 2021–2025
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, Population Estimates Program (Vintage 2025), 2025. People moving in from other U.S. counties minus people moving out.
Unemployment rate
4.5%
2025
−0.8 pts since 2019
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Local Area Unemployment Statistics, 2025. Annual average unemployment rate.
New homes permitted
288
2025
+78.9% since 2021
2.6 per 1,000 residents
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, Building Permits Survey, 2025. Housing units authorized by building permits in the year.
Median household income
$66,301
2020–24
+21.2% since 2016–20
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates, 2020–24. American Community Survey 5-year estimate.
Private-sector employment
28,622
2023
−2.9% since 2018
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, County Business Patterns, 2023. Paid employees of private employers in mid-March (County Business Patterns).
What the numbers say
Net domestic migration was negative in 2025: 2,009 more people moved out to other U.S. counties than moved in.
Private employers had 28,622 paid employees in mid-March 2023, −2.9% since 2018 (County Business Patterns).
Unemployment averaged 4.5% in 2025, 0.8 points lower than in 2019 (before the pandemic).
Builders were authorized to start 288 new homes in 2025, or 2.6 per 1,000 residents.
Median household income was $66,301 in the 2020–24 American Community Survey, +21.2% since 2016–20.
Across the 3,107 U.S. counties with a comparable estimate, its population growth ranks 2,814th.
Part of the Watertown-Fort Drum, NY metro area.
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Email me when Jefferson County gets new Census numbers: population, building permits, jobs and income. About 4 emails a year, one click to stop.
Jefferson County population by year
| Year | Population | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 111,540 | −1,255 |
| 2024 | 112,795 | −485 |
| 2023 | 113,280 | −2,213 |
| 2022 | 115,493 | −1,526 |
| 2021 | 117,019 | +944 |
| 2020 | 116,075 | – |
Census Bureau population estimates, July 1 of each year.
What drove the change in Jefferson County
Jefferson County lost 4,535 people since 2020; the biggest drag was domestic migration (−9,045).
| Component | 2025 | 2020–25 | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| Natural changebirths minus deaths | +555 | +3,187 | |
| International migrationfrom and to other countries | +227 | +1,170 | |
| Domestic migrationfrom and to other U.S. counties | −2,009 | −9,045 | |
| Census adjustmentbalancing residual | −28 | +153 | |
| Total change | −1,255 | −4,535 |
Census Bureau population estimates, components of change, each year July 1 to June 30. The components add up to the change in the estimate; the Census adjustment is the small balancing figure the Bureau publishes.
How it ranks
| Measure | In New York | Among U.S. counties |
|---|---|---|
| Population growth | 61st of 62 | 2,814th of 3,107 |
| Net domestic migration per 1,000 residents | 62nd of 62 | 3,045th of 3,108 |
| Private-sector job growth | 41st of 62 | 2,257th of 3,092 |
| Median household income | 49th of 62 | 1,477th of 3,107 |
| Lowest unemployment rate | 55th of 62 | 2,127th of 3,108 |
| New homes permitted per 1,000 residents | 19th of 62 | 1,285th of 3,005 |
1st = highest (lowest for unemployment). Counties are ranked only against others with a figure for the same period.
Get the county report — $99
The County Growth and Demographics Report for Jefferson County, NY as a PDF, from federal data: population and migration, housing and rents, permits, private employers and jobs, unemployment, ranks in the state and the country, and neighbouring counties, with a source next to every number. Pay once, no subscription.
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Neighbouring counties
Jefferson County lost population faster than all 4 of its neighbouring counties (−3.9%, 2020–25).
3 of its 4 neighbouring counties had a higher median household income than Jefferson County's $66,301 (2020–24).
| County | Population2025 | Population change2020–25 | Net domestic migration per 1,000 residents2025 | Homes permitted per 1,000 residents2025 | Median household income2020–24 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jefferson County, NY This county | 111,540 | −3.9% | −18.0 | 2.6 | $66,301 |
| Lewis County, NY | 26,479 | −0.3% | −0.6 | 5.0 | $68,182 |
| Oswego County, NY | 118,569 | +1.0% | 3.8 | 1.3 | $69,183 |
| St. Lawrence County, NY | 105,488 | −2.5% | −6.4 | 2.1 | $62,850 |
| Cayuga County, NY | 74,365 | −2.3% | −2.6 | 1.5 | $67,904 |
Census Bureau population estimates and building permits, American Community Survey 5-year income. Rates per 1,000 residents. – means no figure, or a base too small for a change or rate (it would swing on a few people). A figure from another period shows its year and is left out of the comparison.
Questions
Is Jefferson County growing?
No. Its population fell 3.9% between 2020 and 2025, about 4,535 fewer people (Census Bureau population estimates). New York as a whole changed −0.6% over the same years. That ranks 61st of 62 counties in New York for population growth.
How many people moved to Jefferson County?
On net, none in 2025: about 2,009 more people moved out to other U.S. counties than moved in (Census Bureau net domestic migration estimate).
What is the unemployment rate in Jefferson County?
It averaged 4.5% in 2025 (BLS Local Area Unemployment Statistics, annual average).
What is the population of Jefferson County?
About 111,540 people, according to the U.S. Census Bureau's population estimate for July 1, 2025.
How many jobs are in Jefferson County?
Private employers there had 28,622 paid employees in mid-March 2023, −2.9% since 2018 (Census Bureau County Business Patterns; government jobs and the self-employed are not counted).
What Beacon CRE covers in New York
Map, parcel and listing layers cover North and South Carolina only for now. This page and the other New York county pages carry the public federal growth figures.
Jefferson County data alerts
Email me when Jefferson County gets new Census numbers: population, building permits, jobs and income. About 4 emails a year, one click to stop.
Sources and method
- U.S. Census Bureau, Population Estimates Program (Vintage 2025)
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Local Area Unemployment Statistics
- U.S. Census Bureau, Building Permits Survey
- U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates
- U.S. Census Bureau, County Business Patterns
Each number shows its own period. Changes compare the latest period with five years earlier (or the earliest period available). Beacon CRE last refreshed these figures on 2026-11-05. Figures come from public federal statistics and are informational only, not investment advice. Check the source before relying on a number. Methodology: how we compute every number. More on every layer: data sources and licences.
Jobs outside North and South Carolina use County Business Patterns (paid private-sector employees in mid-March); wages and government jobs are not included.