Home Insurance in Jefferson County, New York
Homes in Jefferson County carry a median value of $188,200 - 56% lower than the New York median.
The typical home in Jefferson County was built around 1972. Older homes can cost more to insure or rebuild because of aging wiring, roofing and plumbing. About 42% of homes were built before 1960, about 10 points below New York's 52%.
In Jefferson County, the housing stock is 64% single-family homes, 11% apartments in buildings with 5+ units and 10% mobile or manufactured homes. The rest are 2-4 unit or other housing types. Mobile and manufactured homes typically need a manufactured-home (HO-7) policy rather than a standard homeowners policy.
57% of owner-occupied homes in Jefferson County carry a mortgage, and mortgage lenders require hazard insurance for as long as the loan is active.
Jefferson County has an owner-occupancy rate of 55% and a vacancy rate of 23%; unoccupied homes typically need a different coverage form.
39% of homes in Jefferson County are primarily heated with natural gas. Homes heated with propane, fuel oil and wood can carry added fire risk. Fuel-tank leaks and spills are often excluded from standard homeowners policies.
The top hazards for Jefferson County, per FEMA's National Risk Index, are winter weather (Relatively High), strong wind (Relatively Moderate) and inland flooding (Relatively Moderate).
As of September 2026, Jefferson County has 285 active NFIP flood insurance policies. Standard homeowners insurance does not cover flood damage, so flood coverage needs a separate NFIP or private flood policy.
The statewide average premium for a standard HO-3 homeowners policy in New York is $1,801 per year, according to the NAIC homeowners insurance report (2023 data).
Key figures
| Median home value | $188,200 |
|---|---|
| Median year built | 1972 |
| Owner-occupied share | 55% |
| Share of owner-occupied homes with a mortgage | 57% |
| Top hazards (FEMA National Risk Index) | Winter Weather (Relatively High), Strong Wind (Relatively Moderate), Inland Flooding (Relatively Moderate) |
| Active NFIP flood policies (county) | 285 |
| Home insurance premium | $1,801 - statewide average (NAIC, 2023 data) |
Towns and cities
- Adams
- Alexandria Bay
- Antwerp
- Black River
- Brownville
- Cape Vincent
- Carthage
- Chaumont
- Clayton
- Deferiet
- Dexter
- Ellisburg
- Evans Mills
- Glen Park
- Mannsville
- Philadelphia
- Sackets Harbor
- Theresa
- Watertown
- West Carthage
Sources
- U.S. Census Bureau Gazetteer Files (2024)
- U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-Year Estimates (2024)
- FEMA National Risk Index (December 2025)
- FEMA OpenFEMA NFIP Redacted Policies v3 (2026)
- NAIC Dwelling Fire, Homeowners Owner-Occupied, and Homeowners Tenant and Condominium/Cooperative Unit Owners Insurance: Data for 2023 (published 2026) (2023)