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Rifton, NY
Census-designated place in Ulster County, New York. ZIP codes: 12471.
Population
541
Land area
1.2sq mi
People per sq mi
436
ZIP codes
1
Rifton and its ZIP codes
Rifton at a glance
- The median household income is less than $2,500, the highest bracket the Census Bureau reports.
- A typical owner-occupied home is valued at $227,800 (46% below New York).
Local data for Rifton, NY
Counts from official public data
Housing and community stats
Rifton, NY, American Community Survey 2020-2024
Median household income
Under $2,500
Poverty rate
40.3%
Median home value
$227,800
Homeownership
90.2%
Bachelor's or higher
21.0%
Median age
58.6
Largest reported origins and ancestries: Polish Americans (200), Irish Americans (110), Italian Americans (64).
Economy and federal money
Jobs, pay, income and spending are for Ulster County. PPP loans are for Rifton.
Unemployment rate
3.8%
Sep 2026, +0.2 pts in a year
Average annual pay
$63,421
60,554 jobs, 2025
Income per person
$69,090
BEA, 2024
Federal spending
$1.2B
FY 2026, $6,379 per person
PPP loans
$55.1K
5 loans, 8 jobs reported
How people get to work
Rifton, NY, workers 16 and older. American Community Survey 5-year estimates
- Drove alone81.6%
- Carpooled0.0%
- Public transit0.0%
- Walked0.0%
- Bicycle0.0%
- Taxi, ride-hailing, motorcycle or other0.0%
- Worked from home18.4%
Environment and hazard risk
Rifton, NY, from FEMA, NOAA and EPA
Natural hazard risk
Relatively Moderate
Top: landslide
Storm events since 1996
1,690
Countywide, mostly thunderstorm wind
Flood insurance policies
897
1.3% of homes, county
July high / Jan low
83° / 19°F
52.6 inches of rain a year
Health statistics
Share of adults in Rifton, NY, CDC PLACES estimates
Obesity
32.5%
U.S. 33.3% -0.8 pts
Diabetes
13.0%
U.S. 12.1% +0.9 pts
Smoking
13.6%
U.S. 12.8% +0.8 pts
Uninsured (18-64)
5.6%
U.S. 11.1% -5.5 pts
ZIP codes in Rifton
1 in or overlapping Rifton. Population shown
Cities near Rifton
| Name | Distance | Land area (sq mi) |
|---|---|---|
| TillsonCensus-designated place | 1.3 mi | 2.3 |
| RosendaleCensus-designated place | 2.2 mi | 1.9 |
| High FallsCensus-designated place | 4.3 mi | 1.7 |
| Port EwenCensus-designated place | 5.5 mi | 2.1 |
| HurleyCensus-designated place | 5.7 mi | 5.5 |
| HillsideCensus-designated place | 5.9 mi | 0.8 |
| Stone RidgeCensus-designated place | 6 mi | 6 |
| Hyde ParkCensus-designated place | 6.2 mi | 1.2 |
| New PaltzVillage | 6.3 mi | 1.8 |
| StaatsburgCensus-designated place | 6.3 mi | 1.5 |
| KingstonCity | 6.9 mi | 7.5 |
| RhinecliffCensus-designated place | 7.9 mi | 1 |
| HavilandCensus-designated place | 8.6 mi | 4.9 |
| HighlandCensus-designated place | 8.7 mi | 5.4 |
| Lincoln ParkCensus-designated place | 8.7 mi | 1.5 |
| East KingstonCensus-designated place | 9.1 mi | 0.7 |
Frequently asked questions
- What county is Rifton, NY in?
- Rifton is in Ulster County, New York.
- What ZIP codes are in Rifton, NY?
- ZIP codes in or overlapping Rifton include 12471.
- What is the population of Rifton, NY?
- About 541 people live in Rifton, based on American Community Survey 5-year estimates.
- What cities are near Rifton?
- Nearby places include Tillson (1.3 mi), Rosendale (2.2 mi), High Falls (4.3 mi), Port Ewen (5.5 mi), Hurley (5.7 mi).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau (TIGER/Line boundaries, American Community Survey) · Data as of 12/31/2023