In Bronx County, New York, rent on a two-bedroom takes about three in four dollars of the typical household's income
In Bronx County, 76.7% of the median household's income would go to rent on a two-bedroom at HUD's fair market rent (HUD and Census Bureau, HUD rent fiscal year 2027; household income 2024). That is higher than in 99% of U.S. counties.
More distressed than 98% of U.S. counties.
What drives Bronx County's score
In Bronx County, housing costs weigh most: the score for housing costs is 99.6. Rent on a two-bedroom takes 76.7% of the median household's income (fiscal year 2027), higher than in 99% of U.S. counties. Jobs come next, at 94.3.
The County Distress Index combines five things we measure for every county: jobs, late payments on loans, income and the safety net, collections and bankruptcy, and housing costs. Each gets a score from 0 to 100; the higher the score, the worse off the county is compared with others.
Bronx County does better than most counties on two measures: people without health insurance (7.1%, 2020 to 2024) and bankruptcy filings per 100,000 people (121.3, 2025).
The five parts count equally; together they hold 14 measures. Under each part, a bar shows where Bronx County ranks among all 3,144 U.S. counties on that measure, as a percentile: the share of counties it is higher than. A longer bar means more trouble.
- 99.6 of 100
Housing costs
Biggest factorHUD's fair market rents, fiscal year 2027; renters, 2020–24 Census survey
- Rent on a two-bedroom as a share of the median income76.7% · fiscal year 202799th percentile
- Renters paying half their income or more in rent33.9% · 2020 to 202499th percentile
-
- 94.3 of 100
Jobs
Adults not working, 2020–24 Census survey; unemployment through Aug 2026
- Adults 25 to 54 not working31.0% · 2020 to 202491st percentile
- Unemployment rate, 12-month average7.1% · Sep 2025 to Aug 202697th percentile
-
- 93.1 of 100
Late payments
Credit records, August 2025; credit scores, Q4 2025
- People with a car or retail loan behind9.0% · August 202588th percentile
- People with a credit card behind10.4% · August 202595th percentile
- People with a subprime credit score39.6% · Q4 202595th percentile
-
- 80.1 of 100
Income and safety net
Poverty and income, 2024; disability and insurance, 2020–24 Census survey
- Children below the poverty line38.1% · 202498th percentile
- People with a disability17.7% · 2020 to 202465th percentile
- Median household income (lower income, longer bar)$46,486 · 202496th percentile
- People below the poverty line28.7% · 202497th percentile
- People without health insurance7.1% · 2020 to 202443rd percentile
-
- 62.1 of 100
Collections and bankruptcy
Credit records, August 2025; bankruptcy filings, 2025
- People with unpaid debt sent to a collector31.0% · August 202576th percentile
- Bankruptcy filings per 100,000 people121.3 · 202547th percentile
-
Sources: U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development Fair Market Rents and U.S. Census Bureau income; Census Bureau, American Community Survey; Urban Institute, Debt in America; Administrative Office of the U.S. Courts, Table F-5A; Equifax via the St. Louis Fed; U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Local Area Unemployment Statistics; Census Bureau, Small Area Income and Poverty Estimates. County Distress Index by American Default Research, from data through Aug 2026.
Where the money in Bronx County comes from
The Bureau of Economic Analysis adds up all the income that reaches the people of a county and splits it three ways: pay from work, income from investments and rent, and benefit checks.
Cents of every dollar of income, 2024
Bronx County
New York
United States
- Pay from work
- Investments and rent
- Benefit checks
In Bronx County in 2024, pay from work was 55 cents of every dollar of income. Income from investments and rentals was 8 cents. Benefit checks were 37 cents. Across the country, pay is 61 cents of the dollar and benefit checks are 18.
Benefit checks have grown from 14 cents of every dollar in 1969, but pay from work still brings in more.
In Bronx County, benefit checks rose from 14 to 37 cents of every dollar
Benefit checks and pay from work as shares of all personal income, Bronx County, New York: 37.3% and 54.8% in 2024. Yearly, 1969–2024.
Use this chart Free to use with credit
The quote: In 2024, benefit checks made up 37.3% of all personal income in Bronx County, New York (U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, CAINC4).
Benefit checks are Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid paid on people's behalf, veterans' benefits, and food and income support, so a high share usually means an older population, low pay, or both. In Bronx County, 14.5% of residents are 65 or older (Census Bureau, 2024), against 17.2% nationally.
How Bronx County has changed
The number of people living in Bronx County stayed about the same between 1969 and 2024, from 1,462,899 to 1,384,724. The number of jobs located there grew by about 64% from 1990 to 2024.
Unemployment fell from 8.4% in 1990 to 7.0% in 2025.
| Measure | Then | Now |
|---|---|---|
| People living in the countyBEA | 1969 1,462,899 | 2024 1,384,724 |
| Jobs located in the countyBLS QCEW | 1990 202,777 | 2024 332,669 |
| Unemployment rateBLS LAUS | 1990 8.4% | 2025 7.0% |
| People below the poverty lineCensus SAIPE | 1989 27.1% | 2024 28.7% |
| Median household income (not adjusted for prices)Census SAIPE | 1989 $19,881 | 2024 $46,486 |
| Share of income from benefit checksBEA | 1969 14.4% | 2024 37.3% |
Figures are as each agency published them, not adjusted for prices. We don't chart the distress score over time because it compares counties at one moment.
Dated events in Bronx County's history
Largest decennial census count
The county's largest recorded population was the 2020 Census count of 1,472,654, which is also its most recent census. Census Bureau
1997
Thunderstorm wind: one death. NOAA Storm Events Database
1998
Thunderstorm wind: one death. NOAA Storm Events Database
2021
Lightning: one death. NOAA Storm Events Database
2021
Flash flood: $60 million in property damage. NOAA Storm Events Database
-
Since 1971
20 federal disaster and emergency declarations have covered Bronx County, 3 of them for flooding. FEMA
Storms are listed if they did $1 million or more in damage or killed someone.
Bronx County beside its neighbors
Bronx County scores higher than all four counties that border it, in New York and New Jersey. Of the group, Bronx County gets the largest share of its income from benefit checks (37.3%).
| County | Score | Poverty | Benefit checks |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bronx County, NY | 98 | 28.7% | 37.3% |
| Queens County, NY | 60 | 13.4% | 26.7% |
| New York County, NY | 48 | 15.5% | 8.0% |
| Westchester County, NY | 28 | 8.7% | 10.1% |
| Bergen County, NJ | 26 | 6.7% | 11.1% |
Distress score: American Default Research, County Distress Index, data through Aug 2026; each county scored against all 3,144. Poverty rate: Census Bureau, Small Area Income and Poverty Estimates, 2024. Benefit checks: Bureau of Economic Analysis, 2024. Neighbors share a border, from Census county maps.
Is Bronx County the poorest county in New York?
Yes, Bronx County's poverty rate was 28.7% in 2024, the highest of 62 counties in New York (U.S. Census Bureau, Small Area Income and Poverty Estimates). On our distress index, which counts more than poverty, Bronx County ranks 1st of 62 in the state.
Bronx County, New York: common questions
What is the poverty rate in Bronx County, New York?
28.7% in 2024, according to the U.S. Census Bureau, Small Area Income and Poverty Estimates: about one in four people. Among children it was 38.1%.
Is Bronx County the poorest county in New York?
Yes, Bronx County's poverty rate was 28.7% in 2024, the highest of 62 counties in New York (U.S. Census Bureau, Small Area Income and Poverty Estimates). On our distress index, which counts more than poverty, Bronx County ranks 1st of 62 in the state.
What is the population of Bronx County, New York?
About 1,384,724 people in 2024, by the Bureau of Economic Analysis's count. The 2020 Census counted 1,472,654, the most of any census.
How is the County Distress Index calculated?
We rank every U.S. county on 14 federal measures of money trouble, grouped into five equally weighted parts, and average them. The published score is the share of the other 3,143 counties with a lower average. The methodology lists every measure and its source.
If you're behind on your mortgage in Bronx County
A U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development-approved housing counselor works at a nonprofit agency approved by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. The counseling to avoid foreclosure is free, and a counselor can help you talk to your mortgage company and understand what it offers, according to the Consumer Financial Protection BureauSourceCFPB.
-
Neighborhood Housing Services of New York City Bronx Branch
HUD-approved housing counselor
-
The Bronx Neighborhood Housing Services CDC, Inc.
HUD-approved housing counselor
-
Empire Justice Center
Legal aid
-
Legal Services NYC
Legal aid
-
HUD-approved housing counselors
Counseling to avoid foreclosure is free. Our help directory lists 1,313 approved agencies by state.
The score, its 14 measures and their sources, in one file. Free to use with credit to American Default Research.
Sources and method
- American Default Research · County Distress Index Data through Aug 2026, built from HUD Fair Market Rents and Census income; Census Bureau, American Community Survey; Urban Institute, Debt in America; U.S. Courts, Table F-5A; Equifax via the St. Louis Fed; Bureau of Labor Statistics, Local Area Unemployment Statistics; Census Bureau, Small Area Income and Poverty Estimates. Our methodology
- U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Economic Accounts (CAINC4) · income shares Where the money in Bronx County comes from, 2024.
- History The agencies named in each row and the linked records above.