ZIP Code 12471 — Rifton CDP, NY Demographics & Data

ZIP code 12471 covers Rifton, NY in Ulster County with a population of about 274.

At a glance, the area shows median age of 58.6 versus a U.S. median of about 38.9.

It sits in telephone area codes 329, 845; U.S. House district NY-18; the NEW YORK media market.

Rifton, NY fits a retirement-oriented profile (older median age or known retirement-community context). Residents and relocators commonly research healthcare access, everyday amenities (dining, personal services), and housing costs rather than tech or campus life.

Median household income in ZIP 12471 is about $2,499 — about 97% below the U.S. median ($75,149).

On socioeconomic markers, US5 shows a poverty rate of 75.2%; unemployment rate near 0.0%; 19.0% of adults with a bachelor’s degree or higher (about 14.7 points below the national share (33.7%)).

Labor and commute patterns include leading industry context around Education and Public administration; a mean commute of about 52.0 minutes (U.S. average near 26.8).

Median home value is about $225,900 — about 35% below the U.S. median home value ($348,079).

Housing tenure and rents show owner-occupancy near 89.4% (about 24.0 points above the national owner-occupancy rate (65.4%)).

To comfortably buy a median-priced home in ZIP 12471 in Rifton, NY, a household would need roughly $62,000 in annual income under a 20% down, 30-year loan at 6.8% (illustrative), keeping housing costs near 28% of income. Estimated monthly PITI is about $1,451. That is about 2381% above the local median household income ($2,499), so the median earner would likely stretch or need a larger down payment. Rates, taxes, insurance, and HOA fees vary — treat this as a planning estimate, not a lender quote.

FEMA’s National Risk Index rates natural-hazard risk for Rifton CDP, NY as Relatively Moderate (composite score 87.7), which is elevated versus much of the country. The strongest component scores on US5 are flood (91.9) and hurricane (86.9). These scores are county-linked NRI values published for planning context — all ZIP codes in the same county share the same composite score on US5. Useful when comparing insurance and disaster exposure across areas, not a substitute for a parcel-level flood or fire determination.

Climate normals for Rifton CDP, NY show little to no average snow and around 52.6 inches of annual precipitation.

IRS migration statistics show a net inflow of about 12 for ZIP 12471 (Rifton CDP, NY) on US5’s published series — a signal of people/tax filers moving in relative to those leaving. Inflows often track job growth, housing demand, or lifestyle migration; treat the figure as a directional indicator rather than a precise headcount.