FHA Loan Limits and USDA Eligibility in Jefferson County, New York
2026 FHA one-unit limit in Jefferson County is $541,287. Two-unit is $693,050, three-unit is $837,700, and four-unit is $1,041,125. USDA 502 Guaranteed 1–4 person moderate income is $122,800. ZIP centers in the table below are marked likely eligible or likely not eligible for USDA. Official eligibility is still the property address.
2026 FHA Loan Limits Map for New York
FHA Eligibility Requirements
You need to meet all six. Loan limits in Jefferson County are set by county. DTI is a lender call. An FHA lender confirms the official answer.
3.5% down payment
Minimum is 3.5% (580+ score) or 10% (500–579). FHA allows the full amount to come from a gift: family, employer, labor union, or an approved program. A signed gift letter is required.
Credit score 580+ for 3.5% down
580+ qualifies for 3.5% down. 500–579 generally requires 10% down. Lenders often set their own floor above the FHA minimum.
Debt-to-income within FHA guidelines
Guidelines target a housing ratio around 31% and total DTI around 43%. Automated underwriting can approve stronger files above those thresholds. Manual underwriting uses tighter caps.
Check DTI on the affordability calculatorPrimary residence only
The home must be your main residence, not a second home or investment property. You must move in within the timeline FHA and your contract require.
1–4 unit home that meets FHA standards
One-to-four unit homes, FHA approved condos, and some manufactured homes that meet FHA rules. For 2–4 units you must live in one unit. The home must pass an FHA appraisal.
Loan amount at or below the county limit
2026 one-unit limits start at $541,287 in most counties and go up to $1,249,125 in high-cost areas. 2–4 unit limits are higher. Enter a ZIP to see every FHA county on that ZIP.
See 2026 FHA loan limitsUSDA Property Eligibility and Income Limits Map for New York
USDA Eligibility Requirements
You need to meet all six. Property location and income in Jefferson County vary by area. A USDA approved lender confirms the official answer.
Property in a USDA eligible area
The home must be in a USDA designated rural or suburban area. Over 97% of U.S. land qualifies, including many suburbs near major cities. Use the eligibility map to check any address.
Check your area on the mapHousehold income at or below the area limit
USDA caps household income at 115% of the area median, with a national floor of $122,800 for 1–4 person households. Every adult in the home counts, not just borrowers. Deductions for dependents and childcare can help.
Check income limits for your ZIPPrimary residence only
The home must be your full-time primary residence. Investment properties and second homes are not eligible. You must intend to occupy the home within 60 days of closing.
Single-family property (1 unit)
USDA Guaranteed loans cover single-unit homes only. Duplexes and multi-unit properties do not qualify, even with owner occupancy. Condos and manufactured homes are eligible under specific conditions. For house-hacking a 2–4 unit property, FHA and VA are the right tools. USDA is not.
U.S. citizenship or qualified alien status
You must be a U.S. citizen, U.S. non-citizen national, or qualified alien. Permanent residents with a green card generally qualify. Your lender will verify documentation.
Credit score 640+ typical
USDA does not set a hard credit floor, but most lenders require 640+ for streamlined approval. Some lenders go lower with compensating factors. Your full credit profile (payment history, DTI, reserves) matters as much as the score.
Jefferson County FHA Limits, USDA Income, and ZIP Eligibility
FHA one-unit caps are county. USDA 1–4 person guaranteed income can split a county; when a ZIP lists more than one cap, both are listed. USDA property is a first look from each ZIP’s geographic center versus USDA ineligible-area boundaries — the official test is the address. City is the USPS primary city for that ZIP; a city is not USDA eligible or ineligible as a whole.
Cities in Jefferson County: Adams, Adams Center, Alexandria Bay, Antwerp, Belleville, Black River, Brownville, Calcium, Cape Vincent, Carthage, Chaumont, Clayton, Copenhagen, Deferiet, Depauville, Dexter, Ellisburg, Evans Mills, Felts Mills, Fishers Landing, Fort Drum, Great Bend, Henderson, Henderson Harbor, La Fargeville, Lorraine, Mannsville, Philadelphia, Pierrepont Manor, Plessis, Raymondville, Redwood, Rodman, Sackets Harbor, Theresa, Thousand Island Park, Three Mile Bay, Watertown, Wellesley Island
| ZIP | City | USDA property | FHA one-unit loan limit | USDA 1–4 person moderate income |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 13601 | Watertown | Likely not eligible | $541,287 | $122,800 |
| 13602 | Fort Drum | Likely eligible | $541,287 | $122,800 |
| 13605 | Adams | Likely eligible | $541,287 | $122,800 |
| 13606 | Adams Center | Likely eligible | $541,287 | $122,800 |
| 13607 | Alexandria Bay | Likely eligible | $541,287 | $122,800 |
| 13608 | Antwerp | Likely eligible | $541,287 | $122,800 |
| 13611 | Belleville | Likely eligible | $541,287 | $122,800 |
| 13612 | Black River | Likely eligible | $541,287 | $122,800 |
| 13615 | Brownville | Likely eligible | $541,287 | $122,800 |
| 13616 | Calcium | Likely eligible | $541,287 | $122,800 |
| 13618 | Cape Vincent | Likely eligible | $541,287 | $122,800 |
| 13619 | Carthage | Likely eligible | $541,287 | $122,800 |
| 13622 | Chaumont | Likely eligible | $541,287 | $122,800 |
| 13624 | Clayton | Likely eligible | $541,287 | $122,800 |
| 13626 | Copenhagen | Likely eligible | $541,287 | $122,800 |
| 13628 | Deferiet | Likely eligible | $541,287 | $122,800 |
| 13632 | Depauville | Likely eligible | $541,287 | $122,800 |
| 13634 | Dexter | Likely eligible | $541,287 | $122,800 |
| 13636 | Ellisburg | Likely eligible | $541,287 | $122,800 |
| 13637 | Evans Mills | Likely eligible | $541,287 | $122,800 |
| 13638 | Felts Mills | Likely eligible | $541,287 | $122,800 |
| 13640 | Wellesley Island | Likely eligible | $541,287 | $122,800 |
| 13641 | Fishers Landing | Likely eligible | $541,287 | $122,800 |
| 13643 | Great Bend | Likely eligible | $541,287 | $122,800 |
| 13650 | Henderson | Likely eligible | $541,287 | $122,800 |
| 13651 | Henderson Harbor | Likely eligible | $541,287 | $122,800 |
| 13656 | La Fargeville | Likely eligible | $541,287 | $122,800 |
| 13659 | Lorraine | Likely eligible | $541,287 | $122,800 |
| 13661 | Mannsville | Likely eligible | $541,287 | $122,800 to $122,850 |
| 13673 | Philadelphia | Likely eligible | $541,287 | $122,800 |
| 13674 | Pierrepont Manor | Likely eligible | $541,287 | $122,800 |
| 13675 | Plessis | Likely eligible | $541,287 | $122,800 |
| 13678 | Raymondville | Likely eligible | $541,287 | $122,800 |
| 13679 | Redwood | Likely eligible | $541,287 | $122,800 |
| 13682 | Rodman | Likely eligible | $541,287 | $122,800 |
| 13685 | Sackets Harbor | Likely eligible | $541,287 | $122,800 |
| 13691 | Theresa | Likely eligible | $541,287 | $122,800 |
| 13692 | Thousand Island Park | Likely eligible | $541,287 | $122,800 |
| 13693 | Three Mile Bay | Likely eligible | $541,287 | $122,800 |