New York Key Demographic Statistics (2024 Estimates)

Key demographic statistics summarized from the U.S. Census Bureau's 2024 American Community Survey (ACS).

Total Population
19,867,248
Median Age
40.1 years
Median Household Income
$85,820
Bachelor's Degree+
41.22%
Uninsured Rate
5.0%
Total Households
7,828,074
Total Workers
9,737,212
Citizenship Rate
90.5%
Total Veterans
607,728
Top Veteran Era
Vietnam Era Only
Poverty Rate
9.8%
Families in Poverty
467,392
SNAP Recipients
16.23%
Households w/ SNAP
1,270,240

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, 2024 American Community Survey (ACS) Estimates

New York 2024 Demographics: Age & Gender Distribution

Bar chart showing the population distribution of New York by age group and gender, based on 2024 ACS data.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, 2024 ACS Estimates

According to the U.S. Census Bureau's 2024 American Community Survey (ACS) Estimates, the total population of New York is 19,867,248. The median age of the population in New York is 40.1 years. The median age for males is 38.9 years, and for females it is 41.3 years.

The age distribution of the population in New York by age group is as follows:

Population Percentage by Age Group in New York, 2024
Age GroupPercentage
Under 5 years5.23%
5–17 years (children)14.77%
18–24 years (young adults)8.94%
25–34 years14.10%
35–54 years25.09%
55–64 years12.97%
65 years and over (seniors)18.91%

Understanding the Demographic Dependency Ratio in New York

The total dependency ratio in New York is 63.68. The youth dependency ratio is 32.73, and the old-age dependency ratio is 30.95. In demographic terms, the dependency ratio measures the size of the population typically not in the labor force (children under 18 and older adults 65+) relative to the working age (18-64) population. A higher ratio indicates a greater financial and social burden on the working population to support the non-working age groups.

For more detailed reports, explore the demographics for each of the most populated counties in New York, including Kings County (2,646,306), Queens County (2,330,124), and New York County (1,627,788).


What is the Racial and Ethnic Breakdown of New York?

Race and Ethnicity Distribution Chart for New York
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, 2024 ACS Estimates

The racial makeup and ethnic composition (racial demographics) of New York is detailed below, based on the U.S. Census Bureau's 2024 American Community Survey (ACS) Estimates.

The Diversity Index for New York is calculated at 66.13, suggesting a high level of racial and ethnic diversity. This index measures the probability that two people chosen at random will be from different racial or ethnic groups.

The following table provides the breakdown of the population of New York by race and ethnicity:

Population Percentage by Racial and Ethnic Group in New York, 2024
Racial/Ethnic GroupPercentage
White Alone (Non-Hispanic)51.93%
Hispanic or Latino (Any Race)20.23%
Black/African American Alone13.23%
Asian Alone9.43%
Two or More Races3.97%
Some Other Race Alone1.01%
American Indian and Alaska Native Alone0.17%
Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander Alone0.03%

New York 2024 Demographics: Household Income Distribution

Horizontal bar chart showing household income distribution in New York.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, 2024 ACS Estimates

According to the U.S. Census Bureau's 2024 American Community Survey (ACS) Estimates, the median household income in New York over the past 12 months, adjusted for 2024 inflation, was $85,820. This figure is based on a total of 7,828,074 households.

The distribution of household income in New York across various income brackets is as follows:

Household Income Distribution in New York, 2024
Income RangePercentage of Households
Less than $20,00012.92%
$20,000 to $34,9999.11%
$35,000 to $49,9998.77%
$50,000 to $74,99913.77%
$75,000 to $149,99928.22%
$150,000 or more27.21%

For detailed household income distribution reports on the counties with the highest median household income in New York, explore the data for: Nassau County ($143,408), Suffolk County ($128,329), and Putnam County ($127,405).


New York 2024 Demographics: Property Value Distribution

Line chart showing the distribution of property values for owner-occupied housing units in New York.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, 2024 ACS Estimates

According to the U.S. Census Bureau's 2024 American Community Survey (ACS) Estimates, the distribution of property values for owner-occupied housing units in New York is based on a total of 4,252,571 properties.

The property value distribution in New York across various value brackets is as follows:

Property Value Distribution in New York, 2024
Property Value RangePercentage of Properties
Less than $25,0002.40%
$25,000 to $49,9991.47%
$50,000 to $99,9994.80%
$100,000 to $199,99913.01%
$200,000 to $499,99932.76%
$500,000 to $999,99938.97%
$1,000,000 or more6.58%

Educational Attainment in New York (2024 Data)

Treemap chart illustrating the educational attainment breakdown for population 25 years and over in New York.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, 2024 ACS Estimates

According to the U.S. Census Bureau's 2024 American Community Survey (ACS) Estimates, the educational attainment data covers the population 25 years and older in New York, totaling 14,118,068 individuals.

88.04% of New York population has a high school diploma or higher. Furthermore, the percentage of individuals who hold a Bachelor's Degree or a higher professional/graduate degree is 41.22%.

The detailed breakdown by educational level is presented below:

Educational Attainment Distribution in New York, 2024
Educational Attainment LevelPercentage of Population 25+
Less than high school graduate11.96%
High school graduate (incl. equivalency)24.04%
Some college or associate's degree22.79%
Bachelor's Degree22.84%
Graduate or professional degree18.37%

What is the Health Insurance Coverage Rate in New York?

Pyramid chart showing health insurance coverage by age and sex in New York.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, 2024 ACS Estimates

According to the U.S. Census Bureau's 2024 American Community Survey (ACS) Estimates, the health insurance coverage data for New York shows that 5.0% of the population lacks health insurance coverage. This represents 973,715 individuals out of a total population of 19,666,716 people.

The uninsured rates vary significantly by age group. Young adults (18-34 years) have uninsured rates of 10.3% for males and 6.5% for females. In the 35-64 age bracket, 7.8% of males and 4.8% of females are uninsured.

Children under 18 and seniors aged 65+ generally have higher coverage rates due to public programs like Medicaid/CHIP and Medicare. In New York, uninsured rates for children are 2.7% for males and 2.6% for females, while seniors have rates of 0.9% for males and 0.8% for females.

Uninsured Rates by Age Group and Sex in New York, 2024
Age GroupMale Uninsured %Female Uninsured %
Under 182.7%2.6%
18-34 years10.3%6.5%
35-64 years7.8%4.8%
65+ years0.9%0.8%

New York 2024 Population by Nativity and Citizenship Status

Treemap showing the population distribution by nativity and citizenship status in New York based on U.S. Census data.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, 2024 ACS Estimates

According to the U.S. Census Bureau's 2024 American Community Survey (ACS) Estimates, the nativity and citizenship data for New York shows that 90.5% of the population are U.S. citizens. This includes both native-born and naturalized citizens, representing 17,989,485 individuals out of a total population of 19,867,248 people.

The nativity breakdown reveals diverse origins: 74.2% were born in the United States, 1.2% were born in Puerto Rico or U.S. Island Areas, and 1.4% were born abroad of American parent(s).

Among the foreign-born population, 13.8% of the total population have become naturalized U.S. citizens (2,743,619 individuals), while 9.5% are non-citizens (1,877,763 individuals).

Nativity and Citizenship Distribution in New York, 2024
Nativity/Citizenship StatusPercentage
Born in the United States74.2%
Born in Puerto Rico or U.S. Island Areas1.2%
Born abroad of American parent(s)1.4%
U.S. citizen by naturalization13.8%
Not a U.S. citizen9.5%
Total U.S. Citizens90.5%

New York 2024 Demographics: Means of Transportation to Work

Treemap showing means of transportation to work distribution in New York.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, 2024 ACS Estimates

According to the U.S. Census Bureau's 2024 American Community Survey (ACS) Estimates, the commuting patterns for New York show that 55.4% of workers commute by car, truck, or van. This represents 5,291,293 workers out of a total workforce of 9,557,920 people.

Public transportation usage stands at 24.2% (2,312,760 workers), which includes buses, subways, light rail, commuter trains, and ferries, but excludes taxicabs. Active transportation methods include walking (5.8%) and bicycling (0.9%).

11.8% of workers in New York report working from home. An additional 2.0% use other means such as taxicabs, motorcycles, or other forms of transportation. These alternative commuting patterns reflect changing work arrangements and transportation preferences in the modern workforce.

Commuting Methods Distribution in New York, 2024
Transportation MethodPercentageNumber of Workers
Car, truck, or van55.4%5,291,293
Public transportation24.2%2,312,760
Bicycle0.9%86,388
Walked5.8%550,524
Taxicab, motorcycle, or other means2.0%192,086
Worked from home11.8%1,124,869
Total Workers-9,557,920

New York 2024 Demographics: Employment by Class of Worker

Horizontal bar chart showing employment distribution by class of worker and gender in New York, based on 2024 ACS data.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, 2024 ACS Estimates

According to the U.S. Census Bureau's 2024 American Community Survey (ACS) Estimates, the civilian employed population aged 16 and over in New York totals 9,737,212 workers. Of these, 4,956,226 (50.9%) are male and 4,780,986 (49.1%) are female.

The employment distribution by class of worker in New York is as follows:

Employment Distribution by Class of Worker and Sex in New York, 2024
Employment ClassMale WorkersFemale Workers
Private For-Profit3,514,746 (36.1%)2,888,489 (29.7%)
Private Non-Profit434,107 (4.5%)772,979 (7.9%)
Government (All Levels)690,075 (7.1%)876,245 (9.0%)
  • Local Government392,878577,293
  • State Government200,154214,762
  • Federal Government97,04384,190
Self-Employed309,465 (3.2%)235,470 (2.4%)

Class of worker categorizes employed civilians by their employment arrangement. Private sector workers are employed by for-profit or non-profit companies. Government workers include those employed at local, state, or federal levels. Self-employed workers operate their own unincorporated businesses. Understanding the class of worker distribution provides insights into the economic structure and employment diversity of New York.


New York 2024 Demographics: Veterans by Period of Service

Horizontal bar chart showing veteran distribution by period of military service in New York, based on 2024 ACS data.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, 2024 ACS Estimates

According to the U.S. Census Bureau's 2024 American Community Survey (ACS) Estimates, there are 607,728 civilian veterans aged 18 and over in New York.

The largest group of veterans served during Vietnam Era Only, accounting for 203,212 veterans (33.4% of all veterans). The second-largest group served during Between Gulf War & Vietnam, with 99,848 veterans (16.4%).

The complete distribution of veterans by period of military service in New York is as follows:

Veteran Distribution by Period of Military Service in New York, 2024
Period of ServiceNumber of VeteransPercentage
Vietnam Era Only (August 1964 to April 1975)203,21233.4%
Between Gulf War and Vietnam Era99,84816.4%
Post-9/11 Only (September 2001 or later)87,26314.4%
Gulf War Only (August 1990 to August 2001)70,08711.5%
Between Vietnam Era and Korean War52,6518.7%
Korean War Only (July 1950 to January 1955)43,1127.1%
Post-9/11 and Gulf War (August 1990 to August 2001)30,3745.0%
World War II Only (December 1941 to December 1946)11,9172.0%
Gulf War and Vietnam Era4,5920.8%
Between Korean War and World War II1,7420.3%
Post-9/11, Gulf War, and Vietnam Era1,3070.2%
Vietnam Era and Korean War1,0710.2%
Korean War and World War II5090.1%
Pre-World War II310.0%
Vietnam Era, Korean War, and World War II120.0%
Total Veterans607,728100.0%

Period of military service categorizes veterans based on when they served on active duty in the U.S. Armed Forces. Veterans may have served during multiple periods, including World War II (December 1941–December 1946), the Korean War (July 1950–January 1955), the Vietnam Era (August 1964–April 1975), the Gulf War (August 1990–August 2001), and Post-9/11 (September 2001 or later). Understanding veteran demographics helps communities provide appropriate services, benefits, and support to those who have served.


New York 2024 Demographics: Families by Income-to-Poverty Ratio

Horizontal bar chart showing family distribution by income-to-poverty ratio in New York, based on 2024 ACS data.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, 2024 ACS Estimates

According to the U.S. Census Bureau's 2024 American Community Survey (ACS) Estimates, there are 4,760,304 families in New York.

Of these families, 467,392 (9.8%) live below the poverty line (income less than 100% of the federal poverty level). An additional 1,217,549 families (25.6%) are at or near poverty (100-199% of poverty). Meanwhile, 3,075,363 families (64.6%) have incomes at least twice the poverty level.

The complete distribution of families by income-to-poverty ratio in New York is as follows:

Family Distribution by Income-to-Poverty Ratio in New York, 2024
Income-to-Poverty RatioNumber of FamiliesPercentage
Below 50% of Poverty213,3914.5%
50-74% of Poverty111,9112.4%
75-99% of Poverty142,0903.0%
100-124% of Poverty150,5793.2%
125-149% of Poverty153,3193.2%
150-174% of Poverty150,4043.2%
175-184% of Poverty55,8181.2%
185-199% of Poverty94,3002.0%
200-299% of Poverty613,12912.9%
300-399% of Poverty576,26312.1%
400-499% of Poverty514,16410.8%
500%+ of Poverty1,984,93641.7%
Total Families4,760,304100.0%

Income-to-poverty ratio measures how a family's income compares to the federal poverty threshold, which varies by family size and composition. A ratio below 1.00 (100%) indicates the family lives in poverty. Ratios between 1.00 and 1.99 represent families with low incomes who may still struggle financially despite being technically above the poverty line. Families with ratios of 2.00 (200%) or higher generally have more economic security. Understanding poverty distribution helps communities allocate resources and develop programs to support families in need.


New York 2024 Demographics: SNAP/Food Stamps Recipients

Stacked bar chart showing SNAP/Food Stamps recipient household composition by presence of children under 18 in New York, based on 2024 ACS data.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, 2024 ACS Estimates

According to the U.S. Census Bureau's 2024 American Community Survey (ACS) Estimates, there are 7,828,074 total households in New York. Of these, 1,270,240 households (16.23%) received SNAP/Food Stamps benefits in the past 12 months.

Among SNAP-recipient households, 455,578 (35.87%) have children under 18 years, while 814,662 (64.13%) do not have children under 18 years.

Household Composition of SNAP Recipients

SNAP Recipient Household Composition in New York, 2024
Household TypeWith Children Under 18No Children Under 18
Married-Couple Family164,784 (12.97%)136,693 (10.76%)
Male Householder, No Spouse45,189 (3.56%)47,447 (3.74%)
Female Householder, No Spouse241,525 (19.01%)148,160 (11.66%)
Nonfamily Households4,080 (0.32%)482,362 (37.97%)

The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), formerly known as Food Stamps, provides nutrition assistance to low-income individuals and families. The program aims to help eligible households purchase nutritious food. SNAP participation rates and household composition patterns provide important insights into economic hardship and food security challenges in New York. Households with children under 18 often face greater nutritional needs, while households without children may include seniors, disabled individuals, or working adults facing economic challenges.


Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

The age breakdown for the population of New York is detailed below, showing the percentage of the total population for each group:

Age GroupPercentage
Under 5 years5.23%
5–17 years (children)14.77%
18–24 years (young adults)8.94%
25–34 years14.10%
35–54 years25.09%
55–64 years12.97%
65 years and over (seniors)18.91%

The racial and ethnic composition of New York is dominated by: White Alone (Non-Hispanic): 51.93%, Hispanic or Latino (Any Race): 20.23%, Black/African American Alone: 13.23%. The complete breakdown includes 8 distinct racial and ethnic categories.

The median household income in New York is $85,820. This represents the midpoint of all household incomes in the area, meaning half of households earn more than this amount and half earn less.

The household income distribution in New York is: Very Low Income (under $20,000): 12.92%, Low Income ($20,000-$34,999): 9.11%, Lower Middle Income ($35,000-$49,999): 8.77%, Middle Income ($50,000-$74,999): 13.77%, Upper Middle Income ($75,000-$149,999): 28.22%, High Income ($150,000+): 27.21%.

Approximately 43.91% of households in New York earn over $100,000 annually. This includes households earning between $100,000 and $124,999, $125,000 and $149,999, $150,000 and $199,999, and $200,000 or more.

The property value distribution for owner-occupied housing units in New York is: Less than $25,000: 2.40%, $25,000-$49,999: 1.47%, $50,000-$99,999: 4.80%, $100,000-$199,999: 13.01%, $200,000-$499,999: 32.76%, $500,000-$999,999: 38.97%, $1,000,000 or more: 6.58%.

There are 4,252,571 owner-occupied housing units in New York. This represents homes that are owned by the people living in them, as opposed to rental properties or vacant units.

Approximately 45.54% of owner-occupied housing units in New York are valued over $500,000. This includes properties valued between $500,000 and $749,999, $750,000 and $999,999, $1,000,000 and $1,499,999, $1,500,000 and $1,999,999, and $2,000,000 or more.

In New York, 41.22% of the population aged 25 and older holds a bachelor's degree or higher. This includes those with bachelor's degrees as well as those with graduate or professional degrees.

The educational attainment breakdown for New York (population 25+) is: Less than high school graduate: 11.96%, High school graduate (including equivalency): 24.04%, Some college or associate's degree: 22.79%, Bachelor's degree: 22.84%, Graduate or professional degree: 18.37%.

In New York, 88.04% of the population aged 25 and older has completed at least a high school education. This includes high school graduates, those with some college, associate's degrees, bachelor's degrees, and graduate degrees.

In New York, 5.0% of the population lacks health insurance coverage. This represents 973,715 individuals out of a total population of 19,666,716 people.

The uninsured rates vary by age group in New York. For young adults (18-34 years), 10.3% of males and 6.5% of females lack coverage. In the 35-64 age group, 7.8% of males and 4.8% of females are uninsured. These working-age populations typically face different coverage challenges than children or seniors.

Children under 18 in New York have uninsured rates of 2.7% for males and 2.6% for females. Seniors aged 65 and older, who are typically covered by Medicare, have uninsured rates of 0.9% for males and 0.8% for females. These age groups generally have higher coverage rates due to public programs.

In New York, 90.5% of the population are U.S. citizens. This includes native-born citizens and naturalized citizens. Out of a total population of 19,867,248 people, 17,989,485 are U.S. citizens.

New York has 2,743,619 naturalized U.S. citizens, representing 13.8% of the total population. These are foreign-born individuals who have gone through the naturalization process to become U.S. citizens.

The nativity and citizenship breakdown for New York is: 74.2% were born in the United States, 1.2% were born in Puerto Rico or U.S. Island Areas, 1.4% were born abroad of American parent(s), 13.8% are foreign-born naturalized U.S. citizens, and 9.5% are foreign-born non-citizens.

In New York, 55.4% of workers commute by car, truck, or van, making it the most common means of transportation to work. Out of 9,557,920 total workers, 5,291,293 use personal vehicles for their commute.

2,312,760 workers in New York use public transportation (excluding taxicabs) to commute to work, representing 24.2% of all workers. This includes buses, subways, light rail, commuter trains, and ferries.

Alternative commute methods in New York include: 11.8% work from home, 5.8% walk to work, 0.9% bicycle, and 2.0% use other means such as taxicabs or motorcycles. These alternatives to driving alone help reduce traffic congestion and environmental impact.

"Class of worker" refers to the type of employer or work arrangement for employed civilians aged 16 and over in New York. It categorizes workers into private sector (for-profit and non-profit), government (local, state, and federal), self-employed, and unpaid family workers. This classification helps understand the employment structure and economic composition of the workforce.

According to the American Community Survey, New York has 9,737,212 employed civilians aged 16 and over. The private for-profit sector employs the largest share of workers, with 36.1% of male workers and 29.7% of female workers in this category.

In New York, there are 690,075 male government workers and 876,245 female government workers. Government employment includes local, state, and federal positions. This represents 7.1% of male workers and 9.0% of female workers.

Self-employment in New York includes 309,465 males (3.2%) and 235,470 females (2.4%). Self-employed workers operate their own businesses that are not legally incorporated.

In New York, 1,270,240 households (16.23% of all households) received SNAP/Food Stamps benefits in the past 12 months. Out of 7,828,074 total households, these families rely on this federal nutrition assistance program to help purchase food.

Of the SNAP-receiving households in New York, 455,578 (35.87%) have children under 18 years. These families face additional nutritional needs and food security challenges as they work to provide adequate nutrition for growing children.

SNAP recipients in New York include diverse household types. Among households with children, 241,525 (19.01%) are headed by a female householder with no spouse present, while 164,784 (12.97%) are married-couple families. The program also serves households without children, including seniors, disabled individuals, and working adults facing economic challenges.

The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), formerly known as Food Stamps, is a federal program that provides nutrition assistance to low-income individuals and families. Eligibility is based on household income, resources, and size. In New York, SNAP helps eligible households purchase nutritious food at authorized retailers. The program aims to alleviate hunger and improve nutrition and health outcomes for vulnerable populations.

According to the U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey, there are 607,728 civilian veterans aged 18 and over living in New York. These individuals have served on active duty in the U.S. Army, Air Force, Navy, Marine Corps, or Coast Guard. This number does not include those with only National Guard or Reserves training without active duty service.

The most common period of military service for veterans in New York is Vietnam Era Only, with 203,212 veterans (33.4% of all veterans) who served during this period. The second most common period is Between Gulf War & Vietnam, with 99,848 veterans (16.4%).

"Period of service" categorizes veterans based on when they served on active duty in the U.S. Armed Forces. Major periods include World War II (December 1941-December 1946), the Korean War (July 1950-January 1955), the Vietnam Era (August 1964-April 1975), the Gulf War (August 1990-August 2001), and Post-9/11 (September 2001 or later). Veterans may have served during multiple periods. Understanding the distribution of service periods helps communities in New York provide appropriate services and support to their veteran population.

Veterans who served during the Gulf War era (1990-2001) and Post-9/11 era (2001-present) represent approximately 48.3% of all veterans in New York. These more recent-era veterans, totaling around 293,471 individuals, often have different service experiences and support needs compared to veterans of earlier conflicts. They may benefit from targeted programs addressing issues such as transition to civilian life, employment assistance, and access to VA healthcare services.

In New York, 467,392 families (9.8% of all families) live below the federal poverty line. This means their household income is less than 100% of the poverty threshold established by the U.S. Census Bureau, which varies by family size and composition. Out of 4,760,304 total families, these households face significant economic challenges meeting basic needs.

"Income-to-poverty ratio" measures how a family's income compares to the federal poverty threshold. A ratio of 1.00 (100%) means the family's income equals the poverty line. Below 1.00 indicates poverty, while ratios above 1.00 show income levels relative to poverty. For example, a ratio of 2.00 (200%) means the family earns twice the poverty threshold. In New York, this data helps identify not just families in poverty, but also those who are economically vulnerable despite being above the official poverty line.

Beyond families living in poverty, New York has 1,217,549 families (25.6%) with incomes between 100% and 199% of the poverty level. These families are often called 'near poverty' or low-income households. Specifically, 454,302 families (9.5%) have incomes between 100% and 149% of poverty. While technically above the poverty line, these families often struggle with housing costs, healthcare, childcare, and other expenses, making them economically vulnerable.

In New York, 213,391 families (4.5%) live in extreme poverty, with incomes below 50% of the federal poverty threshold. These families face severe economic hardship and often require comprehensive assistance programs. On the other end of the spectrum, 3,075,363 families (64.6%) have incomes at least 200% above the poverty level, indicating greater financial stability and economic security.