Alfred, New York Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Alfred, New York had a total population of 4,819, the 365th largest village in New York, with a median household income of $40,625, which is 53% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 37.4%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 53% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
- More than 1 in 4 residents live below the poverty line (37.4%), well above the national average of 12.4%.
- 71.1% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher — top 10% in New York.
- Unemployment rate of 16.4% is notably above the national average.
Alfred Quick Facts
How Alfred Changed
Change from the 2019–2023 ACS period to 2020–2024. These are rolling five-year estimates, not year-over-year measurements.
| Metric | 2019–2023 | 2020–2024 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 4,632 | 4,819 | +4.0% |
| Median household income | $45,357 | $40,625 | -10.4% |
| Median home value | $169,100 | $170,800 | +1.0% |
How Alfred Compares
Median Household Income
Median Home Value
Economy & Housing
Household Income Distribution
Detailed income brackets
Employment
Housing Overview
People & Demographics
Age Distribution
Race & Ethnicity
Diversity Index
Moderate diversity with one or two groups making up the majority.
State average: 65 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Alfred Rankings in New York
Explore New York Rankings
Other Cities in Allegany County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wellsville | 4,923 | $55,096 | 19.9% | $91,200 |
| Cuba | 1,807 | $61,776 | 14.1% | $85,900 |
| Houghton | 1,728 | $83,571 | 20.4% | $163,200 |
| Bolivar | 1,124 | $56,413 | 18.7% | $71,900 |
| Belmont | 955 | $65,313 | 14.2% | $94,600 |
| Andover | 915 | $66,136 | 11.1% | $72,000 |
| Scio | 727 | $57,143 | 22.8% | $127,400 |
| Friendship | 712 | $35,417 | 27.1% | $71,600 |
| Richburg | 650 | $47,083 | 28.8% | $71,400 |
| Stannards | 642 | $74,286 | 3.8% | $124,600 |
Cities Similar to Alfred
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cobleskill | 4,682 | $46,059 | $193,300 | 32.6% | 16.2% |
| Albion | 5,506 | $41,581 | $82,300 | 9.3% | 17.9% |
| Ellenville | 4,211 | $42,969 | $218,200 | 22.2% | 35.0% |
| Waterloo | 4,605 | $51,642 | $114,300 | 23.5% | 11.7% |
| Mechanicville | 5,124 | $50,675 | $186,500 | 23.2% | 18.1% |
Population Overview
Alfred is a small community located in New York, within Allegany County. The total population is 4,819. It ranks as the 365th most populous out of 1,289 Census-designated places in New York.
Age Demographics
The median age in Alfred is 20.2 years. This is 49% lower than the state median of 39.8 years. Only 4.9% of residents are under 18, indicating fewer families with children.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Alfred is $40,625. This is 53% lower than the state median of $85,974. It is also 50% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 37.4%. This is 167% higher than the state poverty rate of 14.0%. With more than one in five residents living below the poverty line, economic hardship is a significant challenge for the community. The unemployment rate is 16.4%. This is 158% higher than the state rate of 6.4%. The median home value is $170,800. Housing costs are 60% lower than the state median of $423,800. The home-value-to-income ratio is 4.2x. 48.2% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 11% lower than the state average of 54.4%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Alfred is White (non-Hispanic), making up 68.5% of the population. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 13.0%.
Education
71.1% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This places Alfred in the top 10% of all cities in the state for educational attainment. This is 77% higher than the state rate of 40.2%. Nationally, 35.7% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 97.5%. Notably, 47.8% of adults hold a graduate or professional degree, indicating a highly educated workforce.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Alfred, New York is sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS) 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates. The ACS collects data from approximately 3.5 million households annually and pools five years of responses so that even small communities can be measured, though the margin of error widens as the population falls. Comparisons are made against New York state averages and national averages calculated from the same dataset. Rankings reflect the city's position among all 1,289 Census-designated places in New York. Read more about how these figures are produced on our methodology page, or visit data.census.gov for official data.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the population of Alfred, New York?
Alfred, New York has a population of 4,819 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Alfred, NY?
The median household income in Alfred is $40,625, which is 50% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Alfred, NY?
The poverty rate in Alfred is 37.4%. This means approximately 508 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Alfred, New York?
Alfred's population is 68.5% White, 8.3% Black, 13.0% Hispanic/Latino, and 7.4% Asian.
What is the median home value in Alfred, NY?
The median home value in Alfred is $170,800. The home-value-to-income ratio is 4.2x.
How educated is Alfred, New York?
71.1% of adults (25+) in Alfred hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 47.8% hold a graduate or professional degree.