Auburn, New York Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Auburn, New York had a total population of 26,285, the 60th largest city in New York, with a median household income of $51,052, which is 41% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 19.5%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 41% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
Auburn Quick Facts
How Auburn 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 | 26,475 | 26,285 | -0.7% |
| Median household income | $49,377 | $51,052 | +3.4% |
| Median home value | $143,600 | $152,800 | +6.4% |
How Auburn 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
A less diverse community where one racial or ethnic group represents a large majority.
State average: 65 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Auburn Rankings in New York
Explore New York Rankings
Other Cities in Cayuga County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Melrose Park | 1,960 | $103,723 | 6.1% | $224,400 |
| Weedsport | 1,954 | $70,865 | 16.6% | $166,800 |
| Moravia | 1,385 | $63,073 | 10.5% | $131,300 |
| Union Springs | 1,255 | $81,250 | 4.4% | $162,500 |
| Fair Haven | 1,013 | $57,390 | 9.7% | $189,300 |
| Port Byron | 900 | $48,750 | 24.6% | $100,500 |
| Aurora | 651 | $71,250 | 14.0% | $262,500 |
| Cayuga | 575 | $97,885 | 7.5% | $158,100 |
| Cato | 515 | $82,292 | 9.5% | $163,300 |
| Meridian | 220 | $93,750 | 15.0% | $143,200 |
Cities Similar to Auburn
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Watertown | 24,375 | $51,753 | $158,600 | 26.6% | 20.1% |
| Elmira | 26,257 | $43,120 | $93,000 | 18.1% | 30.2% |
| Monsey | 28,160 | $47,629 | $921,000 | 15.2% | 49.1% |
| Newburgh | 28,519 | $56,960 | $247,900 | 19.8% | 24.3% |
| Jamestown | 28,188 | $43,523 | $87,700 | 21.3% | 25.3% |
Population Overview
Auburn is a mid-sized community located in New York, within Cayuga County. The total population is 26,285. It ranks as the 60th most populous out of 1,289 Census-designated places in New York.
Age Demographics
The median age in Auburn is 41.1 years. This is 3% higher than the state median of 39.8 years. 10.2% of residents are 75 or older, suggesting a significant retirement-age population with implications for healthcare services and senior housing.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Auburn is $51,052. This is 41% lower than the state median of $85,974. It is also 37% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 19.5%. This is 39% higher than the state poverty rate of 14.0%. The unemployment rate is 4.9%. This is 24% lower than the state rate of 6.4%. The median home value is $152,800. Housing costs are 64% lower than the state median of $423,800. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.0x. 48.6% 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 Auburn is White (non-Hispanic), making up 81.1% of the population. Black or African American residents account for 6.6%. The White (non-Hispanic) population is significantly higher than the state average (81.1% vs 52.8%). The Black or African American population (6.6%) is well below the state average of 13.4%. The Hispanic or Latino population (3.9%) is well below the state average of 19.8%. The Asian population (0.5%) is well below the state average of 9.0%.
Education
21.0% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 48% lower 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 87.2%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Auburn, 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 Auburn, New York?
Auburn, New York has a population of 26,285 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Auburn, NY?
The median household income in Auburn is $51,052, which is 37% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Auburn, NY?
The poverty rate in Auburn is 19.5%. This means approximately 4,747 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Auburn, New York?
Auburn's population is 81.1% White, 6.6% Black, 3.9% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.5% Asian.
What is the median home value in Auburn, NY?
The median home value in Auburn is $152,800. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.0x.
How educated is Auburn, New York?
21.0% of adults (25+) in Auburn hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 8.8% hold a graduate or professional degree.