Black River, New York Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Black River, New York had a total population of 1,651, the 705th largest village in New York, with a median household income of $86,645, which is about the same as the state average. The poverty rate is 11.8%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Unemployment rate of 19.8% is notably above the national average.
Black River Quick Facts
How Black River 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 | 1,880 | 1,651 | -12.2% |
| Median household income | $81,111 | $86,645 | +6.8% |
| Median home value | $211,000 | $228,200 | +8.2% |
How Black River 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+)
Black River Rankings in New York
Explore New York Rankings
Other Cities in Jefferson County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Watertown | 24,375 | $51,753 | 20.1% | $158,600 |
| Fort Drum | 16,065 | $62,291 | 11.7% | N/A |
| Carthage | 3,510 | $58,125 | 25.8% | $131,200 |
| Calcium | 2,935 | $57,668 | 17.3% | $203,400 |
| West Carthage | 1,864 | $49,885 | 10.4% | $192,100 |
| Clayton | 1,661 | $60,573 | 19.5% | $231,800 |
| Adams | 1,531 | $64,432 | 8.9% | $192,400 |
| Sackets Harbor | 1,490 | $77,043 | 14.0% | $234,900 |
| Alexandria Bay | 1,212 | $55,048 | 10.8% | $154,100 |
| Adams Center | 1,075 | $87,727 | 10.1% | $178,100 |
Cities Similar to Black River
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Milton (Ulster County) | 1,679 | $87,763 | $350,500 | 27.9% | 20.5% |
| Cairo | 1,660 | $81,885 | $237,700 | 28.6% | 6.5% |
| Schuylerville | 1,571 | $86,765 | $215,900 | 29.4% | 9.6% |
| Chatham | 1,669 | $79,886 | $323,100 | 48.2% | 10.7% |
| West Hurley | 1,673 | $93,789 | $437,100 | 54.3% | 6.6% |
Population Overview
Black River is a small community located in New York, within Jefferson County. The total population is 1,651. It ranks as the 705th most populous out of 1,289 Census-designated places in New York.
Age Demographics
The median age in Black River is 38.3 years. This is 4% lower than the state median of 39.8 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Black River is $86,645. This is about the same as the state median of $85,974. It is also 7% higher than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 11.8%. This is 16% lower than the state poverty rate of 14.0%. The unemployment rate is 19.8%. This is 211% higher than the state rate of 6.4%. The median home value is $228,200. Housing costs are 46% lower than the state median of $423,800. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.6x, Black River is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 63.2% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 16% higher than the state average of 54.4%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Black River is White (non-Hispanic), making up 84.4% of the population. Asian residents account for 6.5%. The White (non-Hispanic) population is significantly higher than the state average (84.4% vs 52.8%). The Hispanic or Latino population (1.5%) is well below the state average of 19.8%.
Education
32.4% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 19% 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 97.5%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Black River, 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.
Free data download: Get all New York city and county demographics as CSV. Download Cities CSV | Download Counties CSV
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the population of Black River, New York?
Black River, New York has a population of 1,651 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Black River, NY?
The median household income in Black River is $86,645, which is 7% higher than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Black River, NY?
The poverty rate in Black River is 11.8%. This means approximately 194 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Black River, New York?
Black River's population is 84.4% White, 0.0% Black, 1.5% Hispanic/Latino, and 6.5% Asian.
What is the median home value in Black River, NY?
The median home value in Black River is $228,200. The home-value-to-income ratio is 2.6x.
How educated is Black River, New York?
32.4% of adults (25+) in Black River hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 14.0% hold a graduate or professional degree.