Bolivar, New York Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Bolivar, New York had a total population of 1,124, the 817th largest village in New York, with a median household income of $56,413, which is 34% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 18.7%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 34% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
- Housing is very affordable with a home-value-to-income ratio of just 1.3x.
- Unemployment rate of 9.0% is notably above the national average.
Bolivar Quick Facts
How Bolivar 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 | 1,108 | 1,124 | +1.4% |
| Median household income | $53,317 | $56,413 | +5.8% |
| Median home value | $66,400 | $71,900 | +8.3% |
How Bolivar 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+)
Bolivar 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 |
| Alfred | 4,819 | $40,625 | 37.4% | $170,800 |
| Cuba | 1,807 | $61,776 | 14.1% | $85,900 |
| Houghton | 1,728 | $83,571 | 20.4% | $163,200 |
| 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 Bolivar
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sparrow Bush | 1,119 | $56,349 | $240,000 | 24.1% | 2.6% |
| Yorkshire | 1,138 | N/A | N/A | 0.0% | 33.1% |
| Schoharie | 1,144 | $55,742 | $220,900 | 26.5% | 13.0% |
| Richfield Springs | 1,104 | $55,750 | $132,400 | 26.1% | 25.6% |
| South Corning | 1,132 | $58,750 | $124,600 | 27.9% | 12.4% |
Population Overview
Bolivar is a small community located in New York, within Allegany County. The total population is 1,124. It ranks as the 817th most populous out of 1,289 Census-designated places in New York.
Age Demographics
The median age in Bolivar is 37.3 years. This is 6% lower than the state median of 39.8 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Bolivar is $56,413. This is 34% lower than the state median of $85,974. It is also 30% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 18.7%. This is 34% higher than the state poverty rate of 14.0%. The unemployment rate is 9.0%. This is 42% higher than the state rate of 6.4%. The median home value is $71,900. Housing costs are 83% lower than the state median of $423,800. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 1.3x, Bolivar is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 65.6% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 21% higher than the state average of 54.4%.
Race & Ethnicity
Bolivar has a predominantly White (non-Hispanic) population, comprising 94.5% of all residents. Black or African American residents account for 0.8%. The White (non-Hispanic) population is significantly higher than the state average (94.5% vs 52.8%). The Black or African American population (0.8%) is well below the state average of 13.4%. The Hispanic or Latino population (0.8%) is well below the state average of 19.8%. The Asian population (0.5%) is well below the state average of 9.0%.
Education
31.5% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 22% 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 90.0%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Bolivar, 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 Bolivar, New York?
Bolivar, New York has a population of 1,124 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Bolivar, NY?
The median household income in Bolivar is $56,413, which is 30% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Bolivar, NY?
The poverty rate in Bolivar is 18.7%. This means approximately 208 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Bolivar, New York?
Bolivar's population is 94.5% White, 0.8% Black, 0.8% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.5% Asian.
What is the median home value in Bolivar, NY?
The median home value in Bolivar is $71,900. The home-value-to-income ratio is 1.3x.
How educated is Bolivar, New York?
31.5% of adults (25+) in Bolivar hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 9.9% hold a graduate or professional degree.