Cattaraugus County, New York Demographics 2026

Population Overview

Cattaraugus County is located in New York with a total population of 76,479. It is the 35th most populous county out of 62 in New York. The county encompasses 2 Census-designated places.

Age Demographics

The median age in Cattaraugus County is 42.5 years. This is 7% higher than the state median of 39.6 years.

Economy, Income & Housing

The median household income in Cattaraugus County is $58,248. This is 31% lower than the state median of $84,578. Compared to the national median of $78,538, household income here is 26% lower. The poverty rate stands at 17.6%. This is 28% higher than the state poverty rate of 13.7%. The unemployment rate is 5.2%. This is 16% lower than the state rate of 6.2%. The median home value is $109,400. Housing costs are 73% lower than the state median of $403,000. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 1.9x, Cattaraugus County is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 74.6% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 37% higher than the state average of 54.3%.

Race & Ethnicity

Cattaraugus County has a predominantly White (non-Hispanic) population, comprising 88.4% of all residents. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 2.3%. The White (non-Hispanic) population is significantly higher than the state average (88.4% vs 53.4%). The Black or African American population (1.4%) is well below the state average of 13.6%. The Hispanic or Latino population (2.3%) is well below the state average of 19.6%. The Asian population (0.7%) is well below the state average of 8.8%.

Education

20.7% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is among the lowest rates in the state, which may correlate with employment and income patterns. This is 48% lower than the state rate of 39.6%. Nationally, 35.0% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 89.2%.