Chatham, New York Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Chatham, New York had a total population of 1,669, the 696th largest village in New York, with a median household income of $79,886, which is 7% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 10.7%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Near full employment with an unemployment rate of just 2.2%.
Chatham Quick Facts
How Chatham 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 | 1,594 | 1,669 | +4.7% |
| Median household income | $86,625 | $79,886 | -7.8% |
| Median home value | $306,300 | $323,100 | +5.5% |
How Chatham 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+)
Chatham Rankings in New York
Explore New York Rankings
Other Cities in Columbia County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hudson | 5,865 | $54,139 | 28.2% | $389,900 |
| Lorenz Park | 1,991 | $85,188 | 16.9% | $222,000 |
| Valatie | 1,796 | $100,461 | 4.1% | $325,100 |
| Philmont | 1,439 | $56,563 | 21.6% | $225,000 |
| Niverville | 1,181 | N/A | 12.8% | $302,200 |
| Kinderhook | 1,072 | $93,250 | 7.6% | $372,400 |
| Stottville | 1,045 | $60,872 | 10.0% | $166,100 |
| Germantown | 1,042 | $96,563 | 5.2% | $445,900 |
| Claverack-Red Mills | 925 | $61,902 | 0.0% | $392,000 |
| Copake Lake | 784 | $102,009 | 0.9% | $610,300 |
Cities Similar to Chatham
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kerhonkson | 1,677 | $78,459 | $236,000 | 19.4% | 16.8% |
| Cairo | 1,660 | $81,885 | $237,700 | 28.6% | 6.5% |
| Billington Heights | 1,610 | $81,947 | $347,700 | 46.8% | 11.6% |
| Waterville | 1,731 | $82,273 | $170,100 | 24.7% | 8.1% |
| Black River | 1,651 | $86,645 | $228,200 | 32.4% | 11.8% |
Population Overview
Chatham is a small community located in New York, within Columbia County. The total population is 1,669. It ranks as the 696th most populous out of 1,289 Census-designated places in New York.
Age Demographics
The median age in Chatham is 49.6 years. This is 25% higher than the state median of 39.8 years. Only 12.5% of residents are under 18, indicating fewer families with children.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Chatham is $79,886. This is 7% lower than the state median of $85,974. It is also 1% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 10.7%. This is 23% lower than the state poverty rate of 14.0%. The unemployment rate is 2.2%. This is 65% lower than the state rate of 6.4%. The median home value is $323,100. Housing costs are 24% lower than the state median of $423,800. The home-value-to-income ratio is 4.0x. 54.2% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Chatham is White (non-Hispanic), making up 84.6% of the population. Black or African American residents account for 1.3%. The White (non-Hispanic) population is significantly higher than the state average (84.6% vs 52.8%). The Black or African American population (1.3%) is well below the state average of 13.4%. The Hispanic or Latino population (1.3%) is well below the state average of 19.8%. The Asian population (0.4%) is well below the state average of 9.0%.
Education
48.2% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 20% 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 93.0%. Notably, 25.4% of adults hold a graduate or professional degree, indicating a highly educated workforce.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Chatham, 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 Chatham, New York?
Chatham, New York has a population of 1,669 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Chatham, NY?
The median household income in Chatham is $79,886, which is 1% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Chatham, NY?
The poverty rate in Chatham is 10.7%. This means approximately 179 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Chatham, New York?
Chatham's population is 84.6% White, 1.3% Black, 1.3% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.4% Asian.
What is the median home value in Chatham, NY?
The median home value in Chatham is $323,100. The home-value-to-income ratio is 4.0x.
How educated is Chatham, New York?
48.2% of adults (25+) in Chatham hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 25.4% hold a graduate or professional degree.