Chautauqua, New York Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Chautauqua, New York had a total population of 294, the 1166th largest community in New York. The poverty rate is 33.8%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- More than 1 in 4 residents live below the poverty line (33.8%), well above the national average of 12.4%.
- 74.1% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher — top 10% in New York.
- Unemployment rate of 33.3% is notably above the national average.
Chautauqua Quick Facts
How Chautauqua 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 | 340 | 294 | -13.5% |
| Median home value | $732,100 | $740,100 | +1.1% |
How Chautauqua 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+)
Chautauqua Rankings in New York
Explore New York Rankings
Other Cities in Chautauqua County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jamestown | 28,188 | $43,523 | 25.3% | $87,700 |
| Dunkirk | 12,549 | $53,299 | 24.3% | $94,700 |
| Fredonia | 9,467 | $50,433 | 25.2% | $192,500 |
| Westfield | 3,185 | $46,774 | 15.3% | $102,600 |
| Lakewood | 2,957 | $67,557 | 11.6% | $158,500 |
| Silver Creek | 2,604 | $63,854 | 21.5% | $125,400 |
| Jamestown West | 2,424 | $54,250 | 9.5% | $146,000 |
| Falconer | 2,149 | $60,056 | 10.9% | $98,400 |
| Frewsburg | 1,792 | $75,536 | 8.4% | $142,800 |
| Brocton | 1,404 | $58,500 | 24.6% | $110,100 |
Cities Similar to Chautauqua
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cuylerville | 293 | $93,750 | $215,000 | 42.7% | 2.4% |
| Salisbury Mills | 293 | $142,426 | $471,400 | 40.0% | 8.9% |
| Turin | 297 | $103,246 | $114,600 | 24.7% | 6.1% |
| New Baltimore | 298 | $85,461 | $343,200 | 8.3% | 7.5% |
| New Suffolk | 298 | $130,875 | $1,060,000 | 72.1% | 2.0% |
A note before these figures: with a population of 294, Chautauqua's ACS estimates come from a small number of survey responses and carry wide margins of error. Individual percentages below — particularly rates that round to 0% or 100% — are approximations, not precise measurements. See data.census.gov for the published margins of error.
Population Overview
Chautauqua is a small community located in New York, within Chautauqua County. The total population is 294. It ranks as the 1166th most populous out of 1,289 Census-designated places in New York.
Age Demographics
The median age in Chautauqua is 49.5 years. This is 24% higher than the state median of 39.8 years. Only 1.4% of residents are under 18, indicating fewer families with children. 22.4% of residents are 75 or older, suggesting a significant retirement-age population with implications for healthcare services and senior housing.
Economy, Income & Housing
The poverty rate stands at 33.8%. This is 141% higher than the state poverty rate of 14.0%. With more than one in five residents living below the poverty line, economic hardship is a significant challenge for the community. The unemployment rate is 33.3%. This is 423% higher than the state rate of 6.4%. The median home value is $740,100. Housing costs are 75% higher than the state median of $423,800. 75.0% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 38% higher than the state average of 54.4%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Chautauqua is White (non-Hispanic), making up 76.5% of the population. Black or African American residents account for 8.8%. The Hispanic or Latino population (1.7%) is well below the state average of 19.8%.
Education
74.1% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This places Chautauqua in the top 10% of all cities in the state for educational attainment. This is 84% 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 99.0%. Notably, 60.9% of adults hold a graduate or professional degree, indicating a highly educated workforce.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Chautauqua, 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 Chautauqua, New York?
Chautauqua, New York has a population of 294 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Chautauqua, NY?
The Census Bureau does not publish a reliable median household income estimate for Chautauqua — the community is too small for the ACS sample. The national median is $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Chautauqua, NY?
The poverty rate in Chautauqua is 33.8%. This means approximately 70 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Chautauqua, New York?
Chautauqua's population is 76.5% White, 8.8% Black, 1.7% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in Chautauqua, NY?
The median home value in Chautauqua is $740,100.
How educated is Chautauqua, New York?
74.1% of adults (25+) in Chautauqua hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 60.9% hold a graduate or professional degree.