Chester, New York Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Chester, New York had a total population of 4,033, the 414th largest village in New York, with a median household income of $100,514, which is 17% higher than the state average. The poverty rate is 6.8%.
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 1.2%.
Chester Quick Facts
How Chester 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 | 4,052 | 4,033 | -0.5% |
| Median household income | $97,250 | $100,514 | +3.4% |
| Median home value | $280,600 | $330,200 | +17.7% |
How Chester 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 diverse community with significant representation from multiple racial and ethnic groups.
State average: 65 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Chester Rankings in New York
Explore New York Rankings
Other Cities in Orange County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kiryas Joel | 38,916 | $50,032 | 37.6% | $758,800 |
| Middletown | 30,289 | $79,346 | 13.6% | $308,600 |
| Newburgh | 28,519 | $56,960 | 24.3% | $247,900 |
| Woodbury | 11,334 | $121,221 | 4.6% | $452,200 |
| Scotchtown | 10,252 | $96,689 | 8.3% | $344,300 |
| Orange Lake | 9,784 | $109,063 | 6.6% | $362,100 |
| Monroe | 9,515 | $109,851 | 9.0% | $427,800 |
| New Windsor | 8,919 | $81,340 | 8.5% | $345,200 |
| Mechanicstown | 8,808 | $81,250 | 18.1% | $344,200 |
| Port Jervis | 8,652 | $47,917 | 22.2% | $236,700 |
Cities Similar to Chester
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Watchtower | 3,974 | N/A | N/A | 1.8% | 100.0% |
| University Gardens | 4,110 | $101,786 | $794,500 | 57.2% | 8.2% |
| Heritage Hills | 4,094 | $105,546 | $524,800 | 65.8% | 7.7% |
| Haviland | 3,923 | $107,750 | $319,500 | 29.9% | 3.2% |
| Gang Mills | 4,177 | $108,194 | $308,400 | 57.4% | 8.9% |
Population Overview
Chester is a small community located in New York, within Orange County. The total population is 4,033. It ranks as the 414th most populous out of 1,289 Census-designated places in New York.
Age Demographics
The median age in Chester is 38.7 years. This is 3% lower than the state median of 39.8 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Chester is $100,514. This is 17% higher than the state median of $85,974. It is also 25% higher than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 6.8%. This is 52% lower than the state poverty rate of 14.0%. The unemployment rate is 1.2%. This is 81% lower than the state rate of 6.4%. The median home value is $330,200. Housing costs are 22% lower than the state median of $423,800. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.3x. 50.2% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 8% lower than the state average of 54.4%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Chester is White (non-Hispanic), making up 53.2% of the population. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 22.6%.
Education
35.4% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 12% 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 99.3%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Chester, 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 Chester, New York?
Chester, New York has a population of 4,033 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Chester, NY?
The median household income in Chester is $100,514, which is 25% higher than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Chester, NY?
The poverty rate in Chester is 6.8%. This means approximately 273 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Chester, New York?
Chester's population is 53.2% White, 10.7% Black, 22.6% Hispanic/Latino, and 7.7% Asian.
What is the median home value in Chester, NY?
The median home value in Chester is $330,200. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.3x.
How educated is Chester, New York?
35.4% of adults (25+) in Chester hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 11.9% hold a graduate or professional degree.