Dunkirk, New York Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Dunkirk, New York had a total population of 12,549, the 155th largest city in New York, with a median household income of $53,299, which is 38% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 24.3%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 38% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
- Housing is very affordable with a home-value-to-income ratio of just 1.8x.
Dunkirk Quick Facts
How Dunkirk 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 | 12,597 | 12,549 | -0.4% |
| Median household income | $49,003 | $53,299 | +8.8% |
| Median home value | $91,200 | $94,700 | +3.8% |
How Dunkirk 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+)
Dunkirk 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 |
| 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 |
| Celoron | 1,397 | $51,964 | 16.6% | $92,700 |
Cities Similar to Dunkirk
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Olean | 13,738 | $51,261 | $86,100 | 29.9% | 26.7% |
| Fulton | 11,272 | $52,046 | $101,000 | 16.4% | 23.5% |
| Endicott | 13,387 | $47,290 | $121,800 | 21.7% | 29.0% |
| Haverstraw | 12,325 | $75,167 | $361,100 | 24.8% | 16.4% |
| Gloversville | 14,962 | $51,556 | $106,400 | 16.6% | 17.6% |
Population Overview
Dunkirk is a small city located in New York, within Chautauqua County. The total population is 12,549. It ranks as the 155th most populous out of 1,289 Census-designated places in New York.
Age Demographics
The median age in Dunkirk is 43.7 years. This is 10% higher than the state median of 39.8 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Dunkirk is $53,299. This is 38% lower than the state median of $85,974. It is also 34% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 24.3%. This is 74% 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 4.7%. This is 26% lower than the state rate of 6.4%. The median home value is $94,700. Housing costs are 78% lower than the state median of $423,800. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 1.8x, Dunkirk is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 58.5% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 8% higher than the state average of 54.4%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Dunkirk is White (non-Hispanic), making up 55.8% of the population. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 36.5%. The Black or African American population (3.8%) is well below the state average of 13.4%. The Hispanic or Latino population is significantly higher than the state average (36.5% vs 19.8%). The Asian population (0.1%) is well below the state average of 9.0%.
Education
16.4% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 59% 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 87.4%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Dunkirk, 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 Dunkirk, New York?
Dunkirk, New York has a population of 12,549 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Dunkirk, NY?
The median household income in Dunkirk is $53,299, which is 34% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Dunkirk, NY?
The poverty rate in Dunkirk is 24.3%. This means approximately 3,021 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Dunkirk, New York?
Dunkirk's population is 55.8% White, 3.8% Black, 36.5% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.1% Asian.
What is the median home value in Dunkirk, NY?
The median home value in Dunkirk is $94,700. The home-value-to-income ratio is 1.8x.
How educated is Dunkirk, New York?
16.4% of adults (25+) in Dunkirk hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 6.8% hold a graduate or professional degree.