Houghton, New York Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Houghton, New York had a total population of 1,728, the 683rd largest community in New York, with a median household income of $83,571, which is 3% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 20.4%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- 71.0% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher — top 10% in New York.
- Housing is very affordable with a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.0x.
Houghton Quick Facts
How Houghton 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 | 1,685 | 1,728 | +2.6% |
| Median household income | $87,188 | $83,571 | -4.1% |
| Median home value | $153,300 | $163,200 | +6.5% |
How Houghton 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+)
Houghton Rankings in New York
Explore New York Rankings
Other Cities in Allegany County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wellsville | 4,923 | $55,096 | 19.9% | $91,200 |
| Alfred | 4,819 | $40,625 | 37.4% | $170,800 |
| Cuba | 1,807 | $61,776 | 14.1% | $85,900 |
| Bolivar | 1,124 | $56,413 | 18.7% | $71,900 |
| Belmont | 955 | $65,313 | 14.2% | $94,600 |
| Andover | 915 | $66,136 | 11.1% | $72,000 |
| Scio | 727 | $57,143 | 22.8% | $127,400 |
| Friendship | 712 | $35,417 | 27.1% | $71,600 |
| Richburg | 650 | $47,083 | 28.8% | $71,400 |
| Stannards | 642 | $74,286 | 3.8% | $124,600 |
Cities Similar to Houghton
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Waterville | 1,731 | $82,273 | $170,100 | 24.7% | 8.1% |
| Youngstown | 1,758 | $81,369 | $216,100 | 42.0% | 5.3% |
| Cairo | 1,660 | $81,885 | $237,700 | 28.6% | 6.5% |
| Shortsville | 1,713 | $91,058 | $134,600 | 18.2% | 6.6% |
| Milton (Ulster County) | 1,679 | $87,763 | $350,500 | 27.9% | 20.5% |
Population Overview
Houghton is a small community located in New York, within Allegany County. The total population is 1,728. It ranks as the 683rd most populous out of 1,289 Census-designated places in New York.
Age Demographics
The median age in Houghton is 21.4 years. This is 46% lower than the state median of 39.8 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Houghton is $83,571. This is 3% lower than the state median of $85,974. It is also 4% higher than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 20.4%. This is 45% 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 6.1%. This is 4% lower than the state rate of 6.4%. The median home value is $163,200. Housing costs are 61% lower than the state median of $423,800. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.0x, Houghton is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 52.7% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 3% lower than the state average of 54.4%.
Race & Ethnicity
Houghton has a predominantly White (non-Hispanic) population, comprising 88.1% of all residents. Black or African American residents account for 4.5%. The White (non-Hispanic) population is significantly higher than the state average (88.1% vs 52.8%). The Black or African American population (4.5%) is well below the state average of 13.4%. The Hispanic or Latino population (3.1%) is well below the state average of 19.8%. The Asian population (3.2%) is well below the state average of 9.0%.
Education
71.0% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This places Houghton in the top 10% of all cities in the state for educational attainment. This is 76% 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 92.0%. Notably, 41.0% of adults hold a graduate or professional degree, indicating a highly educated workforce.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Houghton, 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 Houghton, New York?
Houghton, New York has a population of 1,728 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Houghton, NY?
The median household income in Houghton is $83,571, which is 4% higher than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Houghton, NY?
The poverty rate in Houghton is 20.4%. This means approximately 199 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Houghton, New York?
Houghton's population is 88.1% White, 4.5% Black, 3.1% Hispanic/Latino, and 3.2% Asian.
What is the median home value in Houghton, NY?
The median home value in Houghton is $163,200. The home-value-to-income ratio is 2.0x.
How educated is Houghton, New York?
71.0% of adults (25+) in Houghton hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 41.0% hold a graduate or professional degree.