Jamestown, New York Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Jamestown, New York had a total population of 28,188, the 52nd largest city in New York, with a median household income of $43,523, which is 49% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 25.3%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 49% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
- More than 1 in 4 residents live below the poverty line (25.3%), well above the national average of 12.4%.
- Housing is very affordable with a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.0x.
- Unemployment rate of 9.0% is notably above the national average.
Jamestown Quick Facts
How Jamestown 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 | 28,401 | 28,188 | -0.7% |
| Median household income | $44,878 | $43,523 | -3.0% |
| Median home value | $79,100 | $87,700 | +10.9% |
How Jamestown 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+)
Jamestown Rankings in New York
Explore New York Rankings
Other Cities in Chautauqua County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 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 |
| Celoron | 1,397 | $51,964 | 16.6% | $92,700 |
Cities Similar to Jamestown
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Monsey | 28,160 | $47,629 | $921,000 | 15.2% | 49.1% |
| Elmira | 26,257 | $43,120 | $93,000 | 18.1% | 30.2% |
| Newburgh | 28,519 | $56,960 | $247,900 | 19.8% | 24.3% |
| Auburn | 26,285 | $51,052 | $152,800 | 21.0% | 19.5% |
| Ithaca | 32,814 | $48,784 | $342,700 | 67.7% | 30.4% |
Population Overview
Jamestown is a mid-sized community located in New York, within Chautauqua County. The total population is 28,188. It ranks as the 52nd most populous out of 1,289 Census-designated places in New York.
Age Demographics
The median age in Jamestown is 39.8 years. This is about the same as the state median of 39.8 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Jamestown is $43,523. This is 49% lower than the state median of $85,974. It is also 46% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 25.3%. This is 80% 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 9.0%. This is 41% higher than the state rate of 6.4%. The median home value is $87,700. Housing costs are 79% lower than the state median of $423,800. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.0x, Jamestown is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 49.3% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 9% lower than the state average of 54.4%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Jamestown is White (non-Hispanic), making up 79.4% of the population. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 10.5%. The White (non-Hispanic) population is significantly higher than the state average (79.4% vs 52.8%). The Black or African American population (3.9%) is well below the state average of 13.4%. The Asian population (0.8%) is well below the state average of 9.0%.
Education
21.3% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 47% 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 87.2%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Jamestown, 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 Jamestown, New York?
Jamestown, New York has a population of 28,188 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Jamestown, NY?
The median household income in Jamestown is $43,523, which is 46% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Jamestown, NY?
The poverty rate in Jamestown is 25.3%. This means approximately 6,989 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Jamestown, New York?
Jamestown's population is 79.4% White, 3.9% Black, 10.5% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.8% Asian.
What is the median home value in Jamestown, NY?
The median home value in Jamestown is $87,700. The home-value-to-income ratio is 2.0x.
How educated is Jamestown, New York?
21.3% of adults (25+) in Jamestown hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 8.7% hold a graduate or professional degree.