Lackawanna, New York Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Lackawanna, New York had a total population of 19,753, the 92nd largest city in New York, with a median household income of $52,110, which is 39% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 23.2%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 39% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
Lackawanna Quick Facts
How Lackawanna 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 | 19,779 | 19,753 | -0.1% |
| Median household income | $48,185 | $52,110 | +8.1% |
| Median home value | $126,500 | $140,700 | +11.2% |
How Lackawanna 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
Moderate diversity with one or two groups making up the majority.
State average: 65 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Lackawanna Rankings in New York
Explore New York Rankings
Other Cities in Erie County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Buffalo | 276,854 | $50,041 | 26.0% | $164,200 |
| Cheektowaga | 76,056 | $68,613 | 10.7% | $185,500 |
| Tonawanda Town | 56,806 | $77,679 | 10.0% | $215,200 |
| West Seneca | 45,303 | $79,709 | 8.8% | $232,800 |
| Kenmore | 15,044 | $77,639 | 9.1% | $208,600 |
| Tonawanda | 15,030 | $58,326 | 13.8% | $173,600 |
| Depew | 15,000 | $73,556 | 9.4% | $196,500 |
| Eggertsville | 14,894 | $82,767 | 14.0% | $248,100 |
| Lancaster | 10,113 | $66,148 | 6.7% | $202,200 |
| Hamburg | 9,792 | $112,292 | 3.0% | $248,600 |
Cities Similar to Lackawanna
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Plattsburgh | 19,830 | $57,630 | $195,900 | 40.5% | 22.7% |
| Amsterdam | 18,166 | $56,178 | $137,900 | 22.5% | 20.2% |
| Lockport | 20,610 | $62,410 | $139,900 | 24.6% | 15.2% |
| Oswego | 17,033 | $53,172 | $120,600 | 26.1% | 20.6% |
| Cohoes | 18,159 | $61,145 | $223,400 | 27.7% | 25.9% |
Population Overview
Lackawanna is a small city located in New York, within Erie County. The total population is 19,753. It ranks as the 92nd most populous out of 1,289 Census-designated places in New York.
Age Demographics
The median age in Lackawanna is 37.9 years. This is 5% lower than the state median of 39.8 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Lackawanna is $52,110. This is 39% lower than the state median of $85,974. It is also 35% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 23.2%. This is 66% 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 6.9%. This is 8% higher than the state rate of 6.4%. The median home value is $140,700. Housing costs are 67% lower than the state median of $423,800. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.7x, Lackawanna is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 56.2% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 3% higher than the state average of 54.4%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Lackawanna is White (non-Hispanic), making up 66.7% of the population. Black or African American residents account for 15.2%. The Asian population (1.6%) is well below the state average of 9.0%.
Education
20.0% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 50% 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 86.3%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Lackawanna, 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 Lackawanna, New York?
Lackawanna, New York has a population of 19,753 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Lackawanna, NY?
The median household income in Lackawanna is $52,110, which is 35% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Lackawanna, NY?
The poverty rate in Lackawanna is 23.2%. This means approximately 4,558 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Lackawanna, New York?
Lackawanna's population is 66.7% White, 15.2% Black, 11.7% Hispanic/Latino, and 1.6% Asian.
What is the median home value in Lackawanna, NY?
The median home value in Lackawanna is $140,700. The home-value-to-income ratio is 2.7x.
How educated is Lackawanna, New York?
20.0% of adults (25+) in Lackawanna hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 6.2% hold a graduate or professional degree.