Lancaster, New York Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Lancaster, New York had a total population of 10,113, the 199th largest village in New York, with a median household income of $66,148, which is 23% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 6.7%.
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 1.3%.
Lancaster Quick Facts
How Lancaster 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 | 10,127 | 10,113 | -0.1% |
| Median household income | $63,902 | $66,148 | +3.5% |
| Median home value | $186,300 | $202,200 | +8.5% |
How Lancaster 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+)
Lancaster 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 |
| Lackawanna | 19,753 | $52,110 | 23.2% | $140,700 |
| 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 |
| Hamburg | 9,792 | $112,292 | 3.0% | $248,600 |
Cities Similar to Lancaster
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oneida | 10,171 | $61,597 | $160,100 | 25.3% | 14.3% |
| Canandaigua | 10,514 | $64,929 | $229,100 | 37.6% | 10.8% |
| Stony Brook University | 9,530 | N/A | N/A | 57.7% | N/A |
| Watervliet | 10,287 | $57,919 | $179,700 | 17.8% | 18.4% |
| Corning | 10,643 | $61,760 | $158,400 | 40.6% | 11.7% |
Population Overview
Lancaster is a small city located in New York, within Erie County. The total population is 10,113. It ranks as the 199th most populous out of 1,289 Census-designated places in New York.
Age Demographics
The median age in Lancaster is 45.1 years. This is 13% higher than the state median of 39.8 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Lancaster is $66,148. This is 23% lower than the state median of $85,974. It is also 18% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 6.7%. This is 52% lower than the state poverty rate of 14.0%. The unemployment rate is 1.3%. This is 79% lower than the state rate of 6.4%. The median home value is $202,200. Housing costs are 52% lower than the state median of $423,800. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.1x. 73.7% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 36% higher than the state average of 54.4%.
Race & Ethnicity
Lancaster has a predominantly White (non-Hispanic) population, comprising 96.7% of all residents. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 1.5%. The White (non-Hispanic) population is significantly higher than the state average (96.7% vs 52.8%). The Black or African American population (0.0%) is well below the state average of 13.4%. The Hispanic or Latino population (1.5%) is well below the state average of 19.8%. The Asian population (0.2%) is well below the state average of 9.0%.
Education
26.6% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 34% 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 92.9%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Lancaster, 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 Lancaster, New York?
Lancaster, New York has a population of 10,113 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Lancaster, NY?
The median household income in Lancaster is $66,148, which is 18% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Lancaster, NY?
The poverty rate in Lancaster is 6.7%. This means approximately 676 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Lancaster, New York?
Lancaster's population is 96.7% White, 0.0% Black, 1.5% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.2% Asian.
What is the median home value in Lancaster, NY?
The median home value in Lancaster is $202,200. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.1x.
How educated is Lancaster, New York?
26.6% of adults (25+) in Lancaster hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 9.9% hold a graduate or professional degree.