Melville, New York Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Melville, New York had a total population of 19,714, the 93rd largest community in New York, with a median household income of $159,922, which is 86% higher than the state average. The poverty rate is 4.5%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 86% above the state average — one of the wealthiest communities in New York.
- An exceptionally low poverty rate of 4.5% — among the lowest in New York.
- Unemployment rate of 9.7% is notably above the national average.
Melville Quick Facts
How Melville 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 | 19,187 | 19,714 | +2.7% |
| Median household income | $155,675 | $159,922 | +2.7% |
| Median home value | $778,400 | $788,900 | +1.3% |
How Melville 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+)
Melville Rankings in New York
Explore New York Rankings
Other Cities in Suffolk County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| West Babylon | 43,570 | $129,519 | 5.9% | $531,900 |
| Coram | 39,539 | $105,220 | 7.5% | $452,100 |
| Central Islip | 38,373 | $113,707 | 9.2% | $436,400 |
| Commack | 36,558 | $169,792 | 4.2% | $678,200 |
| Huntington Station | 32,601 | $135,477 | 7.2% | $578,000 |
| Centereach | 31,839 | $132,240 | 5.3% | $514,800 |
| Bay Shore | 31,683 | $105,618 | 10.2% | $492,200 |
| Shirley | 28,375 | $112,788 | 6.5% | $424,900 |
| Deer Park | 27,990 | $137,105 | 3.4% | $543,500 |
| Lindenhurst | 27,142 | $130,128 | 5.7% | $521,500 |
Cities Similar to Melville
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| East Northport | 19,700 | $157,662 | $623,800 | 51.2% | 7.0% |
| Huntington | 19,948 | $168,095 | $767,000 | 68.6% | 4.3% |
| Eastchester | 20,491 | $157,202 | $790,100 | 67.4% | 4.8% |
| West Hempstead | 20,648 | $164,127 | $653,600 | 50.4% | 4.5% |
| East Massapequa | 20,377 | $146,454 | $625,600 | 48.6% | 3.3% |
Population Overview
Melville is a small city located in New York, within Suffolk County. The total population is 19,714. It ranks as the 93rd most populous out of 1,289 Census-designated places in New York.
Age Demographics
The median age in Melville is 49.8 years. This is 25% higher than the state median of 39.8 years. 16.7% of residents are 75 or older, suggesting a significant retirement-age population with implications for healthcare services and senior housing.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Melville is $159,922. This is 86% higher than the state median of $85,974. It is also 98% higher than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 4.5%. This is 68% lower than the state poverty rate of 14.0%. This exceptionally low poverty rate indicates strong economic prosperity across the community. The unemployment rate is 9.7%. This is 52% higher than the state rate of 6.4%. The median home value is $788,900. Housing costs are 86% higher than the state median of $423,800. The home-value-to-income ratio is 4.9x. 88.1% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 62% higher than the state average of 54.4%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Melville is White (non-Hispanic), making up 80.0% of the population. Asian residents account for 8.3%. The White (non-Hispanic) population is significantly higher than the state average (80.0% vs 52.8%). The Black or African American population (1.6%) is well below the state average of 13.4%. The Hispanic or Latino population (6.3%) is well below the state average of 19.8%.
Education
61.7% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 53% 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 94.9%. Notably, 33.7% of adults hold a graduate or professional degree, indicating a highly educated workforce.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Melville, 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 Melville, New York?
Melville, New York has a population of 19,714 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Melville, NY?
The median household income in Melville is $159,922, which is 98% higher than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Melville, NY?
The poverty rate in Melville is 4.5%. This means approximately 884 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Melville, New York?
Melville's population is 80.0% White, 1.6% Black, 6.3% Hispanic/Latino, and 8.3% Asian.
What is the median home value in Melville, NY?
The median home value in Melville is $788,900. The home-value-to-income ratio is 4.9x.
How educated is Melville, New York?
61.7% of adults (25+) in Melville hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 33.7% hold a graduate or professional degree.