New Paltz, New York Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, New Paltz, New York had a total population of 8,314, the 238th largest village in New York, with a median household income of $52,774, which is 39% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 38.2%.
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.
- More than 1 in 4 residents live below the poverty line (38.2%), well above the national average of 12.4%.
- 73.3% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher — top 10% in New York.
- Housing affordability is a challenge — homes cost 7.9x the median household income.
- Unemployment rate of 10.7% is notably above the national average.
New Paltz Quick Facts
How New Paltz 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 | 8,028 | 8,314 | +3.6% |
| Median household income | $59,375 | $52,774 | -11.1% |
| Median home value | $397,800 | $414,500 | +4.2% |
How New Paltz 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 diverse community with significant representation from multiple racial and ethnic groups.
State average: 65 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
New Paltz Rankings in New York
Explore New York Rankings
Other Cities in Ulster County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kingston | 23,911 | $68,186 | 17.6% | $315,500 |
| Highland | 6,367 | $101,917 | 5.8% | $415,900 |
| Ellenville | 4,211 | $42,969 | 35.0% | $218,200 |
| Watchtower | 3,974 | N/A | 100.0% | N/A |
| Saugerties | 3,884 | $57,778 | 21.0% | $374,100 |
| Marlboro | 3,679 | $119,318 | 2.9% | $412,800 |
| Port Ewen | 3,426 | $79,386 | 9.1% | $284,100 |
| Hurley | 3,346 | $90,152 | 8.2% | $357,800 |
| Lincoln Park | 2,431 | $76,971 | 10.6% | $272,600 |
| Saugerties South | 2,251 | $89,375 | 7.6% | $278,900 |
Cities Similar to New Paltz
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hornell | 8,152 | $47,385 | $94,500 | 21.9% | 23.3% |
| Port Jervis | 8,652 | $47,917 | $236,700 | 15.8% | 22.2% |
| Binghamton University | 7,449 | N/A | N/A | 0.0% | N/A |
| Johnstown | 8,111 | $63,763 | $157,800 | 21.7% | 8.4% |
| South Lockport | 9,144 | $56,166 | $163,600 | 22.3% | 14.6% |
Population Overview
New Paltz is a small city located in New York, within Ulster County. The total population is 8,314. It ranks as the 238th most populous out of 1,289 Census-designated places in New York.
Age Demographics
The median age in New Paltz is 21.5 years. This is 46% lower than the state median of 39.8 years. Only 8.6% of residents are under 18, indicating fewer families with children.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in New Paltz is $52,774. 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 38.2%. This is 172% 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 10.7%. This is 68% higher than the state rate of 6.4%. The median home value is $414,500. Housing costs are 2% lower than the state median of $423,800. The home-value-to-income ratio of 7.9x suggests that housing affordability is a significant concern for many residents. 20.3% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 63% lower than the state average of 54.4%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in New Paltz is White (non-Hispanic), making up 63.5% of the population. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 15.0%.
Education
73.3% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This places New Paltz in the top 10% of all cities in the state for educational attainment. This is 82% 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 97.0%. Notably, 31.3% of adults hold a graduate or professional degree, indicating a highly educated workforce.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for New Paltz, 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 New Paltz, New York?
New Paltz, New York has a population of 8,314 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in New Paltz, NY?
The median household income in New Paltz is $52,774, which is 35% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in New Paltz, NY?
The poverty rate in New Paltz is 38.2%. This means approximately 2,065 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of New Paltz, New York?
New Paltz's population is 63.5% White, 7.0% Black, 15.0% Hispanic/Latino, and 5.7% Asian.
What is the median home value in New Paltz, NY?
The median home value in New Paltz is $414,500. The home-value-to-income ratio is 7.9x.
How educated is New Paltz, New York?
73.3% of adults (25+) in New Paltz hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 31.3% hold a graduate or professional degree.