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Olean city, New York Demographics & Population 2026

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Very AffordableHome value to income ratio of 1.9x is exceptionally low

As of 2026, Olean city, New York has a total population of 13,798, the 147th largest city in New York, with a median household income of $47,553, which is 44% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 24.1%.

Key Takeaways

Olean city Quick Facts

Population 13,798
Median Household Income $47,553
Median Home Value $90,500
Poverty Rate 24.1%
Unemployment Rate 6.3%
Median Age 38.7 years
Homeownership Rate 54.3%
Affordability Ratio 1.9x
Bachelor's Degree or Higher 29.1%
High School Graduation Rate 89.4%
Diversity Index 23/100
Population 13,798 147th of 1,287
Median Income $47,553 bottom 10%
Poverty Rate 24.1% 94% higher national
Median Home Value $90,500 bottom 10%

How Olean city Compares

Economy & Housing

Employment

6.3% Unemployment Rate State: 6.2% | National: 5.2%
61.1% Labor Force Participation

Housing Overview

Owner 54.3%
Renter 45.7%
Affordability Index Very Affordable
1.9x home value to income ratio

People & Demographics

Diversity Index

23out of 100
Very Low Diversity

A less diverse community where one racial or ethnic group represents a large majority.

State average: 65 | National average: 60

Education

Olean city Rankings in New York

#147 Population of 1,287
#1139 Median Income of 1,287
#730 Education of 1,287
#1161 Home Value of 1,287

Explore New York Rankings

Cities by Population All cities ranked by size Richest Cities Ranked by median income Most Educated By bachelor's degree rate Most Affordable By housing affordability

Other Cities in Cattaraugus County

CityPopulationMedian IncomePovertyHome Value
Salamanca city 5,878 $39,871 24.3% $78,000

Cities Similar to Olean city

These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.

CityPopulationMedian IncomeHome ValueBachelor's+Poverty
Endicott village13,456$46,685$109,80020.9%29.5%
Gloversville city15,010$49,155$95,50016.4%21.6%
Dunkirk city12,597$49,003$91,20015.4%24.9%
Johnson City village15,130$51,667$110,60029.3%19.6%
Greece CDP14,053$67,223$157,60028.3%9.1%

Population Overview

Olean city is a small city located in New York, within Cattaraugus County. The total population is 13,798. It ranks as the 147th most populous out of 1,287 cities and towns in New York.

Age Demographics

The median age in Olean city is 38.7 years. This is 2% lower than the state median of 39.6 years.

Economy, Income & Housing

The median household income in Olean city is $47,553. This is 44% lower than the state median of $84,578. Compared to the national median of $78,538, household income here is 39% lower. The poverty rate stands at 24.1%. This is 76% higher than the state poverty rate of 13.7%. 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 6.3%. This is 2% higher than the state rate of 6.2%. The median home value is $90,500. Housing costs are 78% lower than the state median of $403,000. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 1.9x, Olean city is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 54.3% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied.

Race & Ethnicity

Olean city has a predominantly White (non-Hispanic) population, comprising 86.9% of all residents. Black or African American residents account for 2.4%. The White (non-Hispanic) population is significantly higher than the state average (86.9% vs 53.4%). The Black or African American population (2.4%) is well below the state average of 13.6%. The Hispanic or Latino population (1.1%) is well below the state average of 19.6%. The Asian population (2.2%) is well below the state average of 8.8%.

Education

29.1% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 26% lower than the state rate of 39.6%. Nationally, 35.0% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 89.4%.

Data Sources & Methodology

All demographic data for Olean city, New York is sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS) 5-Year Estimates (2019-2023). The ACS collects data from approximately 3.5 million households annually, providing reliable estimates for communities of all sizes. Comparisons are made against New York state averages and national averages calculated from the same dataset. Rankings reflect the city's position among all 1,287 Census-designated places in New York. For official data, visit data.census.gov.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the population of Olean city, New York?

Olean city, New York has a population of 13,798 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.

What is the median household income in Olean city, NY?

The median household income in Olean city is $47,553, which is 39% lower the national median of $78,538.

What is the poverty rate in Olean city, NY?

The poverty rate in Olean city is 24.1%. This means approximately 3,267 residents live below the federal poverty line.

What is the racial makeup of Olean city, New York?

Olean city's population is 86.9% White, 2.4% Black, 1.1% Hispanic/Latino, and 2.2% Asian.

What is the median home value in Olean city, NY?

The median home value in Olean city is $90,500. The home-value-to-income ratio is 1.9x.

How educated is Olean city, New York?

29.1% of adults (25+) in Olean city hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 13.8% hold a graduate or professional degree.