Olean, New York Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Olean, New York had a total population of 13,738, the 148th largest city in New York, with a median household income of $51,261, which is 40% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 26.7%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 40% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
- More than 1 in 4 residents live below the poverty line (26.7%), well above the national average of 12.4%.
- Housing is very affordable with a home-value-to-income ratio of just 1.7x.
Olean Quick Facts
How Olean 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 | 13,798 | 13,738 | -0.4% |
| Median household income | $47,553 | $51,261 | +7.8% |
| Median home value | $90,500 | $86,100 | -4.9% |
How Olean 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+)
Olean Rankings in New York
Explore New York Rankings
Other Cities in Cattaraugus County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Salamanca | 5,846 | $41,667 | 24.4% | $80,900 |
| St. Bonaventure | 1,976 | N/A | 19.3% | $125,300 |
| Franklinville | 1,938 | $72,115 | 15.2% | $97,100 |
| Allegany | 1,740 | $70,625 | 16.6% | $164,100 |
| Weston Mills | 1,431 | $79,712 | 7.8% | $155,300 |
| Delevan | 1,275 | $64,194 | 16.7% | $116,300 |
| Little Valley | 1,243 | $44,655 | 28.2% | $101,200 |
| Yorkshire | 1,138 | N/A | 33.1% | N/A |
| Cattaraugus | 1,034 | $60,341 | 14.3% | $71,200 |
| Randolph | 953 | $75,571 | 10.2% | $94,300 |
Cities Similar to Olean
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Endicott | 13,387 | $47,290 | $121,800 | 21.7% | 29.0% |
| Gloversville | 14,962 | $51,556 | $106,400 | 16.6% | 17.6% |
| Dunkirk | 12,549 | $53,299 | $94,700 | 16.4% | 24.3% |
| Johnson City | 14,940 | $56,283 | $117,100 | 29.6% | 19.6% |
| Greece | 13,943 | $65,849 | $169,300 | 29.1% | 10.9% |
Population Overview
Olean is a small city located in New York, within Cattaraugus County. The total population is 13,738. It ranks as the 148th most populous out of 1,289 Census-designated places in New York.
Age Demographics
The median age in Olean is 39.0 years. This is 2% lower than the state median of 39.8 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Olean is $51,261. This is 40% lower than the state median of $85,974. It is also 37% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 26.7%. This is 90% 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 6.3%. This is 1% lower than the state rate of 6.4%. The median home value is $86,100. Housing costs are 80% lower than the state median of $423,800. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 1.7x, Olean is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 55.1% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 1% higher than the state average of 54.4%.
Race & Ethnicity
Olean has a predominantly White (non-Hispanic) population, comprising 85.8% of all residents. Black or African American residents account for 3.0%. The White (non-Hispanic) population is significantly higher than the state average (85.8% vs 52.8%). The Black or African American population (3.0%) is well below the state average of 13.4%. The Hispanic or Latino population (1.0%) is well below the state average of 19.8%. The Asian population (2.9%) is well below the state average of 9.0%.
Education
29.9% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 26% 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 89.6%. Notably, 15.2% of adults hold a graduate or professional degree, indicating a highly educated workforce.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Olean, 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 Olean, New York?
Olean, New York has a population of 13,738 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Olean, NY?
The median household income in Olean is $51,261, which is 37% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Olean, NY?
The poverty rate in Olean is 26.7%. This means approximately 3,576 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Olean, New York?
Olean's population is 85.8% White, 3.0% Black, 1.0% Hispanic/Latino, and 2.9% Asian.
What is the median home value in Olean, NY?
The median home value in Olean is $86,100. The home-value-to-income ratio is 1.7x.
How educated is Olean, New York?
29.9% of adults (25+) in Olean hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 15.2% hold a graduate or professional degree.