Onondaga County, New York Demographics 2026

Population Overview

Onondaga County is located in New York with a total population of 471,611. It is the 11th most populous county out of 62 in New York. The county encompasses 1 Census-designated place.

Age Demographics

The median age in Onondaga County is 39.5 years. This is about average than the state median of 39.6 years.

Economy, Income & Housing

The median household income in Onondaga County is $74,740. This is 12% lower than the state median of $84,578. Compared to the national median of $78,538, household income here is 5% lower. The poverty rate stands at 13.9%. This is 2% higher than the state poverty rate of 13.7%. The unemployment rate is 5.1%. This is 18% lower than the state rate of 6.2%. The median home value is $185,300. Housing costs are 54% lower than the state median of $403,000. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.5x, Onondaga County is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 65.7% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 21% higher than the state average of 54.3%.

Race & Ethnicity

The largest racial or ethnic group in Onondaga County is White (non-Hispanic), making up 74.6% of the population. Black or African American residents account for 10.2%. The Hispanic or Latino population (5.8%) is well below the state average of 19.6%. The Asian population (4.0%) is well below the state average of 8.8%.

Education

38.1% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 4% 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 91.7%. Notably, 17.0% of adults hold a graduate or professional degree, indicating a highly educated workforce.