Orleans County, New York Demographics 2026

Population Overview

Orleans County is located in New York with a total population of 39,686. It is the 55th most populous county out of 62 in New York.

Age Demographics

The median age in Orleans County is 43.6 years. This is 10% higher than the state median of 39.6 years.

Economy, Income & Housing

The median household income in Orleans County is $63,838. This is 25% lower than the state median of $84,578. Compared to the national median of $78,538, household income here is 19% lower. The poverty rate stands at 13.0%. This is 5% lower than the state poverty rate of 13.7%. The unemployment rate is 5.8%. This is 7% lower than the state rate of 6.2%. The median home value is $126,200. Housing costs are 69% lower than the state median of $403,000. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.0x, Orleans County is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 77.4% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 42% higher than the state average of 54.3%.

Race & Ethnicity

Orleans County has a predominantly White (non-Hispanic) population, comprising 85.6% of all residents. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 5.2%. The White (non-Hispanic) population is significantly higher than the state average (85.6% vs 53.4%). The Black or African American population (4.6%) is well below the state average of 13.6%. The Hispanic or Latino population (5.2%) is well below the state average of 19.6%. The Asian population (0.7%) is well below the state average of 8.8%.

Education

17.5% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is among the lowest rates in the state, which may correlate with employment and income patterns. This is 56% 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 86.7%.