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Oswego city, New York Demographics & Population 2026

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Very AffordableHome value to income ratio of 2.2x is exceptionally low

As of 2026, Oswego city, New York has a total population of 17,028, the 113th largest city in New York, with a median household income of $53,286, which is 37% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 21.1%.

Key Takeaways

Oswego city Quick Facts

Population 17,028
Median Household Income $53,286
Median Home Value $114,600
Poverty Rate 21.1%
Unemployment Rate 5.5%
Median Age 35.6 years
Homeownership Rate 51.4%
Affordability Ratio 2.2x
Bachelor's Degree or Higher 28.5%
High School Graduation Rate 92.0%
Diversity Index 21/100
Population 17,028 113th of 1,287
Median Income $53,286 bottom 20%
Poverty Rate 21.1% 70% higher national
Median Home Value $114,600 bottom 20%

How Oswego city Compares

Economy & Housing

Employment

5.5% Unemployment Rate State: 6.2% | National: 5.2%
60.1% Labor Force Participation

Housing Overview

Owner 51.4%
Renter 48.6%
Affordability Index Very Affordable
2.2x home value to income ratio

People & Demographics

Diversity Index

21out 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

Oswego city Rankings in New York

#113 Population of 1,287
#1049 Median Income of 1,287
#748 Education of 1,287
#1055 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 Oswego County

CityPopulationMedian IncomePovertyHome Value
Fulton city 11,339 $52,123 24.1% $100,900

Cities Similar to Oswego city

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

CityPopulationMedian IncomeHome ValueBachelor's+Poverty
Cortland city17,465$55,368$143,80026.1%21.9%
Amsterdam city18,162$50,193$119,80019.7%20.9%
Batavia city15,494$57,150$139,70021.9%12.8%
Johnson City village15,130$51,667$110,60029.3%19.6%
Cohoes city18,043$62,111$209,40025.7%25.3%

Population Overview

Oswego city is a small city located in New York, within Oswego County. The total population is 17,028. It ranks as the 113th most populous out of 1,287 cities and towns in New York.

Age Demographics

The median age in Oswego city is 35.6 years. This is 10% lower than the state median of 39.6 years.

Economy, Income & Housing

The median household income in Oswego city is $53,286. This is 37% lower than the state median of $84,578. Compared to the national median of $78,538, household income here is 32% lower. The poverty rate stands at 21.1%. This is 54% 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 5.5%. This is 12% lower than the state rate of 6.2%. The median home value is $114,600. Housing costs are 72% lower than the state median of $403,000. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.2x, Oswego city is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 51.4% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 5% lower than the state average of 54.3%.

Race & Ethnicity

Oswego city has a predominantly White (non-Hispanic) population, comprising 88.6% of all residents. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 4.6%. The White (non-Hispanic) population is significantly higher than the state average (88.6% vs 53.4%). The Black or African American population (0.9%) is well below the state average of 13.6%. The Hispanic or Latino population (4.6%) is well below the state average of 19.6%. The Asian population (1.7%) is well below the state average of 8.8%.

Education

28.5% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 28% 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 92.0%.

Data Sources & Methodology

All demographic data for Oswego 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 Oswego city, New York?

Oswego city, New York has a population of 17,028 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.

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

The median household income in Oswego city is $53,286, which is 32% lower the national median of $78,538.

What is the poverty rate in Oswego city, NY?

The poverty rate in Oswego city is 21.1%. This means approximately 3,429 residents live below the federal poverty line.

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

Oswego city's population is 88.6% White, 0.9% Black, 4.6% Hispanic/Latino, and 1.7% Asian.

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

The median home value in Oswego city is $114,600. The home-value-to-income ratio is 2.2x.

How educated is Oswego city, New York?

28.5% of adults (25+) in Oswego city hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 12.2% hold a graduate or professional degree.