Oswego, New York Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Oswego, New York had a total population of 17,033, the 112th largest city in New York, with a median household income of $53,172, which is 38% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 20.6%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 38% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
- Housing is very affordable with a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.3x.
- Unemployment rate of 8.1% is notably above the national average.
Oswego Quick Facts
How Oswego 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 | 17,028 | 17,033 | +0.0% |
| Median household income | $53,286 | $53,172 | -0.2% |
| Median home value | $114,600 | $120,600 | +5.2% |
How Oswego 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+)
Oswego Rankings in New York
Explore New York Rankings
Other Cities in Oswego County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fulton | 11,272 | $52,046 | 23.5% | $101,000 |
| SUNY Oswego | 3,564 | N/A | 42.5% | N/A |
| Phoenix | 2,329 | $59,327 | 16.1% | $157,000 |
| Mexico | 2,241 | $73,229 | 8.1% | $167,100 |
| Central Square | 2,163 | $69,500 | 15.1% | $196,000 |
| Pulaski | 2,156 | $50,481 | 20.5% | $158,100 |
| Minetto | 1,437 | $91,912 | 7.1% | $188,700 |
| Constantia | 1,371 | $107,885 | 4.7% | $175,700 |
| Sand Ridge | 838 | $34,821 | 36.5% | $211,500 |
| Lacona | 808 | $76,500 | 24.6% | $131,300 |
Cities Similar to Oswego
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cortland | 17,450 | $59,482 | $152,600 | 27.2% | 20.8% |
| Amsterdam | 18,166 | $56,178 | $137,900 | 22.5% | 20.2% |
| Cohoes | 18,159 | $61,145 | $223,400 | 27.7% | 25.9% |
| Fort Drum | 16,065 | $62,291 | N/A | 34.8% | 11.7% |
| Gloversville | 14,962 | $51,556 | $106,400 | 16.6% | 17.6% |
Population Overview
Oswego is a small city located in New York, within Oswego County. The total population is 17,033. It ranks as the 112th most populous out of 1,289 Census-designated places in New York.
Age Demographics
The median age in Oswego is 35.7 years. This is 10% lower than the state median of 39.8 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Oswego is $53,172. This is 38% lower than the state median of $85,974. It is also 34% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 20.6%. This is 47% 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 8.1%. This is 27% higher than the state rate of 6.4%. The median home value is $120,600. Housing costs are 72% lower than the state median of $423,800. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.3x, Oswego is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 50.2% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 8% lower than the state average of 54.4%.
Race & Ethnicity
Oswego has a predominantly White (non-Hispanic) population, comprising 88.1% of all residents. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 5.7%. The White (non-Hispanic) population is significantly higher than the state average (88.1% vs 52.8%). The Black or African American population (0.7%) is well below the state average of 13.4%. The Hispanic or Latino population (5.7%) is well below the state average of 19.8%. The Asian population (1.1%) is well below the state average of 9.0%.
Education
26.1% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 35% 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 91.3%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Oswego, 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 Oswego, New York?
Oswego, New York has a population of 17,033 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Oswego, NY?
The median household income in Oswego is $53,172, which is 34% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Oswego, NY?
The poverty rate in Oswego is 20.6%. This means approximately 3,347 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Oswego, New York?
Oswego's population is 88.1% White, 0.7% Black, 5.7% Hispanic/Latino, and 1.1% Asian.
What is the median home value in Oswego, NY?
The median home value in Oswego is $120,600. The home-value-to-income ratio is 2.3x.
How educated is Oswego, New York?
26.1% of adults (25+) in Oswego hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 11.5% hold a graduate or professional degree.