Owego, New York Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Owego, New York had a total population of 3,912, the 423rd largest village in New York, with a median household income of $60,139, which is 30% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 29.1%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 30% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
- More than 1 in 4 residents live below the poverty line (29.1%), well above the national average of 12.4%.
- Housing is very affordable with a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.4x.
Owego Quick Facts
How Owego 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 | 3,823 | 3,912 | +2.3% |
| Median household income | $57,240 | $60,139 | +5.1% |
| Median home value | $143,000 | $147,300 | +3.0% |
How Owego 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+)
Owego Rankings in New York
Explore New York Rankings
Other Cities in Tioga County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Waverly | 4,305 | $54,274 | 7.3% | $140,200 |
| Apalachin | 2,553 | $81,337 | 13.6% | $179,900 |
| Tioga Terrace | 2,057 | $131,817 | 0.5% | $233,400 |
| Crest View Heights | 1,852 | $167,083 | 1.0% | $224,300 |
| Newark Valley | 1,051 | $71,369 | 5.7% | $120,200 |
| Candor | 984 | $47,417 | 20.8% | $119,400 |
| Spencer | 932 | $51,765 | 31.0% | $154,300 |
| Nichols | 601 | $66,250 | 1.3% | $147,000 |
Cities Similar to Owego
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Watchtower | 3,974 | N/A | N/A | 1.8% | 100.0% |
| Saugerties | 3,884 | $57,778 | $374,100 | 26.0% | 21.0% |
| South Blooming Grove | 3,866 | $62,316 | $509,900 | 28.1% | 38.1% |
| Perry | 3,871 | $63,291 | $120,700 | 23.3% | 10.0% |
| New York Mills | 3,856 | $57,578 | $207,700 | 29.5% | 34.4% |
Population Overview
Owego is a small community located in New York, within Tioga County. The total population is 3,912. It ranks as the 423rd most populous out of 1,289 Census-designated places in New York.
Age Demographics
The median age in Owego is 37.0 years. This is 7% lower than the state median of 39.8 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Owego is $60,139. This is 30% lower than the state median of $85,974. It is also 26% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 29.1%. This is 107% 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 2.9%. This is 55% lower than the state rate of 6.4%. The median home value is $147,300. Housing costs are 65% lower than the state median of $423,800. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.4x, Owego is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 49.1% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 10% lower than the state average of 54.4%.
Race & Ethnicity
Owego has a predominantly White (non-Hispanic) population, comprising 88.5% of all residents. Asian residents account for 2.7%. The White (non-Hispanic) population is significantly higher than the state average (88.5% vs 52.8%). The Black or African American population (1.9%) 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 (2.7%) is well below the state average of 9.0%.
Education
38.2% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 5% 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%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Owego, 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 Owego, New York?
Owego, New York has a population of 3,912 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Owego, NY?
The median household income in Owego is $60,139, which is 26% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Owego, NY?
The poverty rate in Owego is 29.1%. This means approximately 1,078 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Owego, New York?
Owego's population is 88.5% White, 1.9% Black, 1.0% Hispanic/Latino, and 2.7% Asian.
What is the median home value in Owego, NY?
The median home value in Owego is $147,300. The home-value-to-income ratio is 2.4x.
How educated is Owego, New York?
38.2% of adults (25+) in Owego hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 14.3% hold a graduate or professional degree.