Palenville, New York Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Palenville, New York had a total population of 870, the 899th largest community in New York. The poverty rate is 5.4%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Unemployment rate of 8.4% is notably above the national average.
Palenville Quick Facts
How Palenville 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 | 990 | 870 | -12.1% |
| Median home value | $233,700 | $238,500 | +2.1% |
How Palenville 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+)
Palenville Rankings in New York
Explore New York Rankings
Other Cities in Greene County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Catskill | 3,779 | $79,423 | 11.2% | $242,500 |
| Coxsackie | 2,737 | $70,500 | 8.3% | $300,300 |
| Athens | 1,943 | $84,107 | 11.1% | $325,600 |
| Cairo | 1,660 | $81,885 | 6.5% | $237,700 |
| Sleepy Hollow Lake | 1,354 | $110,100 | 13.4% | $297,300 |
| Jefferson Heights | 1,192 | $68,775 | 14.9% | $277,800 |
| Round Top | 831 | $103,542 | 9.8% | $345,100 |
| Tannersville | 759 | $78,750 | 13.0% | $283,900 |
| Greenville (Greene County) | 620 | N/A | 3.4% | $324,500 |
| South Cairo | 619 | N/A | 12.3% | $187,200 |
Cities Similar to Palenville
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Matinecock | 867 | N/A | $2,000,000+ | 67.8% | 10.0% |
| West Chazy | 867 | $105,898 | $93,800 | 23.3% | 0.0% |
| Sylvan Beach | 881 | $57,000 | $180,100 | 24.3% | 11.1% |
| High Falls | 887 | N/A | $234,000 | 41.9% | 11.5% |
| Millerton | 851 | $83,090 | $240,800 | 24.4% | 10.1% |
A note before these figures: with a population of 870, Palenville's ACS estimates come from a small number of survey responses and carry wide margins of error. Individual percentages below — particularly rates that round to 0% or 100% — are approximations, not precise measurements. See data.census.gov for the published margins of error.
Population Overview
Palenville is a small community located in New York, within Greene County. The total population is 870. It ranks as the 899th most populous out of 1,289 Census-designated places in New York.
Age Demographics
The median age in Palenville is 49.5 years. This is 24% higher than the state median of 39.8 years. 25.6% of residents are 75 or older, suggesting a significant retirement-age population with implications for healthcare services and senior housing.
Economy, Income & Housing
The poverty rate stands at 5.4%. This is 61% lower than the state poverty rate of 14.0%. The unemployment rate is 8.4%. This is 32% higher than the state rate of 6.4%. The median home value is $238,500. Housing costs are 44% lower than the state median of $423,800. 73.3% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 35% higher than the state average of 54.4%.
Race & Ethnicity
Palenville has a predominantly White (non-Hispanic) population, comprising 96.5% of all residents. Asian residents account for 1.9%. The White (non-Hispanic) population is significantly higher than the state average (96.5% vs 52.8%). The Asian population (1.9%) is well below the state average of 9.0%.
Education
20.4% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 49% lower than the state rate of 40.2%. Nationally, 35.7% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. No surveyed resident aged 25 or older reported leaving school before earning a high school diploma, though a rate of exactly 100% reflects the limits of a small sample.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Palenville, 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 Palenville, New York?
Palenville, New York has a population of 870 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Palenville, NY?
The Census Bureau does not publish a reliable median household income estimate for Palenville — the community is too small for the ACS sample. The national median is $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Palenville, NY?
The poverty rate in Palenville is 5.4%. This means approximately 47 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Palenville, New York?
Palenville's population is 96.5% White, 0.0% Black, 0.0% Hispanic/Latino, and 1.9% Asian.
What is the median home value in Palenville, NY?
The median home value in Palenville is $238,500.
How educated is Palenville, New York?
20.4% of adults (25+) in Palenville hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 14.2% hold a graduate or professional degree.