Plainview, New York Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Plainview, New York had a total population of 25,982, the 62nd largest community in New York, with a median household income of $189,906, which is 121% higher than the state average. The poverty rate is 2.9%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 121% above the state average — one of the wealthiest communities in New York.
- An exceptionally low poverty rate of 2.9% — among the lowest in New York.
- 68.4% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher — top 10% in New York.
Plainview Quick Facts
How Plainview 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 | 26,251 | 25,982 | -1.0% |
| Median household income | $185,531 | $189,906 | +2.4% |
| Median home value | $729,100 | $796,300 | +9.2% |
How Plainview 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
Moderate diversity with one or two groups making up the majority.
State average: 65 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Plainview Rankings in New York
Explore New York Rankings
Other Cities in Nassau County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hempstead | 58,801 | $90,420 | 14.4% | $459,500 |
| Levittown | 51,904 | $146,068 | 4.7% | $590,500 |
| Freeport | 44,088 | $120,625 | 7.4% | $505,900 |
| Hicksville | 43,780 | $144,471 | 3.9% | $634,100 |
| Valley Stream | 40,315 | $133,190 | 5.5% | $616,100 |
| East Meadow | 36,821 | $133,971 | 6.4% | $631,800 |
| Elmont | 36,518 | $114,217 | 5.0% | $602,900 |
| Baldwin | 34,994 | $145,472 | 6.6% | $593,800 |
| Long Beach | 34,756 | $140,739 | 7.6% | $696,400 |
| Uniondale | 33,148 | $124,684 | 9.2% | $539,000 |
Cities Similar to Plainview
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| West Islip | 26,865 | $176,281 | $614,300 | 49.8% | 2.7% |
| Rockville Centre | 25,765 | $151,938 | $818,700 | 63.9% | 4.7% |
| Dix Hills | 24,773 | $227,944 | $935,800 | 61.9% | 3.6% |
| Holbrook | 26,449 | $144,760 | $536,200 | 34.4% | 5.2% |
| Smithtown | 24,375 | $150,664 | $704,700 | 51.2% | 4.1% |
Population Overview
Plainview is a mid-sized community located in New York, within Nassau County. The total population is 25,982. It ranks as the 62nd most populous out of 1,289 Census-designated places in New York.
Age Demographics
The median age in Plainview is 45.2 years. This is 14% higher than the state median of 39.8 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Plainview is $189,906. This is 121% higher than the state median of $85,974. It is also 135% higher than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 2.9%. This is 79% lower than the state poverty rate of 14.0%. This exceptionally low poverty rate indicates strong economic prosperity across the community. The unemployment rate is 3.7%. This is 42% lower than the state rate of 6.4%. The median home value is $796,300. Housing costs are 88% higher than the state median of $423,800. The home-value-to-income ratio is 4.2x. 92.5% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 70% higher than the state average of 54.4%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Plainview is White (non-Hispanic), making up 69.3% of the population. Asian residents account for 22.4%. The Black or African American population (0.5%) 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 is significantly higher than the state average (22.4% vs 9.0%).
Education
68.4% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This places Plainview in the top 10% of all cities in the state for educational attainment. This is 70% higher 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 96.0%. Notably, 35.4% of adults hold a graduate or professional degree, indicating a highly educated workforce.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Plainview, 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 Plainview, New York?
Plainview, New York has a population of 25,982 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Plainview, NY?
The median household income in Plainview is $189,906, which is 135% higher than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Plainview, NY?
The poverty rate in Plainview is 2.9%. This means approximately 758 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Plainview, New York?
Plainview's population is 69.3% White, 0.5% Black, 5.7% Hispanic/Latino, and 22.4% Asian.
What is the median home value in Plainview, NY?
The median home value in Plainview is $796,300. The home-value-to-income ratio is 4.2x.
How educated is Plainview, New York?
68.4% of adults (25+) in Plainview hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 35.4% hold a graduate or professional degree.