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Poughkeepsie city, New York Demographics & Population 2026

Highly DiverseNo single racial/ethnic group makes up a majority of the population

As of 2026, Poughkeepsie city, New York has a total population of 31,778, the 41st largest city in New York, with a median household income of $60,050, which is 29% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 18.0%.

Key Takeaways

Poughkeepsie city Quick Facts

Population 31,778
Median Household Income $60,050
Median Home Value $259,200
Poverty Rate 18.0%
Unemployment Rate 7.8%
Median Age 37.9 years
Homeownership Rate 39.2%
Affordability Ratio 4.3x
Bachelor's Degree or Higher 31.5%
High School Graduation Rate 87.3%
Diversity Index 71/100
Population 31,778 41st of 1,287
Median Income $60,050 bottom 30%
Poverty Rate 18.0% 45% higher national
Median Home Value $259,200 average

How Poughkeepsie city Compares

Economy & Housing

Employment

7.8% Unemployment Rate State: 6.2% | National: 5.2%
63.9% Labor Force Participation

Housing Overview

Owner 39.2%
Renter 60.8%
Affordability Index Moderate
4.3x home value to income ratio

People & Demographics

Diversity Index

71out of 100
Very High Diversity

This community is exceptionally diverse, with no single racial or ethnic group dominating the population.

State average: 65 | National average: 60

Education

Poughkeepsie city Rankings in New York

#41 Population of 1,287
#940 Median Income of 1,287
#674 Education of 1,287
#570 Home Value of 1,287

Other Cities in Dutchess County

CityPopulationMedian IncomePovertyHome Value
Beacon city 14,629 $93,347 8.4% $422,000

Cities Similar to Poughkeepsie city

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

CityPopulationMedian IncomeHome ValueBachelor's+Poverty
Rome city31,795$58,857$137,20021.4%18.1%
Spring Valley village32,995$56,151$351,50016.9%31.2%
North Tonawanda city30,338$66,774$184,90026.7%12.1%
Ithaca city31,792$48,617$330,10070.2%28.4%
Middletown city30,227$77,174$271,00019.8%15.5%

Population Overview

Poughkeepsie city is a mid-sized community located in New York, within Dutchess County. The total population is 31,778. It ranks as the 41st most populous out of 1,287 cities and towns in New York.

Age Demographics

The median age in Poughkeepsie city is 37.9 years. This is 4% lower than the state median of 39.6 years.

Economy, Income & Housing

The median household income in Poughkeepsie city is $60,050. This is 29% lower than the state median of $84,578. Compared to the national median of $78,538, household income here is 24% lower. The poverty rate stands at 18.0%. This is 32% higher than the state poverty rate of 13.7%. The unemployment rate is 7.8%. This is 26% higher than the state rate of 6.2%. The median home value is $259,200. Housing costs are 36% lower than the state median of $403,000. The home-value-to-income ratio is 4.3x. 39.2% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 28% lower than the state average of 54.3%.

Race & Ethnicity

Poughkeepsie city is a highly diverse community where no single racial or ethnic group constitutes a majority of the population. Black or African American residents account for 31.3%. The Black or African American population is significantly higher than the state average (31.3% vs 13.6%). The Asian population (1.4%) is well below the state average of 8.8%.

Education

31.5% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 20% 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 87.3%.

Data Sources & Methodology

All demographic data for Poughkeepsie 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 Poughkeepsie city, New York?

Poughkeepsie city, New York has a population of 31,778 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.

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

The median household income in Poughkeepsie city is $60,050, which is 24% lower the national median of $78,538.

What is the poverty rate in Poughkeepsie city, NY?

The poverty rate in Poughkeepsie city is 18.0%. This means approximately 5,603 residents live below the federal poverty line.

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

Poughkeepsie city's population is 34.5% White, 31.3% Black, 24.7% Hispanic/Latino, and 1.4% Asian.

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

The median home value in Poughkeepsie city is $259,200. The home-value-to-income ratio is 4.3x.

How educated is Poughkeepsie city, New York?

31.5% of adults (25+) in Poughkeepsie city hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 14.8% hold a graduate or professional degree.