Poughkeepsie, New York Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Poughkeepsie, New York had a total population of 31,958, the 39th largest city in New York, with a median household income of $60,741, which is 29% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 17.6%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- One of the most racially diverse communities in New York (diversity index: 72/100).
- Unemployment rate of 8.8% is notably above the national average.
Poughkeepsie Quick Facts
How Poughkeepsie 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 | 31,778 | 31,958 | +0.6% |
| Median household income | $60,050 | $60,741 | +1.2% |
| Median home value | $259,200 | $283,700 | +9.5% |
How Poughkeepsie 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
This community is exceptionally diverse, with no single racial or ethnic group dominating the population.
State average: 65 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Poughkeepsie Rankings in New York
Explore New York Rankings
Other Cities in Dutchess County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Beacon | 14,834 | $107,859 | 9.0% | $471,600 |
| Myers Corner | 10,877 | $105,718 | 4.9% | $419,700 |
| Fairview (Dutchess County) | 6,213 | $67,161 | 21.7% | $283,500 |
| Wappingers Falls | 5,761 | $65,040 | 3.8% | $337,200 |
| Spackenkill | 4,279 | $141,005 | 1.8% | $440,500 |
| Haviland | 3,923 | $107,750 | 3.2% | $319,500 |
| Vassar College | 3,529 | $121,469 | 32.4% | $415,600 |
| Red Oaks Mill | 3,254 | $116,467 | 2.4% | $364,300 |
| Brinckerhoff | 2,813 | $101,927 | 4.4% | $370,000 |
| Arlington | 2,806 | $72,364 | 9.0% | $315,300 |
Cities Similar to Poughkeepsie
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rome | 31,795 | $59,925 | $154,400 | 20.8% | 18.1% |
| Spring Valley | 33,192 | $57,196 | $381,800 | 17.3% | 27.6% |
| North Tonawanda | 30,198 | $66,961 | $197,200 | 27.2% | 12.4% |
| Ithaca | 32,814 | $48,784 | $342,700 | 67.7% | 30.4% |
| Newburgh | 28,519 | $56,960 | $247,900 | 19.8% | 24.3% |
Population Overview
Poughkeepsie is a mid-sized community located in New York, within Dutchess County. The total population is 31,958. It ranks as the 39th most populous out of 1,289 Census-designated places in New York.
Age Demographics
The median age in Poughkeepsie is 38.1 years. This is 4% lower than the state median of 39.8 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Poughkeepsie is $60,741. This is 29% lower than the state median of $85,974. It is also 25% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 17.6%. This is 26% higher than the state poverty rate of 14.0%. The unemployment rate is 8.8%. This is 38% higher than the state rate of 6.4%. The median home value is $283,700. Housing costs are 33% lower than the state median of $423,800. The home-value-to-income ratio is 4.7x. 38.8% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 29% lower than the state average of 54.4%.
Race & Ethnicity
Poughkeepsie 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 30.0%. The Black or African American population is significantly higher than the state average (30.0% vs 13.4%). The Asian population (1.6%) is well below the state average of 9.0%.
Education
31.9% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 21% 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 87.8%. Notably, 15.6% of adults hold a graduate or professional degree, indicating a highly educated workforce.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Poughkeepsie, 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 Poughkeepsie, New York?
Poughkeepsie, New York has a population of 31,958 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Poughkeepsie, NY?
The median household income in Poughkeepsie is $60,741, which is 25% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Poughkeepsie, NY?
The poverty rate in Poughkeepsie is 17.6%. This means approximately 5,497 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Poughkeepsie, New York?
Poughkeepsie's population is 32.9% White, 30.0% Black, 27.5% Hispanic/Latino, and 1.6% Asian.
What is the median home value in Poughkeepsie, NY?
The median home value in Poughkeepsie is $283,700. The home-value-to-income ratio is 4.7x.
How educated is Poughkeepsie, New York?
31.9% of adults (25+) in Poughkeepsie hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 15.6% hold a graduate or professional degree.