Rapids, New York Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Rapids, New York had a total population of 1,655, the 704th largest community in New York, with a median household income of $121,875, which is 42% higher than the state average. The poverty rate is 5.0%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 42% above the state average — one of the wealthiest communities in New York.
- An exceptionally low poverty rate of 5.0% — among the lowest in New York.
- Housing is very affordable with a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.4x.
- Unemployment rate of 9.2% is notably above the national average.
Rapids Quick Facts
How Rapids 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 | 1,562 | 1,655 | +6.0% |
| Median household income | $103,482 | $121,875 | +17.8% |
| Median home value | $275,700 | $294,700 | +6.9% |
How Rapids 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+)
Rapids Rankings in New York
Explore New York Rankings
Other Cities in Niagara County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Niagara Falls | 47,987 | $49,101 | 23.7% | $115,300 |
| North Tonawanda | 30,198 | $66,961 | 12.4% | $197,200 |
| Lockport | 20,610 | $62,410 | 15.2% | $139,900 |
| South Lockport | 9,144 | $56,166 | 14.6% | $163,600 |
| Newfane | 3,938 | $77,096 | 13.0% | $151,700 |
| Lewiston | 2,588 | $73,821 | 5.9% | $238,100 |
| Middleport | 1,987 | $67,375 | 7.6% | $115,400 |
| Youngstown | 1,758 | $81,369 | 5.3% | $216,100 |
| Sanborn | 1,573 | $82,122 | 2.1% | $235,600 |
| Ransomville | 1,564 | $83,400 | 9.5% | $218,200 |
Cities Similar to Rapids
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pittsford | 1,664 | $119,211 | $374,000 | 77.6% | 1.9% |
| South Floral Park | 1,706 | $119,496 | $603,400 | 31.6% | 9.5% |
| Averill Park | 1,615 | $117,946 | $273,300 | 42.4% | 0.0% |
| Hopewell Junction | 1,656 | $111,296 | $684,600 | 51.0% | 1.3% |
| Shenorock | 1,558 | $127,180 | $472,800 | 44.4% | 3.1% |
Population Overview
Rapids is a small community located in New York, within Niagara County. The total population is 1,655. It ranks as the 704th most populous out of 1,289 Census-designated places in New York.
Age Demographics
The median age in Rapids is 44.0 years. This is 11% higher than the state median of 39.8 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Rapids is $121,875. This is 42% higher than the state median of $85,974. It is also 51% higher than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 5.0%. This is 65% 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 9.2%. This is 44% higher than the state rate of 6.4%. The median home value is $294,700. Housing costs are 30% lower than the state median of $423,800. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.4x, Rapids is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 90.0% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 66% higher than the state average of 54.4%.
Race & Ethnicity
Rapids has a predominantly White (non-Hispanic) population, comprising 90.0% of all residents. Black or African American residents account for 2.5%. The White (non-Hispanic) population is significantly higher than the state average (90.0% vs 52.8%). The Black or African American population (2.5%) is well below the state average of 13.4%. The Hispanic or Latino population (1.8%) is well below the state average of 19.8%.
Education
42.5% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 6% 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 94.6%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Rapids, 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 Rapids, New York?
Rapids, New York has a population of 1,655 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Rapids, NY?
The median household income in Rapids is $121,875, which is 51% higher than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Rapids, NY?
The poverty rate in Rapids is 5.0%. This means approximately 82 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Rapids, New York?
Rapids's population is 90.0% White, 2.5% Black, 1.8% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in Rapids, NY?
The median home value in Rapids is $294,700. The home-value-to-income ratio is 2.4x.
How educated is Rapids, New York?
42.5% of adults (25+) in Rapids hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 12.4% hold a graduate or professional degree.