Riverhead, New York Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Riverhead, New York had a total population of 14,936, the 135th largest community in New York, with a median household income of $83,008, which is 3% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 10.7%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Riverhead Quick Facts
How Riverhead 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 | 15,073 | 14,936 | -0.9% |
| Median household income | $83,521 | $83,008 | -0.6% |
| Median home value | $449,000 | $457,400 | +1.9% |
How Riverhead 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 diverse community with significant representation from multiple racial and ethnic groups.
State average: 65 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Riverhead Rankings in New York
Explore New York Rankings
Other Cities in Suffolk County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| West Babylon | 43,570 | $129,519 | 5.9% | $531,900 |
| Coram | 39,539 | $105,220 | 7.5% | $452,100 |
| Central Islip | 38,373 | $113,707 | 9.2% | $436,400 |
| Commack | 36,558 | $169,792 | 4.2% | $678,200 |
| Huntington Station | 32,601 | $135,477 | 7.2% | $578,000 |
| Centereach | 31,839 | $132,240 | 5.3% | $514,800 |
| Bay Shore | 31,683 | $105,618 | 10.2% | $492,200 |
| Shirley | 28,375 | $112,788 | 6.5% | $424,900 |
| Deer Park | 27,990 | $137,105 | 3.4% | $543,500 |
| Lindenhurst | 27,142 | $130,128 | 5.7% | $521,500 |
Cities Similar to Riverhead
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Eggertsville | 14,894 | $82,767 | $248,100 | 53.6% | 14.0% |
| Kenmore | 15,044 | $77,639 | $208,600 | 48.0% | 9.1% |
| Depew | 15,000 | $73,556 | $196,500 | 25.1% | 9.4% |
| Mastic | 15,708 | $94,034 | $432,500 | 18.2% | 6.6% |
| Glens Falls | 14,609 | $67,788 | $212,200 | 33.7% | 11.3% |
Population Overview
Riverhead is a small city located in New York, within Suffolk County. The total population is 14,936. It ranks as the 135th most populous out of 1,289 Census-designated places in New York.
Age Demographics
The median age in Riverhead is 44.6 years. This is 12% higher than the state median of 39.8 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Riverhead is $83,008. This is 3% lower than the state median of $85,974. It is also 3% higher than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 10.7%. This is 23% lower than the state poverty rate of 14.0%. The unemployment rate is 6.8%. This is 6% higher than the state rate of 6.4%. The median home value is $457,400. Housing costs are 8% higher than the state median of $423,800. The home-value-to-income ratio is 5.5x. 60.9% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 12% higher than the state average of 54.4%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Riverhead is White (non-Hispanic), making up 45.9% of the population. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 33.0%. The Hispanic or Latino population is significantly higher than the state average (33.0% vs 19.8%). The Asian population (1.7%) is well below the state average of 9.0%.
Education
19.1% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 53% 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 80.1%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Riverhead, 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 Riverhead, New York?
Riverhead, New York has a population of 14,936 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Riverhead, NY?
The median household income in Riverhead is $83,008, which is 3% higher than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Riverhead, NY?
The poverty rate in Riverhead is 10.7%. This means approximately 1,587 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Riverhead, New York?
Riverhead's population is 45.9% White, 10.1% Black, 33.0% Hispanic/Latino, and 1.7% Asian.
What is the median home value in Riverhead, NY?
The median home value in Riverhead is $457,400. The home-value-to-income ratio is 5.5x.
How educated is Riverhead, New York?
19.1% of adults (25+) in Riverhead hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 7.8% hold a graduate or professional degree.