Rochester city, New York Demographics & Population 2026

Population Overview

Rochester city is a major urban center located in New York, within Monroe County. The total population is 209,720. It ranks as the 3rd most populous out of 1,287 cities and towns in New York.

Age Demographics

The median age in Rochester city is 33.5 years. This is 15% lower than the state median of 39.6 years.

Economy, Income & Housing

The median household income in Rochester city is $46,628. This is 45% lower than the state median of $84,578. Compared to the national median of $78,538, household income here is 41% lower. The poverty rate stands at 26.6%. This is 94% higher than the state poverty rate of 13.7%. With more than one in five residents living below the poverty line, economic hardship is a significant challenge for the community. The unemployment rate is 7.9%. This is 28% higher than the state rate of 6.2%. The median home value is $120,600. Housing costs are 70% lower than the state median of $403,000. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.6x, Rochester city is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 37.2% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 32% lower than the state average of 54.3%.

Race & Ethnicity

Rochester 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 35.7%. The Black or African American population is significantly higher than the state average (35.7% vs 13.6%). The Asian population (3.2%) is well below the state average of 8.8%.

Education

29.9% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 24% 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 84.4%.

Data Sources & Methodology

All demographic data for Rochester 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.