Shelter Island CDP, New York Demographics & Population 2026

Population Overview

Shelter Island CDP is a small community located in New York. The total population is 2,281. It ranks as the 580th most populous out of 1,287 cities and towns in New York.

Age Demographics

The median age in Shelter Island CDP is 40.6 years. This is 3% higher than the state median of 39.6 years.

Economy, Income & Housing

The median household income in Shelter Island CDP is $129,410. This is 53% higher than the state median of $84,578. Compared to the national median of $78,538, household income here is 65% higher. The poverty rate stands at 1.2%. This is 91% lower than the state poverty rate of 13.7%. This exceptionally low poverty rate indicates strong economic prosperity across the community. The unemployment rate is 4.3%. This is 30% lower than the state rate of 6.2%. The median home value is $1,019,000. Housing costs are 153% higher than the state median of $403,000. The home-value-to-income ratio of 7.9x suggests that housing affordability is a significant concern for many residents. 84.2% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 55% higher than the state average of 54.3%.

Race & Ethnicity

The largest racial or ethnic group in Shelter Island CDP is White (non-Hispanic), making up 56.2% of the population. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 26.3%.

Education

55.0% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 39% higher 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 86.3%. Notably, 24.3% of adults hold a graduate or professional degree, indicating a highly educated workforce.

Data Sources & Methodology

All demographic data for Shelter Island CDP, 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.