Shelter Island, New York Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Shelter Island, New York had a total population of 2,125, the 607th largest community in New York, with a median household income of $165,734, which is 93% higher than the state average. The poverty rate is 0.9%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 93% above the state average — one of the wealthiest communities in New York.
- An exceptionally low poverty rate of 0.9% — among the lowest in New York.
Shelter Island Quick Facts
How Shelter Island 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 | 2,281 | 2,125 | -6.8% |
| Median household income | $129,410 | $165,734 | +28.1% |
| Median home value | $1,019,000 | $1,025,400 | +0.6% |
How Shelter Island 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+)
Shelter Island 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 Shelter Island
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hamilton College | 2,058 | N/A | N/A | 66.7% | 0.0% |
| Bellerose Terrace | 2,006 | $166,086 | $592,400 | 32.5% | 2.8% |
| St. Bonaventure | 1,976 | N/A | $125,300 | 30.4% | 19.3% |
| Washington Mills | 2,112 | $134,397 | $231,300 | 47.4% | 7.0% |
| Northville | 1,912 | $159,018 | $872,000 | 30.8% | 13.1% |
Population Overview
Shelter Island is a small community located in New York, within Suffolk County. The total population is 2,125. It ranks as the 607th most populous out of 1,289 Census-designated places in New York.
Age Demographics
The median age in Shelter Island is 41.3 years. This is 4% higher than the state median of 39.8 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Shelter Island is $165,734. This is 93% higher than the state median of $85,974. It is also 105% higher than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 0.9%. This is 93% 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 5.3%. This is 16% lower than the state rate of 6.4%. The median home value is $1,025,400. Housing costs are 142% higher than the state median of $423,800. The home-value-to-income ratio of 6.2x suggests that housing affordability is a significant concern for many residents. 89.3% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 64% higher than the state average of 54.4%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Shelter Island is White (non-Hispanic), making up 57.0% of the population. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 31.8%. The Hispanic or Latino population is significantly higher than the state average (31.8% vs 19.8%).
Education
56.0% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 39% 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 85.4%. Notably, 25.8% of adults hold a graduate or professional degree, indicating a highly educated workforce.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Shelter Island, 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 Shelter Island, New York?
Shelter Island, New York has a population of 2,125 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Shelter Island, NY?
The median household income in Shelter Island is $165,734, which is 105% higher than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Shelter Island, NY?
The poverty rate in Shelter Island is 0.9%. This means approximately 20 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Shelter Island, New York?
Shelter Island's population is 57.0% White, 0.0% Black, 31.8% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in Shelter Island, NY?
The median home value in Shelter Island is $1,025,400. The home-value-to-income ratio is 6.2x.
How educated is Shelter Island, New York?
56.0% of adults (25+) in Shelter Island hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 25.8% hold a graduate or professional degree.