Shirley, New York Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Shirley, New York had a total population of 28,375, the 51st largest community in New York, with a median household income of $112,788, which is 31% higher than the state average. The poverty rate is 6.5%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 31% above the state average — one of the wealthiest communities in New York.
Shirley Quick Facts
How Shirley 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 | 27,807 | 28,375 | +2.0% |
| Median household income | $105,379 | $112,788 | +7.0% |
| Median home value | $390,300 | $424,900 | +8.9% |
How Shirley 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+)
Shirley 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 |
| Deer Park | 27,990 | $137,105 | 3.4% | $543,500 |
| Lindenhurst | 27,142 | $130,128 | 5.7% | $521,500 |
| West Islip | 26,865 | $176,281 | 2.7% | $614,300 |
Cities Similar to Shirley
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Saratoga Springs | 28,631 | $105,944 | $478,100 | 59.9% | 9.7% |
| Ossining | 26,950 | $103,573 | $449,100 | 37.4% | 8.6% |
| Glen Cove | 28,112 | $92,064 | $698,900 | 42.2% | 13.5% |
| Deer Park | 27,990 | $137,105 | $543,500 | 38.4% | 3.4% |
| Lindenhurst | 27,142 | $130,128 | $521,500 | 31.9% | 5.7% |
Population Overview
Shirley is a mid-sized community located in New York, within Suffolk County. The total population is 28,375. It ranks as the 51st most populous out of 1,289 Census-designated places in New York.
Age Demographics
The median age in Shirley is 40.3 years. This is 1% higher than the state median of 39.8 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Shirley is $112,788. This is 31% higher than the state median of $85,974. It is also 40% higher than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 6.5%. This is 54% lower than the state poverty rate of 14.0%. The unemployment rate is 6.3%. The median home value is $424,900. Housing costs are about the same as the state median of $423,800. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.8x. 92.2% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 70% higher than the state average of 54.4%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Shirley is White (non-Hispanic), making up 54.8% of the population. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 30.4%. The Hispanic or Latino population is significantly higher than the state average (30.4% vs 19.8%). The Asian population (4.2%) is well below the state average of 9.0%.
Education
18.9% 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 88.7%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Shirley, 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 Shirley, New York?
Shirley, New York has a population of 28,375 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Shirley, NY?
The median household income in Shirley is $112,788, which is 40% higher than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Shirley, NY?
The poverty rate in Shirley is 6.5%. This means approximately 1,813 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Shirley, New York?
Shirley's population is 54.8% White, 7.3% Black, 30.4% Hispanic/Latino, and 4.2% Asian.
What is the median home value in Shirley, NY?
The median home value in Shirley is $424,900. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.8x.
How educated is Shirley, New York?
18.9% of adults (25+) in Shirley hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 6.0% hold a graduate or professional degree.