Stony Brook, New York Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Stony Brook, New York had a total population of 12,868, the 153rd largest community in New York, with a median household income of $174,872, which is 103% 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 103% above the state average — one of the wealthiest communities in New York.
- 68.3% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher — top 10% in New York.
Stony Brook Quick Facts
How Stony Brook 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 | 12,827 | 12,868 | +0.3% |
| Median household income | $162,054 | $174,872 | +7.9% |
| Median home value | $587,300 | $623,300 | +6.1% |
How Stony Brook 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
Moderate diversity with one or two groups making up the majority.
State average: 65 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Stony Brook 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 Stony Brook
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Salisbury | 12,412 | $162,478 | $664,300 | 47.5% | 4.8% |
| North Merrick | 12,366 | $161,554 | $675,800 | 54.0% | 3.7% |
| Jericho | 13,759 | $167,935 | $948,400 | 70.5% | 7.3% |
| Elwood | 11,762 | $177,003 | $689,500 | 56.6% | 3.5% |
| North New Hyde Park | 14,159 | $172,440 | $796,700 | 59.5% | 3.1% |
Population Overview
Stony Brook is a small city located in New York, within Suffolk County. The total population is 12,868. It ranks as the 153rd most populous out of 1,289 Census-designated places in New York.
Age Demographics
The median age in Stony Brook is 44.9 years. This is 13% higher than the state median of 39.8 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Stony Brook is $174,872. This is 103% higher than the state median of $85,974. It is also 117% 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 5.2%. This is 18% lower than the state rate of 6.4%. The median home value is $623,300. Housing costs are 47% higher than the state median of $423,800. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.6x. 90.8% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 67% higher than the state average of 54.4%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Stony Brook is White (non-Hispanic), making up 73.7% of the population. Asian residents account for 15.1%. The Black or African American population (2.5%) is well below the state average of 13.4%. The Hispanic or Latino population (7.0%) is well below the state average of 19.8%. The Asian population is significantly higher than the state average (15.1% vs 9.0%).
Education
68.3% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This places Stony Brook in the top 10% of all cities in the state for educational attainment. This is 70% 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 96.6%. Notably, 44.5% of adults hold a graduate or professional degree, indicating a highly educated workforce.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Stony Brook, 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 Stony Brook, New York?
Stony Brook, New York has a population of 12,868 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Stony Brook, NY?
The median household income in Stony Brook is $174,872, which is 117% higher than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Stony Brook, NY?
The poverty rate in Stony Brook is 6.5%. This means approximately 831 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Stony Brook, New York?
Stony Brook's population is 73.7% White, 2.5% Black, 7.0% Hispanic/Latino, and 15.1% Asian.
What is the median home value in Stony Brook, NY?
The median home value in Stony Brook is $623,300. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.6x.
How educated is Stony Brook, New York?
68.3% of adults (25+) in Stony Brook hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 44.5% hold a graduate or professional degree.