Syracuse, New York Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Syracuse, New York had a total population of 146,384, the 5th largest city in New York, with a median household income of $47,819, which is 44% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 28.8%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Syracuse is the 5th largest city in New York with a population of 146,384.
- Household income is 44% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
- More than 1 in 4 residents live below the poverty line (28.8%), well above the national average of 12.4%.
Syracuse Quick Facts
How Syracuse 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 | 146,211 | 146,384 | +0.1% |
| Median household income | $45,845 | $47,819 | +4.3% |
| Median home value | $125,100 | $138,400 | +10.6% |
How Syracuse 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+)
Syracuse Rankings in New York
Explore New York Rankings
Other Cities in Onondaga County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| De Witt | 11,060 | $123,864 | 8.5% | $297,600 |
| Fairmount | 9,724 | $84,225 | 8.2% | $184,000 |
| Baldwinsville | 7,715 | $77,241 | 10.6% | $219,900 |
| North Syracuse | 6,693 | $71,026 | 9.3% | $163,000 |
| Radisson | 6,676 | $89,297 | 11.1% | $313,600 |
| Solvay | 6,544 | $61,166 | 6.9% | $150,000 |
| Mattydale | 5,971 | $66,940 | 15.5% | $121,900 |
| Westvale | 5,212 | $98,542 | 2.3% | $214,200 |
| Manlius | 4,644 | $69,942 | 8.4% | $263,300 |
| Brewerton | 4,330 | $82,813 | 22.4% | $195,600 |
Cities Similar to Syracuse
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rochester | 208,772 | $47,213 | $139,600 | 30.0% | 27.8% |
| Albany | 100,492 | $61,986 | $234,700 | 45.3% | 22.9% |
| Yonkers | 209,978 | $83,549 | $501,600 | 35.7% | 13.8% |
| Buffalo | 276,854 | $50,041 | $164,200 | 31.2% | 26.0% |
| Cheektowaga | 76,056 | $68,613 | $185,500 | 29.6% | 10.7% |
Population Overview
Syracuse is a major urban center located in New York, within Onondaga County. The total population is 146,384. It ranks as the 5th most populous out of 1,289 Census-designated places in New York.
Age Demographics
The median age in Syracuse is 31.8 years. This is 20% lower than the state median of 39.8 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Syracuse is $47,819. This is 44% lower than the state median of $85,974. It is also 41% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 28.8%. This is 105% higher than the state poverty rate of 14.0%. 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 7.7%. This is 21% higher than the state rate of 6.4%. The median home value is $138,400. Housing costs are 67% lower than the state median of $423,800. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.9x, Syracuse is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 41.6% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 23% lower than the state average of 54.4%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Syracuse is White (non-Hispanic), making up 49.0% of the population. Black or African American residents account for 25.7%. The Black or African American population is significantly higher than the state average (25.7% vs 13.4%).
Education
31.3% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 22% 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 85.3%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Syracuse, 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 Syracuse, New York?
Syracuse, New York has a population of 146,384 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Syracuse, NY?
The median household income in Syracuse is $47,819, which is 41% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Syracuse, NY?
The poverty rate in Syracuse is 28.8%. This means approximately 37,289 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Syracuse, New York?
Syracuse's population is 49.0% White, 25.7% Black, 10.2% Hispanic/Latino, and 7.2% Asian.
What is the median home value in Syracuse, NY?
The median home value in Syracuse is $138,400. The home-value-to-income ratio is 2.9x.
How educated is Syracuse, New York?
31.3% of adults (25+) in Syracuse hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 13.8% hold a graduate or professional degree.