Vassar College, New York Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Vassar College, New York had a total population of 3,529, the 455th largest community in New York, with a median household income of $121,469, which is 41% higher than the state average. The poverty rate is 32.4%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 41% above the state average — one of the wealthiest communities in New York.
- More than 1 in 4 residents live below the poverty line (32.4%), well above the national average of 12.4%.
- 87.0% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher — top 10% in New York.
- Near full employment with an unemployment rate of just 2.3%.
Vassar College Quick Facts
How Vassar College 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 | 3,276 | 3,529 | +7.7% |
| Median household income | $119,836 | $121,469 | +1.4% |
How Vassar College 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+)
Vassar College Rankings in New York
Explore New York Rankings
Other Cities in Dutchess County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Poughkeepsie | 31,958 | $60,741 | 17.6% | $283,700 |
| Beacon | 14,834 | $107,859 | 9.0% | $471,600 |
| Myers Corner | 10,877 | $105,718 | 4.9% | $419,700 |
| Fairview (Dutchess County) | 6,213 | $67,161 | 21.7% | $283,500 |
| Wappingers Falls | 5,761 | $65,040 | 3.8% | $337,200 |
| Spackenkill | 4,279 | $141,005 | 1.8% | $440,500 |
| Haviland | 3,923 | $107,750 | 3.2% | $319,500 |
| Red Oaks Mill | 3,254 | $116,467 | 2.4% | $364,300 |
| Brinckerhoff | 2,813 | $101,927 | 4.4% | $370,000 |
| Arlington | 2,806 | $72,364 | 9.0% | $315,300 |
Cities Similar to Vassar College
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SUNY Oswego | 3,564 | N/A | N/A | 100.0% | 42.5% |
| West Sand Lake | 3,479 | $121,250 | $315,800 | 38.6% | 4.0% |
| Beaver Dam Lake | 3,627 | $120,755 | $425,200 | 41.8% | 1.3% |
| Balmville | 3,399 | $120,694 | $392,200 | 33.9% | 3.2% |
| Islandia | 3,600 | $116,313 | $477,400 | 32.5% | 7.7% |
Population Overview
Vassar College is a small community located in New York, within Dutchess County. The total population is 3,529. It ranks as the 455th most populous out of 1,289 Census-designated places in New York.
Age Demographics
The median age in Vassar College is 20.7 years. This is 48% lower than the state median of 39.8 years. Only 1.3% of residents are under 18, indicating fewer families with children.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Vassar College is $121,469. This is 41% higher than the state median of $85,974. It is also 50% higher than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 32.4%. This is 131% 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 2.3%. This is 65% lower than the state rate of 6.4%. The median home value is $415,600. Housing costs are 2% lower than the state median of $423,800. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.4x. 14.1% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 74% lower than the state average of 54.4%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Vassar College is White (non-Hispanic), making up 65.8% of the population. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 10.7%.
Education
87.0% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This places Vassar College in the top 10% of all cities in the state for educational attainment. This is 116% higher than the state rate of 40.2%. Nationally, 35.7% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. No surveyed resident aged 25 or older reported leaving school before earning a high school diploma, though a rate of exactly 100% reflects the limits of a small sample. Notably, 75.6% of adults hold a graduate or professional degree, indicating a highly educated workforce.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Vassar College, 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 Vassar College, New York?
Vassar College, New York has a population of 3,529 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Vassar College, NY?
The median household income in Vassar College is $121,469, which is 50% higher than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Vassar College, NY?
The poverty rate in Vassar College is 32.4%. This means approximately 184 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Vassar College, New York?
Vassar College's population is 65.8% White, 10.3% Black, 10.7% Hispanic/Latino, and 9.2% Asian.
What is the median home value in Vassar College, NY?
The median home value in Vassar College is $415,600. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.4x.
How educated is Vassar College, New York?
87.0% of adults (25+) in Vassar College hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 75.6% hold a graduate or professional degree.