Wading River, New York Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Wading River, New York had a total population of 8,359, the 236th largest community in New York, with a median household income of $136,549, which is 59% higher than the state average. The poverty rate is 3.4%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 59% above the state average — one of the wealthiest communities in New York.
- An exceptionally low poverty rate of 3.4% — among the lowest in New York.
Wading River Quick Facts
How Wading River 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 | 8,393 | 8,359 | -0.4% |
| Median household income | $132,213 | $136,549 | +3.3% |
| Median home value | $486,600 | $518,500 | +6.6% |
How Wading River 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 less diverse community where one racial or ethnic group represents a large majority.
State average: 65 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Wading River 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 Wading River
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Congers | 8,275 | $147,000 | $614,600 | 57.2% | 5.4% |
| Malverne | 8,477 | $149,489 | $651,100 | 54.9% | 8.2% |
| Port Jefferson | 8,091 | $144,912 | $655,800 | 67.7% | 5.6% |
| Farmingdale | 8,474 | $122,980 | $559,700 | 52.7% | 5.2% |
| Baywood | 8,176 | $118,750 | $456,500 | 25.2% | 7.9% |
Population Overview
Wading River is a small city located in New York, within Suffolk County. The total population is 8,359. It ranks as the 236th most populous out of 1,289 Census-designated places in New York.
Age Demographics
The median age in Wading River is 46.7 years. This is 17% higher than the state median of 39.8 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Wading River is $136,549. This is 59% higher than the state median of $85,974. It is also 69% higher than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 3.4%. This is 76% 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 4.7%. This is 26% lower than the state rate of 6.4%. The median home value is $518,500. Housing costs are 22% higher than the state median of $423,800. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.8x. 94.6% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 74% higher than the state average of 54.4%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Wading River is White (non-Hispanic), making up 80.4% of the population. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 13.6%. The White (non-Hispanic) population is significantly higher than the state average (80.4% vs 52.8%). The Black or African American population (3.8%) is well below the state average of 13.4%. The Asian population (1.3%) is well below the state average of 9.0%.
Education
41.8% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 4% 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 90.7%. Notably, 22.8% of adults hold a graduate or professional degree, indicating a highly educated workforce.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Wading River, 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 Wading River, New York?
Wading River, New York has a population of 8,359 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Wading River, NY?
The median household income in Wading River is $136,549, which is 69% higher than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Wading River, NY?
The poverty rate in Wading River is 3.4%. This means approximately 286 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Wading River, New York?
Wading River's population is 80.4% White, 3.8% Black, 13.6% Hispanic/Latino, and 1.3% Asian.
What is the median home value in Wading River, NY?
The median home value in Wading River is $518,500. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.8x.
How educated is Wading River, New York?
41.8% of adults (25+) in Wading River hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 22.8% hold a graduate or professional degree.