Wells, New York Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Wells, New York had a total population of 581, the 1022nd largest community in New York, with a median household income of $87,946, which is 2% higher than the state average. The poverty rate is 5.3%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Unemployment rate of 8.6% is notably above the national average.
Wells Quick Facts
How Wells 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 | 597 | 581 | -2.7% |
| Median household income | $78,047 | $87,946 | +12.7% |
| Median home value | $252,900 | $272,900 | +7.9% |
How Wells 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+)
Wells Rankings in New York
Explore New York Rankings
Other Cities in Hamilton County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Long Lake | 716 | $71,827 | 11.3% | $275,000 |
| Speculator | 409 | $63,864 | 25.7% | $250,000 |
Cities Similar to Wells
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Barker | 590 | N/A | $175,000 | 13.4% | 29.7% |
| Parish | 601 | $88,333 | $129,300 | 16.6% | 4.4% |
| South Cairo | 619 | N/A | $187,200 | 4.9% | 12.3% |
| Cayuga | 575 | $97,885 | $158,100 | 31.6% | 7.5% |
| Greenville (Greene County) | 620 | N/A | $324,500 | 22.8% | 3.4% |
A note before these figures: with a population of 581, Wells's ACS estimates come from a small number of survey responses and carry wide margins of error. Individual percentages below — particularly rates that round to 0% or 100% — are approximations, not precise measurements. See data.census.gov for the published margins of error.
Population Overview
Wells is a small community located in New York, within Hamilton County. The total population is 581. It ranks as the 1022nd most populous out of 1,289 Census-designated places in New York.
Age Demographics
The median age in Wells is 59.3 years. This is 49% higher than the state median of 39.8 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Wells is $87,946. This is 2% higher than the state median of $85,974. It is also 9% higher than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 5.3%. This is 62% lower than the state poverty rate of 14.0%. The unemployment rate is 8.6%. This is 36% higher than the state rate of 6.4%. The median home value is $272,900. Housing costs are 36% lower than the state median of $423,800. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.1x. 95.5% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 76% higher than the state average of 54.4%.
Race & Ethnicity
Wells has a predominantly White (non-Hispanic) population, comprising 96.9% of all residents. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 1.7%. The White (non-Hispanic) population is significantly higher than the state average (96.9% vs 52.8%). The Hispanic or Latino population (1.7%) is well below the state average of 19.8%.
Education
23.0% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 43% 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 78.8%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Wells, 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 Wells, New York?
Wells, New York has a population of 581 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Wells, NY?
The median household income in Wells is $87,946, which is 9% higher than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Wells, NY?
The poverty rate in Wells is 5.3%. This means approximately 31 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Wells, New York?
Wells's population is 96.9% White, 0.0% Black, 1.7% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in Wells, NY?
The median home value in Wells is $272,900. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.1x.
How educated is Wells, New York?
23.0% of adults (25+) in Wells hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 12.0% hold a graduate or professional degree.