Wellsville, New York Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Wellsville, New York had a total population of 4,923, the 359th largest village in New York, with a median household income of $55,096, which is 36% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 19.9%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 36% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
- Housing is very affordable with a home-value-to-income ratio of just 1.7x.
Wellsville Quick Facts
How Wellsville 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 | 4,846 | 4,923 | +1.6% |
| Median household income | $51,005 | $55,096 | +8.0% |
| Median home value | $88,100 | $91,200 | +3.5% |
How Wellsville 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+)
Wellsville Rankings in New York
Explore New York Rankings
Other Cities in Allegany County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alfred | 4,819 | $40,625 | 37.4% | $170,800 |
| Cuba | 1,807 | $61,776 | 14.1% | $85,900 |
| Houghton | 1,728 | $83,571 | 20.4% | $163,200 |
| Bolivar | 1,124 | $56,413 | 18.7% | $71,900 |
| Belmont | 955 | $65,313 | 14.2% | $94,600 |
| Andover | 915 | $66,136 | 11.1% | $72,000 |
| Scio | 727 | $57,143 | 22.8% | $127,400 |
| Friendship | 712 | $35,417 | 27.1% | $71,600 |
| Richburg | 650 | $47,083 | 28.8% | $71,400 |
| Stannards | 642 | $74,286 | 3.8% | $124,600 |
Cities Similar to Wellsville
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gates | 4,691 | $54,647 | $168,600 | 34.7% | 21.4% |
| Saranac Lake | 4,965 | $61,967 | $199,900 | 46.8% | 17.7% |
| Dansville | 4,653 | $57,329 | $118,600 | 19.6% | 6.7% |
| Mechanicville | 5,124 | $50,675 | $186,500 | 23.2% | 18.1% |
| Penn Yan | 4,714 | $60,190 | $152,700 | 21.8% | 12.8% |
Population Overview
Wellsville is a small community located in New York, within Allegany County. The total population is 4,923. It ranks as the 359th most populous out of 1,289 Census-designated places in New York.
Age Demographics
The median age in Wellsville is 42.9 years. This is 8% higher than the state median of 39.8 years. 10.5% of residents are 75 or older, suggesting a significant retirement-age population with implications for healthcare services and senior housing.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Wellsville is $55,096. This is 36% lower than the state median of $85,974. It is also 32% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 19.9%. This is 42% higher than the state poverty rate of 14.0%. The unemployment rate is 6.0%. This is 5% lower than the state rate of 6.4%. The median home value is $91,200. Housing costs are 78% lower than the state median of $423,800. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 1.7x, Wellsville is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 63.3% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 16% higher than the state average of 54.4%.
Race & Ethnicity
Wellsville has a predominantly White (non-Hispanic) population, comprising 96.8% of all residents. Black or African American residents account for 1.1%. The White (non-Hispanic) population is significantly higher than the state average (96.8% vs 52.8%). The Black or African American population (1.1%) is well below the state average of 13.4%. The Hispanic or Latino population (0.5%) is well below the state average of 19.8%. The Asian population (0.4%) is well below the state average of 9.0%.
Education
25.8% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 36% 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 95.4%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Wellsville, 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 Wellsville, New York?
Wellsville, New York has a population of 4,923 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Wellsville, NY?
The median household income in Wellsville is $55,096, which is 32% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Wellsville, NY?
The poverty rate in Wellsville is 19.9%. This means approximately 962 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Wellsville, New York?
Wellsville's population is 96.8% White, 1.1% Black, 0.5% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.4% Asian.
What is the median home value in Wellsville, NY?
The median home value in Wellsville is $91,200. The home-value-to-income ratio is 1.7x.
How educated is Wellsville, New York?
25.8% of adults (25+) in Wellsville hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 12.7% hold a graduate or professional degree.