Rochester, New York Population 2026
Updated April 2026 · US Census ACS 2023 5-Year Estimates
The population of Rochester, New York is 209,720 as of the 2023 American Community Survey, making it the 3rd-largest city in New York. The median household income is $46,628, the median home value is $120,600, and the median age is 33.5.
The population has declined 1.4% since 2010 (210,217 → 207,282).
209,720
Population
5864
People / sq mi
$46,628
Median Income
$120,600
Median Home Value
Rochester covers 35.8 sq mi of land at 5864 people per square mile.
About Rochester, NY
Rochester is a city in New York with a population of 209,720. It ranks #3 among cities in New York by population. The median age is 33.5, younger than the national median. The population is 48.3% male and 51.7% female.
The median household income in Rochester is $46,628, below the US median of $74,580. 22.5% of residents live below the federal poverty level. Home values sit at a median of $120,600, with monthly rent averaging $1,039. The homeownership rate of 37.2% is lower than the national rate of 64.8%.
Educational attainment in Rochester reflects 29.9% of adults 25 and older holding a bachelor's degree or higher, below the national average of 34.3%. Roughly 10.8% of workers primarily work from home, below the national work-from-home rate of 14.2%. The average commute is 18.9 minutes each way.
Rochester city Population History (2010-2024)
The city of Rochester city had a population of 210,217 in 2010 and 207,282 in 2024, a -1.4% growth over 14 years. The peak was 210,892 in 2020. Average annual growth rate: -0.10%.
207,282
Population (2024)
210,217
Population (2010)
210,892
Peak (2020)
-0.10%
Avg Annual Growth
| Year | Population |
|---|---|
| 2010 | 210,217 |
| 2011 | 210,491 |
| 2012 | 210,329 |
| 2013 | 210,179 |
| 2014 | 209,329 |
| 2015 | 208,561 |
| 2016 | 207,659 |
| 2017 | 206,410 |
| 2018 | 206,004 |
| 2019 | 205,695 |
| 2020 | 210,892 |
| 2021 | 210,285 |
| 2022 | 208,203 |
| 2023 | 207,235 |
| 2024 | 207,282 |
Race & Ethnicity
| White | 41.5% |
| Black or African American | 37.5% |
| Asian | 0.0% |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 1.7% |
| Two or More Races | 0.0% |
Economy & Income
$46,628
Median Household Income
$30,451
Per Capita Income
22.5%
Poverty Rate
4.9%
Unemployment Rate
Housing
$120,600
Median Home Value
$1,039
Median Rent
37.2%
Owner-Occupied
Education
84.4%
High School+
29.9%
Bachelor's+
Commute
5.4%
Drive Alone
65.8%
Public Transit
10.8%
Work From Home
18.9 min
Avg Commute
Community Profile
17.2%
Foreign Born
80.6%
Non-English at Home
3.8%
Veterans
19.1%
With Disability
95.1%
Health Insurance
91.8%
Internet Access
Employment by Industry
| Professional, Scientific & Management | 33.9% |
| Finance, Insurance & Real Estate | 12.7% |
| Education, Health Care & Social Services | 9.5% |
| Manufacturing | 8.9% |
| Retail Trade | 5.2% |
| Arts, Entertainment & Food Services | 4.3% |
| Information | 4.1% |
| Construction | 3.6% |
| Public Administration | 3.4% |
| Transportation & Warehousing | 1.8% |
| Agriculture & Mining | 0.2% |
Largest cities in New York
Largest counties in New York
Part of New York
Metro areas in New York
City rankings
Common questions about Rochester, NY
Frequently Asked Questions
Rochester, New York has a population of 209,720 according to the US Census Bureau's 2023 American Community Survey 5-year estimates, making it the 3rd-largest city in New York.
The median household income in Rochester, New York is $46,628, with 22.5% of residents living below the federal poverty level.
The median home value in Rochester, New York is $120,600, with median monthly rent at $1,039 and a homeownership rate of 37.2%.
The median age in Rochester, New York is 33.5 years. The population is 48.3% male and 51.7% female.
The population has declined 1.4% since 2010 (210,217 → 207,282).
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Data from the American Community Survey (ACS) 5-Year estimates.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS, 2026.