Ulster County, New York Population 2026
Updated April 2026 · US Census ACS 2023 5-Year Estimates · 20th-largest in New York
The population of Ulster County, New York is 182,109 as of the 2023 American Community Survey, making it the 20th-largest county in New York. The median household income is $81,804, the median home value is $315,100, and the median age is 44.2.
The population of Ulster County has grown 0.3% since 2010 (182,422 → 182,977), a +0.02% annualized rate.
182,109
Population
+0.02%
Annual growth
162
People / sq mi
$81,804
Median Income
$315,100
Median Home Value
Ulster County covers 1,124 sq mi of land at 162.0 people per square mile.
About Ulster County, NY
What sets Ulster County apart is where people work — remote work is unusually prominent here, at 15.4% versus 14.0% nationally. With 182,109 residents, Ulster County is a county in New York. It ranks #20 among counties in New York by population.
Households take in a median $81,804, comfortably near the US median of $78,538. Only 6.6% of residents live in poverty, below the national 12.4%. Home values run above average at $315,100, with typical rent around $1,335.
Educational attainment is on the higher side for US counties — 37.1% of adults hold a four-year degree, above the national 35.0%. Working from home is common here: 15.4% of workers do so, above the national 14.0%, and the average commute runs about 28 minutes each way.
The remote-work concentration is telling in Ulster County — it skews toward higher-income, college-educated workers and reshapes both commute patterns and housing demand.
Ulster County Population History (2010-2024)
The county of Ulster County had a population of 182,422 in 2010 and 182,977 in 2024, a 0.3% growth over 14 years. The peak was 183,487 in 2021. Average annual growth rate: 0.02%.
182,977
Population (2024)
182,422
Population (2010)
183,487
Peak (2021)
0.02%
Avg Annual Growth
| Year | Population |
|---|---|
| 2010 | 182,422 |
| 2011 | 182,458 |
| 2012 | 181,555 |
| 2013 | 180,722 |
| 2014 | 180,435 |
| 2015 | 179,696 |
| 2016 | 179,045 |
| 2017 | 178,650 |
| 2018 | 178,510 |
| 2019 | 177,933 |
| 2020 | 181,277 |
| 2021 | 183,487 |
| 2022 | 182,357 |
| 2023 | 182,906 |
| 2024 | 182,977 |
Race & Ethnicity
| White | 76.4% |
| Black or African American | 6.1% |
| Asian | 0.0% |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 1.5% |
| Two or More Races | 0.0% |
Age & Sex
44.2
Median Age
50.2%
Female
49.8%
Male
20.7%
Age 65+
Age Distribution
Children (under 15): 14.1% · Seniors (65+): 20.7%
Income & Poverty
| Median household income | $81,804$-2,774 vs state |
| Mean household income | $112,552 |
| Per-capita income | $45,702 |
| Poverty rate | 6.6%-3.2% vs state |
| Unemployment rate | 3.0% |
| Employment-to-population | 55.6% |
Top Industries by Employment
The largest employment sector in Ulster County is professional & business services, accounting for 29.4% of workers.
How residents commute
2.1%
Drive alone
3.0%
Carpool
70.9%
Public transit
15.4%
Work from home
27.8 min
Avg commute
Housing
$315,100$-87,900 vs state
Median home value
$1,335
Median rent
70.0%
Homeownership rate
86,178
Total housing units
84.8%
Occupied
15.2%
Vacant
30.0%
Renter-occupied
Social & access
93.6%
With health insurance
93.6%
With broadband internet
17.5%
Foreign-born
4.5%
Veterans (18+)
14.1%
With a disability
87.8%
Speak language other than English at home
Education
91.7%
High School+
37.1%
Bachelor's+
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County rankings
Frequently Asked Questions
Ulster County, New York has a population of 182,109 according to the US Census Bureau's 2023 American Community Survey 5-year estimates, making it the 20th-largest county in New York. Population density is 162 people per square mile.
The population of Ulster County has grown 0.3% since 2010 (182,422 → 182,977), a +0.02% annualized rate.
The median household income in Ulster County, New York is $81,804, with mean (average) household income of $112,552 and per-capita income of $45,702. 6.6% of residents live below the federal poverty level.
In Ulster County, the largest racial and ethnic groups are White (76.4%), Black or African American (6.1%), Hispanic or Latino (1.5%). Figures are from the US Census Bureau's 2023 ACS 5-year estimates and reflect self-reported responses.
The median age in Ulster County, New York is 44.2 years. Residents are 50.2% female and 49.8% male.
The median home value in Ulster County is $315,100 and median monthly rent is $1,335. 70.0% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. The county has 86,178 total housing units, 15.2% of which are vacant.
The largest employment sector in Ulster County, New York is professional, scientific, and management services, employing 29.4% of workers. The unemployment rate is 3.0%.
New York is among the largest cities associated with Ulster County, New York, with a population of 8,516,202.
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Data from the American Community Survey (ACS) 5-Year estimates.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS, 2026.