If you’ve ever tried to squeeze onto a 4 train at rush hour or find a parking spot in White Plains, you know it feels like everyone on earth moved here at once. But if you look at the official data, the story of how many people are in ny is actually a bit of a rollercoaster right now.
Honestly, the numbers are kind of all over the place depending on who you ask and which part of the state you’re standing in.
As of early 2026, New York State holds roughly 19.5 million to 20.1 million residents. Why the big gap? Because counting people in a place as chaotic as New York is notoriously hard. Organizations like the U.S. Census Bureau and Cornell’s Program on Applied Demographics are constantly tweaking their models to account for the "pandemic pivot" and the subsequent return of the city's pulse.
The Great Balancing Act: State vs. City
When people ask how many people are in ny, they are usually talking about one of two things: the massive, sprawling state or the concrete jungle of New York City. They are very different beasts.
New York City itself is hovering around 8.3 to 8.5 million people. It’s funny because, back in 2020, everyone was screaming about the "death of the city." People were fleeing to the Catskills or Florida like the floor was lava. And yeah, the city did take a hit, losing a few percentage points of its total headcount.
✨ Don't miss: Wilmington Star Newspaper Obituaries: What Most People Get Wrong
But look at the streets today.
The city is growing at about 1% annually again. It’s a classic New York comeback. Meanwhile, the state as a whole remains the fourth most populous in the country, sitting behind California, Texas, and Florida. We used to be number three, but Florida’s sunshine eventually won over the retirees.
Where Everyone Is Actually Living (The 2026 Breakdown)
It’s not just about Manhattan. In fact, if you want to know how many people are in ny, you have to look at the suburbs and the "Upstate" hubs that are actually seeing some of the fastest growth.
- New York City (The Five Boroughs): Roughly 8,346,955 residents.
- Hempstead: This town is a giant. With over 800,000 people, it’s larger than many major U.S. cities.
- Brookhaven and Islip: Long Island remains a powerhouse, with both towns sitting comfortably between 340,000 and 500,000 people.
- Buffalo: Still holding strong as the state's "second city" with about 276,000 residents, though it’s been seeing a very slight, almost negligible dip lately.
- Yonkers: Nearly 211,000 people call this place home, and it’s basically becoming an extension of the Bronx at this point.
Then you have the wild cards. Places like Kiryas Joel and Palm Tree are growing at astronomical rates—sometimes over 4% or 5% a year. It’s a total contrast to some of the rural counties in the Southern Tier that are thinning out.
The Migration Myth vs. Reality
You've probably heard the rumors. "Everyone is leaving New York!"
Well, sort of. Between 2020 and 2023, the state did see a decrease of over 600,000 people. That’s a 3.1% drop. It sounds like a lot until you realize that 20 million people live here. It’s like a stadium losing a few rows of seats—it’s still a packed house.
What’s really happening is a reshuffle. People aren't just leaving the state; they’re moving from the center of the city to the outer edges. The "commuter rail" lifestyle is back in a big way. Towns like New Rochelle and White Plains are seeing population spikes because they offer that "half-city, half-suburb" vibe that everyone seems to want now.
Who is a "New Yorker" anyway?
Demographics in 2026 show a state that is more diverse than almost anywhere else on the planet. About 36% to 38% of New York City’s population is foreign-born. That’s 3 million people who started somewhere else and ended up here.
The state's racial makeup is roughly:
- White: 57%
- Black or African American: 14.7%
- Hispanic or Latino: 19.5%
- Asian: 8.9%
It’s a mix that keeps the state's culture from getting stale. Whether it's the massive Dominican community in the Bronx or the growing Chinese population in Queens (which now rivals Los Angeles County for total numbers), the "who" is just as important as the "how many."
✨ Don't miss: Why Snow in Miami 1977 Pictures Still Creep People Out
Why These Numbers Matter for Your Wallet
If you’re wondering how many people are in ny because you’re thinking of moving here, pay attention to the density.
New York County (Manhattan) has a density of about 73,000 people per square mile. That is intense. For comparison, the average density for the whole state is only about 421 people per square mile.
This density is what drives the rent prices through the roof. But it’s also what keeps the economy 24/7. Even with the population fluctuations, the median household income in the state is hanging around $84,578, which is significantly higher than the national average. You pay to play here.
The 2030 Outlook: What’s Next?
Projections from Cornell and the NYC Department of City Planning suggest that the "decline" was a temporary blip. They expect New York City to hit 9 million people by 2035.
The state is currently in a "stabilization" phase. We’ve stopped the bleeding from the early 2020s, and now we’re just... being New York. Busy, crowded, and loud.
Actionable Insights for Navigating NY
If you are trying to make sense of these population shifts for business or personal reasons, keep these steps in mind:
✨ Don't miss: Is AOC Up for Re-election in 2025? What You Need to Know Now
- Look at the "Towns," not just the "Cities": In NY, towns like Hempstead or Amherst often have more market power and people than the actual incorporated cities.
- Follow the Infrastructure: Growth is currently following the MTA and Metro-North expansions. If a new train stop is planned, the people are already moving there.
- Check the Zip Code Data: General city numbers lie. Use tools like the Aterio forecast or the Census Bureau’s "Population Clock" to see micro-trends in specific neighborhoods like the Upper West Side (10024) vs. East Harlem (10029), as their growth patterns are often polar opposites.
- Watch the Aging Trend: About 13% of the state is over 65. This is creating a massive boom in healthcare and specialized housing in areas like Westchester and Long Island.
Knowing exactly how many people are in ny is a moving target, but the trend is clear: the state is far from empty. It’s just changing its shape.