City profile · New York · Census ACS 2023

Dunkirk, NY

Population, income, housing, safety, climate and schools for Dunkirk - drawn straight from Census ACS, FBI UCR, NOAA, NCES, HUD and FEMA, refreshed on the 2024–2025 release cycle.

12,597
Residents
$49,003
Median income
$91,200
Median home
$975
Median rent (state)

Dunkirk - the verdict

Measured against every US city with at least 1,000 residents, Dunkirk lands in the 18th percentile for household income and the 28th percentile for safety. Source: Census ACS + FBI UCR.

18th
percentile, household income
7th
percentile, home value
18th
percentile, median rent
28th
percentile, safety
📝 How we sourced this

Population, income, and housing-cost figures come from the U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey 5-year estimates (B-series tables). Crime data uses FBI UCR; climate uses NOAA Climate Normals; school counts come from NCES Common Core of Data; permits use the Census Building Permits Survey (BPS). See our methodology page for the full ETL pipeline and OMB / FIPS join keys.

Data Snapshot: Dunkirk, NY

Census ACS 2023 estimates count 12,597 residents in Dunkirk, a small town within New York. The typical household in Dunkirk brings in $49,003 a year, in the lower quartile of U.S. cities for household income, with a poverty rate of 17.9%. Home values in Dunkirk run a median of $91,200, and the median resident age is 43.1 years. 15.4% of adults here have a bachelor's degree or higher; 52.1% of working-age residents are in the labor force.

The Census Building Permit Survey recorded 1 residential units authorized here in 2024 (Construction Slowdown), down 94% from five years earlier. Crime here tracks close to the national norm: FBI UCR figures show 2194.6 crimes per 100,000 residents, near the national average (reporting is voluntary across agencies, so treat this as reporting activity rather than a definitive danger score). The annual average temperature per NOAA climate normals runs 48.4°F with 46.8 inches of precipitation per year.

New York carries a cost-of-living premium: BEA Regional Price Parities 2024 puts New York at 107.9 on a 100-equals-national-average scale (Above Average). HUD Fair Market Rent for a typical two-bedroom in this state is $975 per month. Statewide, average monthly utility bills in New York run around $285, per EIA 2023 residential energy data. FEMA's National Risk Index rates natural-hazard exposure at 84.6 out of 100 (High).

Population

12,597 residents

Census ACS 2023 - New York

Median Household Income

$49,003 /yr

Poverty 17.9%

Cost of Living Index (state)

107.9 (US=100)

Above Average - BEA RPP 2024, New York average

How does Dunkirk compare to other US cities?

Where Dunkirk sits among all US cities (population 1,000+) on each measure, computed live from Census and FBI data.

Household income 18% higher than other cities
Home value 7% pricier than other cities
Median rent 18% pricier than other cities
Safety 28% safer than other cities

"Safer than" reflects total crime rate from FBI UCR; the others use Census ACS estimates.

Zoom in to just New York and the picture shifts: Dunkirk ranks #31 of 55 New York cities by lowest crime rate, a different read than the national percentile above.

How we calculate these percentiles & ranks

For each metric we count every US city with population 1,000+ and a non-null value, then compute what share of them fall below Dunkirk's value: round(cities-below ÷ total × 100). Safety is inverted (percentile = share of cities with a higher crime rate) so a higher number always means safer. The in-state rank narrows that same crime-rate comparison to only the cities PlainCities tracks in New York, breaking ties alphabetically. See the methodology page for the full source-to-figure lineage.

18thIncome percentile
28thSafety percentile

18th percentile nationally for median household income · 28th percentile for safety (lower crime rate). Source: Census ACS 2023 / FBI UCR 2023.

Dunkirk's profile vs. every US city

Income, affordability, and safety percentile

Dunkirk's percentile rank on 3 favorable-direction measures (income, affordability, safety) vs. every tracked US city -- higher on every axis is more favorable. Not a composite quality score, just the arithmetic mean of the axes shown. 3-axis radar comparing 1 series across Income, Affordability, Safety. IncomeAffordabilitySafety 45 Avg. percentile National median
Dunkirk's percentile rank on 3 favorable-direction measures (income, affordability, safety) vs. every tracked US city -- higher on every axis is more favorable. Not a composite quality score, just the arithmetic mean of the axes shown.

How Dunkirk's home value compares nationally

Median home value vs. every US city (population 1,000+)

$91,200 Among the most affordable more affordable than 93% of 15,600 US cities

$0–$25,000: 5 US cities (0%). Below this entry. $25,000–$50,000: 54 US cities (0%). Below this entry. $50,000–$75,000: 352 US cities (2%). Below this entry. $75,000–$100,000: 1,086 US cities (7%). This entry sits in this band. $100,000–$125,000: 1,516 US cities (10%). Above this entry. $125,000–$150,000: 1,170 US cities (8%). Above this entry. $150,000–$175,000: 1,278 US cities (8%). Above this entry. $175,000–$200,000: 1,229 US cities (8%). Above this entry. $200,000–$225,000: 1,035 US cities (7%). Above this entry. $225,000–$250,000: 976 US cities (6%). Above this entry. $250,000–$275,000: 754 US cities (5%). Above this entry. $275,000–$300,000: 712 US cities (5%). Above this entry. $300,000–$325,000: 521 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $325,000–$350,000: 526 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $350,000–$375,000: 465 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $375,000–$400,000: 393 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $400,000–$425,000: 317 US cities (2%). Above this entry. $425,000–$450,000: 300 US cities (2%). Above this entry. $450,000–$475,000: 307 US cities (2%). Above this entry. $475,000–$500,000: 250 US cities (2%). Above this entry. $500,000–$525,000: 160 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $525,000–$550,000: 156 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $550,000–$575,000: 172 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $575,000–$600,000: 172 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $600,000–$625,000: 163 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $625,000–$650,000: 167 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $650,000–$675,000: 135 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $675,000–$700,000: 101 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $700,000–$725,000: 95 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $725,000–$750,000: 71 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $750,000–$775,000: 65 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $775,000–$800,000: 70 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $800,000–$825,000: 57 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $825,000–$850,000: 67 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $850,000–$875,000: 60 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $875,000–$900,000: 58 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $900,000–$925,000: 47 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $925,000–$950,000: 37 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $950,000–$975,000: 31 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $975,000–$1,000,000: 470 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $1,000,000–$1,025,000: 0 US cities (0%). Above this entry. Dunkirk $0 $1,025,000 every US city, bucketed by value

Each bar is a $25K-wide band; taller bars hold more US cities. The dashed line + filled bar mark this entry. Hover or tap any bar for its full count, share, and where it sits relative to this entry.

Source U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year Estimates · 2023

Income distribution context

Household income distribution - Dunkirk, NY Dunkirk, NY's reported median household income shown against the U.S. national quintile-share pattern (not Dunkirk, NY-specific quintile data). The Lorenz curve traces the national cumulative income share against cumulative population share, perfect equality is the diagonal; observed inequality bows below. $ Household Income Distribution Dunkirk, NY median $49,003/yr, vs. U.S. national quintile pattern QUINTILE SHARE OF AGGREGATE INCOME Lowest 20% 3.4% Second 20% 9.2% Middle 20% 15.1% Fourth 20% 23.2% Top 20% 49.1% LORENZ CURVE cumulative income vs. population 100% 0% 100% pop. 0%
Dunkirk, NY's median household income (Census ACS 5-year estimate) plotted against the U.S. national income-quintile distribution pattern for context; the quintile shares and Lorenz curve are national figures, not computed specifically for Dunkirk, NY. Diagonal = perfect equality.

Key socioeconomic indicators

Bachelor's degree or higher (adults 25+) 15.4%

Census ACS S1501, educational attainment

Poverty rate (households below FPL) 17.9%

Census ACS S1701, poverty status

Labor force participation (adults 16+) 52.1%

Census ACS S2301, share of working-age residents in the labor force

Population
12,597
Median Income
$49,003
Median Home Value
$91,200
Median Age
43.1
Poverty Rate
17.9%
Labor force participation
52.1%
Bachelor's Degree+
15.4%

Safety & Crime

Total Crime Rate
2194.6
per 100,000 residents
Violent Crime
275.3
per 100,000 residents
Property Crime
1919.3
per 100,000 residents

Reflects incidents reported to the FBI's Uniform Crime Reporting program — agency participation is voluntary and reporting completeness varies by jurisdiction and year, so this reflects reporting activity, not a definitive danger score. Not adjusted for tourism, commuter, or daytime population.

Climate

Avg Temperature
48.4°F
Annual Precipitation
46.8"
Annual Snowfall
N/A

Schools

Total Schools
5
Public schools in this city

Population Change

Annual U.S. Census Bureau Population Estimates Program (PEP) estimates, 2020–2025

See the fastest-growing cities →
12,200 residents12,400 residents12,600 residents12,800 residents 202020212022202320242025 12,731 residents 12,326 residents ▼ -3.2%
Dunkirk's Census PEP population estimates, 2020–2025.

Housing Supply

Census Bureau Building Permits Survey (BPS) - annual residential permits authorized

📉 Construction Slowdown
Total Permits (2024)
1
housing units authorized
Single-Family
1
detached homes
Multifamily
0
apartments & condos
Supply Intensity
0.1
permits per 1,000 residents

5-Year Permit Trend (2019–2024)

Year Total
2019 16
2020 0
2021 0
2022 0
2023 0
2024 1

Permit volume decreased 94% from 2019 to 2024.

Commute Patterns

How workers travel to work, Census ACS 2023

Drive Alone
81.3%
Carpool
9.3%
Public Transit
0.0%
Walk
1.7%
Work from Home
4.7%
Other
3.0%

Based on 5,343 workers 16 and over.

Monthly Utility Costs

State-average estimates for New York - EIA 2023 residential energy data

Electricity
$130
avg/month
Natural Gas
$90
avg/month
Water & Sewer
$65
avg/month
Total Utilities
$285
estimated/month

Estimates reflect New York state averages. Actual costs vary by home size, usage, and local rates. Source: U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) 2023.

Living Costs & Risk

Cost of living is a New York state average from BEA; rent and hazard risk are county-level figures from HUD and FEMA for the county Dunkirk sits in

Cost of Living Index
107.9
Above Average
US average = 100 · BEA RPP 2024
Typical 2-BR Rent
$975/mo
HUD Fair Market Rent
County-level FMR estimate
Natural Hazard Risk
84.6 / 100
High
FEMA NRI composite score (county)

Similar Cities in New York

Geneva
12,573 people
North Merrick
12,544 people
Ridge
12,506 people
Stony Point
12,694 people
Manorville
12,737 people
Patchogue
12,368 people

Cities of a Similar Size Nationwide

Population-matched peers from other states, closest to Dunkirk's 12,597 residents (Census ACS 5-Year 2023).

Guymon, OK
12,596 people
Goldenrod, FL
12,603 people
Lansdowne, VA
12,603 people
Kingsburg, CA
12,589 people
Melvindale, MI
12,605 people
Lewisburg, TN
12,607 people

Cities with a Similar Household Income Nationwide

Median-household-income-matched peers from other states, closest to Dunkirk's $49,003 (Census ACS 5-Year 2023, table B19013).

Piney, AR
$49,002 median income
Wolf Lake, MI
$49,005 median income
London, AR
$49,000 median income
Marvell, AR
$49,000 median income
Crawfordville, GA
$49,000 median income
Van Buren, IN
$49,000 median income

Race & Ethnicity Composition

Race and ethnicity - Dunkirk, NY Race categories sum to one hundred percent per Census methodology. Hispanic or Latino is shown separately as an ethnicity overlay; it cuts across all race categories per OMB Directive 15. Race & Ethnicity Composition Dunkirk, NY - Census ACS, OMB race + ethnicity categories RACE, sums to 100% 64.4% 7.9% 14.7% 12.4% ETHNICITY, Hispanic or Latino (any race) 33.2% White 64.4% Black or African American 7.9% Asian 0.1% American Indian 0.4% Native Hawaiian 0.0% Some other race 14.7% Two or more races 12.4% Per OMB Directive 15: Hispanic/Latino ethnicity is reported separately from the race categories.
Race categories sum to 100%. Hispanic or Latino ethnicity is reported separately and cuts across race per Census/OMB methodology.

City-level race and ethnicity, Census ACS 5-year 2023 (tables B02001, B03001), OMB Directive 15 categories.

How Dunkirk compares to nearby New York cities

Population + median household income, sourced from Census Bureau ACS 5-year B01001 (population) and B19013 (median household income).

City Population Median Household Income
Dunkirk (this city) 12,597 $49,003
Geneva 12,573 $68,242
North Merrick 12,544 $156,023
Ridge 12,506 $88,266
Census ACS 5-year FIPS NY FBI UCR NOAA Normals NCES CCD Census BPS 2024 OMB Bulletin 23-01

What do people ask about Dunkirk, NY?

What is the population of Dunkirk, NY? +

Dunkirk, NY counts 12,597 residents according to U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 estimates.

What is the median household income in Dunkirk, NY? +

The median household income in Dunkirk is $49,003 per year, based on Census ACS 2023 data.

What is the cost of living in Dunkirk? +

BEA does not publish a city-level cost-of-living figure for Dunkirk; the closest available measure is the New York state average, a cost of living index of 107.9 (U.S. average = 100), rated "Above Average" based on BEA Regional Price Parities 2024 data. Costs within New York vary by metro area.

Is Dunkirk, NY safe? +

Dunkirk has a total crime rate of 2194.6 per 100,000 residents, which is near the national average. This reflects incidents reported to the FBI UCR program, not a definitive safety score -- agency reporting is voluntary and completeness varies by jurisdiction.

What is the median home value in Dunkirk, NY? +

Dunkirk's median home value sits at $91,200, according to Census ACS 2023 estimates.

What is the climate like in Dunkirk? +

Climate normals put Dunkirk's yearly average temperature at 48.4°F, 46.8 inches of precipitation. Source: NOAA Climate Normals.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year 2023, FBI UCR, NOAA Climate Normals, NCES CCD, Census BPS 2024, Census ACS B08301/B08136, U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) 2023, BEA Regional Price Parities 2024, HUD Fair Market Rents 2026, FEMA National Risk Index.

Read our methodology - how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.

Primary sources: Census ACS, FBI UCR, NOAA Climate Normals, NCES.

Citation & verification links Data sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau. See our methodology for details. Retrieved and formatted by PlainCities Editorial

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Every figure on PlainCities is rendered directly from Census ACS source data, no number is typed in by an editor. This page draws directly on Census ACS source data, no figure is typed in by an editor. See our editorial standards & corrections policy, the methodology behind these numbers, or report a data error.