City · New York
Dunkirk, New York
Dunkirk, city, in Chautauqua County, New York. Dunkirk had 12,326 residents on July 1, 2025 by the Census Bureau's estimate, down 3.2% since 2020; the 2020 Census counted 12,743 and the ACS 2020-2024 5-year estimates put it at 12,549 (±36). GEOID 3621105.
Residents, July 2025 estimate
12,326
Census Bureau estimate (no margin published)
2020 Census count: 12,743 · ACS 2020-2024: 12,549 ±36
Median household income
$53,299
±$5,955 (90% margin)
New York: $85,974
Median home value
$94,700
±$6,129 (90% margin)
New York: $423,800
Median gross rent
$866
±$81 (90% margin)
New York: $1,621
Where is Dunkirk and what county is it in?
Dunkirk is a city in Chautauqua County, New York. It covers 4.5 square miles of land, 2,804 residents per square mile in 2020.
Dunkirk is in the Jamestown-Dunkirk, NY micropolitan statistical area (Census Bureau delineation, July 2023).
Source: 2024 Gazetteer and 2020 place-by-county files, U.S. Census Bureau · Census reference files
How many people live in Dunkirk, and is it growing?
The Census Bureau estimates that 12,326 people lived in Dunkirk on July 1, 2025, down 3.2% since 2020, a steeper fall than New York's (−1.0%). The 2020 Census counted 12,743 residents. The 2020-2024 American Community Survey, a five-year sample, puts the population at 12,549 (±36).
| Measure | Dunkirk | Chautauqua County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total population | 12,549 ±36 | 125,544 | +684 |
| Households | 5,530 ±248 | 53,393 | no clear change |
| Average household size | 2.24 ±0.10 | 2.26 | no clear change |
| Housing units | 6,167 ±284 | 66,476 | +387 |
Dunkirk's population since 2000
From 13,131 in 2000 to 12,326 in 2025: down 6.1%. The 2000, 2010 and 2020 figures are census counts, each for Dunkirk as it was drawn that year: a place that annexed land, or a community that has since incorporated, covered a different area then. The 2005 figure is the Census Bureau's intercensal estimate, revised to fit the 2000 and 2010 counts and drawn on 2010 boundaries; 2015 and 2025 are July 1 estimates made from the census before them.
Source: The 2000, 2010 and 2020 Census counts and the Census Bureau's population estimates (intercensal 2000-2010, Vintage 2020, Vintage 2025) · Census population estimates
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026); Census PEP Vintage 2025 (SUB-EST2025, CO-EST2025); 2020 Census P.L. 94-171 · Check it at data.census.gov
Who lives in Dunkirk?
The median resident of Dunkirk is 43.7 years old; 20.0% are under 18 and 19.1% are 65 or older. The largest group is non-Hispanic white residents at 55.8%, then Hispanic or Latino residents (of any race) at 36.5%. 4.0% of residents were born outside the United States.
| Measure | Dunkirk | Chautauqua County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 43.7 ±3.1 | 42.9 | +4.0 |
| Under 18 years | 20.0% ±2.0 pts | 20.6% | – |
| 65 years and over | 19.1% ±2.0 pts | 21.4% | – |
| Male | 49.5% ±2.6 pts | 49.6% | – |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 36.5% ±3.6 pts | 9.6% | +5.9 pts |
| White alone, not Hispanic | 55.8% ±3.5 pts | 83.7% | −5.7 pts |
| Black or African American alone, not Hispanic | 3.8% ±1.9 pts | 2.1% | no clear change |
| Asian alone, not Hispanic | 0.1% ±0.1 pts | 0.7% | – |
| American Indian and Alaska Native alone, not Hispanic | 0.0% ±0.3 pts | 0.1% | – |
| Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander alone, not Hispanic | 0.0% ±0.3 pts | 0.1% | – |
| Two or more races, not Hispanic | 3.2% ±1.4 pts | 3.4% | – |
| Some other race alone, not Hispanic | 0.6% ±0.7 pts | 0.3% | – |
| Born outside the United States | 4.0% ±2.2 pts | 2.6% | no clear change |
| Speak a language other than English at home (age 5+) | 21.3% ±3.7 pts | 9.2% | – |
| Civilian veterans (age 18+) | 7.2% ±2.2 pts | 7.3% | – |
| With a disability | 19.1% ±3.0 pts | 17.8% | – |
| No health insurance coverage | 2.0% ±1.0 pts | 5.3% | −2.8 pts |
| High school graduate or higher (age 25+) | 87.4% ±2.7 pts | 89.7% | – |
| Bachelor's degree or higher (age 25+) | 16.4% ±2.7 pts | 25.1% | no clear change |
| Graduate or professional degree (age 25+) | 6.8% ±1.8 pts | 11.3% | – |
| Lived in the same house a year earlier | 93.2% ±2.2 pts | 89.7% | – |
| Moved from another state in the past year | 0.3% ±0.3 pts | 1.5% | – |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profiles DP02, DP05) · Check it at data.census.gov
What do households in Dunkirk earn?
Half of Dunkirk's 5,530 households earn less than $53,299 a year (±$5,955), against $58,351 in Chautauqua County and $85,974 in New York. In 2015-2019 the median was $43,254 in 2024 dollars, so it rose by $10,045 after inflation. 24.3% of residents live below the poverty line.
| Measure | Dunkirk | Chautauqua County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median household income | $53,299 ±$5,955 | $58,351 | +$10,045 |
| Mean household income | $63,136 ±$4,846 | $76,000 | – |
| Per capita income | $27,787 ±$1,770 | $32,691 | no clear change |
| People below the poverty line | 24.3% ±3.8 pts | 17.4% | no clear change |
| Children under 18 below the poverty line | 33.2% ±11.0 pts | 24.2% | no clear change |
| Households receiving SNAP | 29.3% ±4.8 pts | 19.9% | – |
| Households with a computer | 94.1% ±2.2 pts | 92.5% | – |
| Households with a broadband subscription | 92.1% ±2.8 pts | 88.5% | – |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profile DP03) · Check it at data.census.gov
What does housing cost in Dunkirk?
Owners occupy 58.5% of Dunkirk's occupied homes and renters 41.5%. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $94,700 by its owner (±$6,129). The median renter pays $866 a month including utilities, and 33.3% of renters pay 35% or more of their income on rent.
| Measure | Dunkirk | Chautauqua County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median home value (owner-occupied) | $94,700 ±$6,129 | $127,900 | +$11,874 |
| Median gross rent | $866 ±$81 | $812 | no clear change |
| Renters paying 35% or more of income on rent | 33.3% ±9.0 pts | 39.4% | −16.8 pts |
| Median monthly owner costs, with a mortgage | $1,080 ±$57 | $1,193 | – |
| Owner-occupied homes | 58.5% ±5.0 pts | 68.9% | no clear change |
| Renter-occupied homes | 41.5% ±5.0 pts | 31.1% | – |
| Housing units | 6,167 ±284 | 66,476 | +387 |
| Homeowner vacancy rate | 1.2% ±1.9 pts | 1.0% | – |
| Rental vacancy rate | 2.7% ±2.7 pts | 6.7% | – |
| Single-family detached homes | 65.2% ±5.3 pts | 68.4% | – |
| Mobile homes | 0.0% ±0.7 pts | 6.4% | – |
| Built 2020 or later | 0.0% ±0.7 pts | 0.4% | – |
| Built 2010 to 2019 | 0.0% ±0.7 pts | 2.8% | – |
| Built 1939 or earlier | 48.5% ±4.2 pts | 39.5% | – |
| Households with no vehicle | 13.2% ±3.4 pts | 11.1% | – |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profile DP04) · Check it at data.census.gov
How many new homes is Dunkirk building?
Builders took permits for 0 new housing units in Dunkirk in 2025 (0 in single-family houses), 0.0 per 1,000 residents against 1.9 across New York.
Counts of units in permits a local office issued; not every permitted unit is built. A year marked with months was reported for part of the year.
Source: Building Permits Survey, annual place files 2019-2025, U.S. Census Bureau · Census Building Permits Survey
How do people in Dunkirk work and get to work?
79.5% of Dunkirk's workers drive alone and 4.5% work from home. The average trip to work takes 19.0 minutes. The unemployment rate in 2020-2024 averaged 4.7%.
| Measure | Dunkirk | Chautauqua County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| In the labor force (age 16+) | 54.2% ±3.5 pts | 55.7% | – |
| Unemployment rate | 4.7% ±2.2 pts | 5.9% | no clear change |
| Drove alone to work | 79.5% ±4.3 pts | 75.3% | – |
| Carpooled | 11.1% ±3.1 pts | 10.5% | – |
| Public transportation | 0.0% ±0.1 pts | 0.6% | – |
| Walked | 3.3% ±1.6 pts | 4.0% | – |
| Worked from home | 4.5% ±2.0 pts | 7.9% | – |
| Mean travel time to work | 19.0 min ±3.9 | 19.6 min | +6.0 min |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profile DP03) · Check it at data.census.gov
What census tracts are in Dunkirk?
4 census tracts lie mostly in Dunkirk (2020 census blocks). Their median household incomes run from $40,994 (Tract 355) to $64,757 (Tract 356).
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026); 2020 block assignment files (tract share = share of the tract's census blocks in Dunkirk) · Census block assignment files
How does Dunkirk compare with other places in New York?
By the Census Bureau's July 2025 estimates, Dunkirk is the 2,774th-most populous of the 19,476 U.S. incorporated places that have one and the 70th-most populous of 594 in New York.
Dunkirk ranks 1,510th of 1,623 places in New York with 1,000 or more residents and a reliable estimate, by median household income.
| Measure | Rank | Of |
|---|---|---|
| Population, July 2025 estimate | 70th | 594 |
| Growth 2020-2025 (PEP) | 1,077th | 1,225 |
| Residents per square mile | 306th | 1,657 |
| Median household income | 1,510th | 1,623 |
| Per capita income | 1,565th | 1,653 |
| Median home value | 1,595th | 1,637 |
| Median gross rent | 1,186th | 1,515 |
| Poverty rate | 74th | 1,331 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 1,486th | 1,640 |
| Median age | 790th | 1,654 |
| Owner-occupied share | 1,431st | 1,639 |
| Work from home | 1,313th | 1,350 |
| Travel time to work | 1,452nd | 1,652 |
Dunkirk's figures with every place in New York (CSV)
Every place in New York, sortable · Compare Dunkirk with other places
Source: PlainCities ranks computed from the American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) and PEP Vintage 2025 · How ranks are computed
How reliable are the figures for Dunkirk?
11 of the 57 figures for Dunkirk on this page carry a coefficient of variation over 40% and are marked with a ring: they come from a small sample, so read them as rough.
The American Community Survey samples about one household in eight over five years, so every figure is an estimate with a 90% margin of error (shown under each value). A ring marks an estimate whose coefficient of variation is over 40%. A change is called only when the gap between the two periods is larger than their combined 90% margin (the square root of the sum of the two squared margins), the Census Bureau's test. How to read a margin of error.
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026): margins of error as published · ACS technical documentation
How these figures are made: methodology and release checks · reading a margin of error · every state · corrections
Not on this page: crime, weather and schools for Dunkirk are other agencies' records. Crime: the FBI's Crime Data Explorer · climate: NOAA's U.S. Climate Normals · schools: the National Center for Education Statistics' public schools in Dunkirk.