City profile · New York · Census ACS 2023

Kingston, NY

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

23,942
Residents
$65,413
Median income
$277,900
Median home
$1,818
Median rent (state)

Kingston - the verdict

Measured against every US city with at least 1,000 residents, Kingston lands in the 43rd percentile for household income and the 32nd percentile for safety. Source: Census ACS + FBI UCR.

43rd
percentile, household income
61st
percentile, home value
76th
percentile, median rent
32nd
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: Kingston, NY

Kingston is a small city in New York, home to 23,942 residents per U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 estimates. Median household income here is $65,413 per year, below the median for U.S. cities on this measure, with a poverty rate of 14.7%. Home values in Kingston run a median of $277,900, and the median resident age is 36.8 years. About 31.6% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, while 61.8% of working-age residents are in the labor force.

Housing supply pressure shows in Census Building Permit Survey data: 194 residential units were authorized in 2024 (Building Boom), up 6367% from five years earlier. Crime here tracks close to the national norm: FBI UCR figures show 1995.5 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).

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). A typical two-bedroom carries a HUD Fair Market Rent of $1,818 per month statewide. EIA 2023 residential energy data puts New York's average monthly utility costs around $285 (state average). Natural-hazard exposure scores 87.7 out of 100 on FEMA's National Risk Index (Very High).

Population

23,942 residents

Census ACS 2023 - New York

Median Household Income

$65,413 /yr

Poverty 14.7%

Cost of Living Index (state)

107.9 (US=100)

Above Average - BEA RPP 2024, New York average

How does Kingston compare to other US cities?

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

Household income 43% higher than other cities
Home value 61% pricier than other cities
Median rent 76% pricier than other cities
Safety 32% 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: Kingston ranks #28 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 Kingston'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.

43rdIncome percentile
32ndSafety percentile

43rd percentile nationally for median household income · 32nd percentile for safety (lower crime rate). Source: Census ACS 2023 / FBI UCR 2023.

Kingston's profile vs. every US city

Income, affordability, and safety percentile

Kingston'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 36 Avg. percentile National median
Kingston'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 Kingston's home value compares nationally

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

$277,900 39th percentile more affordable than 39% 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%). Below this entry. $100,000–$125,000: 1,516 US cities (10%). Below this entry. $125,000–$150,000: 1,170 US cities (8%). Below this entry. $150,000–$175,000: 1,278 US cities (8%). Below this entry. $175,000–$200,000: 1,229 US cities (8%). Below this entry. $200,000–$225,000: 1,035 US cities (7%). Below this entry. $225,000–$250,000: 976 US cities (6%). Below this entry. $250,000–$275,000: 754 US cities (5%). Below this entry. $275,000–$300,000: 712 US cities (5%). This entry sits in this band. $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. Kingston $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 - Kingston, NY Kingston, NY's reported median household income shown against the U.S. national quintile-share pattern (not Kingston, 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 Kingston, NY median $65,413/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%
Kingston, 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 Kingston, NY. Diagonal = perfect equality.

Key socioeconomic indicators

Bachelor's degree or higher (adults 25+) 31.6%

Census ACS S1501, educational attainment

Poverty rate (households below FPL) 14.7%

Census ACS S1701, poverty status

Labor force participation (adults 16+) 61.8%

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

Population
23,942
Median Income
$65,413
Median Home Value
$277,900
Median Age
36.8
Poverty Rate
14.7%
Labor force participation
61.8%
Bachelor's Degree+
31.6%

Safety & Crime

Total Crime Rate
1995.5
per 100,000 residents
Violent Crime
350.2
per 100,000 residents
Property Crime
1645.3
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.

Schools

Total Schools
6
Public schools in this city

Population Change

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

See the fastest-growing cities →
23,600 residents23,800 residents24,000 residents24,200 residents 202020212022202320242025 23,959 residents 23,942 residents ▼ -0.1%
Kingston's Census PEP population estimates, 2020–2025.

Housing Supply

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

📈 Building Boom
Total Permits (2024)
194
housing units authorized
Single-Family
3
detached homes
Multifamily
191
apartments & condos
Supply Intensity
8.1
permits per 1,000 residents

5-Year Permit Trend (2019–2024)

Year Total
2019 3
2020 3
2021 3
2022 4
2023 5
2024 194

Permit volume increased 6367% from 2019 to 2024.

Commute Patterns

How workers travel to work, Census ACS 2023

Drive Alone
71.2%
Carpool
7.3%
Public Transit
1.8%
Walk
2.7%
Work from Home
13.9%
Other
3.1%

Based on 11,479 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 Kingston sits in

Cost of Living Index
107.9
Above Average
US average = 100 · BEA RPP 2024
Typical 2-BR Rent
$1,818/mo
HUD Fair Market Rent
County-level FMR estimate
Natural Hazard Risk
87.7 / 100
Very High
FEMA NRI composite score (county)

Similar Cities in New York

Copiague
23,332 people
Watertown
24,574 people
Smithtown
24,940 people
Garden City
22,866 people
Dix Hills
25,042 people
Rotterdam
22,798 people

Cities of a Similar Size Nationwide

Population-matched peers from other states, closest to Kingston's 23,942 residents (Census ACS 5-Year 2023).

Easley, SC
23,942 people
Willoughby, OH
23,934 people
Solon, OH
23,970 people
Bloomingdale, FL
23,979 people
Rolling Meadows, IL
23,981 people
Elmwood Park, IL
23,982 people

Cities with a Similar Household Income Nationwide

Median-household-income-matched peers from other states, closest to Kingston's $65,413 (Census ACS 5-Year 2023, table B19013).

Wilsonville, AL
$65,417 median income
Fort Mohave, AZ
$65,417 median income
McNary, AZ
$65,417 median income
East Carondelet, IL
$65,417 median income
Ridott, IL
$65,417 median income
Minneola, KS
$65,417 median income

Race & Ethnicity Composition

Race and ethnicity - Kingston, 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 Kingston, NY - Census ACS, OMB race + ethnicity categories RACE, sums to 100% 63.5% 14.2% 6.8% 11.6% ETHNICITY, Hispanic or Latino (any race) 17.1% White 63.5% Black or African American 14.2% Asian 1.8% American Indian 2.1% Native Hawaiian 0.0% Some other race 6.8% Two or more races 11.6% 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 Kingston 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
Kingston (this city) 23,942 $65,413
Copiague 23,332 $121,098
Watertown 24,574 $49,692
Smithtown 24,940 $148,852
Census ACS 5-year FIPS NY FBI UCR NCES CCD Census BPS 2024 OMB Bulletin 23-01

What do people ask about Kingston, NY?

What is the population of Kingston, NY? +

The population of Kingston, NY stands at 23,942 according to U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 estimates.

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

The median household income in Kingston is $65,413 per year, based on Census ACS 2023 data.

What is the cost of living in Kingston? +

BEA does not publish a city-level cost-of-living figure for Kingston; 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 Kingston, NY safe? +

Kingston has a total crime rate of 1995.5 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 Kingston, NY? +

Kingston's median home value sits at $277,900, according to Census ACS 2023 estimates.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year 2023, FBI UCR, 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.