City profile · New York · Census ACS 2023

Lancaster, NY

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

10,127
Residents
$63,902
Median income
$186,300
Median home
$1,343
Median rent (state)

Lancaster - the verdict

Measured against every US city with at least 1,000 residents, Lancaster lands in the 41st percentile for household income. Source: Census ACS.

41st
percentile, household income
39th
percentile, home value
49th
percentile, median rent
📝 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: Lancaster, NY

10,127 people live in Lancaster, New York - a small town by U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 estimates. Median household income here is $63,902 per year, below the median for U.S. cities on this measure, with a poverty rate of 2.7%. Typical homes in Lancaster are valued around $186,300, and the median resident age is 47.5 years. Educational attainment runs 25.2% of adults with a bachelor's degree or higher. Separately, 70.5% of working-age residents are in the labor force.

Housing supply pressure shows in Census Building Permit Survey data: 0 residential units were authorized in 2024 (No Permits), down 100% from five years earlier.

New York carries a cost-of-living premium: the state registers 107.9 on a 100-equals-national-average index (Above Average) per BEA Regional Price Parities 2024. Statewide, HUD pegs Fair Market Rent for a two-bedroom unit at $1,343 monthly. Monthly utility costs average around $285 across New York, per EIA 2023 residential energy estimates. Natural-hazard exposure scores 97.7 out of 100 on FEMA's National Risk Index (Very High).

Population

10,127 residents

Census ACS 2023 - New York

Median Household Income

$63,902 /yr

Poverty 2.7%

Cost of Living Index (state)

107.9 (US=100)

Above Average - BEA RPP 2024, New York average

How does Lancaster compare to other US cities?

Here's how Lancaster stacks up against the full field of US cities (population 1,000+), computed live from Census and FBI data.

Household income 41% higher than other cities
Home value 39% pricier than other cities
Median rent 49% pricier than other cities

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

How we calculate these percentiles & ranks

Each percentile compares Lancaster against every qualifying US city; each in-state rank narrows that to New York only. Full formula and direction notes: methodology.

New York-relative analysis

Median Gross Rent sits close to the middle of New York's city distribution

Among the 1,256 New York cities PlainCities tracks with reported median gross rent data, Lancaster ranks #819 - the 31st percentile within the state. This is a different, narrower cut than the nationwide percentiles above: it compares Lancaster only against its own state's cities, not the full US field.

Median Household Income
#863 of 1,205
28th percentile in New York
Median Gross Rent
#819 of 1,256
31st percentile in New York
Median Home Value
#719 of 1,202
40th percentile in New York
Poverty Rate
#807 of 1,246
34th percentile in New York
Bachelor's Degree or Higher
#844 of 1,254
33rd percentile in New York

Ranked by raw value (highest first); a higher rank is not automatically "better" for every measure, see each metric's own context above. This is a comparison within New York only, not a livability score. See the methodology for the source and calculation.

41stIncome percentile

41st percentile nationally for median household income. Source: Census ACS 2023 / FBI UCR 2023.

How Lancaster's home value compares nationally

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

$186,300 Among the most affordable more affordable than 61% 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%). This entry sits in this band. $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. Lancaster $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 - Lancaster, NY Lancaster, NY's reported median household income shown against the U.S. national quintile-share pattern (not Lancaster, 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 Lancaster, NY median $63,902/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%
Lancaster, 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 Lancaster, NY. Diagonal = perfect equality.

Key socioeconomic indicators

Bachelor's degree or higher (adults 25+) 25.2%

Census ACS S1501, educational attainment

Poverty rate (households below FPL) 2.7%

Census ACS S1701, poverty status

Labor force participation (adults 16+) 70.5%

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

Population
10,127
Median Income
$63,902
Median Home Value
$186,300
Median Age
47.5
Poverty Rate
2.7%
Labor force participation
70.5%
Bachelor's Degree+
25.2%

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 →
9,950 residents10,000 residents10,050 residents10,100 residents10,150 residents10,200 residents 202020212022202320242025 10,157 residents 9,995 residents ▼ -1.6%
Lancaster's Census PEP population estimates, 2020–2025.

Housing Supply

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

Total Permits (2024)
0
housing units authorized
Single-Family
0
detached homes
Multifamily
0
apartments & condos

5-Year Permit Trend (2019–2024)

Year Total
2019 18
2020 8
2021 19
2022 0
2023 11
2024 0

Permit volume decreased 100% from 2019 to 2024.

Commute Patterns

How workers travel to work, Census ACS 2023

Drive Alone
83.0%
Carpool
7.7%
Public Transit
0.0%
Walk
2.5%
Work from Home
6.6%

Based on 5,988 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 Lancaster sits in

Cost of Living Index
107.9
Above Average
US average = 100 · BEA RPP 2024
Typical 2-BR Rent
$1,343/mo
HUD Fair Market Rent
County-level FMR estimate
Natural Hazard Risk
97.7 / 100
Very High
FEMA NRI composite score (county)

Similar Cities in New York

South Huntington
10,150 people
Airmont
10,082 people
East Rockaway
10,064 people
Fort Salonga
10,203 people
New Hyde Park
10,208 people
Massena
10,234 people

Cities of a Similar Size Nationwide

Population-matched peers from other states, closest to Lancaster's 10,127 residents (Census ACS 5-Year 2023).

San Elizario, TX
10,123 people
Rathdrum, ID
10,133 people
Cody, WY
10,121 people
Trumbull Center, CT
10,137 people
Exeter, NH
10,138 people
Clinton, TN
10,141 people

Cities with a Similar Household Income Nationwide

Median-household-income-matched peers from other states, closest to Lancaster's $63,902 (Census ACS 5-Year 2023, table B19013).

Linwood, KS
$63,902 median income
Wabasso, MN
$63,900 median income
Wilmington, NC
$63,900 median income
Henry, IL
$63,894 median income
Syracuse, IN
$63,894 median income
Black Creek, WI
$63,894 median income

Race & Ethnicity Composition

Race and ethnicity - Lancaster, 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 Lancaster, NY - Census ACS, OMB race + ethnicity categories RACE, sums to 100% 96.7% ETHNICITY, Hispanic or Latino (any race) 1.3% White 96.7% Black or African American 0.1% Asian 0.2% American Indian 0.3% Native Hawaiian 0.0% Some other race 0.5% Two or more races 2.2% 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 Lancaster 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
Lancaster (this city) 10,127 $63,902
South Huntington 10,150 $151,078
Airmont 10,082 $101,868
East Rockaway 10,064 $112,415
Census ACS 5-year FIPS NY NCES CCD Census BPS 2024 OMB Bulletin 23-01

What do people ask about Lancaster, NY?

What is the population of Lancaster, NY? +

Lancaster, NY counts 10,127 residents according to U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 estimates.

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

Lancaster households earn a median of $63,902 annually, based on Census ACS 2023 data.

What is the cost of living in Lancaster? +

BEA does not publish a city-level cost-of-living figure for Lancaster; 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.

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

Lancaster's median home value sits at $186,300, according to Census ACS 2023 estimates.

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

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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.