City profile · New York · Census ACS 2023

Washington Heights, NY

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

3,189
Residents
$78,663
Median income
$365,400
Median home
$1,979
Median rent (state)

Washington Heights - the verdict

Out of every US city with 1,000+ residents, Washington Heights places in the 60th percentile for household income. Source: Census ACS.

60th
percentile, household income
74th
percentile, home value
83rd
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: Washington Heights, NY

3,189 people live in Washington Heights, New York - a small town by U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 estimates. Washington Heights households earn a median of $78,663 annually, above the median for U.S. cities on this measure, with a poverty rate of 12.7%. Typical homes in Washington Heights are valued around $365,400, and the median resident age is 34.9 years. Educational attainment runs 27.8% of adults with a bachelor's degree or higher. Separately, 60.6% of working-age residents are in the labor force.

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 $1,979 monthly. Monthly utility costs average around $285 across New York, per EIA 2023 residential energy estimates. Natural-hazard exposure scores 90.6 out of 100 on FEMA's National Risk Index (Very High).

Population

3,189 residents

Census ACS 2023 - New York

Median Household Income

$78,663 /yr

Poverty 12.7%

Cost of Living Index (state)

107.9 (US=100)

Above Average - BEA RPP 2024, New York average

How does Washington Heights compare to other US cities?

Washington Heights measured against every US city with 1,000+ residents, computed live from the same Census and FBI data shown throughout this page.

Household income 60% higher than other cities
Home value 74% pricier than other cities
Median rent 83% 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 Washington Heights 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

Poverty Rate places Washington Heights toward the top of New York's cities

Among the 1,246 New York cities PlainCities tracks with reported poverty rate data, Washington Heights ranks #234 - the 81st percentile within the state. This is a different, narrower cut than the nationwide percentiles above: it compares Washington Heights only against its own state's cities, not the full US field.

Median Household Income
#650 of 1,205
46th percentile in New York
Median Gross Rent
#401 of 1,256
62nd percentile in New York
Median Home Value
#417 of 1,202
65th percentile in New York
Poverty Rate
#234 of 1,246
81st percentile in New York
Bachelor's Degree or Higher
#750 of 1,254
40th 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.

60thIncome percentile

60th percentile nationally for median household income. Source: Census ACS 2023 / FBI UCR 2023.

How Washington Heights's home value compares nationally

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

$365,400 26th percentile more affordable than 26% 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%). Below this entry. $300,000–$325,000: 521 US cities (3%). Below this entry. $325,000–$350,000: 526 US cities (3%). Below this entry. $350,000–$375,000: 465 US cities (3%). This entry sits in this band. $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. Washington Heights $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 - Washington Heights, NY Washington Heights, NY's reported median household income shown against the U.S. national quintile-share pattern (not Washington Heights, 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 Washington Heights, NY median $78,663/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%
Washington Heights, 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 Washington Heights, NY. Diagonal = perfect equality.

Key socioeconomic indicators

Bachelor's degree or higher (adults 25+) 27.8%

Census ACS S1501, educational attainment

Poverty rate (households below FPL) 12.7%

Census ACS S1701, poverty status

Labor force participation (adults 16+) 60.6%

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

Population
3,189
Median Income
$78,663
Median Home Value
$365,400
Median Age
34.9
Poverty Rate
12.7%
Labor force participation
60.6%
Bachelor's Degree+
27.8%

Commute Patterns

How workers travel to work, Census ACS 2023

Drive Alone
65.9%
Carpool
14.2%
Public Transit
9.3%
Walk
5.3%
Work from Home
1.8%
Other
3.5%

Based on 1,395 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 Washington Heights sits in

Cost of Living Index
107.9
Above Average
US average = 100 · BEA RPP 2024
Typical 2-BR Rent
$1,979/mo
HUD Fair Market Rent
County-level FMR estimate
Natural Hazard Risk
90.6 / 100
Very High
FEMA NRI composite score (county)

Similar Cities in New York

Hoosick Falls
3,189 people
Brightwaters
3,185 people
Delhi
3,185 people
Eden
3,164 people
Fort Edward
3,160 people
Port Washington North
3,159 people

Cities of a Similar Size Nationwide

Population-matched peers from other states, closest to Washington Heights's 3,189 residents (Census ACS 5-Year 2023).

Old Mystic, CT
3,189 people
Rockwood, MI
3,189 people
Wesleyville, PA
3,189 people
South Dennis, MA
3,190 people
Comunas comunidad, PR
3,187 people
Carmel-by-the-Sea, CA
3,186 people

Cities with a Similar Household Income Nationwide

Median-household-income-matched peers from other states, closest to Washington Heights's $78,663 (Census ACS 5-Year 2023, table B19013).

Smartsville, CA
$78,664 median income
Ione, CA
$78,661 median income
Mulliken, MI
$78,654 median income
Congerville, IL
$78,649 median income
Chubbuck, ID
$78,646 median income
Big Rock, TN
$78,681 median income

Race & Ethnicity Composition

Race and ethnicity - Washington Heights, 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 Washington Heights, NY - Census ACS, OMB race + ethnicity categories RACE, sums to 100% 24.2% 51.1% 18.9% ETHNICITY, Hispanic or Latino (any race) 17.8% White 24.2% Black or African American 51.1% Asian 4.0% American Indian 0.0% Native Hawaiian 0.0% Some other race 1.8% Two or more races 18.9% 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 Washington Heights 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
Washington Heights (this city) 3,189 $78,663
Hoosick Falls 3,189 $53,325
Brightwaters 3,185 $203,750
Delhi 3,185 $60,521
Census ACS 5-year FIPS NY OMB Bulletin 23-01

What do people ask about Washington Heights, NY?

What is the population of Washington Heights, NY? +

Washington Heights, NY counts 3,189 residents according to U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 estimates.

What is the median household income in Washington Heights, NY? +

In Washington Heights, the typical household earns $78,663 per year, based on Census ACS 2023 data.

What is the cost of living in Washington Heights? +

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

A typical home in Washington Heights is worth $365,400, according to Census ACS 2023 estimates.

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