County · New York
Chautauqua County, New York
Chautauqua County, New York. Chautauqua County had 124,126 residents in 2025 by the Census Bureau's estimate, down 2.8% since 2020, a steeper fall than New York's (−1.0%). It holds 51 places (15 cities, villages and boroughs, 27 towns and townships and 9 census-designated) and 37 census tracts. GEOID 36013.
Chautauqua County is the county of the Jamestown-Dunkirk, NY micropolitan statistical area (the Census Bureau's July 2023 delineation).
Residents, July 2025 estimate
124,126
Census Bureau estimate (no margin published)
2020 Census count: 127,657 · ACS 2020-2024: 125,544
Median household income
$58,351
±$1,736 (90% margin)
New York: $85,974
Median home value
$127,900
±$4,463 (90% margin)
New York: $423,800
Median gross rent
$812
±$21 (90% margin)
New York: $1,621
How many people live in Chautauqua County, and is it growing?
The 2020 Census counted 127,657 residents in Chautauqua County. The Census Bureau estimates 124,126 for July 1, 2025, down 2.8% since 2020, a steeper fall than New York's (−1.0%). The 2020-2024 American Community Survey puts the population at 125,544 over 1,060 square miles of land.
| Measure | Chautauqua County | New York | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total population | 125,544 | 19,852,366 | −2,952 |
| Households | 53,393±785 | 7,722,646 | no clear change |
| Average household size | 2.26±0.03 | 2.49 | −0.05 |
| Housing units | 66,476±257 | 8,585,241 | −1,169 |
Chautauqua County's population since 2000
From 139,750 in 2000 to 124,126 in 2025: down 11.2%. The 2000, 2010 and 2020 figures are census counts. 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); PEP Vintage 2025 (CO-EST2025); 2020 Census · Check it at data.census.gov
What cities and towns are in Chautauqua County?
Chautauqua County holds 51 places: 15 cities, villages and boroughs (incorporated places), 27 towns and townships (county subdivisions with their own government) and 9 census-designated places. The largest is Jamestown with 27,663 residents (2025 estimate). Places that cross a county line are listed with the share of their 2020 residents who live in this county.
| Jamestown | 28,712 | $43,523 |
|---|---|---|
| Pomfret (town) | 13,035 | $57,746 |
| Dunkirk | 12,743 | $53,299 |
| Fredonia | 9,585 | $50,433 |
| Ellicott (town) | 8,768 | $60,880 |
| Busti (town) | 7,543 | $67,292 |
| Hanover (town) | 6,972 | $71,563 |
| Westfield (town) | 4,553 | $50,921 |
| Portland (town) | 4,309 | $66,333 |
| Ellery (town) | 4,122 | $86,833 |
| Chautauqua (town) | 4,009 | $68,795 |
| Carroll (town) | 3,456 | $77,321 |
| Lakewood | 3,002 | $67,557 |
| Westfield | 2,910 | $46,774 |
| Jamestown West | 2,652 | $54,250 |
| Silver Creek | 2,617 | $63,854 |
| Sheridan (town) | 2,564 | $87,083 |
| Ripley (town) | 2,323 | $52,591 |
| Falconer | 2,269 | $60,056 |
| Poland (town) | 2,214 | $70,332 |
| North Harmony (town) | 2,192 | $71,250 |
| Harmony (town) | 2,121 | $58,600 |
| Stockton (town) | 2,044 | $73,500 |
| Frewsburg | 1,843 | $75,536 |
| Gerry (town) | 1,782 | $68,667 |
| Clymer (town) | 1,753 | $87,917 |
| Sherman (town) | 1,622 | $51,953 |
| Charlotte (town) | 1,527 | $61,082 |
| Ellington (town) | 1,497 | $65,000 |
| Mayville | 1,442 | $68,611 |
| Kiantone (town) | 1,397 | $81,000 |
| Brocton | 1,286 | $58,500 |
| Dunkirk (town) | 1,240 | $67,045 |
| Celoron | 1,069 | $51,964 |
| Villenova (town) | 1,057 | $64,185 |
| Cherry Creek (town) | 1,037 | $57,058 |
| Arkwright (town) | 1,008 | $93,000 |
| French Creek (town) | 1,007 | $85,577 |
| Mina (town) | 1,007 | $75,000 |
| RipleyGEOID 3661874 | 852 | $52,614 |
| ForestvilleGEOID 3626649 | 704 | not published |
| Sherman | 649 | $46,346 |
| Sinclairville | 579 | $48,214 |
| Cassadaga | 573 | $73,750 |
| Panama | 475 | $60,865 |
| KennedyGEOID 3639243 | 473 | $49,375 |
| Sunset BayGEOID 3672246 | 470 | $66,731 |
| Cherry Creek | 409 | $68,516 |
| BustiGEOID 3611440 | 349 | not published |
| Bemus Point | 306 | $86,250 |
| ChautauquaGEOID 3614058 | 218 | not published |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026); 2020 place-by-county parts · Check it at data.census.gov
Who lives in Chautauqua County?
The median resident of Chautauqua County is 42.9 years old; 20.6% are under 18 and 21.4% are 65 or older. The largest group is non-Hispanic white residents at 83.7%, then Hispanic or Latino residents (of any race) at 9.6%. 2.6% of residents were born outside the United States.
| Measure | Chautauqua County | New York | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 42.9±0.3 | 39.8 | no clear change |
| Under 18 years | 20.6% | 20.5% | – |
| 65 years and over | 21.4%±0.1 pts | 17.9% | – |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 9.6% | 19.8% | +2.1 pts |
| White alone, not Hispanic | 83.7%±0.3 pts | 52.8% | −3.7 pts |
| Black or African American alone, not Hispanic | 2.1%±0.2 pts | 13.4% | no clear change |
| Asian alone, not Hispanic | 0.7%±0.1 pts | 9.0% | no clear change |
| American Indian and Alaska Native alone, not Hispanic | 0.1%±0.1 pts | 0.2% | – |
| Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander alone, not Hispanic | 0.1%±0.1 pts | 0.0% | – |
| Two or more races, not Hispanic | 3.4%±0.5 pts | 3.8% | – |
| Some other race alone, not Hispanic | 0.3%±0.1 pts | 1.0% | – |
| Born outside the United States | 2.6%±0.5 pts | 22.8% | no clear change |
| Speak a language other than English at home (age 5+) | 9.2%±0.8 pts | 30.9% | – |
| Civilian veterans (age 18+) | 7.3%±0.6 pts | 3.7% | – |
| With a disability | 17.8%±0.9 pts | 12.6% | – |
| No health insurance coverage | 5.3%±0.7 pts | 5.1% | no clear change |
| High school graduate or higher (age 25+) | 89.7%±0.8 pts | 88.0% | – |
| Bachelor's degree or higher (age 25+) | 25.1%±1.1 pts | 40.2% | +2.9 pts |
| Graduate or professional degree (age 25+) | 11.3%±0.8 pts | 17.9% | – |
| Moved from another state in the past year | 1.5%±0.4 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 Chautauqua County earn?
Half of Chautauqua County's 53,393 households earn less than $58,351 a year (±$1,736), against $85,974 in New York. In 2015-2019 it was $57,621 in 2024 dollars; the margins of error cannot tell the two periods apart. 17.4% of residents live below the poverty line.
| Measure | Chautauqua County | New York | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median household income | $58,351±$1,736 | $85,974 | no clear change |
| Mean household income | $76,000±$1,954 | $128,247 | – |
| Per capita income | $32,691±$800 | $50,712 | no clear change |
| People below the poverty line | 17.4%±1.1 pts | 14.0% | no clear change |
| Children under 18 below the poverty line | 24.2%±3.0 pts | 18.3% | −4.3 pts |
| Households receiving SNAP | 19.9%±1.3 pts | 15.6% | – |
| Households with a broadband subscription | 88.5%±1.0 pts | 90.8% | – |
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 Chautauqua County?
Owners occupy 68.9% of Chautauqua County's occupied homes and renters 31.1%. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $127,900 by its owner (±$4,463). The median renter pays $812 a month including utilities, and 39.4% of renters pay 35% or more of their income on rent.
| Measure | Chautauqua County | New York | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median home value (owner-occupied) | $127,900±$4,463 | $423,800 | +$19,599 |
| Median gross rent | $812±$21 | $1,621 | no clear change |
| Renters paying 35% or more of income on rent | 39.4%±3.1 pts | 43.1% | −5.1 pts |
| Median monthly owner costs, with a mortgage | $1,193±$22 | $2,555 | – |
| Owner-occupied homes | 68.9%±1.2 pts | 54.3% | no clear change |
| Housing units | 66,476±257 | 8,585,241 | −1,169 |
| Homeowner vacancy rate | 1.0%±0.4 pts | 1.1% | – |
| Rental vacancy rate | 6.7%±1.8 pts | 3.8% | – |
| Single-family detached homes | 68.4%±1.1 pts | 41.2% | – |
| Mobile homes | 6.4%±0.6 pts | 2.1% | – |
| Built 2020 or later | 0.4%±0.1 pts | 0.8% | – |
| Built 1939 or earlier | 39.5%±1.4 pts | 30.3% | – |
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 Chautauqua County building?
Builders took permits for 168 new housing units across Chautauqua County in 2025 (168 single-family), 1.4 per 1,000 residents.
Source: Building Permits Survey, annual county files 2019-2025, U.S. Census Bureau · Census Building Permits Survey
How do people in Chautauqua County get to work?
75.3% of Chautauqua County's workers drive alone and 7.9% work from home. The average trip to work takes 19.6 minutes. The unemployment rate in 2020-2024 averaged 5.9%.
| Measure | Chautauqua County | New York | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| In the labor force (age 16+) | 55.7%±1.1 pts | 62.7% | – |
| Unemployment rate | 5.9%±0.7 pts | 6.4% | no clear change |
| Drove alone to work | 75.3%±1.4 pts | 48.8% | – |
| Carpooled | 10.5%±1.0 pts | 6.3% | – |
| Public transportation | 0.6%±0.3 pts | 21.6% | – |
| Walked | 4.0%±0.6 pts | 5.6% | – |
| Worked from home | 7.9%±0.9 pts | 14.9% | +4.3 pts |
| Mean travel time to work | 19.6 min±0.6 | 32.6 min | +1.7 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 are Chautauqua County's census tracts?
Chautauqua County is divided into 37 census tracts. Among those with a reliable estimate, median household income runs from $25,587 (Tract 305) to $96,298 (Tract 369.02).
All 37 census tracts of Chautauqua County, with their figures
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) · Check it at data.census.gov
How does Chautauqua County compare with New York's other counties?
| Measure | Rank |
|---|---|
| Population | 23rd of 62 |
| Growth 2020-2025 | 53rd of 62 |
| Residents per square mile | 30th of 62 |
| Median household income | 61st of 62 |
| Median home value | 59th of 62 |
| Median gross rent | 59th of 62 |
| Poverty rate | 6th of 62 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 47th of 62 |
| Median age | 25th of 62 |
Source: PlainCities ranks 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 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 Chautauqua County 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' school search.