In 2023, about 14.2 percent of New York's population lived below the poverty line. This accounts for persons or families whose collective income in the preceding 12 months was below the national poverty level of the United States. The poverty rate of the United States can be found here.

Graph and download economic data for Estimated Percent of People of All Ages in Poverty for New York (PPAANY36000A156NCEN) from 1989 to 2023 about NY, child, poverty, percent, and USA.

Graph and download economic data for Percent of Population Below the Poverty Level (5-year estimate) in New York County, NY (S1701ACS036061) from 2012 to 2023 about New York County, NY; New York; NY; poverty; percent; 5-year; population; and USA.

How does your organization use this dataset? What other NYSERDA or energy-related datasets would you like to see on Open NY? Let us know by emailing OpenNY@nyserda.ny.gov. The Low- to Moderate-Income (LMI) New York State (NYS) Census Population Analysis dataset is resultant from the LMI market database designed by APPRISE as part of the NYSERDA LMI Market Characterization Study (https://www.nyserda.ny.gov/lmi-tool). All data are derived from the U.S. Census Bureau’s American Community Survey (ACS) 1-year Public Use Microdata Sample (PUMS) files for 2013, 2014, and 2015. Each row in the LMI dataset is an individual record for a household that responded to the survey and each column is a variable of interest for analyzing the low- to moderate-income population. The LMI dataset includes: county/county group, households with elderly, households with children, economic development region, income groups, percent of poverty level, low- to moderate-income groups, household type, non-elderly disabled indicator, race/ethnicity, linguistic isolation, housing unit type, owner-renter status, main heating fuel type, home energy payment method, housing vintage, LMI study region, LMI population segment, mortgage indicator, time in home, head of household education level, head of household age, and household weight. The LMI NYS Census Population Analysis dataset is intended for users who want to explore the underlying data that supports the LMI Analysis Tool. The majority of those interested in LMI statistics and generating custom charts should use the interactive LMI Analysis Tool at https://www.nyserda.ny.gov/lmi-tool. This underlying LMI dataset is intended for users with experience working with survey data files and producing weighted survey estimates using statistical software packages (such as SAS, SPSS, or Stata).

In New York, the poverty rate is 13.7% and the uninsured rate is 5.1%. Percent of people below the federal poverty line and the share without health insurance. Source: ACS 5-year estimates (derived).

Percent of Population Below the Poverty Level (5-year estimate) in New York County, NY was 15.80% in January of 2023, according to the United States Federal Reserve. Historically, Percent of Population Below the Poverty Level (5-year estimate) in New York County, NY reached a record high of 17.90 in January of 2015 and a record low of 15.60 in January of 2020. Trading Economics provides the current actual value, an historical data chart and related indicators for Percent of Population Below the Poverty Level (5-year estimate) in New York County, NY - last updated from the United States Federal Reserve on November of 2025.

New York County, NY - Poverty Rate - Historical chart and current data through 2023.

Graph and download economic data for Percent of Population Below the Poverty Level (5-year estimate) in Bronx County, NY (S1701ACS036005) from 2012 to 2023 about Bronx County, NY; New York; NY; poverty; percent; 5-year; population; and USA.

In 2021, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania was the city with the highest poverty rate of the United States' most populated cities. In this statistic, the cities are sorted by poverty rate, not population. The most populated city in 2021 according to the source was New York city - which had a poverty rate of 18 percent.

These layers represent census tracts (or portions of tracts) in New York State that may qualify for New York State’s historic tax credit programs. These programs are administered by the New York State Division for Historic Preservation, also known as the New York State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO). For more information, see SHPO’s Tax Credit Programs web page: https://parks.ny.gov/shpo/tax-credit-programs/The current layers are effective April 1, 2025 through March 31, 2026. They derive from data in yearly updates to the American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates. The most recent data used in these layers are the 2019–2023 estimates.The basic qualifying criteria are based on Table B19113 of the American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates. This table represents Median Family Income in the Past 12 Months (in Inflation-adjusted Dollars). If a tract’s median family income minus its margin of error is less than or equal to the statewide median family income plus the statewide margin of error, then it qualifies for the commercial and state homeowner tax credit programs. Properties in certain cities may qualify for the state homeowner tax credit program, even if they are in census tracts that do not meet the basic qualifying criteria. The enhanced qualifying criteria are based on Table S1701 of the American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates. This table represents Poverty Status in the Past 12 Months as a percentage. If a city’s estimated percentage below poverty level plus the margin of error is greater than or equal to 15.5%, then all locations within the city boundary qualify for the state homeowner tax credit program.If a tract or city no longer meets the criteria, its qualifying status is extended for a two-year grace period.If you have questions about the tax credit programs or the information in these layers, please see SHPO’s Contact page for a list of staff who review projects in your county.

From February 29 to June 1, 2020, there were 268 deaths due to COVID-19 per 100,000 population in very high poverty neighborhoods in New York City, compared to a rate of around 125 deaths per 100,000 population in low poverty neighborhoods. This statistic illustrates the rate of deaths for COVID-19 in New York City from February 29 to June 1, 2020, by neighborhood poverty.

The New York State Department of Labor's State Data Center designates Environmental Zones ("En-Zones") in which Brownfield Cleanup Program tax credits are enhanced. The most recent five-year American Community Survey (in this case the 2016-2020 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates) is used to designate tracts that meet the En-Zone requirements of either census tracts with a poverty rate of at least 20 percent and an unemployment rate of at least 125 percent of the New York State unemployment rate, or a poverty rate of at least double the rate for the county in which the tract is located.View Dataset on the Gateway

Graph and download economic data for Percent of Population Below the Poverty Level (5-year estimate) in Erie County, NY (S1701ACS036029) from 2012 to 2023 about Erie County, NY; Buffalo; NY; poverty; percent; 5-year; population; and USA.

Graph and download economic data for Percent of Population Below the Poverty Level (5-year estimate) in Dutchess County, NY (S1701ACS036027) from 2012 to 2023 about Dutchess County, NY; Poughkeepsie; NY; poverty; percent; 5-year; population; and USA.

Listing of SONYMA target areas by US Census Bureau Census Tract or Block Numbering Area (BNA). The State of New York Mortgage Agency (SONYMA) targets specific areas designated as ‘areas of chronic economic distress’ for its homeownership lending programs. Each state designates ‘areas of chronic economic distress’ with the approval of the US Secretary of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). SONYMA identifies its target areas using US Census Bureau census tracts and block numbering areas. Both census tracts and block numbering areas subdivide individual counties. SONYMA also relates each of its single-family mortgages to a specific census tract or block numbering area. New York State identifies ‘areas of chronic economic distress’ using census tract numbers. 26 US Code § 143 (current through Pub. L. 114-38) defines the criteria that the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development uses in approving designations of ‘areas of chronic economic distress’ as: i) the condition of the housing stock, including the age of the housing and the number of abandoned and substandard residential units, (ii) the need of area residents for owner-financing under this section, as indicated by low per capita income, a high percentage of families in poverty, a high number of welfare recipients, and high unemployment rates, (iii) the potential for use of owner-financing under this section to improve housing conditions in the area, and (iv) the existence of a housing assistance plan which provides a displacement program and a public improvements and services program. The US Census Bureau’s decennial census last took place in 2010 and will take place again in 2020. While the state designates ‘areas of chronic economic distress,’ the US Department of Housing and Urban Development must approve the designation. The designation takes place after the decennial census.

Graph and download economic data for Percent of Population Below the Poverty Level (5-year estimate) in Nassau County, NY (S1701ACS036059) from 2012 to 2023 about Nassau County, NY; New York; NY; poverty; percent; 5-year; population; and USA.

Graph and download economic data for Percent of Population Below the Poverty Level (5-year estimate) in Broome County, NY (S1701ACS036007) from 2012 to 2023 about Broome County, NY; Binghamton; NY; poverty; percent; 5-year; population; and USA.

ESD provides capital grant funding from the Regional Council Capital Fund available for the State’s Regional Economic Development Council Initiative, which helps drive regional and local economic development across New York State in cooperation with ten Regional Economic Development Councils (“Regional Councils”). Capital grant funding is available for capital-based economic development projects intended to create or retain jobs; prevent, reduce or eliminate unemployment and underemployment; and/or increase business or economic activity in a community or Region. One of the program categories within the program will provide enhanced incentives for projects located in economically distressed areas (census tracts) where investments are needed to spur economic growth. The definition of economically distressed areas (census tracts) can be found below.

For more information and full program guidelines, please see the full program guidelines within the 2025 Available Resources at: https://regionalcouncils.ny.gov/

Economically distressed area shall mean the following based on the census tract for where the project is located:

Severely distressed census tracts shall have at least 25 households receiving public assistance income in the 2023 ACS 5-year estimate and meet at least five of the criteria listed below:Moderately distressed census tracts shall have at least 25 households receiving public assistance income in the 2023 ACS 5-year estimate and meet at least three of the criteria listed below:Slightly distressed census tracts shall have at least 100 households receiving public assistance income in the 2023 ACS 5-year estimate and meet at least two of the criteria listed below:o
Population loss between the 2023 ACS 5-year estimate and the 2019 ACS 5-year estimate – an absolute loss in population.o
Unemployment rate (2023 ACS 5-year estimate) higher than the State’s rate.o
Private sector employment growth rate (2023 ACS 5-year estimate) over the preceding 5 years was lower than the State’s OR private sector employment (2023 ACS 5-year estimate) as a percentage of total employment was less than the State’s.o
Percentage of households receiving public assistance (2023 ACS 5-year estimate) was greater than the statewide percentage.o
Poverty rate (2023 ACS 5-year estimate) was greater than the State’s poverty rate.o
Per Capita Income change (2023 ACS 5-year estimate) over the preceding five years was less than the growth in the consumer price index (CPI) for all urban consumers nationally OR per capita income was less than the State’s per capita income.

Attributes:

Field Name

Data Type

Description

Census Tract

Number

The 11 digit geoid associated with each census tract in New York State. Census tracts are small, relatively permanent statistical subdivisions of a county that average about 4,000 inhabitants.

Stress Level

Number

The stress level number (1-4) associated with the census tract.

Stress Level Description

Text

The stress level description (Not Distressed, Slight Distress, Moderate Distress, Severe Distress) associated with the census tract.

Stress Level Color

Text

The stress level color (Gray, Light Orange, Dark Orange, Red) associated with the census tract.

Graph and download economic data for Percent of Population Below the Poverty Level (5-year estimate) in Onondaga County, NY (S1701ACS036067) from 2012 to 2023 about Onondaga County, NY; Syracuse; NY; poverty; percent; 5-year; population; and USA.

Graph and download economic data for Percent of Population Below the Poverty Level (5-year estimate) in Queens County, NY (S1701ACS036081) from 2012 to 2023 about Queens County, NY; New York; NY; poverty; percent; 5-year; population; and USA.