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CITY

Lackawanna

New York · 19,452 residents (2025 est.) · 6.548 sq mi
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The short version

Lackawanna has notably lower household income than the US average, with a median household income of $52,110. Population has held roughly steady since 2000. 20% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, below the national rate of 36%. Median home value has more than doubled since 2000, reaching $140,700. The poverty rate of 23.2% is well above the national figure. Households here earn about 39% less than the New York median.

At a glance
Lower income
below the US median
US median: $82,259
Mid-age
median age 37.9
US median: 38.9
Less educated
20% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 36%
Stable housing
home values roughly flat, inflation adjusted
US median home: $376,019
Section 01

Population & growth

Total population
19,753
+4%since 2000
from 19,064 in 2000
1990 – 2025
Population density
3,017 / sq mi
+4%since 2000
from 2,911 / sq mi in 2000
US average: 281
Median age
37.9
+1%since 2000
from 37.5 in 2000
US average: 38.9

PEP 2025 EST:19,452 residents (Census Bureau Vintage 2025, released March 2026)

Population, 1990 – 2024
17K18K19K20K21K1990201020202024Lackawanna
202420K
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$52,110
−3%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $29,354 in 2000
US average: $82,259
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$26,611
+59%since 2000
from $16,727 in 2000
US average: $44,673
Households earning $100K+
30.7%
+16.3 ptssince 2009
from 14.4% in 2009
US average: 53.3%
Poverty rate
23.2%
+6.4 ptssince 2000
from 16.7% in 2000
US average: 12.5%
Income inequality (Gini)
0.417
−3%since 2010
from 0.429 in 2010
US average: 0.476
Workforce by industry, 2024
Retail trade15.2%
US avg: 9.9%
Information12.7%
US avg: 10.8%
Finance & insurance7.3%
US avg: 5.9%
Professional, scientific, technical7.3%
US avg: 5.1%
Wholesale trade4.3%
US avg: 6.9%
Other services3.5%
US avg: 6.7%
Public administration2.8%
US avg: 4.8%
Arts, entertainment, food1.8%
US avg: 1.9%
Transportation & warehousing1.5%
US avg: 2.2%
Agriculture, forestry, fishing0.6%
US avg: 1.6%
Construction0.6%
US avg: 1.2%
Manufacturing0%
US avg: 0.4%
Education & health services0%
US avg: 0.9%
BARS: THIS PLACE · TICKS: US AVERAGE
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$140,700
+7%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $72,400 in 2000
US average: $376,019
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$872
+11%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $432 in 2000
US average: $1,442
Owner-occupied
56.2%
−0.8 ptssince 2000
from 57.0% in 2000
43.8% rent
Vacancy rate
10.1%
−1.7 ptssince 2009
from 11.8% in 2009
US average: 10.0%
Owner cost-burdened
21.1%
−5.8 ptssince 2009
from 26.9% in 2009
US average: 22.9%
Renter cost-burdened
47.7%
+0.4 ptssince 2009
from 47.3% in 2009
US average: 47.4%
Afford Score
2.7
+9%since 2000
from 2.5 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Gentrification Score
53
RELATED:See current rent listings in Lackawanna on RentDataNow
Section 04

Race & ethnicity

2000
White, non-Hispanic81.5%(15,546)
Black9.1%(1,743)
Hispanic / Latino5.1%(969)
Asian0.3%(59)
Other0%
Diversity Score33.5%(6,382)
2024
White, non-Hispanic66.7%(13,171)
Black15.2%(3,006)
Hispanic / Latino11.7%(2,305)
Asian1.6%(319)
Other4.8%(952)
Diversity Score64.5%(12,742)
Diversity Score
65
+93%since 2000
from 33 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
20.0%
+8.3 ptssince 2000
from 11.7% in 2000
US average: 35.6%
High school or higher
86.3%
+10.4 ptssince 2000
from 75.9% in 2000
US average: 89.6%
Graduate degree
6.2%
+1.8 ptssince 2000
from 4.4% in 2000
US average: 14.0%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
20.0 min
+57%since 2000
from 12.7 min in 2000
US average: 26.5
Drive alone to work
71.1%
−5.3 ptssince 2009
from 76.4% in 2009
US average: 68.9%
Carpooled to work
13.5%
+0.2 ptssince 2009
from 13.2% in 2009
US average: 8.5%
Public transit
3.3%
+0.3 ptssince 2009
from 3.0% in 2009
US average: 3.2%
Worked from home
7.8%
+5.5 ptssince 2009
from 2.3% in 2009
US average: 15.0%
Walked to work
2.1%
−0.5 ptssince 2009
from 2.6% in 2009
US average: 2.4%
Biked to work
0.0%
−0.7 ptssince 2009
from 0.7% in 2009
US average: 0.4%
No vehicle available
17.5%
+0.9 ptssince 2009
from 16.6% in 2009
US average: 8.3%
Section 07

Work & employment

Unemployment rate
6.9%
−3.1 ptssince 2011
from 10.0% in 2011
US average: 5.2%
Labor force participation
56.0%
−2.8 ptssince 2011
from 58.8% in 2011
US average: 63.5%
Self-employed
14.2%
+2.4 ptssince 2009
from 11.8% in 2009
US average: 13.1%
Management & professional
28.3%
−24.8 ptssince 2009
from 53.1% in 2009
US average: 42.5%
Section 08

People & community

Male
48.2%
+1.1 ptssince 2009
from 47.2% in 2009
Female
51.8%
−1.1 ptssince 2009
from 52.8% in 2009
Foreign born
8.6%
−2.3 ptssince 2009
from 10.9% in 2009
US average: 14.1%
Veterans
5.3%
−42.5 ptssince 2009
from 47.7% in 2009
US average: 6.2%
With a disability
19.4%
−0.6 ptssince 2012
from 20.0% in 2012
US average: 13.3%
Uninsured
3.5%
−88.1 ptssince 2013
from 91.6% in 2013
US average: 8.4%
Broadband at home
85.2%
+22.3 ptssince 2017
from 62.9% in 2017
US average: 91.0%
English only at home
76.9%
−5.2 ptssince 2016
from 82.0% in 2016
US average: 77.7%
Spanish at home
5.5%
+1.2 ptssince 2016
from 4.3% in 2016
US average: 13.6%
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LACKAWANNA VS
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Frequently asked

How many people live in Lackawanna, New York?

Lackawanna, New York has about 19,753 residents according to the 2024 American Community Survey.

What is the median household income in Lackawanna, New York?

The typical household in Lackawanna, New York earns about $52,110 a year. Half of households make more than that, and half make less.

Is Lackawanna, New York expensive?

In Lackawanna, New York, the median home is worth about $140,700, and the typical rent is about $872 a month.

How educated are people in Lackawanna, New York?

About 20.0% of adults age 25 and over in Lackawanna, New York hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

What is the poverty rate in Lackawanna, New York?

About 23.2% of people in Lackawanna, New York live below the federal poverty line.

Has Lackawanna, New York grown since 1990?

Yes, Lackawanna, New York has shrunk since 1990. The population has lost about 832 residents, a change of about -4 percent over that period.

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DATA: US CENSUS BUREAU ACS 5-YEAR + DECENNIAL CENSUS · UPDATED 2024

How we source and harmonize this data →