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CITY

Olean

New York · 13,508 residents (2025 est.) · 5.9 sq mi
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The short version

Olean has notably lower household income than the US average, with a median household income of $51,261. Population has declined 10% since 2000. Median home value is $86,100. The poverty rate of 26.7% is well above the national figure. Households here earn about 40% less than the New York median.

At a glance
Lower income
below the US median
US median: $82,259
Mid-age
median age 39.0
US median: 38.9
Less educated
30% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 36%
More affordable
home values down 20%, inflation adjusted
US median home: $376,019
Section 01

Population & growth

Total population
13,738
−10%since 2000
from 15,347 in 2000
1990 – 2025
Population density
2,328 / sq mi
−10%since 2000
from 2,601 / sq mi in 2000
US average: 281
Median age
39.0
+2%since 2000
from 38.3 in 2000
US average: 38.9

PEP 2025 EST:13,508 residents (Census Bureau Vintage 2025, released March 2026)

Population, 1990 – 2024
13K14K15K16K17K1990201020202024Olean
202414K
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$51,261
−7%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $30,400 in 2000
US average: $82,259
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$29,512
+72%since 2000
from $17,169 in 2000
US average: $44,673
Households earning $100K+
33.8%
+14.7 ptssince 2009
from 19.1% in 2009
US average: 53.3%
Poverty rate
26.7%
+10.8 ptssince 2000
from 15.9% in 2000
US average: 12.5%
Income inequality (Gini)
0.432
−4%since 2010
from 0.450 in 2010
US average: 0.476
Workforce by industry, 2024
Retail trade15%
US avg: 9.9%
Information13.1%
US avg: 10.8%
Arts, entertainment, food2.9%
US avg: 1.9%
Other services2.8%
US avg: 6.7%
Finance & insurance2.4%
US avg: 5.9%
Public administration2.1%
US avg: 4.8%
Professional, scientific, technical1.9%
US avg: 5.1%
Wholesale trade1.9%
US avg: 6.9%
Agriculture, forestry, fishing0.9%
US avg: 1.6%
Manufacturing0.9%
US avg: 0.4%
Transportation & warehousing0.8%
US avg: 2.2%
Education & health services0.5%
US avg: 0.9%
Construction0%
US avg: 1.2%
BARS: THIS PLACE · TICKS: US AVERAGE
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$86,100
−20%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $59,200 in 2000
US average: $376,019
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$794
+4%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $421 in 2000
US average: $1,442
Owner-occupied
55.1%
−3.8 ptssince 2000
from 58.9% in 2000
44.9% rent
Vacancy rate
11.4%
−0.1 ptssince 2009
from 11.5% in 2009
US average: 10.0%
Owner cost-burdened
16.9%
−5.1 ptssince 2009
from 22.0% in 2009
US average: 22.9%
Renter cost-burdened
50.7%
−5.2 ptssince 2009
from 55.9% in 2009
US average: 47.4%
Afford Score
1.7
−14%since 2000
from 1.9 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Gentrification Score
33
RELATED:See current rent listings in Olean on RentDataNow
Section 04

Race & ethnicity

2000
White, non-Hispanic92.6%(14,211)
Black3.3%(501)
Hispanic / Latino1.2%(190)
Asian0.9%(135)
Other0%
Diversity Score13.2%(2,024)
2024
White, non-Hispanic85.8%(11,784)
Black3%(416)
Hispanic / Latino1%(137)
Asian2.9%(404)
Other7.3%(997)
Diversity Score32.1%(4,415)
Diversity Score
32
+144%since 2000
from 13 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
29.9%
+8.6 ptssince 2000
from 21.2% in 2000
US average: 35.6%
High school or higher
89.6%
+5.6 ptssince 2000
from 84.0% in 2000
US average: 89.6%
Graduate degree
15.2%
+4.7 ptssince 2000
from 10.6% in 2000
US average: 14.0%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
14.4 min
+22%since 2000
from 11.7 min in 2000
US average: 26.5
Drive alone to work
72.6%
−3.2 ptssince 2009
from 75.8% in 2009
US average: 68.9%
Carpooled to work
10.8%
+0.5 ptssince 2009
from 10.3% in 2009
US average: 8.5%
Public transit
1.1%
+0.4 ptssince 2009
from 0.7% in 2009
US average: 3.2%
Worked from home
8.4%
+6.3 ptssince 2009
from 2.2% in 2009
US average: 15.0%
Walked to work
4.8%
−3.5 ptssince 2009
from 8.3% in 2009
US average: 2.4%
Biked to work
1.1%
−0.4 ptssince 2009
from 1.5% in 2009
US average: 0.4%
No vehicle available
17.5%
+3.6 ptssince 2009
from 13.9% in 2009
US average: 8.3%
Section 07

Work & employment

Unemployment rate
6.3%
−3.7 ptssince 2011
from 10.0% in 2011
US average: 5.2%
Labor force participation
57.2%
−5.7 ptssince 2011
from 62.8% in 2011
US average: 63.5%
Self-employed
20.2%
−0.6 ptssince 2009
from 20.8% in 2009
US average: 13.1%
Management & professional
41.6%
−22.2 ptssince 2009
from 63.9% in 2009
US average: 42.5%
Section 08

People & community

Male
49.4%
+1.2 ptssince 2009
from 48.3% in 2009
Female
50.6%
−1.2 ptssince 2009
from 51.7% in 2009
Foreign born
3.2%
+0.7 ptssince 2009
from 2.4% in 2009
US average: 14.1%
Veterans
5.3%
−41.3 ptssince 2009
from 46.6% in 2009
US average: 6.2%
With a disability
20.1%
+4.1 ptssince 2012
from 16.0% in 2012
US average: 13.3%
Uninsured
2.3%
−90.6 ptssince 2013
from 92.9% in 2013
US average: 8.4%
Broadband at home
87.0%
+17.0 ptssince 2017
from 70.0% in 2017
US average: 91.0%
English only at home
95.2%
−1.4 ptssince 2016
from 96.6% in 2016
US average: 77.7%
Spanish at home
0.4%
−0.2 ptssince 2016
from 0.7% in 2016
US average: 13.6%
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OLEAN VS
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OLEAN VS
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OLEAN VS
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OLEAN VS
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Population12,253−9%
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Frequently asked

How many people live in Olean, New York?

Olean, New York has about 13,738 residents according to the 2024 American Community Survey.

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

The typical household in Olean, New York earns about $51,261 a year. Half of households make more than that, and half make less.

Is Olean, New York expensive?

In Olean, New York, the median home is worth about $86,100, and the typical rent is about $794 a month.

How educated are people in Olean, New York?

About 29.9% of adults age 25 and over in Olean, New York hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

What is the poverty rate in Olean, New York?

About 26.7% of people in Olean, New York live below the federal poverty line.

Has Olean, New York grown since 1990?

Yes, Olean, New York has shrunk since 1990. The population has lost about 3,208 residents, a change of about -19 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 →