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CITY

Oswego

New York · 17,024 residents (2025 est.) · 7.614 sq mi
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Notable rankings
#325Fastest shrinkingof 6,642-6.7%
The short version

Oswego has notably lower household income than the US average, with a median household income of $53,172. Population has declined 5% since 2000. Median home value has risen by half since 2000, reaching $120,600. The poverty rate of 20.6% is well above the national figure. Households here earn about 38% less than the New York median.

At a glance
Lower income
below the US median
US median: $82,259
Younger
median age 35.7
US median: 38.9
Less educated
26% 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
17,033
−5%since 2000
from 17,954 in 2000
1990 – 2025
Population density
2,237 / sq mi
−5%since 2000
from 2,358 / sq mi in 2000
US average: 281
Median age
35.7
+2%since 2000
from 34.9 in 2000
US average: 38.9

PEP 2025 EST:17,024 residents (Census Bureau Vintage 2025, released March 2026)

Population, 1990 – 2024
17K17K18K19K19K1990201020202024Oswego
202417K
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$53,172
+3%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $28,248 in 2000
US average: $82,259
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$32,279
+95%since 2000
from $16,558 in 2000
US average: $44,673
Households earning $100K+
37.5%
+15.6 ptssince 2009
from 21.9% in 2009
US average: 53.3%
Poverty rate
20.6%
−2.4 ptssince 2000
from 23.0% in 2000
US average: 12.5%
Income inequality (Gini)
0.450
−3%since 2010
from 0.465 in 2010
US average: 0.476
Workforce by industry, 2024
Information16.4%
US avg: 10.8%
Finance & insurance7.4%
US avg: 5.9%
Retail trade6.6%
US avg: 9.9%
Other services5.5%
US avg: 6.7%
Education & health services4.8%
US avg: 0.9%
Public administration4.4%
US avg: 4.8%
Wholesale trade3.7%
US avg: 6.9%
Professional, scientific, technical2.5%
US avg: 5.1%
Arts, entertainment, food1.8%
US avg: 1.9%
Transportation & warehousing1.3%
US avg: 2.2%
Agriculture, forestry, fishing1.1%
US avg: 1.6%
Construction1.1%
US avg: 1.2%
Manufacturing0%
US avg: 0.4%
BARS: THIS PLACE · TICKS: US AVERAGE
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$120,600
−4%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $69,000 in 2000
US average: $376,019
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$1,109
+23%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $496 in 2000
US average: $1,442
Owner-occupied
50.2%
−2.1 ptssince 2000
from 52.3% in 2000
49.8% rent
Vacancy rate
14.7%
+2.2 ptssince 2009
from 12.6% in 2009
US average: 10.0%
Owner cost-burdened
16.6%
−5.0 ptssince 2009
from 21.6% in 2009
US average: 22.9%
Renter cost-burdened
57.4%
+5.8 ptssince 2009
from 51.6% in 2009
US average: 47.4%
Afford Score
2.3
−7%since 2000
from 2.4 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Gentrification Score
41
RELATED:See current rent listings in Oswego on RentDataNow
Section 04

Race & ethnicity

2000
White, non-Hispanic94.1%(16,888)
Black0.9%(167)
Hispanic / Latino2.8%(503)
Asian0.8%(147)
Other0%
Diversity Score11.1%(2,002)
2024
White, non-Hispanic88.1%(15,009)
Black0.7%(120)
Hispanic / Latino5.6%(962)
Asian1.1%(194)
Other4.4%(748)
Diversity Score27.3%(4,647)
Diversity Score
27
+145%since 2000
from 11 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
26.1%
+4.9 ptssince 2000
from 21.2% in 2000
US average: 35.6%
High school or higher
91.3%
+11.9 ptssince 2000
from 79.4% in 2000
US average: 89.6%
Graduate degree
11.5%
+2.4 ptssince 2000
from 9.1% in 2000
US average: 14.0%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
18.5 min
+50%since 2000
from 12.4 min in 2000
US average: 26.5
Drive alone to work
72.8%
−8.4 ptssince 2009
from 81.2% in 2009
US average: 68.9%
Carpooled to work
9.7%
+1.1 ptssince 2009
from 8.6% in 2009
US average: 8.5%
Public transit
2.2%
+1.2 ptssince 2009
from 1.0% in 2009
US average: 3.2%
Worked from home
8.6%
+6.4 ptssince 2009
from 2.2% in 2009
US average: 15.0%
Walked to work
5.6%
−0.1 ptssince 2009
from 5.8% in 2009
US average: 2.4%
Biked to work
0.2%
+0.2 ptssince 2009
from 0.0% in 2009
US average: 0.4%
No vehicle available
14.9%
−0.3 ptssince 2009
from 15.2% in 2009
US average: 8.3%
Section 07

Work & employment

Unemployment rate
8.1%
−3.6 ptssince 2011
from 11.7% in 2011
US average: 5.2%
Labor force participation
61.5%
+6.5 ptssince 2011
from 55.0% in 2011
US average: 63.5%
Self-employed
22.0%
+3.0 ptssince 2009
from 19.0% in 2009
US average: 13.1%
Management & professional
34.9%
−28.5 ptssince 2009
from 63.4% in 2009
US average: 42.5%
Section 08

People & community

Male
49.2%
+1.5 ptssince 2009
from 47.7% in 2009
Female
50.8%
−1.5 ptssince 2009
from 52.3% in 2009
Foreign born
2.5%
−0.1 ptssince 2009
from 2.6% in 2009
US average: 14.1%
Veterans
6.1%
−40.0 ptssince 2009
from 46.1% in 2009
US average: 6.2%
With a disability
18.2%
+5.4 ptssince 2012
from 12.8% in 2012
US average: 13.3%
Uninsured
4.8%
−87.6 ptssince 2013
from 92.4% in 2013
US average: 8.4%
Broadband at home
91.0%
+10.2 ptssince 2017
from 80.8% in 2017
US average: 91.0%
English only at home
94.4%
+0.8 ptssince 2016
from 93.6% in 2016
US average: 77.7%
Spanish at home
2.8%
−0.7 ptssince 2016
from 3.5% in 2016
US average: 13.6%
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OSWEGO VS
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OSWEGO VS
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OSWEGO VS
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Frequently asked

How many people live in Oswego, New York?

Oswego, New York has about 17,033 residents according to the 2024 American Community Survey.

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

The typical household in Oswego, New York earns about $53,172 a year. Half of households make more than that, and half make less.

Is Oswego, New York expensive?

In Oswego, New York, the median home is worth about $120,600, and the typical rent is about $1,109 a month.

How educated are people in Oswego, New York?

About 26.1% of adults age 25 and over in Oswego, New York hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

What is the poverty rate in Oswego, New York?

About 20.6% of people in Oswego, New York live below the federal poverty line.

Has Oswego, New York grown since 1990?

Yes, Oswego, New York has shrunk since 1990. The population has lost about 2,162 residents, a change of about -11 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 →

Oswego, New York: demographics, income & housing data · CensusEasy