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CITY · 2020 ACS

Oswego

New York · 16,921 residents · 7.614 sq mi
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The short version

Oswego has notably lower household income than the US average, with a median household income of $45,216. Population has declined 6% since 2000. Median home value is $89,600. The poverty rate of 27.6% is well above the national figure. Households here earn about 36% less than the New York median.

At a glance
Lower income
below the US median
US median: $66,278
Mid-age
median age 37.7
US median: 38.8
Less educated
27% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 33%
More affordable
home values down 14%, inflation adjusted
US median home: $265,253
Section 01

Population & growth

Total population
16,921
−6%since 2000
from 17,954 in 2000
1990 – 2025
Population density
2,222 / sq mi
−6%since 2000
from 2,358 / sq mi in 2000
US average: 280
Median age
37.7
+8%since 2000
from 34.9 in 2000
US average: 38.8
Population, 1990 – 2024
17K17K18K19K19K1990201020202024Oswego
202417K
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$45,216
+7%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $28,248 in 2000
US average: $66,278
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$27,636
+67%since 2000
from $16,558 in 2000
US average: $35,364
Households earning $100K+
29.5%
+7.6 ptssince 2009
from 21.9% in 2009
US average: 43.9%
Poverty rate
27.6%
+4.6 ptssince 2000
from 23.0% in 2000
US average: 12.8%
Workforce by industry, 2020
Information16.6%
US avg: 11.1%
Retail trade8.6%
US avg: 10%
Finance & insurance7%
US avg: 5.5%
Wholesale trade5.1%
US avg: 6.7%
Education & health services4.8%
US avg: 0.8%
Other services3.6%
US avg: 6.6%
Public administration2.4%
US avg: 4.7%
Professional, scientific, technical2.1%
US avg: 4.7%
Arts, entertainment, food1.2%
US avg: 2%
Transportation & warehousing1.1%
US avg: 2.5%
Agriculture, forestry, fishing0.5%
US avg: 1.7%
Construction0.3%
US avg: 1.2%
Manufacturing0.2%
US avg: 0.5%
BARS: THIS PLACE · TICKS: US AVERAGE
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$89,600
−14%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $69,000 in 2000
US average: $265,253
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$860
+15%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $496 in 2000
US average: $1,124
Owner-occupied
50.6%
−1.7 ptssince 2000
from 52.3% in 2000
49.4% rent
Afford Score
2.0
−19%since 2000
from 2.4 in 2000
1990 – 2024
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)
2020
White, non-Hispanic85.5%(14,475)
Black2.1%(361)
Hispanic / Latino6%(1,022)
Asian1.5%(248)
Other3.1%(518)
Diversity Score29.6%(5,000)
Diversity Score
30
+165%since 2000
from 11 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
26.7%
+5.5 ptssince 2000
from 21.2% in 2000
US average: 32.9%
High school or higher
90.0%
+10.6 ptssince 2000
from 79.4% in 2000
US average: 88.5%
Graduate degree
12.7%
+3.6 ptssince 2000
from 9.1% in 2000
US average: 12.7%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
17.3 min
+40%since 2000
from 12.4 min in 2000
US average: 26.9
Drive alone to work
72.6%
−8.6 ptssince 2009
from 81.2% in 2009
US average: 75.1%
No vehicle available
15.9%
+0.7 ptssince 2009
from 15.2% in 2009
US average: 8.4%
Section 07

Work & employment

Unemployment rate
10.4%
−1.3 ptssince 2011
from 11.7% in 2011
US average: 5.4%
Labor force participation
57.9%
+2.9 ptssince 2011
from 55.0% in 2011
US average: 63.4%
Management & professional
33.5%
−29.9 ptssince 2009
from 63.4% in 2009
US average: 39.3%
Section 08

People & community

Male
49.1%
+1.4 ptssince 2009
from 47.7% in 2009
Female
50.9%
−1.4 ptssince 2009
from 52.3% in 2009
Foreign born
2.7%
+0.1 ptssince 2009
from 2.6% in 2009
US average: 13.5%
Uninsured
4.8%
−87.6 ptssince 2013
from 92.4% in 2013
US average: 8.8%
Drill deeper

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Compare Oswego to nearby cities

OSWEGO VS
Fulton
Income$52,046+15%
Home value$101,000+13%
Population11,188−34%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
OSWEGO VS
Fairmount
Income$84,225+86%
Home value$184,000+105%
Population9,724−43%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
OSWEGO VS
Syracuse
Income$47,819+6%
Home value$138,400+54%
Population144,896+751%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
OSWEGO VS
Auburn
Income$51,052+13%
Home value$152,800+71%
Population25,947+52%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
Frequently asked

How many people live in Oswego, New York?

Oswego, New York has about 16,921 residents according to the 2020 American Community Survey.

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

The typical household in Oswego, New York earns about $45,216 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 $89,600, and the typical rent is about $860 a month.

How educated are people in Oswego, New York?

About 26.7% 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 27.6% 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 2,274 residents, a change of about -12 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 →