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CITY

Shelter Island

New York · 2,125 residents · 6.554 sq mi
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The short version

Shelter Island is significantly wealthier than the US average, with a median household income of $165,734. The city has grown rapidly, with population up 72% since 2000. 56% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, well above the national rate of 36%. Median home value has more than tripled since 2000, reaching $1,025,400. Poverty is rare here, at 0.9% of residents. It ranks in the top 1% of US cities for household income.

At a glance
Wealthier
above the US median
US median: $82,259
Older
median age 41.3
US median: 38.9
More educated
56% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 36%
Less affordable
home values up 116%, inflation adjusted
US median home: $376,019
Section 01

Population & growth

Total population
2,125
+72%since 2000
from 1,234 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Population density
324 / sq mi
+72%since 2000
from 188 / sq mi in 2000
US average: 281
Median age
41.3
−8%since 2000
from 44.9 in 2000
US average: 38.9
Population, 1990 – 2024
1K1K2K2K3K1990201020202024Shelter Island
20242K
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$165,734
+109%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $43,625 in 2000
US average: $82,259
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$58,080
+114%since 2000
from $27,202 in 2000
US average: $44,673
Households earning $100K+
79.5%
+32.5 ptssince 2009
from 47.0% in 2009
US average: 53.3%
Poverty rate
0.9%
−8.1 ptssince 2000
from 9.0% in 2000
US average: 12.5%
Income inequality (Gini)
0.309
−35%since 2010
from 0.473 in 2010
US average: 0.476
Workforce by industry, 2024
Finance & insurance29.9%
US avg: 5.9%
Professional, scientific, technical29.9%
US avg: 5.1%
Wholesale trade11.2%
US avg: 6.9%
Other services8%
US avg: 6.7%
Public administration8%
US avg: 4.8%
Retail trade6.4%
US avg: 9.9%
Transportation & warehousing3.3%
US avg: 2.2%
Agriculture, forestry, fishing0%
US avg: 1.6%
Construction0%
US avg: 1.2%
Manufacturing0%
US avg: 0.4%
Information0%
US avg: 10.8%
Education & health services0%
US avg: 0.9%
Arts, entertainment, food0%
US avg: 1.9%
BARS: THIS PLACE · TICKS: US AVERAGE
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$1,025,400
+116%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $260,700 in 2000
US average: $376,019
1990 – 2024
Owner-occupied
89.3%
+10.4 ptssince 2000
from 78.9% in 2000
10.7% rent
Vacancy rate
51.6%
+2.6 ptssince 2009
from 49.0% in 2009
US average: 10.0%
Owner cost-burdened
3.3%
−36.0 ptssince 2009
from 39.3% in 2009
US average: 22.9%
Renter cost-burdened
100.0%
+100.0 ptssince 2009
from 0.0% in 2009
US average: 47.4%
Afford Score
6.2
+4%since 2000
from 6.0 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Gentrification Score
69
RELATED:See current rent listings in Shelter Island on RentDataNow
Section 04

Race & ethnicity

2000
White, non-Hispanic94.1%(1,161)
Black0.6%(8)
Hispanic / Latino3.2%(40)
Asian0.6%(7)
Other0%
Diversity Score10.9%(135)
2024
White, non-Hispanic57%(1,212)
Black0%(0)
Hispanic / Latino31.8%(675)
Asian0%(0)
Other11.2%(238)
Diversity Score70.2%(1,491)
Diversity Score
70
+543%since 2000
from 11 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
56.0%
+19.7 ptssince 2000
from 36.3% in 2000
US average: 35.6%
High school or higher
85.4%
−5.2 ptssince 2000
from 90.6% in 2000
US average: 89.6%
Graduate degree
25.8%
+11.4 ptssince 2000
from 14.4% in 2000
US average: 14.0%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
41.0 min
+226%since 2000
from 12.6 min in 2000
US average: 26.5
Drive alone to work
48.1%
−12.5 ptssince 2009
from 60.5% in 2009
US average: 68.9%
Carpooled to work
6.8%
+3.1 ptssince 2009
from 3.8% in 2009
US average: 8.5%
Public transit
20.0%
+15.9 ptssince 2009
from 4.0% in 2009
US average: 3.2%
Worked from home
25.1%
+13.4 ptssince 2009
from 11.7% in 2009
US average: 15.0%
Walked to work
0.0%
−7.9 ptssince 2009
from 7.9% in 2009
US average: 2.4%
Biked to work
0.0%
−12.1 ptssince 2009
from 12.1% in 2009
US average: 0.4%
No vehicle available
0.0%
Unchangedsince 2009
from 0.0% in 2009
US average: 8.3%
Section 07

Work & employment

Unemployment rate
5.3%
−0.3 ptssince 2011
from 5.7% in 2011
US average: 5.2%
Labor force participation
70.0%
−0.9 ptssince 2011
from 71.0% in 2011
US average: 63.5%
Self-employed
17.7%
−8.2 ptssince 2009
from 25.9% in 2009
US average: 13.1%
Management & professional
44.6%
−23.4 ptssince 2009
from 68.0% in 2009
US average: 42.5%
Section 08

People & community

Male
41.2%
−0.4 ptssince 2009
from 41.7% in 2009
Female
58.8%
+0.4 ptssince 2009
from 58.3% in 2009
Foreign born
16.6%
+13.7 ptssince 2009
from 2.9% in 2009
US average: 14.1%
Veterans
0.0%
−41.7 ptssince 2009
from 41.7% in 2009
US average: 6.2%
With a disability
3.8%
−8.1 ptssince 2012
from 11.9% in 2012
US average: 13.3%
Uninsured
8.0%
−74.9 ptssince 2013
from 82.9% in 2013
US average: 8.4%
Broadband at home
47.6%
−21.6 ptssince 2017
from 69.2% in 2017
US average: 91.0%
English only at home
73.7%
−12.0 ptssince 2016
from 85.7% in 2016
US average: 77.7%
Spanish at home
26.3%
+13.9 ptssince 2016
from 12.4% in 2016
US average: 13.6%
Drill deeper

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Compare Shelter Island to nearby cities

SHELTER ISLAND VS
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Income$144,836−13%
Home value$948,500−7%
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SEE FULL COMPARISON →
SHELTER ISLAND VS
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Income$134,216−19%
Home value$735,400−28%
Population15,706+639%
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SHELTER ISLAND VS
Riverhead
Income$83,008−50%
Home value$457,400−55%
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SHELTER ISLAND VS
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Income$81,694−51%
Home value$290,100−72%
Population8,460+298%
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Frequently asked

How many people live in Shelter Island, New York?

Shelter Island, New York has about 2,125 residents according to the 2024 American Community Survey.

What is the median household income in Shelter Island, New York?

The typical household in Shelter Island, New York earns about $165,734 a year. Half of households make more than that, and half make less.

Is Shelter Island, New York expensive?

In Shelter Island, New York, the median home is worth about $1,025,400.

How educated are people in Shelter Island, New York?

About 56.0% of adults age 25 and over in Shelter Island, New York hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

What is the poverty rate in Shelter Island, New York?

About 0.9% of people in Shelter Island, New York live below the federal poverty line.

Has Shelter Island, New York grown since 1990?

Yes, Shelter Island, New York has grown since 1990. The population has added about 932 residents, a change of about 78 percent over that period.

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

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