This article is the thirty-second in a 50-state series: it lists the largest cities and towns (hereinafter “cities”) in New York by population size and provides demographic details for each city–total population, population by age group, racial composition of the population, land area, and population density.
The data in this article was updated to include the latest 1, 3, and 5-year population estimates from the United States Census Bureau where available.
After reading “Largest Cities in New York (2011),” return to this link to read “Best Places to Live in New York (2011).”
Similar articles for the remaining 49 states can be found at these links: Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Mississippi, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia, Wisconsin, and Wyoming.
1. Largest Cities in New York (2011): New York City, NY
Located in southeastern New York, New York City is the largest city in the United States with an estimated population of 8,391,881.
Grouped by age, 23.0% of the population is under 18, 9.7% is 18 to 24, 30.9% is 25 to 44, 24.1% is 45 to 64, and 12.3% is 65 or older. The median age of the population is 36.3.
The racial composition of the city is 44.6% White, 25.1% Black or African American, 0.4% Native American, 11.8% Asian, 0.1% Pacific Islander, 16.0% from other races, and 2.1% from two or more races. The population is 27.5% Hispanic or Latino of any race.
The land area of the city is 303.31 square miles. The city’s population density is 27,667.67 people per square mile.
2. Largest Cities in New York (2011): Hempstead, NY
Situated in southeastern New York, Hempstead is the second largest city in the state with an estimated population of 763,086.
Grouped by age, 23.5% of the population is under 18, 10.3% is 18 to 24, 23.8% is 25 to 44, 28.8% is 45 to 64, and 13.6% is 65 or older. The median age of the population is 39.8.
The racial complexion of the city is 70.1% White, 16.2% Black or African American, 0.2% Native American, 4.9% Asian, 6.8% from other races, and 1.8% from two or more races. The population is 15.4% Hispanic or Latino of any race.
The land area of the city is 119.96 square miles. The city’s population density is 6,361.17 people per square mile.
3. Largest Cities in New York (2011): Brookhaven, NY
Located in southeastern New York, Brookhaven is the third largest city in the United States with an estimated population of 487,169.
Classified by age, 24.8% of the population is under 18, 10.3% is 18 to 24, 26.7% is 25 to 44, 27.1% is 45 to 64, and 11.1% is 65 or older. The median age of the population is 37.6.
The racial composition of the city is 86.9% White, 4.7% Black or African American, 0.2% Native American, 4.1% Asian, 2.4% from other races, and 1.6% from two or more races. The population is 10.1% Hispanic or Latino of any race.
The land area of the city is 259.29 square miles. The city’s population density is 1,878.86 people per square mile.
4. Largest Cities in New York (2011): Islip, NY
Situated in southeastern New York, Islip is the fourth largest city in the state with an estimated population of 336,753.
Grouped by age, 25.3% of the population is under 18, 9.2% is 18 to 24, 27.6% is 25 to 44, 26.9% is 45 to 64, and 11.0% is 65 or older. The median age of the population is 37.8.
The racial complexion of the city is 78.1% White, 10.2% Black or African American, 0.5% Native American, 3.0% Asian, 6.4% from other races, and 1.8% from two or more races. The population is 23.6% Hispanic or Latino of any race.
The land area of the city is 105.28 square miles. The city’s population density is 3,198.64 people per square mile.
5. Largest Cities in New York (2011): Oyster Bay, NY
Located in southeastern New York, Oyster Bay is the fifth largest city in the United States with an estimated population of 301,640.
Classified by age, 22.9% of the population is under 18, 8.7% is 18 to 24, 20.9% is 25 to 44, 31.3% is 45 to 64, and 16.2% is 65 or older. The median age of the population is 43.4.
The racial composition of the city is 87.6% White, 1.7% Black or African American, 0.2% Native American, 7.9% Asian, 1.8% from other races, and 0.8% from two or more races. The population is 5.8% Hispanic or Latino of any race.
The land area of the city is 104.37 square miles. The city’s population density is 2,890.10 people per square mile.
6. Largest Cities in New York (2011): Buffalo, NY
Situated in western New York, Buffalo is the sixth largest city in the state with an estimated population of 270,221.
Classified by age, 24.0% of the population is under 18, 13.1% is 18 to 24, 26.4% is 25 to 44, 24.3% is 45 to 64, and 12.2% is 65 or older. The median age of the population is 34.2.
The racial complexion of the city is 52.2% White, 39.1% Black or African American, 0.7% Native American, 1.7% Asian, 3.7% from other races, and 2.5% from two or more races. The population is 8.7% Hispanic or Latino of any race.
The land area of the city is 40.61 square miles. The city’s population density is 6,654.05 people per square mile.
7. Largest Cities in New York (2011): North Hempstead, NY
Located in southeastern New York, North Hempstead is the seventh largest city in the state with an estimated population of 226,633.
Categorized by age, 23.2% of the population is under 18, 8.3% is 18 to 24, 21.8% is 25 to 44, 30.0% is 45 to 64, and 16.7% is 65 or older. The median age of the population is 43.
The racial profile of the city is 74.3% White, 6.3% Black or African American, 13.0% Asian, 4.9% from other races, and 1.5% from two or more races. The population is 10.5% Hispanic or Latino of any race.
The land area of the city is 53.58 square miles. The city’s population density is 4,229.81 people per square mile.
8. Largest Cities in New York (2011): Babylon, NY
Located in southeastern New York, Babylon is the eighth largest city in the state with an estimated population of 220,163.
Categorized by age, 23.9% of the population is under 18, 10.0% is 18 to 24, 26.5% is 25 to 44, 26.7% is 45 to 64, and 12.9% is 65 or older. The median age of the population is 38.2.
The racial profile of the city is 74.8% White, 17.1% Black or African American, 0.1% Native American, 2.7%Asian, 3.7% from other races, and 1.6% from two or more races. The population is 13.3% Hispanic or Latino of any race.
The land area of the city is 52.29 square miles. The city’s population density is 4,210.42 people per square mile.
9. Largest Cities in New York (2011): Rochester, NY
Located in western New York, Rochester is the ninth largest city in the state with an estimated population of 207,291.
Categorized by age, 24.8% of the population is under 18, 13.8% is 18 to 24, 29.4% is 25 to 44, 22.8% is 45 to 64, and 9.2% is 65 or older. The median age of the population is 31.3.
The racial profile of the city is 48.0% White, 40.8% Black or African American, 0.3% Native American, 2.6% Asian, 0.1% Pacific Islander, 5.1% from other races, and 3.0% from two or more races. The population is 13.8% Hispanic or Latino of any race.
The land area of the city is 35.83 square miles. The city’s population density is 5,785.40 people per square mile.
10. Largest Cities in New York (2011): Huntington, NY
Located in southeastern New York, Huntington is the tenth largest city in the state with an estimated population of 202,047.
Categorized by age, 25.8% of the population is under 18, 7.1% is 18 to 24, 24% is 25 to 44, 29% is 45 to 64, and 14.1% is 65 or older. The median age of the population is 40.9.
The racial profile of the city is 87.5% White, 4.3% Black or African American, 0.1% Native American, 4.9%Asian, 1.4% from other races, and 1.3% from two or more races. The population is 8.5% Hispanic or Latino of any race.
The land area of the city is 93.96 square miles. The city’s population density is 2,150.35 people per square mile.
11. Largest Cities in New York (2011): Yonkers, NY
Situated in southeastern New York, Yonkers is the eleventh largest city in the state with an estimated population of 201,073.
Sorted by age, 22.9% of the population is under 18, 9.5% is 18 to 24, 26.7% is 25 to 44, 26.2% is 45 to 64, and 14.7% is 65 or older. The median age of the population is 38.3.
The racial makeup of the city is 57.3% White, 20.4% Black or African American, 0.1% Native American, 5.7% Asian, 15.1% from other races, and 1.4% from two or more races. The population is 29.8% Hispanic or Latino of any race.
The land area of the city is 18.08 square miles. The city’s population density is 11,121.29 people per square mile.
12. Largest Cities in New York (2011): Syracuse, NY
Located in central New York, Syracuse is the twelfth largest city in the state with an estimated population of 138,562.
Arranged by age, 23.7% of the population is under 18, 13.9% is 18 to 24, 27.2% is 25 to 44, 24.4% is 45 to 64, and 10.8% is 65 or older. The median age of the population is 29.5.
The racial mix of the city is 61.0% White, 27.5% Black or African American, 1.1% Native American, 4.2% Asian, 0.1% Pacific Islander, 1.0% from other races, and 5.1% from two or more races. The population is 6.2% Hispanic or Latino of any race.
The land area of the city is 25.09 square miles. The city’s population density is 5,522.60 people per square mile.
13. Largest Cities in New York (2011): Smithtown, NY
Located in southeastern New York, Smithtown is the thirteenth largest city in the state with an estimated population of 121,340.
Categorized by age, 27.1% of the population is under 18, 8.3% is 18 to 24, 23.2% is 25 to 44, 27.4% is 45 to 64, and 14.0% is 65 or older. The median age of the population is 40.
The racial profile of the city is 95.8% White, 0.5% Black or African American, 3.1% Asian, 0.3% from other races, and 0.3% from two or more races. The population is 3.9% Hispanic or Latino of any race.
The land area of the city is 53.58 square miles. The city’s population density is 2,264.65 people per square mile.
14. Largest Cities in New York (2011): Amherst, NY
Situated in western New York, Amherst is the fourteenth largest city in the state with an estimated population of 115,640.
Sorted by age, 19.7% of the population is under 18, 14.3% is 18 to 24, 22.9% is 25 to 44, 26.0% is 45 to 64, and 17.1% is 65 or older. The median age of the population is 39.9
The racial makeup of the city is 86.1% White, 4.7% Black or African American, 0.1% Native American, 7.2% Asian, 0.6% from other races, and 1.3% from two or more races. The population is 2.0% Hispanic or Latino of any race.
The land area of the city is 53.25 square miles. The city’s population density is 2,171.64 people per square mile.
15. Largest Cities in New York (2011): Ramapo, NY
Located in southeastern New York, Ramapo is the fifteenth largest city in the state with an estimated population of 114,323.
Arranged by age, 32.4% of the population is under 18, 10.8% is 18 to 24, 21.9% is 25 to 44, 23.7% is 45 to 64, and 11.2% is 65 or older. The median age of the population is 30.7.
The racial mix of the city is 70.5% White, 16.5% Black or African American, 0.6% Native American, 4.6% Asian, 0.2% Pacific Islander, 6.8% from other races, and 0.7% from two or more races. The population is 11.8% Hispanic or Latino of any race.
The land area of the city is 61.24 square miles. The city’s population density is 1,866.80 people per square mile.
16. Largest Cities in New York (2011): Albany, NY
Located in the central part of eastern New York, Albany is the state’s capital and sixteenth largest city in the state with an estimated population of 93,849.
Categorized by age, 18.9% of the population is under 18, 19.8% is 18 to 24, 28.7% is 25 to 44, 20.3% is 45 to 64, and 12.3% is 65 or older. The median age of the population is 31.
The racial profile of the city is 59.4% White, 28.7% Black or African American, 0.5% Native American, 3.7% Asian, 4.1% from other races, and 3.6% from two or more races. The population is 6.9% Hispanic or Latino of any race.
The land area of the city is 21.38 square miles. The city’s population density is 4,389.57 people per square mile
17. Largest Cities in New York (2011): Greece, NY
Located in western New York, Greece is the seventeenth largest city in the state with an estimated population of 93,160.
Grouped by age, 21.6% of the population is under 18, 9.6% is 18 to 24, 23.5% is 25 to 44, 29.9% is 45 to 64, and 15.4% is 65 or older. The median age of the population is 41.5.
The racial composition of the city is 89.8% White, 5.3% Black or African American, 0.2% Native American, 1.7% Asian, 0.2% Pacific Islander, 1.1% from other races, and 1.7% from two or more races. The population is 3.6% Hispanic or Latino of any race.
The land area of the city is 47.43 square miles. The city’s population density is 1,964.16 people per square mile.
18. Largest Cities in New York (2011): Greenburgh, NY
Situated in southeastern New York, Greenburgh is the eighteenth largest city in the state with an estimated population of 89,896.
Classified by age, 23.1% of the population is under 18, 9.2% is 18 to 24, 23.9% is 25 to 44, 29.4% is 45 to 64, and 14.4% is 65 or older. The median age of the population is 41.5.
The racial complexion of the city is 69.0% White, 12.6% Black or African American, 10.2% Asian, 6.1% from other races, and 2.1% from two or more races. The population is 12.8% Hispanic or Latino of any race.
The land area of the city is 30.52 square miles. The city’s population density is 2,945.48 people per square mile.
19. Largest Cities in New York (2011): Cheektowaga, NY
Situated in western New York, Cheektowaga is the nineteenth largest city in the state with an estimated population of 88,450.
Arranged by age, 19.2% of the population is under 18, 9.6% is 18 to 24, 24.1% is 25 to 44, 27.1% is 45 to 64, and 20.0% is 65 or older. The median age of the population is 42.8.
The racial mix of the city is 89.8% White, 7.4% Black or African American, 0.2% Native American, 0.8% Asian, 0.9% from other races, and 0.9% from two or more races. The population is 1.7% Hispanic or Latino of any race.
The land area of the city is 29.53 square miles. The city’s population density is 2,995.26 people per square mile.
20. Largest Cities in New York (2011): Colonie, NY
Located in the central part of eastern New York, Colonie is the twentieth largest city in the state with an estimated population of 81,365.
Sorted by age, 20.0% of the population is under 18, 10.9% is 18 to 24, 25.6% is 25 to 44, 28.3% is 45 to 64, and 15.2% is 65 or older. The median age of the population is 40.1.
The racial makeup of the city is 88.3% White, 4.3% Black or African American, 0.1% Native American, 5.0% Asian, 1.0% from other races, and 1.3% from two or more races. The population is 2.8% Hispanic or Latino of any race.
The land area of the city is 56.07 square miles. The city’s population density is 1,451.13 people per square mile.
More Articles from J.C. Grant:
“Average ACT Scores by State (2010)”
“Average SAT Scores by State (2010)”
“Largest U.S. Cities: Population Size (2011)”
“Most_Dangerous_Cities in America – Murder Rates”
State Education Rankings: Graduation Rates for High School, College, and Grad/Professional School
“State Education Rankings: SAT Scores”
Source(s): “Population, Housing Units, Area, and Density: 2000,” U.S. Census Bureau
“2009 ACS 1-year Estimates,” U.S. Census Bureau
“2007-2009 ACS 3-year Estimates,” U.S. Census Bureau
“2006-2008 ACS 3-year Estimates,” U.S. Census Bureau
“2005-2009 ACS 5-Year Estimates,” U.S. Census Bureau
