Syracuse Metro Area, NY Local Data & Statistics

State: NY
Total population: 656,410 Household income: $75,492 Rent: $1,077

Overview

Total population
656,410
Rent
$1,077
Year built
1965
Household income
$75,492
Per capita income
$41,532
Poverty rate
13.9%
Unemployment rate
3.6%
Household size
2.3 persons
Rent over 30% of income
46.6%

Note: Rent, income, and year built are shown as median values, while household size is shown as an average (see explanations below).

Data are sourced from the American Community Survey (ACS) 5-Year Estimates, 2024 release — the latest dataset currently available, with the exception of the unemployment rate, which is sourced from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). ACS 5-year estimates are published annually, about 6–12 months after the end of each reference year.

Demographics

State
NY
Total population
656,410
Adults over 25
451,763
Total households
271,251
Household size
2.3 persons

Note: Rent, income, and year built are shown as median values, while household size is shown as an average (see explanations below).

Data are sourced from the American Community Survey (ACS) 5-Year Estimates, 2024 release — the latest dataset currently available, with the exception of the unemployment rate, which is sourced from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). ACS 5-year estimates are published annually, about 6–12 months after the end of each reference year.

Income & Poverty

Household income
$75,492
Per capita income
$41,532
Poverty rate
13.9%
Unemployment rate
3.6%
Rent over 30% of income
46.6%

Note: Rent, income, and year built are shown as median values, while household size is shown as an average (see explanations below).

Data are sourced from the American Community Survey (ACS) 5-Year Estimates, 2024 release — the latest dataset currently available, with the exception of the unemployment rate, which is sourced from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). ACS 5-year estimates are published annually, about 6–12 months after the end of each reference year.

Housing

Rent
$1,077
Year built
1965
Households that rent
31.6%
Households that own
68.4%
Rooms per home (all homes)
6.0

Note: Rent, income, and year built are shown as median values, while household size is shown as an average (see explanations below).

Data are sourced from the American Community Survey (ACS) 5-Year Estimates, 2024 release — the latest dataset currently available, with the exception of the unemployment rate, which is sourced from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). ACS 5-year estimates are published annually, about 6–12 months after the end of each reference year.

Race

White
79.5%
Black
8.1%
Asian
3.2%
Two or more races
7%

Note: Rent, income, and year built are shown as median values, while household size is shown as an average (see explanations below).

Data are sourced from the American Community Survey (ACS) 5-Year Estimates, 2024 release — the latest dataset currently available, with the exception of the unemployment rate, which is sourced from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). ACS 5-year estimates are published annually, about 6–12 months after the end of each reference year.

Ethnicity

Hispanic or Latino
5.1%
Not Hispanic or Latino
94.9%

Note: Rent, income, and year built are shown as median values, while household size is shown as an average (see explanations below).

Data are sourced from the American Community Survey (ACS) 5-Year Estimates, 2024 release — the latest dataset currently available, with the exception of the unemployment rate, which is sourced from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). ACS 5-year estimates are published annually, about 6–12 months after the end of each reference year.

Commute

Commute rate
88%
Commute time to work
21 mins
Work from home
12%

Note: Rent, income, and year built are shown as median values, while household size is shown as an average (see explanations below).

Data are sourced from the American Community Survey (ACS) 5-Year Estimates, 2024 release — the latest dataset currently available, with the exception of the unemployment rate, which is sourced from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). ACS 5-year estimates are published annually, about 6–12 months after the end of each reference year.

Education

Less than high school
23.5%
High school graduate or GED
27.1%
Some college or associate degree
14.4%
Bachelor’s degree or higher
35.1%

Note: Rent, income, and year built are shown as median values, while household size is shown as an average (see explanations below).

Data are sourced from the American Community Survey (ACS) 5-Year Estimates, 2024 release — the latest dataset currently available, with the exception of the unemployment rate, which is sourced from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). ACS 5-year estimates are published annually, about 6–12 months after the end of each reference year.

 

Comparison of Syracuse Metro Area, NY with: New York State United States

Syracuse Metro Area

Total population656,410
Rent$1,077
Year built1965
Household income$75,492
Per capita income$41,532
Poverty rate13.9%
Unemployment rate3.6%

New York State

Total population19,852,366
Rent$1,621
Year built1959
Household income$85,974
Per capita income$50,712
Poverty rate14%
Unemployment rate4.3%

United States

Total population334,922,499
Rent$1,413
Year built1980
Household income$80,734
Per capita income$44,673
Poverty rate12.5%
Unemployment rate4%
Metric Metro AreaSyracuse Metro AreaStateNew YorkCountryUnited States
Total population656,41019,852,366334,922,499
Rent$1,077$1,621$1,413
Year built196519591980
Household income$75,492$85,974$80,734
Per capita income$41,532$50,712$44,673
Poverty rate13.9%14%12.5%
Unemployment rate3.6%4.3%4%

View the complete comparison of Syracuse Metro Area, New York and United States →

 

Loading...

 

Summary for Syracuse Metro Area, NY

Syracuse metro area is located in NY.

Rent & Income

The typical monthly rent in this metro area is $1,077, while the typical household income is $75,492. Rent in this metro area is lower than in both New York and the U.S., and household income is also lower than in both.

Housing & Affordability

This metro area is primarily owner-occupied, with renters accounting for about 31.6% of households. About 46.6% of renters spend more than 30% of their income on housing, indicating a high cost burden. The poverty rate is about 13.9%, which is similar to the New York rate and higher than the national rate.

Education & Employment

The local unemployment rate is about 3.6%, which is lower than in both New York and the national rate.

 

Syracuse Metro Area, NY — Rent vs Household Income

 

 

Syracuse Metro Area, NY — Poverty vs Unemployment

 

💰 Rent in Syracuse Metro Area, NY (with Utilities)

Estimated Monthly Rent: $1,077 ℹ️ What’s Included:
✅ Base rent, electricity, gas, water/sewer, and heating fuels
❌ Not included: internet, cable TV, renter's insurance, parking

💡 What does this rent estimate mean?

Explanation: This estimate shows what renters typically pay each month for housing, including the apartment or home and essential utilities such as heat, water, and electricity. Even when utilities are billed separately, an estimated average cost for utilities is included, in line with the U.S. Census Bureau’s (ACS) definition of gross rent.

Included in this number: Rent plus electricity, gas, water/sewer, and heating fuel.

Not included: Internet, cable, parking, renter’s insurance, or furniture rental.

Note: This cost does not depend on the number of people living in the home.

👨‍👧‍👦 Household Income in Syracuse Metro Area, NY

Annual Household Income: $75,492

💡 What does Household Income mean?

Definition: This represents the middle value of all household incomes in this area — half of households earn less, and half earn more.

Includes: wages, salaries, self-employment income, Social Security, pensions, investments, unemployment, public assistance, and rental income.

Does NOT include: capital gains, non-cash benefits (like food stamps), or tax refunds.

Household = any group of people (or a single person) living in the same housing unit.

Example: A couple earning $40,000 and $30,000 together have a household income of $70,000. If that's in the middle of all local incomes, it's the value shown here.

📉 Poverty Rate in Syracuse Metro Area, NY

Estimated Rate: 13.9%

💡 What does the Poverty Rate represent?

Definition: The percentage of people in this area living below the federal poverty threshold.

How it works: The threshold is a dollar amount set by the U.S. Census Bureau that varies by family size and age. If a household's income is below that level, everyone in it is included in this rate.

Example: In a town of 10,000 people, if 1,500 have incomes below the poverty line, the poverty rate is 15%.

Note: This statistic only includes people living in households; it does not count those in student housing, military barracks, or nursing homes.

🏘️ Renter vs. Owner Households in Syracuse Metro Area, NY

In Syracuse Metro Area, NY, households that rent: 85,637 (31.6%)

📊 What does the renter household percentage reveal about this area?
Household Type Count Share
Renter-Occupied 85,637 31.6%
Owner-Occupied 185,614 68.4%

Definition: This is the percentage of households that rent their home rather than own it. It includes only occupied housing units.

Why it matters: Areas with a high share of renter households often have younger populations, higher mobility, and different housing needs compared to mostly owner-occupied areas.

Example: If 65% of homes in an area are renter-occupied, it means 65 out of every 100 households rent their home.

📉 Renters Spending Over 30% of Income on Rent in Syracuse Metro Area, NY

In Syracuse Metro Area, NY, cost-burdened renters (households spending over 30% of income on housing): 39,881 (46.6%)

🏚️ What Does It Mean When Renters Spend Over 30% of Their Income on Housing?
Household Group Households Share
Cost-burdened renters (over 30%) 39,881 46.6%
Other renter households 45,756 53.4%
Total renter households 85,637 100%

Shares are calculated as a percentage of renter households.

This shows how many renters in this area are considered cost-burdened — meaning they spend more than 30% of their income on housing (rent and basic utilities).

It’s a sign that housing might be unaffordable in the area or that lower-income residents may be struggling with rent.

Data comes from the U.S. Census Bureau’s American Community Survey.

📊 Education Levels in Syracuse Metro Area, NY

Less than High School: 105,939 people (23.5%)

Includes adults who did not complete high school.

High School Graduate or GED: 122,398 people (27.1%)

Includes adults whose highest education is a high school diploma or GED.

Some College or Associate Degree: 64,839 people (14.4%)

Includes adults who attended college without completing a bachelor’s degree (some college or associate degree).

Bachelor’s Degree or Higher: 158,587 people (35.1%)

Includes adults with a bachelor’s degree or higher (bachelor’s, master’s, professional, or doctoral degree).

👥 Total Adults (25+): 451,763

📊 Unemployment Rate in Syracuse Metro Area, NY

Estimated Rate: 3.6%

💡 What does Unemployment Rate mean?

Definition: The unemployment rate is the percentage of people in the labor force who do not have a job but are actively looking for one.

Labor Force = Employed + Unemployed (aged 16+ and actively participating in the workforce).

Formula: (Unemployed ÷ Labor Force) × 100

Does NOT include: People who are retired, students not looking for work, homemakers, or otherwise not seeking employment.

Example: If there are 1000 people in the labor force and 80 are unemployed, then the unemployment rate is 8%.

ℹ️ Have questions about how these statistics are calculated? See our data methodology & FAQs

 

Source: ACS 5-Year Estimates (U.S. Census Bureau) — unemployment rate from BLS. Some values are derived metrics.