Demographics — New York
New York Demographics 2026
Population 19.7M — D+22 state. How the composition of New York's electorate shapes its consistent partisan outcomes.
55%
White Non-Hispanic
19%
Hispanic / Latino
17%
Black / African Am.
38%
College Educated
Key Demographic Indicators
| Indicator | New York | National Avg | Political Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| White Non-Hispanic | 55% | 59% | Varies by state |
| Hispanic / Latino | 19% | 19% | Growing D lean nationally |
| Black / African American | 17% | 13% | D+75 to D+85 nationally |
| Asian American | 9% | 6% | D+40 to D+60 nationally |
| College-educated adults | 38% | 33% | Strongly D post-2016 |
| Urban population | 88% | 83% | More urban = more D |
| Median household income | $72,108 | $74,580 | Economic anxiety driver |
Demographic Analysis
NYC (8.3M) dominates statewide outcomes — Manhattan votes D+85, Brooklyn D+60. Upstate New York (Buffalo, Rochester, Syracuse, Albany) varies from D+20 in cities to R+30 in rural areas. Long Island (Nassau, Suffolk) is increasingly competitive, shifting from R to near-toss-up since 2020.
In presidential elections, New York's demographic composition produces consistent D+22 outcomes. The state's Mid-Atlantic character, economic base in Finance, Media, Technology, Healthcare, Real Estate, and urban-rural split all reinforce this partisan pattern heading into 2026.