8th most populous of 62
With 950,602 residents in 2024, Erie County ranks 8th by population among New York's 62 counties and is home to 4.8% of the state's residents.
Erie County is home to 950,602 people (2024 estimate) on 1,043 square miles of land. This page brings together official U.S. Census Bureau population estimates since 2000, the components of change—births, deaths and migration—American Community Survey indicators on income, housing, poverty and education, BEA economic accounts and BLS unemployment.
Key indicators
Population
950,602
July 1, 2024 estimate
2020 Census base
954,208
April 1, 2020
Change since 2020
−0.4%
2020–2024
Land area
1,043 mi²
2,701 km²
Population density
911.6 /mi²
2024 estimate ÷ land area
Births
9,105
Year to July 1, 2024
Deaths
9,673
Year to July 1, 2024
Natural change
−568
Births minus deaths, 2024
Net migration
+2,757
Domestic + international, 2024
Per capita personal income
$64,801
BEA, 2024
Gross domestic product
$81.1 billion
BEA, current dollars, 2024
Median household income
$72,839
ACS 2020–2024 5-year
Poverty rate
13.9%
ACS 2020–2024 5-year
Bachelor’s degree or higher
38.0%
Age 25+, ACS 2020–2024 5-year
Foreign-born residents
7.5%
ACS 2020–2024 5-year
Median home value
$233,800
ACS 2020–2024 5-year
Unemployment rate
3.8%
BLS annual average, 2024
Historical data
Pick an indicator to see its long-run evolution.
Population
2000–2024950,602▲ 0%
U.S. Census Bureau: intercensal estimates 2000–2009, Vintage 2020 (2010–2019) and Vintage 2024 (2020–2024), July 1.
Data summary
| Indicator | Value | Year and source |
|---|---|---|
| Population estimate | 950,602 | 2024 · U.S. Census Bureau |
| Population, 2010 Census | 919,040 | 2010 · U.S. Census Bureau |
| Population, 2000 | 949,440 | July 1, 2000 · Census intercensal |
| Change since 2000 | +0.1% | 2000–2024 · Census |
| International migration | +5,371 | 2024 · Census Vintage 2024 |
| Domestic migration | −2,614 | 2024 · Census Vintage 2024 |
| Birth rate | 9.6 per 1,000 | 2024 · calculated |
| Death rate | 10.2 per 1,000 | 2024 · calculated |
| Population rank in New York | 8th of 62 | 2024 · calculated |
| Per capita personal income | $64,801 | BEA, 2024 · official |
| Gross domestic product | $81.1 billion | BEA, current dollars, 2024 · official |
| Median household income | $72,839 | ACS 2020–2024 5-year · official |
| Poverty rate | 13.9% | ACS 2020–2024 5-year · official |
| Bachelor’s degree or higher | 38.0% | Age 25+, ACS 2020–2024 5-year · official |
| Foreign-born residents | 7.5% | ACS 2020–2024 5-year · official |
| Median home value | $233,800 | ACS 2020–2024 5-year · official |
| Median gross rent | $1,090/month | ACS 2020–2024 5-year · official |
| Median age | 40.4 years | ACS 2020–2024 5-year · official |
| Households | 409,665 | ACS 2020–2024 5-year · official |
| Owner-occupied homes | 65.8% | ACS 2020–2024 5-year · official |
Erie County in context
Comparable indicators for Erie County, New York and the United States.
| Indicator | County | New York | U.S. | Reference |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Population change 2020–2024 | −0.4% | −1.7% | +2.6% | Census Vintage 2024 |
| Birth rate (per 1,000) | 9.6 | 10.3 | 10.6 | 2024 |
| Death rate (per 1,000) | 10.2 | 8.1 | 9.1 | 2024 |
| Net migration rate (per 1,000) | 2.9 | 4.3 | 8.2 | 2024 |
| Population density (/mi²) | 911.6 | 421.6 | 96.3 | 2024 |
| Per capita personal income | $64,801 | $85,552 | $73,204 | BEA, 2024 |
| Median household income | $72,839 | $85,974 | $80,734 | ACS 2020–2024 5-year |
| Poverty rate | 13.9% | 14.0% | 12.5% | ACS 2020–2024 5-year |
| Bachelor’s degree or higher | 38.0% | 40.2% | 35.7% | Age 25+, ACS 2020–2024 5-year |
| Foreign-born residents | 7.5% | 22.8% | 14.1% | ACS 2020–2024 5-year |
| Median home value | $233,800 | $423,800 | $332,700 | ACS 2020–2024 5-year |
| Median gross rent | $1,090/month | $1,621/month | $1,413/month | ACS 2020–2024 5-year |
| Median age | 40.4 years | 39.8 years | 38.9 years | ACS 2020–2024 5-year |
| Owner-occupied homes | 65.8% | 54.3% | 65.2% | ACS 2020–2024 5-year |
Cities & towns
1 city · choose how to order them
Did you know? Erie County
A quarter century of change
Its population went from 949,440 in 2000 to 950,602 in 2024, a change of +0.1%, compared with +4.6% for New York as a whole.
Births and deaths
In the year to July 2024 the county recorded 9,105 births and 9,673 deaths, so deaths outnumbered births by 568.
Peak population in 2021
Annual Census estimates since 2000 put the county's highest population at 953,023 in 2021. The 2024 figure is 2,421 lower.
11th in density
Erie County has about 911.6 residents per square mile of land, ranking 11th of 62 counties; New York averages 421.6.
Household income rank
With a median household income of $72,839 (ACS 2020–2024 5-year), the county ranks 29th of 62 New York counties; the state median is $85,974.
Size of the economy
Its economy produced $81.1 billion of GDP in 2024 (BEA), 7th largest among 62 New York counties.
Latest economic growth
Real GDP grew 1.0% in 2024, adjusted for inflation (BEA, chained 2017 dollars).
Sources and methodology
- U.S. Census Bureau — County population totals and components, Vintage 2024
- U.S. Census Bureau — County estimates 2010–2020
- U.S. Census Bureau — Intercensal estimates 2000–2010
- U.S. Census Bureau — Gazetteer files (land area)
- U.S. Census Bureau — American Community Survey 2020–2024 5-year
- U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis — Regional economic accounts
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics — LAUS