According to the **2020 U.S. Census**, New York had a population of **20,201,249**, making it one of the most populous states in the country. Population is heavily concentrated in the New York City metropolitan area, while many upstate regions are more lightly settled and in some cases have seen slower growth or long-term population decline.
Key demographic patterns include: - **Urban concentration:** A large share of residents live in New York City, Long Island, the lower Hudson Valley, and major upstate metro areas. - **Diversity:** New York is one of the most ethnically, racially, linguistically, and religiously diverse states in the United States. - **Immigration:** Foreign-born residents make up a significant portion of the population, especially in New York City and surrounding suburbs. - **Aging and regional variation:** Some rural and upstate counties have older populations than downstate urban and suburban areas.
Broad characteristics: - **Age structure:** Large working-age population, with substantial youth and senior populations; patterns differ sharply by region. - **Gender:** Near parity overall, as in most U.S. states. - **Ethnic composition:** Includes large White, Black, Hispanic/Latino, and Asian populations, along with multiracial communities and many smaller diaspora groups. - **Languages:** English is dominant, but Spanish, Chinese languages, Russian, Bengali, Haitian Creole, Korean, Italian, Yiddish, Arabic, and many others are widely spoken in parts of the state. - **Religion:** Christianity remains important in many areas, while New York also has large Jewish, Muslim, Hindu, Buddhist, Sikh, and nonreligious communities.
Socioeconomic patterns vary dramatically between affluent suburbs, global-city neighborhoods, rural counties, and postindustrial cities. Educational attainment is generally high in many metro areas, supported by the state’s extensive higher-education network, though outcomes differ by region and income. Income levels are similarly uneven: New York contains both some of the wealthiest communities in the country and many neighborhoods facing persistent poverty.
For current detailed breakdowns by age, race, income, employment, and language, the most reliable sources are the **U.S. Census Bureau** and **American Community Survey**. Statewide figures change annually and are best cited from the latest official release.