Population 1,389,591 · Census ACS 2020–24
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Population and households in Nassau County
Household size in Nassau County
| Period | Nassau County | New York area | New York | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 3.00 | 2.79 | 2.68 | 2.68 |
| 2010–14 | 3.07 | 2.85 | 2.72 | 2.73 |
| 2015–19 | 3.06 | 2.82 | 2.69 | 2.71 |
| 2020–24 | 3.14 | 2.79 | 2.65 | 2.65 |
| Change | +0.13 | −0.00 | −0.03 | −0.03 |
Households in Nassau County are large by national standards, averaging 3.14 people against 2.65 for the U.S. That usually means more families with children at home. Since 2006–10, household size has climbed from 3.00, even as the national average fell. Only one other New York county has larger households.
Household size: the average number of people living in each occupied home. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25010).
Median age in Nassau County
| Period | Nassau County | New York area | New York | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 41.2 | 38.0 | 38.3 | 37.7 |
| 2010–14 | 41.9 | 38.7 | 39.0 | 38.6 |
| 2015–19 | 42.5 | 39.8 | 40.2 | 39.6 |
| 2020–24 | 42.5 | 40.4 | 40.8 | 40.1 |
| Change | +1.3 | +2.4 | +2.5 | +2.3 |
The median resident of Nassau County is 42.5 years old, a bit older than the national median of 40.1. The median age has climbed from 41.2 in 2006–10, in line with the national trend. Residents skew youngest in the center and oldest in the northeast.
Median age: the age that splits residents into two equal halves. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B01002).
Single-parent households in Nassau County
| Period | Nassau County | New York area | New York | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 8.9% | 13.1% | 13.1% | 12.3% |
| 2010–14 | 9.3% | 12.8% | 12.7% | 12.3% |
| 2015–19 | 8.8% | 11.4% | 11.6% | 11.6% |
| 2020–24 | 9.6% | 11.6% | 11.6% | 11.6% |
| Change | +0.7 pts | −1.5 pts | −1.5 pts | −0.6 pts |
Single parents head about one in ten households in Nassau County (9.6%), below the national share of 11.6%. The single-parent share is up 0.7 points from 2006–10, even as the national share fell.
Single-parent households: households where one adult with no spouse present lives with children under 18. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B11003).
Housing in Nassau County
Renters in Nassau County
| Period | Nassau County | New York area | New York | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 17.9% | 47.1% | 44.8% | 33.3% |
| 2010–14 | 19.8% | 48.7% | 46.2% | 35.6% |
| 2015–19 | 19.3% | 48.8% | 46.2% | 36.0% |
| 2020–24 | 18.1% | 48.6% | 45.7% | 34.8% |
| Change | +0.1 pts | +1.5 pts | +0.9 pts | +1.5 pts |
Only 18.1% of households in Nassau County rent their homes, far below the national share of 34.8%, so most residents are owners who tend to stay put. Among homeowners, 37.3% have no mortgage at all, about the same as nationally. Renting is most common in the center and least common in the southeast. Only three of New York's 62 counties have a lower share of renters.
Renters: occupied homes that are rented rather than owned. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25003).
Vacant homes in Nassau County
| Period | Nassau County | New York area | New York | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 7.0% | 9.1% | 10.3% | 11.4% |
| 2010–14 | 6.8% | 9.0% | 10.4% | 11.4% |
| 2015–19 | 6.7% | 9.1% | 11.0% | 11.1% |
| 2020–24 | 5.6% | 7.9% | 9.7% | 9.6% |
| Change | −1.4 pts | −1.2 pts | −0.6 pts | −1.8 pts |
Empty homes are scarce in Nassau County: just 5.6% sit vacant, compared with 9.6% nationally, a sign of a tight housing market. Since 2006–10, vacancy has edged down 1.4 points, mirroring the country. No other New York county has a lower vacancy rate.
Vacant homes: homes with no one living in them, including vacation homes and homes for sale or rent. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25002).
Age of homes in Nassau County
| Period | Nassau County | New York area | New York | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 1953 | 1957 | 1956 | 1974 |
| 2010–14 | 1954 | 1958 | 1957 | 1975 |
| 2015–19 | 1954 | 1959 | 1958 | 1977 |
| 2020–24 | 1955 | 1962 | 1961 | 1980 |
| Change | +2 | +5 | +5 | +6 |
The housing in Nassau County is old by national standards: the median home dates to 1955, against 1980 for the U.S., so buyers will find more older houses, some of them due for updates. Nassau County has older homes than at least four in five New York counties.
Age of homes: the year that splits the housing stock into older and newer halves. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25035).
Rent in Nassau County
| Period | Nassau County | New York area | New York | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | $1,506 | $1,268 | $1,095 | $965 |
| 2010–14 | $1,592 | $1,377 | $1,201 | $1,040 |
| 2015–19 | $2,011 | $1,645 | $1,426 | $1,213 |
| 2020–24 | $2,478 | $2,060 | $1,794 | $1,571 |
| Change | +$972 | +$792 | +$698 | +$606 |
The median renter in Nassau County pays $2,478 a month for rent and utilities, well above the national median of $1,571. Rent has climbed $972 a month since 2006–10, up 65%, roughly in step with the nation. The typical renter here spends 32.4% of household income on rent, just over the 30% mark often used to define affordable rent. No other New York county has higher rents.
Rent: monthly rent plus the utilities renters pay themselves. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25064).
Education in Nassau County
Bachelor's degrees in Nassau County
| Period | Nassau County | New York area | New York | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 41.1% | 35.0% | 31.9% | 28.4% |
| 2010–14 | 42.4% | 36.7% | 33.4% | 29.6% |
| 2015–19 | 46.1% | 39.9% | 36.2% | 32.1% |
| 2020–24 | 49.8% | 43.6% | 39.8% | 35.6% |
| Change | +8.7 pts | +8.6 pts | +8.0 pts | +7.2 pts |
Nassau County is highly educated: about half of adults 25 and older (49.8%) hold at least a bachelor's degree, far above the national share of 35.6%. The share with a degree is up 8.7 points from 2006–10, as it has nationally. Few New York counties have a higher share of college graduates: only three of 62.
Bachelor's degrees: adults 25 and older with a bachelor's degree or higher. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B15003).
High school graduates in Nassau County
| Period | Nassau County | New York area | New York | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 89.6% | 83.7% | 84.0% | 84.9% |
| 2010–14 | 90.2% | 84.6% | 84.9% | 86.1% |
| 2015–19 | 91.2% | 86.2% | 86.5% | 87.7% |
| 2020–24 | 92.0% | 86.9% | 87.3% | 89.3% |
| Change | +2.4 pts | +3.3 pts | +3.3 pts | +4.3 pts |
High school completion in Nassau County is a bit above the national rate: 92.0% of adults have a diploma or equivalent, against 89.3%. The share with a diploma is up 2.4 points from 2006–10, mirroring the country.
High school graduates: adults 25 and older with a high school diploma, GED or more. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B15003).
Jobs in Nassau County
| Period | Nassau County | New York area | New York | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 5.8% | 7.9% | 7.7% | 8.1% |
| 2010–14 | 7.1% | 9.5% | 9.2% | 9.4% |
| 2015–19 | 3.8% | 5.7% | 5.7% | 5.6% |
| 2020–24 | 4.8% | 6.9% | 6.6% | 5.4% |
| Change | −1.0 pts | −0.9 pts | −1.2 pts | −2.7 pts |
Unemployment in Nassau County is close to the national rate: 4.8% of the labor force, against 5.4%. The rate is lower than in the wider New York area (6.9%). Because the Census pools five years of responses (2020–24), these rates smooth over short swings and lag the current job market.
Unemployment: people looking for work as a share of everyone working or looking. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B23025).
Nassau County compared with nearby counties
| County | Household size | Median age | Single parents | Renters | Vacant homes | Median year built | Median rent | Bachelor's degree | High school diploma | Unemployment |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nassau County | 3.14 | 42.5 | 9.6% | 18.1% | 5.6% | 1955 | $2,478 | 49.8% | 92.0% | 4.8% |
| Queens County | 2.88 | 41.4 | 11.8% | 55.1% | 8.4% | 1955 | $2,042 | 36.1% | 82.3% | 7.2% |
| Bronx County | 2.65 | 36.9 | 22.4% | 79.9% | 6.0% | 1958 | $1,512 | 22.3% | 75.0% | 11.7% |
| Kings County | 2.78 | 37.5 | 12.5% | 70.5% | 9.1% | 1953 | $1,954 | 40.2% | 83.6% | 8.3% |
| New York County | 2.08 | 40.4 | 8.9% | 74.9% | 15.4% | 1956 | $2,383 | 64.7% | 89.9% | 8.2% |
| Hudson County | 2.44 | 37.1 | 11.7% | 69.3% | 7.3% | 1968 | $2,049 | 49.0% | 87.9% | 6.2% |
| Suffolk County | 3.02 | 42.6 | 9.2% | 17.6% | 10.1% | 1970 | $2,356 | 41.3% | 87.2% | 4.5% |
| Essex County | 2.75 | 38.5 | 16.2% | 55.1% | 6.4% | 1960 | $1,796 | 38.7% | 86.3% | 8.9% |
| Union County | 2.95 | 39.6 | 14.7% | 42.6% | 5.6% | 1958 | $1,910 | 38.0% | 85.4% | 6.6% |
| Morris County | 2.71 | 43.4 | 6.0% | 25.7% | 4.3% | 1971 | $2,157 | 58.3% | 95.0% | 5.0% |
| Warren County | 2.45 | 44.5 | 8.3% | 24.9% | 4.1% | 1970 | $1,595 | 36.9% | 93.9% | 5.0% |
All figures 2020–24.
Counties with similar populations: Clark County, NV · San Bernardino County, CA · King County, WA · Santa Clara County, CA · Alameda County, CA · Allegheny County, PA · Wake County, NC · Montgomery County, MD · Collin County, TX · Contra Costa County, CA
About these numbers
Every figure on this page is a BestNeighborhood calculation from the Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS), built up from the Census block groups that make up Nassau County. Each ACS 5-year release pools five years of responses; this page shows the last 15 releases, 2006–10 through 2020–24. Neighboring releases share four of their five years, so they move gradually and small changes between them are within the survey's margin of error; in small places the lines can jump from one release to the next for the same reason. The maps show the same measures for each neighborhood, ranked against the whole country.
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