Olean, NY

New York

Olean is a small city in New York with a population of 13,798. Residents earn $47,553 per year, which is 37% below the national average.

3.8 /5.0
B+ Good
13,798 Population 2,339/sq mi density
$47,553 Median Income $29,654 per capita
$90,500 Home Value
$786 Median Rent
46°F Avg Temperature
B+
Overall
3.8 / 5.0
Good overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
B
Economy
3.0 / 5.0
$47,553 median income, 3.9% unemployment
A+
Affordability
5.0 / 5.0
$90,500 home value, $786/mo rent
B
Education
3.3 / 5.0
29.1% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $47,553
37% lower than US avg
Home Value $90,500
68% lower than US avg
Bachelor's+ 29.1%
14% lower than US avg
Median Rent $786
32% lower than US avg
Obesity Rate 36.7%
14% higher than US avg
Unemployment 3.9%
8% higher than US avg
Poverty Rate 19.9%
60% higher than US avg

How Olean Compares to the U.S. Average (100% = U.S. avg)

People

Population13,798
Median Age38.7 yrs
Density2,339/mi²
Male / Female49% / 51%
Largest GroupWhite 88%

Economy

B
Median Income$47,553
Per Capita$29,654
Unemployment3.9%
Poverty19.9%
County GDP$3,919M
Commute16 min

Housing

A+
Home Value$90,500
Rent$786
OwnershipN/A

Crime

ViolentN/A
PropertyN/A

Health

Obesity36.7%
UninsuredN/A
Depression23.1%
Heart Disease6.2%

Climate

Avg Temp46°F
AQI36 (Good)
Rain40.7 in/yr
Elevation1,427 ft

Education

B
Bachelor's+29.1%
High School+89.4%
School Score5.39

Community

2024 VoteR 66% / D 34%
Commute16 min
EV Stations14
Libraries13

Is Olean a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, Olean receives an overall livability score of 3.8 out of 5.0, earning a grade of B+. Key strengths include affordable housing, high health insurance coverage. Areas to be aware of include an elevated poverty rate, below-average incomes. Olean offers a solid quality of life with a good balance of affordability, safety, and opportunity.

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in Olean is $47,553, 37% below the national average of $75,149. Unemployment stands at 3.9%, indicating a healthy job market. The poverty rate of 19.9% exceeds the national average of 12.4%, indicating economic hardship for a significant portion of the population. Workers commute an average of 16 minutes, shorter than most U.S. cities.

Cost of Living & Housing

The median home value in Olean is $90,500, 68% below the national median — offering relatively affordable homeownership. Renters pay a median of $786 per month, below the national average — a plus for affordability. At just 1.9x median income, home prices are very affordable relative to local earnings.

Education

29.1% of residents hold a bachelor's degree, below the national average of 33.7%. 89.4% have completed high school. Area schools have an average test score of 5.4/10.

Climate & Weather

Olean experiences four distinct seasons with an average temperature of 46°F. Winters average 22°F in January while summers reach 69°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 40.7 inches, including 64.7 inches of snow. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 36.

Olean has a population of 13,798 with a density of 2,339 people per square mile. The median age is 38.7 years, 1% younger than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly White (87.6%), with 2.1% Hispanic, 2.4% Black.

Population

13,798
Total Population
2,339
People / sq mi
38.7yrs
Median Age
1% below US avg
5.9mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 48.8%
Female 51.2%

Race & Ethnicity

Olean vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

English Only96.5%
23% above US avg
Spanish3.5%
74% below US avg

Social Characteristics

Olean vs U.S. Average

The median household income in Olean is $47,553, which is 37% below the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 3.9% (above the 3.6% US average). 19.9% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 16 minutes.

Income: Olean vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$47,553
37% below US avg
Per Capita Income$29,654
Avg Weekly Wage$1,039
IRS Avg AGI$61,456

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment3.9%
8% above US avg
Poverty Rate19.9%
60% above US avg
Establishments (County)1,778
County GDP$3,919M

Business (County)

Restaurants201
Healthcare159
Retail284
Manufacturing66

Tax & Cost of Living

Property Tax (IRS)$6,494
86% above US avg
Effective Tax Rate7.18%

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time16.4 min
Work from Home8.5%

Walkability

The median home value in Olean is $90,500, 68% below the national average. Monthly rent averages $786 (32% below US avg).

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$90,500
68% below US avg
Median List Price$169,900

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Median List Price$169,900
$/Sq Ft$42
Homes Sold13
Sale-to-List Ratio87.7%
Price Drops15.4%
Inventory39

Rental Costs

Census Median Rent$786
32% below US avg

HUD Fair Market Rent

Studio$1,215
1 Bedroom$1,315
2 Bedrooms$1,579
3 Bedrooms$1,976
4 Bedrooms$2,193

Ownership & Property

Owner-Occupied54.3%

Property Tax

Avg Tax (IRS)$6,494
86% above US avg
Effective Rate7.18%
In Olean, 36.7% of adults are obese (above the 32.1% national rate). 23.1% report depression. 27.9% are physically inactive.

Health Metrics: Olean vs U.S. Average (%)

Chronic Conditions

Obesity36.7%
14% above US avg
Diabetes10.2%
Heart Disease6.2%
High Blood Pressure33.4%
Asthma11.8%
COPD8.2%
Stroke3.5%

Behaviors & Mental Health

Binge Drinking18.3%
Physical Inactivity27.9%
Depression23.1%
Mental Distress19.3%
Physical Distress14.7%

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate95.1%
Checkup Rate78.9%
Premature Death10,681/100K

Food & Exercise

Food Environment8.0/10
Exercise Access59.2%
Healthcare Facilities159

Crime Rates: Olean vs U.S. Average (per 100,000)

Violent Crime

Property Crime

Traffic Safety

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)12

Safety Score

Olean has an average annual temperature of 46°F (8°C). Winters average 22°F in January while summers reach 69°F in July. Annual precipitation is 40.7 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 36.

Temperature

22°F Jan (-5°C) 69°F Jul (20°C)
Annual Average46.3°F
14% below US avg
January Average22°F (-5°C)
July Average69°F (20°C)

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall40.7 inches
7% above US avg
Snowfall64.7 inches/yr

Air Quality

AQI Median36.0
RatingGood

Geography

Elevation1,427 ft (435 m)
Area5.9 sq mi (15.3 km²)
Population Density2,339/sq mi
Coordinates42.0839°N, 78.4351°W
County FIPS36009
It is classified as Nonmetro — Urban 20K+, adjacent. 29.1% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (14% below US avg). In the 2024 election, the county voted Republican by a 32.8-point margin.

2024 Presidential Election (County)

R 66.4%
D 33.6%

Winner: Republican by 32.8 points

Education

Bachelor's Degree+29.1%
14% below US avg
High School+89.4%
School Test Score5.39
B Education Grade (3.3/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 4Nonmetro — Urban 20K+, adjacent
Population Density2,339/sq mi
Total Area5.9 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

EV Charging Stations14
Alt Fuel Stations14
Public Libraries13
Healthcare Facilities159
Restaurants201
Retail Stores284

Safety & Disasters

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)12

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute16.4 min
Work from Home8.5%

Nearby Cities

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