Living in Olean, New York

Cost of living, income, home prices, rent and demographics of Olean · Census data 2020–2024

Olean has 13,738 residents with a median age of 39. The median household income is $51,261 (40% lower than the New York median), the median home value is $86,100, the median rent is $794/month.

Olean at a glance

Population
13,738
Median age
39State: 39.8
Median household income
$51,261State: $85,974
Median home value
$86,100State: $423,800
Median rent
$794/moState: $1,621
Homeowners
55.1%
Bachelor's degree or higher
29.9%
Average commute
14 min

Is Olean a good place to live?

Pros: Home values 80% lower than the state median; an average commute of 14 minutes; unemployment of 6.3%.

Cons: Median household income 40% lower than the New York median; a poverty rate of 26.7%.

The weather is best in June to September.

Cost of living in Olean

Housing is the biggest part of the cost of living. In Olean the median home value is $86,100, 74% lower than the U.S. median. Renters pay a median of $794 per month, which is 30.7% of household income. Homeowners with a mortgage pay $1,160 a month in housing costs.

Median home value

Olean$86,100
New York$423,800
United States$332,700

Median monthly rent

Olean$794
New York$1,621
United States$1,413

Olean median household income

The median household income in Olean is $51,261 and the income per person is $29,512. 26.7% of residents live below the poverty line (New York: 14%).

Median household income

Olean$51,261
New York$85,974
United States$80,734

Housing in Olean: homes for sale and rent

Housing units
7,078
Owner-occupied
55.1%
Renter-occupied
44.9%
Vacant
11.4%Includes seasonal homes
Median year built
1938
Average household size
2.11

Olean demographics

Population
13,738
Median age
39
Under 18
23.5%
65 and older
19.1%
Households
6,274
Foreign-born
3.2%
Veterans
5.3%Adults 18+

Race and ethnicity

White86.3%
Hispanic or Latino1%
Black3%
Asian2.9%

Hispanic or Latino can be of any race. Population history of Olean ›

Education in Olean

29.9% of adults 25 and older in Olean have a bachelor's degree or higher (New York: 40.2%), and 15.2% have a graduate or professional degree.

Bachelor's degree or higher

Olean29.9%
New York40.2%
United States35.7%

Jobs and commute in Olean

Unemployment rate
6.3%State: 6.4%
Average commute
14 minState: 33 min
Work from home
8.4%
Drive alone
72.6%
Public transit
1.1%
Walk to work
4.8%
Homes with broadband
87%

Olean vs nearby towns

TownPopulationMedian incomeHome valueRent
Olean13,738$51,261$86,100$794
Allegany1,740$70,625$164,100$772
Weston Mills1,431$79,712$155,300$775
Portville951$61,793$102,900$660
Eldred566$49,063$125,900$531
Otto1,328$53,214$102,400$640
Foster Brook942$98,049$112,600—
Limestone480$39,583$84,700—
Ceres1,002$60,114$98,800$893

More for people moving to Olean

Olean ZIP code ›Weather and climate ›

Living in Olean: FAQ

What is the median household income in Olean, NY?

The median household income in Olean is $51,261, 40% lower than the New York median of $85,974 (U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024).

What is the average home price in Olean?

The median home value in Olean is $86,100, compared with $423,800 in New York.

How much is rent in Olean?

The median gross rent in Olean is $794 per month, about 30.7% of household income.

Is Olean, NY a good place to live?

Pluses: home values 80% lower than the state median; an average commute of 14 minutes; unemployment of 6.3%. Minuses: median household income 40% lower than the New York median; a poverty rate of 26.7%.

What is the median age in Olean?

The median age in Olean is 39 years (New York: 39.8).

How long is the commute in Olean?

The average commute to work in Olean is 14 minutes; 8.4% of workers work from home.

What is the unemployment rate in Olean?

The unemployment rate in Olean is 6.3% (U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024).

How educated is Olean?

29.9% of adults in Olean have a bachelor's degree or higher.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024 (margins of error apply, especially in small towns). Figures are in 2024 dollars.

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