Chelsea, Manhattan, NY demographics:
population, income, and more

Total population
50,849
0.3% year-over-year change
Median household income
$137,920/yr
2.2% year-over-year change
Housing units
34,486
1.0% year-over-year change

Chelsea population

How many people live in Chelsea

Chelsea is home to 50,849 residents, according to the most recent Census data. Gender-wise, 49.6% of Chelsea locals are male, and 50.4% are female.

Total population
50,849
0.3% year-over-year change
Gender ratio
Male
49.6%
25,226
Female
50.4%
25,623
Value Percent YoY change
Male 25,226 49.6% 0.2%
Female 25,623 50.4% 0.3%
A higher population often means more rental variety and livelier areas. The gender balance—how many men live here compared to women—can reveal a lot about the community and the lifestyles of its residents. Use this info to get a sense of the area's pace and personality.

Age demographics

The median age in Chelsea is 39, with the population distributed as follows: about 7.5% are children under 15, then 10.7% are in the 15 to 24 age group. Adults between 25 and 44 make up 39.5% of the population, while another 25% fall into the 45 to 64 bracket. Finally, around 17.4% are 65 or older.

Median age
39
Age breakdown
Under 15
7.5%
15 to 24
10.7%
25 to 44
39.5%
45 to 64
25%
Over 65
17.4%
Value Percent YoY change
Under 15 3,809 7.5% -7.4%
15 to 24 5,423 10.7% 2.1%
25 to 44 20,069 39.5% 2.4%
45 to 64 12,722 25% -3.7%
Over 65 8,827 17.4% 4.3%
The age composition helps you get insight into who lives in the area. A younger population might mean a more active, fast-paced vibe, while an older one could suggest a quieter, slower lifestyle. If there's a balanced makeup, you’re likely to find a variety of services, housing types, and community spaces that cater to different life stages.

Racial makeup

In Chelsea, 72.7% of the population are US-born citizens, while 16.4% have gained naturalized citizenship. At the same time, 11% of residents are non-citizens. As for race, 63% of locals are Caucasian, 6.6% are African American and 13.8% have Asian roots. There’s also a share of 11.2% that includes residents with two or more races.

Citizenship
U.S.-born citizens
72.7%
Non-U.S.-born citizens
16.4%
Non-citizens
11%
Value Percent YoY change
U.S.-born citizens 36,945 72.7% -1.8%
Non-U.S.-born citizens 8,328 16.4% 6.4%
Non-citizens 5,576 11% 6.2%
Racial breakdown
White
63%
Black or African American
6.6%
American Indian and Alaska Native
0.2%
Asian
13.8%
Native Hawaiian and other Pacific Islander
0%
Two or more races
11.2%
Other
5.3%
Value Percent
White 32,009 63%
Black or African American 3,333 6.6%
American Indian and Alaska Native 80 0.2%
Asian 7,041 13.8%
Two or more races 5,684 11.2%
Other 2,702 5.3%

Households in Chelsea

A peek inside Chelsea households

Chelsea has 28,175 households, with an average of 2 members in each. Of these, 31% are families, while the remaining 69% are made up of individuals living alone or with non-relatives, such as roommates.

Households stats

Total households
28,175
0.2% year-over-year change
Average people per household
2
Non-family households
19,438
Family households
8,737
Value Percent YoY change
Non-family households 19,438 69% -1.1%
Family households 8,737 31% 3.2%
The mix between family and non-family households gives a glimpse into daily life. A higher percentage of families might mean more parks and schools, while more non-family setups can mean flexible housing and diverse living styles. For renters, this can signal what kinds of homes are common and can help you figure out if the area matches your lifestyle.

Housing in Chelsea

The housing landscape of Chelsea

Chelsea's housing consists of 34,486 units, with 1.6% being detached single-family homes ideal for those wanting space. Attached options, including duplexes and townhouses, make up 1.1% and offer a more compact, shared living style. Then there are the multifamily buildings in the area, and for those seeking flexibility, non-traditional options like mobile homes account for 0.1% of the housing landscape.

Housing units
34,486
1.0% year-over-year change
Housing types
Value Percent
1 unit, detached 558 1.6%
1 unit, attached 390 1.1%
2 units 264 0.8%
3 or 4 units 879 2.6%
5 to 9 units 2,282 6.6%
10 to 19 units 3,895 11.3%
20 to 49 units 6,910 20%
50 or more units 19,251 55.8%
Mobile home 25 0.1%
Boat, RV, van, etc. 34 0.1%
Homes built since 2020
236
107.0% year-over-year change

The age of buildings in Chelsea

In Chelsea, the median construction year is 1954. About 44.2% of homes were built before the 1940s, with another 2.8% going up by 1949. Most development happened in the second half of the 20th century. Then, 10.3% of homes were added from 2000 to 2009, 12.4% between 2010 and 2019, and 0.7% are part of the newest wave of development.

Construction year breakdown by decade
Value Percent YoY change
Built in 1939 or earlier 15,245 44.2% 1.1%
Built between 1940 and 1949 973 2.8% 1.2%
Built between 1950 and 1959 1,680 4.9% -18.7%
Built between 1960 and 1969 5,221 15.1% 1.6%
Built between 1970 and 1979 1,431 4.2% 10.2%
Built between 1980 and 1989 1,004 2.9% -0.5%
Built between 1990 and 1999 880 2.6% 6.5%
Built between 2000 and 2009 3,540 10.3% -0.4%
Built between 2010 and 2019 4,276 12.4% 4.3%
Built in 2020 or later 236 0.7% 107.0%
As a renter, knowing when homes were built helps you understand the potential condition and design of rental units. Newer builds may have more contemporary layouts, while older homes can offer character or larger lots, depending on the area.

Chelsea occupancy rates

Out of the 28,175 occupied housing units in Chelsea, 31.9% are owner-occupied, while 68.1% are lived in by tenants. Meanwhile, 18.3% of all homes on the local market sit vacant.

Occupied housing units
28,175
0.2% year-over-year change
Occupancy breakdown
Renter occupied
19,180
Owner occupied
8,995
Value Percent YoY
change
Renter occupied 19,180 68.1% 0.3%
Owner occupied 8,995 31.9% 0.0%
Unoccupied housing units
18.3%
Unoccupied housing units refer to homes that are currently without residents—whether they're waiting for renters or owners, used seasonally, or simply unclaimed. A higher share of empty homes may mean more housing availability, while a low number can reflect a tighter market with more competition. This, along with the renter-vs.-owner mix, helps paint a clearer picture of what types of housing and services are likely to be available in the area.

Chelsea housing costs

Housing costs in Chelsea come to a median of $3,030 per month, while tenants specifically pay a median gross rent of $3,206.

Median housing costs per month
$3,030/month
This figure sums up typical monthly housing costs for all households in the area. If you own, it includes mortgage payments in addition to property taxes, insurance and HOA fees. If you rent, it accounts for rent plus extras like utilities. It’s useful for seeing how local living expenses stack up compared to other places.
Median gross rent in Chelsea
$3,206/month
Gross rent gives a more complete look at what renters actually pay, including not just base rent, but also utilities and fees. It’s a key number for evaluating rental affordability in your area of interest and understanding how it compares to nearby locations.

Education in Chelsea

Chelsea education at a glance

About 11.8% of the population in Chelsea went to high school, while 11.3% pursued college studies. Another 2.1% earned an associate degree and 39.9% hold a bachelor’s. Meanwhile, 33.2% went even further, earning a master’s or doctorate.

Education level
Value Percent YoY change
No high school 829 1.8% -4.8%
High school diploma 5,419 11.8% -5.2%
College diploma 5,205 11.3% 8.9%
Associate degree 959 2.1% -15.2%
Bachelor's degree 18,375 39.9% 1.6%
Graduate degree 15,293 33.2% 1.2%
A community’s education mix can offer insights into the local economy and housing market. Higher levels of education often align with more job opportunities and stable incomes, which can increase demand for homes and influence both rent prices and rental availability.

Income in Chelsea

How much people earn in Chelsea

The average annual household income in Chelsea was $217,274 in 2024, the most recent annual data available, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. This marked a +4.6% change from the previous year. At the same time, the median income stood at $137,920, reflecting a +2.2% shift over the same period.

Average household income in Chelsea
$217,274/year
4.5% year-over-year change
Median household income in Chelsea
$137,920/year
2.2% year-over-year change

Chelsea income by age

In Chelsea, households led by residents aged 25 to 44 — usually in the early to mid stages of their careers — have a median income of $189,964. Those with someone between 45 and 64 in charge, often well established professionally, earn $157,822 overall. Younger households, where the main provider is under 25 and just starting out, report a median income of $70,252, while those led by someone over 65, many of whom may be retired, have about $67,296 in earnings. Overall, 88.6% of the locals in this community live above the poverty line.

Income breakdown by age
Value YoY change
Under 25 $70,252 -15.2%
25 - 44 $189,964 4.5%
45 - 64 $157,822 15.0%
Over 65 $67,296 -2.3%
Above poverty level
42,887
Below poverty level
5,540
Value Percent YoY
change
Above poverty level 42,887 88.6% 0.5%
Below poverty level 5,540 11.4% 1.1%

Employment in Chelsea

Workforce and job types in Chelsea

96% of the working population are employed in professional or administrative positions, while 4% are in hands-on or service-based jobs. Also, 13.1% run their own businesses, 70.1% are employed by private companies, and 6.5% work in the public sector.

Workforce demographics

White collar
30,307
Blue collar
1,275
Value Percent YoY change
White collar 30,307 96% -0.7%
Blue collar 1,275 4% 6.1%
Employer type
Self employees
13.1%
Private companies
70.1%
Governmental workers
6.5%
Not for profit companies
10.3%
Value Percent YoY change
Self employees 4,140 13.1% -5.7%
Private companies 22,126 70.1% 0.8%
Governmental workers 2,059 6.5% 8.7%
Not for profit companies 3,257 10.3% -6.5%

Transportation in Chelsea

How people get around in Chelsea

In Chelsea, the average commute time is 16 minutes. Commuting methods vary: 16% of residents travel by personal vehicle and 61.8% prefer to walk, while the remaining share relies on public transit or on two wheelers to get from A to B.

Commute time
16 min
-50.0% year-over-year change
Means of transportation
Value Percent YoY change
Car 1,731 16% 4.5%
Taxicab 435 4% -21.9%
Bus or trolleybus 692 6.4% 1.8%
Railroad 161 1.5% -40.8%
Ferryboat 39 0.4% 95.0%
Motorcycle 9 0.1% N/A
Bicycle 1,059 9.8% 8.1%
Walk 6,666 61.8% -5.0%
Understanding how locals get to work can help you plan your own routine. High car usage might mean you’ll need a vehicle, while strong public transit or walkability could save you the hassle. Commute times also play a big role in quality of life—shorter trips can give you more time for the things you enjoy.

What is the median and average household income in Chelsea by zipcode?

Zipcode Population Number of households Median income Average income
10001 30,511 15,737 $129,852 $226,529
10011 48,277 27,802 $145,987 $239,558

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FAQs about Chelsea demographics 

What is the total population of Chelsea?

Chelsea has a total population of 50,849 residents, according to the latest release from the U.S. Census Bureau: the 2019-2023 American Community Survey (ACS) 5-year estimates. This figure changed by +0.3% compared to a year ago.

What is the gender ratio in Chelsea?

The gender ratio in Chelsea is as follows:
  • 49.6% males (25,226 residents)
  • 50.4% females (25,623 residents)

What is the median age in Chelsea?

The median age in Chelsea is 39.

What is the age distribution of the population in Chelsea?

The age distribution in Chelsea is as follows:
  • Under 15: 7.5% (3,809 residents)
  • Ages 15-24: 10.7% (5,423 residents)
  • Ages 25-44: 39.5% (20,069 residents)
  • Ages 45-64: 25% (12,722 residents)
  • Over 65: 17.4% (8,827 residents)

What is the racial and ethnic makeup of Chelsea?

The racial and ethnic makeup of Chelsea is as follows:
  • White: 63% (32,009 residents)
  • Black or African American: 6.6% (3,333 residents)
  • American Indian and Alaska Native: 0.2% (80 residents)
  • Asian: 13.8% (7,041 residents)
  • Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander: 0% ( residents)
  • Two or More Races: 11.2% (5,684 residents)
  • Other: 5.3% (2,702 residents)

What percentage of the population in Chelsea are U.S.-born citizens?

U.S.-born citizens represent 72.7% of the population in Chelsea.

How many housing units are there in Chelsea?

There are 34,486 housing units in Chelsea, reflecting a +1.0% change compared to the previous year, according to the latest data from the U.S. Census Bureau.

How many households are in Chelsea and what is the average household size?

Chelsea has a total of 28,175 households, with an average of 2 people in each.

What is the median household income in Chelsea?

Chelsea has a median household income of $137,920, representing a +2.2% shift from the previous year, according to the U.S. Census Bureau.

What is the job market overview for Chelsea?

Here’s a detailed breakdown of the local job market:

Job types:
  • White-collar workers: 96% (30,307 residents)
  • Blue-collar workers: 4% (1,275 residents)

Places of employment:
  • Self-employed: 13.1% (4,140 residents)
  • Private companies: 70.1% (22,126 residents)
  • Governmental workers: 6.5% (2,059 residents)
  • Not-for-profit companies: 10.3% (3,257 residents)

Data source & methodology

The demographic data on this page was sourced from the latest U.S. Census Bureau release—the 2019–2023 American Community Survey (ACS) 5-year estimates.

The information, issued annually, is compiled and published by the Point2Homes Research Team as soon as new data becomes available.

No representation, guarantee, or warranty is made concerning the accuracy or completeness of modified or aggregated information for particular areas.

Page last updated: September 2025