Shirley, NY Demographics

A map of Shirley's Population by Race

Race	2024 Pop	2020 Pop	2024 %	2020 %
White	15,543	16,268	54.8%	61.7%
Hispanic	8,636	6,200	30.4%	23.5%
Black	2,068	1,907	7.3%	7.2%
Asian	1,201	724	4.2%	2.7%
Multiracial	881	993	3.1%	3.8%
Native American/Other	46	268	0.2%	1.0%

Shirley, New York has an estimated population of 28,375, an increase from the 26,360 recorded in the 2020 Census. The population is 54.8% White, 30.4% Hispanic, 7.3% Black, 4.2% Asian, 3.1% Multiracial, and 0.2% Native American/Other. This demographic dot map shows the population of Shirley, with one dot drawn for each person counted by the Census, color-coded by race.

Shirley has become more racially diverse since the 2020 Census. It is considerably less diverse than New York overall. Demographers use a diversity index to measure the probability that two randomly selected individuals belong to different racial or ethnic groups. In Shirley, that probability was 55.6% in 2020 and 59.9% in the most recent ACS estimates.

Shirley is ranked the 51st most populous place in New York, out of 1,291 places. This ranking is based on the Census definition of a place, which includes incorporated places like cities, towns, and villages, as well as unincorporated census-designated places (CDPs). Shirley was ranked the 63rd most populous place in the 2020 Census.

Shirley's White Population

15,543 residents of Shirley, or 54.8% of the population, identify as White. The share of White residents in Shirley is comparable to the share in New York overall, where 52.8% of the population is White. Shirley ranks 1119th statewide in terms of White residents as a share of the population, out of 1,291 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Shirley's White population has declined by an estimated 4.5%. White residents' share of Shirley's population has decreased from 61.7% to 54.8%.

Shirley is less White than neighboring Mastic (61.2% White), Brookhaven (74.9% White), Mastic Beach (62.4% White), Moriches (78.6% White), and Yaphank (81.3% White).

Shirley's Black Population

2,068 residents of Shirley, or 7.3% of the population, identify as Black. The share of Black residents in Shirley is lower than in New York overall, where 13.4% of the population is Black. Shirley ranks 182nd statewide in terms of Black residents as a share of the population, out of 1,291 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Shirley's Black population has grown by an estimated 8.4%. Black residents' share of Shirley's population has remained roughly unchanged at 7.3%.

Shirley is more Black than neighboring Mastic (5.4% Black), and Yaphank (4.7% Black). Shirley is less Black than neighboring Brookhaven (10% Black), Mastic Beach (12.6% Black), and Moriches (11.8% Black).

Shirley's Asian Population

1,201 residents of Shirley, or 4.2% of the population, identify as Asian. The share of Asian residents in Shirley is slightly lower than in New York overall, where 9% of the population is Asian. Shirley ranks 400th statewide in terms of Asian residents as a share of the population, out of 1,291 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Shirley's Asian population has grown by an estimated 65.9%. Asian residents' share of Shirley's population has increased from 2.7% to 4.2%.

Shirley is more Asian than neighboring Mastic (1.3% Asian), Brookhaven (0.2% Asian), Mastic Beach (2.9% Asian), Moriches (0.3% Asian), and Yaphank (1.4% Asian).

Shirley's Hispanic Population

8,636 residents of Shirley, or 30.4% of the population, identify as Hispanic. The share of Hispanic residents in Shirley is considerably higher than in New York overall, where 19.8% of the population is Hispanic. Shirley ranks 98th statewide in terms of Hispanic residents as a share of the population, out of 1,291 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Shirley's Hispanic population has grown by an estimated 39.3%. Hispanic residents' share of Shirley's population has increased from 23.5% to 30.4%.

Shirley is more Hispanic than neighboring Mastic (29.6% Hispanic), Brookhaven (11.9% Hispanic), Mastic Beach (16.8% Hispanic), Moriches (6% Hispanic), and Yaphank (10.7% Hispanic).

Shirley's Native American/Other Population

46 residents of Shirley, or 0.2% of the population, identify as American Indian/Alaska Native/Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander/Other. The share of Native American/Other residents in Shirley is comparable to the share in New York overall, where 1.2% of the population is Native American/Other. Shirley ranks 274th statewide in terms of Native American/Other residents as a share of the population, out of 1,291 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Shirley's Native American/Other population has declined by an estimated 82.8%. Native American/Other residents' share of Shirley's population has decreased from 1.0% to 0.2%.

Shirley is more Native American/Other than neighboring Mastic (0.1% Native American/Other), and Mastic Beach (0.1% Native American/Other). Shirley is less Native American/Other than neighboring Moriches (0.4% Native American/Other), and Yaphank (0.3% Native American/Other).

Shirley's Multiracial Population

881 residents of Shirley, or 3.1% of the population, identify as Multiracial. The share of Multiracial residents in Shirley is comparable to the share in New York overall, where 3.8% of the population is Multiracial. Shirley ranks 523rd statewide in terms of Multiracial residents as a share of the population, out of 1,291 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Shirley's Multiracial population has declined by an estimated 11.3%. Multiracial residents' share of Shirley's population has decreased from 3.8% to 3.1%.

Shirley is more Multiracial than neighboring Mastic (2.3% Multiracial), Brookhaven (2.8% Multiracial), Moriches (2.9% Multiracial), and Yaphank (1.5% Multiracial). Shirley is less Multiracial than neighboring Mastic Beach (5.3% Multiracial).

Sources: Most recent population estimates are from the 2020-2024 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates. 2020 population counts and map data are from 2020 Census State Redistricting Data. Geographic data are from Census TIGER/Line Shapefiles.