Ulster County Demographics

A map of Ulster County's Population by Race

Race	2024 Pop	2020 Pop	2024 %	2020 %
White	132,160	136,695	72.4%	75.2%
Hispanic	22,264	21,119	12.2%	11.6%
Multiracial	11,579	8,538	6.3%	4.7%
Black	10,362	10,152	5.7%	5.6%
Asian	3,828	3,778	2.1%	2.1%
Native American/Other	2,408	1,569	1.3%	0.9%

Ulster County, New York has an estimated population of 182,601, a less than 1% change from the 181,851 recorded in the 2020 Census. The population is 72.4% White, 12.2% Hispanic, 6.3% Multiracial, 5.7% Black, 2.1% Asian, and 1.3% Native American/Other. This demographic dot map shows the population of Ulster County, with one dot drawn for each person counted by the Census, color-coded by race.

Ulster 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 Ulster County, that probability was 41.6% in 2020 and 45.3% in the most recent ACS estimates.

Ulster County is ranked the 20th most populous county in New York, out of 62 counties. Ulster County was ranked the 20th most populous county in the 2020 Census.

Ulster County's White Population

132,160 residents of Ulster County, or 72.4% of the population, identify as White. The share of White residents in Ulster County is significantly higher than in New York overall, where 52.8% of the population is White. Ulster County ranks 43rd statewide in terms of White residents as a share of the population, out of 62 counties.

Since the 2020 Census, Ulster County's White population has declined by an estimated 3.3%. White residents' share of Ulster County's population has decreased from 75.2% to 72.4%.

Ulster County is more White than neighboring Orange County (57.9% White), Dutchess County (66.1% White), Sullivan County (66% White), and Putnam County (70.9% White). Ulster County is less White than neighboring Greene County (82.8% White).

Ulster County's Black Population

10,362 residents of Ulster County, or 5.7% of the population, identify as Black. The share of Black residents in Ulster County is lower than in New York overall, where 13.4% of the population is Black. Ulster County ranks 23rd statewide in terms of Black residents as a share of the population, out of 62 counties.

Since the 2020 Census, Ulster County's Black population has grown by an estimated 2.1%. Black residents' share of Ulster County's population has remained roughly unchanged at 5.7%.

Ulster County is more Black than neighboring Greene County (4.5% Black), and Putnam County (2.8% Black). Ulster County is less Black than neighboring Orange County (10.5% Black), Dutchess County (9.2% Black), and Sullivan County (8.4% Black).

Ulster County's Asian Population

3,828 residents of Ulster County, or 2.1% of the population, identify as Asian. The share of Asian residents in Ulster County is lower than in New York overall, where 9% of the population is Asian. Ulster County ranks 25th statewide in terms of Asian residents as a share of the population, out of 62 counties.

Since the 2020 Census, Ulster County's Asian population has grown by an estimated 1.3%. Asian residents' share of Ulster County's population has remained roughly unchanged at 2.1%.

Ulster County is more Asian than neighboring Greene County (1.2% Asian). Ulster County is less Asian than neighboring Orange County (2.8% Asian), Dutchess County (3.4% Asian), and Putnam County (2.3% Asian).

Ulster County's Hispanic Population

22,264 residents of Ulster County, or 12.2% of the population, identify as Hispanic. The share of Hispanic residents in Ulster County is lower than in New York overall, where 19.8% of the population is Hispanic. Ulster County ranks 15th statewide in terms of Hispanic residents as a share of the population, out of 62 counties.

Since the 2020 Census, Ulster County's Hispanic population has grown by an estimated 5.4%. Hispanic residents' share of Ulster County's population has increased from 11.6% to 12.2%.

Ulster County is more Hispanic than neighboring Greene County (6.8% Hispanic). Ulster County is less Hispanic than neighboring Orange County (23.9% Hispanic), Dutchess County (15.4% Hispanic), Sullivan County (19% Hispanic), and Putnam County (20% Hispanic).

Ulster County's Native American/Other Population

2,408 residents of Ulster County, or 1.3% of the population, identify as American Indian/Alaska Native/Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander/Other. The share of Native American/Other residents in Ulster County is comparable to the share in New York overall, where 1.2% of the population is Native American/Other. Ulster County ranks 19th statewide in terms of Native American/Other residents as a share of the population, out of 62 counties.

Since the 2020 Census, Ulster County's Native American/Other population has grown by an estimated 53.5%. Native American/Other residents' share of Ulster County's population has remained roughly unchanged at 1.3%.

Ulster County is more Native American/Other than neighboring Greene County (0.6% Native American/Other), Orange County (0.9% Native American/Other), Dutchess County (0.9% Native American/Other), Sullivan County (0.9% Native American/Other), and Putnam County (1% Native American/Other).

Ulster County's Multiracial Population

11,579 residents of Ulster County, or 6.3% of the population, identify as Multiracial. The share of Multiracial residents in Ulster County is slightly higher than in New York overall, where 3.8% of the population is Multiracial. Ulster County ranks 14th statewide in terms of Multiracial residents as a share of the population, out of 62 counties.

Since the 2020 Census, Ulster County's Multiracial population has grown by an estimated 35.6%. Multiracial residents' share of Ulster County's population has increased from 4.7% to 6.3%.

Ulster County is more Multiracial than neighboring Greene County (4.2% Multiracial), Orange County (4% Multiracial), Dutchess County (4.9% Multiracial), Sullivan County (3.6% Multiracial), and Putnam County (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.