Wading River, NY Demographics

A map of Wading River's Population by Race

Wading River, New York has an estimated population of 8,359, an increase from the 7,731 recorded in the 2020 Census. The population is 80.4% White, 13.6% Hispanic, 3.8% Black, 1.3% Asian, 0.7% Multiracial, and 0.1% Native American/Other. This demographic dot map shows the population of Wading River, with one dot drawn for each person counted by the Census, color-coded by race.

Wading River has become considerably 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 Wading River, that probability was 28.1% in 2020 and 33.3% in the most recent ACS estimates.

Wading River is ranked the 236th 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). Wading River was ranked the 249th most populous place in the 2020 Census.

Wading River's White Population

6,721 residents of Wading River, or 80.4% of the population, identify as White. The share of White residents in Wading River is significantly higher than in New York overall, where 52.8% of the population is White. Wading River ranks 702nd statewide in terms of White residents as a share of the population, out of 1,291 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Wading River's White population has grown by an estimated 3.2%. White residents' share of Wading River's population has decreased from 84.2% to 80.4%.

Wading River is more White than neighboring Calverton (80.3% White), and Shoreham (79.9% White). Wading River is less White than neighboring East Shoreham (83% White), Ridge (86.1% White), and Baiting Hollow (87% White).

Wading River's Black Population

320 residents of Wading River, or 3.8% of the population, identify as Black. The share of Black residents in Wading River is lower than in New York overall, where 13.4% of the population is Black. Wading River ranks 500th statewide in terms of Black residents as a share of the population, out of 1,291 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Wading River's Black population has grown by an estimated 100.0%. Black residents' share of Wading River's population has increased from 2.1% to 3.8%.

Wading River is more Black than neighboring East Shoreham (1.7% Black), Ridge (2.4% Black), Baiting Hollow (3% Black), and Shoreham (0% Black). Wading River is less Black than neighboring Calverton (7.7% Black).

Wading River's Asian Population

112 residents of Wading River, or 1.3% of the population, identify as Asian. The share of Asian residents in Wading River is lower than in New York overall, where 9% of the population is Asian. Wading River ranks 659th statewide in terms of Asian residents as a share of the population, out of 1,291 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Wading River's Asian population has grown by an estimated 9.8%. Asian residents' share of Wading River's population has remained roughly unchanged at 1.3%.

Wading River is more Asian than neighboring Calverton (0% Asian), Ridge (0.9% Asian), and Shoreham (0.7% Asian). Wading River is less Asian than neighboring Baiting Hollow (3.2% Asian).

Wading River's Hispanic Population

1,140 residents of Wading River, or 13.6% of the population, identify as Hispanic. The share of Hispanic residents in Wading River is lower than in New York overall, where 19.8% of the population is Hispanic. Wading River ranks 412th statewide in terms of Hispanic residents as a share of the population, out of 1,291 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Wading River's Hispanic population has grown by an estimated 65.2%. Hispanic residents' share of Wading River's population has increased from 8.9% to 13.6%.

Wading River is more Hispanic than neighboring East Shoreham (12% Hispanic), Calverton (10.8% Hispanic), Ridge (8.7% Hispanic), and Baiting Hollow (4.2% Hispanic). Wading River is less Hispanic than neighboring Shoreham (16.6% Hispanic).

Wading River's Native American/Other Population

6 residents of Wading River, or 0.1% of the population, identify as American Indian/Alaska Native/Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander/Other. The share of Native American/Other residents in Wading River is comparable to the share in New York overall, where 1.2% of the population is Native American/Other. Wading River ranks 829th statewide in terms of Native American/Other residents as a share of the population, out of 1,291 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Wading River's Native American/Other population has declined by an estimated 82.9%. Native American/Other residents' share of Wading River's population has remained roughly unchanged at 0.1%.

Wading River is more Native American/Other than neighboring East Shoreham (0% Native American/Other), Calverton (0% Native American/Other), and Shoreham (0% Native American/Other). Wading River is less Native American/Other than neighboring Ridge (0.7% Native American/Other), and Baiting Hollow (1.1% Native American/Other).

Wading River's Multiracial Population

60 residents of Wading River, or 0.7% of the population, identify as Multiracial. The share of Multiracial residents in Wading River is slightly lower than in New York overall, where 3.8% of the population is Multiracial. Wading River ranks 775th statewide in terms of Multiracial residents as a share of the population, out of 1,291 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Wading River's Multiracial population has declined by an estimated 74.1%. Multiracial residents' share of Wading River's population has decreased from 3.0% to 0.7%.

Wading River is less Multiracial than neighboring East Shoreham (2% Multiracial), Calverton (1.2% Multiracial), Ridge (1.3% Multiracial), Baiting Hollow (1.5% Multiracial), and Shoreham (2.8% 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.