Population & Migration Trends (2025 Analysis)

U-Haul moving truck parked in front of a U-Haul rental and storage facility, symbolizing relocation and moving services. — A U-Haul moving truck sits outside a rental and storage facility-an increasingly familiar sight as Long Island and New York residents continue to relocate in significant numbers, reflecting ongoing domestic migration trends. File photo: Mahmoud Suhail, licensed.

Long Island is home to nearly 3 million people across Nassau and Suffolk Counties, positioning it as one of the most populous suburban regions in the United States. Defined by its dynamic communities, highly ranked school districts, and proximity to New York City, Long Island is a region with both deep historical roots and rapidly evolving demographic trends.

Sitting just east of New York City, the Island’s two counties collectively represent a diverse mix of cultures, languages, and lifestyles – with high rates of homeownership, elevated household incomes, and a population that is aging faster than the nation as a whole. Whether you’re a resident seeking the pulse of your community or a business analyzing local markets, understanding these demographic patterns is essential.

Migration Trends: A Region in Transition

Despite its high quality of life, Long Island continues to experience substantial domestic out-migration, a trend that also mirrors broader patterns across New York State. Over the last several years, more residents are relocating to other states than moving in, particularly to regions with lower taxes and living costs.

Key Migration Flow Data (Most Recent Available)

The downstate suburban area, which includes Nassau and Suffolk, recorded a net domestic outflow of 32,598 residents in the 12-month period ending July 1, 2023 – a population decline of about 0.7%.
(Source: Empire Center analysis of Census Bureau estimates)
Nassau County’s population has declined by about 1% since the 2020 Census, driven primarily by outward migration to other states.
(Source: Newsday)
From 2020 to 2023, Suffolk County has seen a smaller decline but still lost population due to more people moving out than moving in domestically.
Census data shows significant migration from New York to states such as Florida, New Jersey, North Carolina, and Pennsylvania, with Florida leading among destinations.
(Source: Census State-to-State Migration Flows)
While international migration remains positive, helping offset some losses, it has not been enough to fully balance domestic outflows from the region.

These trends illustrate a region at a crossroads: incomes remain high, schools strong, and its suburbs are widely regarded as desirable – but affordability, housing costs, and taxes continue to push many residents, especially younger families and retirees, to seek opportunities elsewhere.

Long Island Population & Demographic Snapshot

(ACS 2019–2023 5-Year Estimates – Nassau & Suffolk Counties)

Key Facts & Details

Item	Long Island (Total)	Nassau County	Suffolk County
Total population	≈ 2,869,980 (Nassau + Suffolk combined)	1,399,944	1,470,036
Share of LI population	—	≈ 49%	≈ 51%
Median age	≈ 43 years (region-wide estimate)	42	44
Total households	≈ 961,583	459,918	501,665
Average people per household	~2–3	2	2
Median household income	— (regional midpoint ≈ $139k)	$149,250/yr	$128,844/yr
Owner-occupied housing share	High homeownership overall	81.8% owner	82.2% owner
Foreign-born population	Strong immigrant presence	23%	≈ 16–17%
Language other than English spoken at home	~27% of LI residents age 5+	31.5%	25.8%

Race & Ethnicity Breakdown

Nassau County: Approximately 59% White, 11% Black, 12% Asian, with the remainder made up of Hispanic/Latino residents and multiracial individuals.
Suffolk County: Approximately 72% White, 6–7% Black, 4–5% Asian, and a growing Hispanic/Latino population now representing over 20% of the county.

Together, the counties reflect a region that is highly suburban but increasingly diverse, especially in Nassau’s more densely populated areas.

Migration Outflow Highlights: Nassau & Suffolk Counties

Metric	Value	Source / Year
Net domestic outflow for downstate suburban region (Nassau + Suffolk)	−32,598 residents (−0.7% of population)	Empire Center analysis of Census estimates (July 2022–July 2023)
Population change – Nassau County since 2020 Census	≈ −1%	Newsday, citing U.S. Census Bureau data (2023)
Population change – Suffolk County (2020–2023)	Decline, but smaller than Nassau	Newsday, citing U.S. Census Bureau data (2023)
Top destination states for residents leaving NY	Florida, New Jersey, North Carolina, Pennsylvania	U.S. Census: State-to-State Migration Flows (latest available)
International vs domestic migration impact	International inflow does not offset domestic outflow	Census / Empire Center summary

A Region of Contrast and Change

Long Island remains a region defined by economic strength, stable community structures, and cultural diversity. However, the contrast between strong local fundamentals (like high median income and homeownership) and steady population outflow reflects a deeper challenge for policymakers and community leaders.

As affordability pressures rise and migration patterns shift, Long Island’s future will increasingly depend on how government, developers, employers, and residents respond to the demographic signals now emerging. This updated snapshot brings those trends into focus and will be updated over time as new data becomes available.