New York’s female population has surpassed 10.1 million, outnumbering the state’s more than 9.7 million males, according to figures highlighted in a new Women’s History Month graphic based on 2024 1-year American Community Survey estimates.
The data offers a broad snapshot of women’s growing demographic and economic influence across the Empire State, from household leadership and education levels to workforce participation and career concentration.
One of the clearest takeaways is that women represent a major force in New York households. The graphic reports that 22.2% of families have a female householder with no spouse present, underscoring the role women play in supporting and leading families statewide.
The numbers also show that New York women tend to be older on average than men. The median age for females stands at 41.3, compared with 38.9 for males. That age gap may reflect broader social and economic trends, including longevity and family structure, while also shaping demand for housing, healthcare, and community services in different parts of the state.
Education is another area where women are making gains. Among New Yorkers age 25 and older, 43.0% of women have earned a bachelor’s degree or higher, compared with 39.2% of men. That higher rate of degree attainment points to the increasingly prominent role women play in the state’s professional and knowledge-based economy.
At the same time, women remain deeply engaged in the labor market. The graphic shows that 76.8% of women ages 20 to 64 are in the labor force, a sign of strong participation across working-age years. For families considering a move to New York, that statistic reinforces the state’s reputation as a place where women are active across nearly every corner of the economy.
The occupational breakdown reveals where many women are working. The largest share, 22.1%, are employed in sales and office occupations. Another 21.2% work in service occupations, while 19.9% are in education, legal, community service, arts, and media roles. Management, business, and financial occupations account for 17.8%, and 10.1% work in healthcare practitioner and technical fields. Another 8.9% fall into other occupations.
Together, those figures show women’s presence across both traditional and high-skill sectors, from classrooms and hospitals to corporate offices and service industries.
Still, the graphic also points to continued inequality. It lists the current gender wage gap for full-time, year-round female workers at 91.4%, indicating women still earn less than male counterparts on average despite strong educational attainment and labor force participation.
For New Yorkers and those thinking about relocating to the state, the latest numbers paint a picture of a female population that is large, educated, economically active, and central to family and community life. As Women’s History Month shines a spotlight on women’s contributions, the data makes clear that women are not only shaping New York’s present, but also its future.