New York: government, population and official figures

New York is a state of the United States, number 4 of 51 by population. New York had an estimated 20,002,427 residents on 1 July 2025, 5.9% of the population of the 50 states and DC; 4th largest of 51. In the year to 1 July 2025 the population grew by 0.01%, 6th slowest-growing of 51.

Who runs New York?

The governor is Kathy Hochul. Governor's office. Phone: 1-518-474-8390. Address: NYS State Capitol Building Albany , NY 12224.

In depth

• Economy, jobs and prices in New York: The economy of New York (gross domestic product) was worth $2.47 trillion in 2025 at current prices, 8.0% of the US total of $30.86 trillion; 3rd largest of 51. In current dollars it was up 5.9% on 2024.
• Health in New York: Life expectancy at birth in New York was 79.5 years in 2022, 4th longest among the 50 states and DC (U.S.: 77.5 years), according to NCHS state life tables.
• Education in New York: 86.7% of public high school students in New York graduated within four years of starting ninth grade in the 2021-22 school year (the adjusted cohort graduation rate); 24th highest among the 49 states (including DC) with data (U.S.: 86.6%).
• Poverty and living standards in New York: The Census Bureau estimates that 14.0% of people in New York lived below the federal poverty line in 2024, about 2,702,081 people; 10th highest among the 50 states and DC (U.S.: 12.1%).
• Government budget and revenue in New York: New York's state government took in $262.6 billion in fiscal year 2024, $13,131 per resident, 7th highest of 50 states per person (all states: $9,318 per person). The total includes taxes, federal funds, charges and pension-fund investment income.

Official bodies in New York

• New York
• Department of Agriculture & Markets
• Social Services
• Consumer Protection
• Department of Corrections and Community Supervision
• Local governments
• District Attorney's Office
• Education Department
• Board of Elections
• Homeland Security and Emergency Management
• Department of Health
• Motor Vehicles
• Office of the Attorney General

Largest cities in New York

1. New York 8,584,629 (2025)
2. Buffalo 274,613 (2025)
3. Yonkers 212,603 (2025)
4. Rochester 206,108 (2025)
5. Syracuse 144,896 (2025)
6. Albany 101,698 (2025)
7. New Rochelle 85,864 (2025)
8. Mount Vernon 72,304 (2025)
9. Schenectady 69,471 (2025)
10. Utica 62,978 (2025)
11. White Plains 62,871 (2025)
12. Hempstead 59,819 (2025)
13. Troy 50,912 (2025)

How states are governed in the United States

States (50). Governor and state legislature directly elected. Hold all powers not given to the federal government (10th Amendment); create and control local governments.

Every tier of government in the United States

Other states of the United States

• California 39,355,309
• Texas 31,709,821
• Florida 23,462,518
• Pennsylvania 13,059,432
• Illinois 12,719,141
• Ohio 11,900,510
• Georgia 11,302,748
• North Carolina 11,197,968
• Michigan 10,127,884
• New Jersey 9,548,215
• Virginia 8,880,107
• Washington 8,001,020
• Arizona 7,623,818
• Tennessee 7,315,076
• Massachusetts 7,154,084
• Indiana 6,973,333
• Missouri 6,270,541
• Maryland 6,265,347
• Colorado 6,012,561
• Wisconsin 5,972,787
• Minnesota 5,830,405
• South Carolina 5,570,274
• Alabama 5,193,088
• Louisiana 4,618,189
• Kentucky 4,606,864
• Oregon 4,273,586
• Oklahoma 4,123,288
• Connecticut 3,688,496
• Utah 3,538,904
• Nevada 3,282,188
• Iowa 3,238,387
• Arkansas 3,114,791
• Kansas 2,977,220
• Mississippi 2,954,160
• New Mexico 2,125,498
• Idaho 2,029,733
• Nebraska 2,018,006
• West Virginia 1,766,147
• Hawaii 1,432,820
• New Hampshire 1,415,342
• Maine 1,414,874
• Montana 1,144,694
• Rhode Island 1,114,521
• Delaware 1,059,952
• South Dakota 935,094
• North Dakota 799,358
• Alaska 737,270
• District of Columbia 693,645
• Vermont 644,663
• Wyoming 588,753

Up a level: the United States · government and power in the United States · cities

Sources

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