Reports

According to the U.S. Census Bureau’s American Community Survey 5-year Estimates, median household income in every county in New York increased from 2019 to 2024. However, adjusting for inflation reveals that for many New York counties, incomes are not keeping pace with expenses, compounding affordability challenges.

This report examines the usage and significance of New York State’s park system, managed by the Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation. Sites saw 86 million visits in 2025. This marks a 10-year increase of 16.7 million visits, (24 percent), or 45,701 more per day, since 2016.

New York lost 500 farms and 100,000 acres of farmland between 2024 and 2025, according to data released by the U.S. Department of Agriculture in February 2026. While the U.S. also experienced losses in this time period, the 1.6 percent loss of farms in New York was double the national rate of 0.8 percent, and the 1.5 percent decline in farmland was five times the national rate.

New York had one of the steepest drops of any state in international tourism in 2025, with overseas travelers falling 3% — a loss of over 176,000 visitors — second only to California. The decline is hurting the state’s economy, as fewer visitors means less spending and a smaller number of jobs in hotels and restaurants.

Over the course of 2025, tariff levels were in flux; 43 executive orders were issued modifying tariffs on specific types of products or on specific countries. In addition, trade agreements were either made or amended which also modified tariff levels. These varying tariff policies injected uncertainty into the economy. As a result of the new policies, U.S. exports declined to over one-third of the nation’s trading partners and to almost one-half of New York’s trading partners in 2025

This report details how vital small businesses are to New York’s economy, generating nearly $1 trillion in sales and revenues with more than 3.7 million employees at over 422,000 establishments in 2023. New York ranked fourth among states in the number of small businesses and third behind California and Florida for its share of small businesses, but trailed the rest of the country in some key metrics, including small business creation and employment.

This report uses federal-state employment and wage data, as well as occupational data and industry outlooks, to discuss the distribution of jobs by industry sector in New York State and the impact that some of the largest sectors have had on 21st-century jobs in the state’s nine economic development regions outside of New York City.

The long-term decline in the number of individuals in State prisons has led to a demographic shift towards an older incarcerated population and necessitates increased attention to policies and costs associated with this population. This report reviews demographic changes in New York’s prison population, changes in prison admission trends and recent policy changes that impact the level of incarceration in the State. Careful evaluation of crime trends, rehabilitation and the heightened healthcare costs for this older population is necessary to determine an approach that protects taxpayers and ensures public safety, while also promoting humane care and reducing incarceration wherever possible.

New York’s Tuition Assistance Program (TAP) has not kept pace with inflation or rising tuition costs since the 2008-09 academic year. Undergraduate TAP recipients dropped by 77,000 (21%), with steep declines among two-year programs (45%), private-sector schools (40%), and the lowest income households (38%). Recent State actions to expand eligibility for TAP helped lead to an increase in TAP beneficiaries in AY 2024-25; however, continued attention to the program is critical as students face mounting debt levels and federal support is reduced.

New York farmers are under increasing economic and financial pressure because of federal policy changes, including higher tariffs, cuts to certain agricultural programs, and stricter immigration enforcement policies. These challenges could diminish farm production, squeeze profits, and lead to higher prices for consumers.

The New Yorkers’ Financial Snapshot brings together recent data from national and State sources to provide an overview of household financial health. This snapshot examines key indicators such as income, assets, debt, and financial stress, offering insight into how New Yorkers have fared in recent years and how they compare to national trends.

New York’s young adults — some members of Generation Z (born 1997-2012) and Millennials (born 1981-1996) — are facing a complex economic landscape, including higher unemployment rates, increasing costs, and larger debt burdens, that threatens their financial well-being. Rising household expenses, particularly for food, housing, and transportation, have outpaced growth in income. These conditions raise concerns about the State’s ability to retain its young workforce, critical for sustaining long-term growth.

The frequency of severe weather in the State is growing, taking a toll on New York’s residents, property and economy. While New Yorkers approved the Clean Water, Clean Air and Green Jobs Environmental Bond Act to support resilience investments, the impacts of climate change are a danger to all Americans and require federal action.

Impacts from the recently enacted federal budget law, upcoming appropriations for federal fiscal year 2026 and executive actions since January 2025 risk undermining the strength and competitiveness of New York’s higher education sector and the social and economic benefits it generates.

This reports analyzes the federal tax provisions enacted under Public Law No: 119-21 and how they may impact New Yorkers. While the bill made permanent many tax changes included in the 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, it includes new tax breaks for seniors and the working class that are largely temporary. These minimal tax benefits, along with the significant cuts in safety net spending included in the legislation, will put a larger burden on New Yorkers trying to make ends meet.

As New York’s older population continues to increase and the federal funding that supports them becomes less predictable, understanding demand for services, how funding has addressed unmet needs and the challenges for fully supporting New Yorkers as they age is vital. This report focuses on programs administered by New York State Office for the Aging (NYSOFA), particularly in-home services. State funding for NYSOFA programs increased over 88%, or $114 million, in the New York State budget for State Fiscal Year (SFY) 2025–26 when compared to SFY 2018–19, yet waitlists for programs persist and data reporting makes it difficult to know how many are still left behind and where. The recent shift and reduction in federal support that will likely affect benefits available to many older New Yorkers make this an opportune time to review the major NYSOFA programs and funding addressed in this report.

New York State’s Financial Plan shows a growing structural budget deficit with a cumulative three-year budget gap of $34.3 billion, as forecasted by the Division of the Budget. The gap is up $7 billion since the January release of the Fiscal Year 2026 Executive Budget Financial Plan, and is attributable to downward revisions to the economic forecast and projected revenues, as well as increases in projected spending. When the projected costs of the federal reconciliation bill are added, the gaps as a share of spending are comparable to gap levels last seen in April 2009 during the Global Financial Crisis.

This report examines healthcare professional shortages in 16 rural counties throughout New York, looking at a range of professionals, including those practicing primary care, dental health and mental health. Shortages exist in all counties examined, and some counties have no pediatricians or Ob/Gyn doctors at all. The ability to access health care is an essential quality of life issue. Without access, rural New Yorkers may have worse health outcomes, and if unaddressed, shortages will get worse.

Proposed federal changes to the Supplemental Nutritional Assistance Program (SNAP), the nation’s largest program helping households obtain food, would increase costs to state governments, limit eligibility and reduce the value of future benefits. As an essential safety net program, SNAP benefits have traditionally been funded by the federal government; the proposed changes could weaken the program and lead to increased food insecurity in New York and nationally.

The State of New York Mortgage Agency (SONYMA) has boosted lending and programs for minority households and economically disadvantaged communities, increasing its share of loans provided to low-income and minority borrowers over the last 10 years, but wide racial and ethnic disparities persist in homeownership in New York. Improvements to data and reporting are needed so that policymakers have better information to evaluate outcomes and consider whether additional actions are needed, given rising housing burdens across the State.