An October 2025 CUNY Latino Data Project Report indicates the Dominican population in New York City has declined by nearly 13% since 2021 as Dominicans migrate to other states.
In 1980 about 50% of all Dominicans living in New York City resided in Manhattan, mainly Washington Heights. Gradually, there was movement to the Bronx and in 2023, 48% of all Dominicans in the city lived in the Bronx and 22% in Manhattan.
The Dominican population in NYC decreased from approximately 761,333 in 2021 to 663,169 in 2024. Professor Bergad Laird of the Center for Latin American, Caribbean and Latino Studies at the CUNY Graduate Center analyzed census data for the recent Latin American report.
The study found that around 100,000 Dominicans left NYC for states like Pennsylvania, Florida, and New Jersey, a move attributed to higher costs of living in New York City. People relocated to where living expenses are lower.
The study confirmed that the number of people immigrating from the Dominican Republic to the United States has remained relatively high from 2011 to 2023. The same Latino Data Project Report forecasts that the Dominican population of New York City will continue to decline in the future.
The study also shows a growing trend for Dominicans in NY to be better educated. By 2023, about 20% held a B.A. degree or higher, compared to only 1.6% in 1980.
9% of the households have income of US$200,000 a year that enables these to afford to live comfortably in the Big Apple.
18 November 2025