City profile
Olean, NY
Cattaraugus County · Population 13,738
Olean is a town in Cattaraugus County, NY with about 13,738 residents and a typical home value near $86,000. It is 60 miles from Buffalo, NY, which shapes its climate, healthcare access and amenities.
Climate
Climate type
Four seasons
Winter avg
27°F
Summer avg
73°F
Sunny days / yr
160
Home prices & cost of living
Median home price
$86,100
Typical monthly housing
$578
Cost of living (100 = U.S.)
71
Taxes
- Property tax
- 1.54%
- State income tax (top)
- 10.9%
- Social Security
- Not taxed
- Pensions
- Partly exempt
- Sales tax (state + avg. local)
- 8.53%
FEMA natural hazard risk
Relatively Moderate · county score 82/100
Top hazards: Riverine flooding, Lightning, Landslide
Nearest major airport
61 mi to Buffalo Niagara International Airport (BUF)
Political lean (2024 county vote)
Leans Republican · 34% Democratic / 66% Republican
Community
Population
13,738
Black population
3.0%
County
Cattaraugus County
Detailed crime figures are available for our 201 hand-researched cities.
2025–2026 trends
2026 market trends
- ▸More retirees are leaving NY than arriving, mostly over cost
- ▸Home prices are still rising in 2026 — good for long-term value, less room to negotiate
- ▸Climate/cost risks to check: winter storms, high taxes
Highlights
- About 13,738 residents
- Typical home value about $86,000
- 60 miles from Buffalo, NY
Trade-offs
- Smaller community with fewer local amenities
- Scores for this place are estimated from Census data and the nearest major city
Figures are estimates from public sources (see How we match). Verify before making decisions.