Relatively poor, rural counties upstate have the greatest equity in wealth. There isn't a lot of very wealthy people -- most people just make enough to get by in these counties. Steuben County, home of Watkins Glen and the southern Finger Lakes has the lowest GINI index of any county in New York.
With the exception of the South End and Arbor Hill, most of Albany County is quite white. This map shows the percentage of population from the 2010 US Census that identifies as "white" as their single race.
You are most likely to find people reporting French Canadian Ancestry in the areas nearest to the Canada border in New York State.
ACS 2015-2010 5 Year Average, B04006, PEOPLE REPORTING ANCESTRY, Universe: Total population
Data Source: US Census Bureau.
Downstate New York is much wealthier in general compared to Upstate NY.
Data Source: US Census Bureau. MEDIAN INCOME IN THE PAST 12 MONTHS (IN 2019 INFLATION-ADJUSTED DOLLARS). Survey/Program: American Community Survey, TableID: S1903. Census Tracts.
This map based on 2007-2011 American Community Survey shows which percentage of residents commute out of state for work. Mostly it's people living on Census Tracts near other states, especially near major highways and bridges.
This interactive map shows the percentage of the population over age 25 which lacks a High School Diploma in New York State. Cooler colors mean a lower percentage of adults without high school diplomas, a warmer color means more adults without high school diplomas.
Data Source: US Census, Educational Attainment by Census Tract. http://factfinder.census.gov/faces/nav/jsf/pages/searchresults.xhtml?refresh=t