Buffalo, NY

Census Place

Add Comparison

2021 Population

276,011

7.9% 1-year growth

US Senator

Chuck Schumer

Democratic Party

US Senator

Kirsten Gillibrand

Democratic Party

2021 Median Age

33.9

1.5% 1-year increase

2021 Poverty Rate

27.6%

2.57% 1-year decrease

2021 Median Household Income

$42,186

6.32% 1-year growth

2021 Median Property Value

$112,900

11.8% 1-year growth

2021 Employed Population

122,838

9.33% 1-year growth

About

In 2021, Buffalo, NY had a population of 276k people with a median age of 33.9 and a median household income of $42,186. Between 2020 and 2021 the population of Buffalo, NY grew from 255,805 to 276,011, a 7.9% increase and its median household income grew from $39,677 to $42,186, a 6.32% increase.

The 5 largest ethnic groups in Buffalo, NY are White (Non-Hispanic) (44.7%), Black or African American (Non-Hispanic) (32.3%), Asian (Non-Hispanic) (6.69%), Other (Hispanic) (5.54%), and Two+ (Non-Hispanic) (3.54%).

None of the households in Buffalo, NY reported speaking a non-English language at home as their primary shared language. This does not consider the potential multi-lingual nature of households, but only the primary self-reported language spoken by all members of the household.

94.8% of the residents in Buffalo, NY are U.S. citizens.

The largest universities in Buffalo, NY are SUNY Buffalo State (2,213 degrees awarded in 2021), Erie Community College (1,735 degrees), and Canisius College (1,064 degrees).

In 2021, the median property value in Buffalo, NY was $112,900, and the homeownership rate was 42.7%.

Most people in Buffalo, NY drove alone to work, and the average commute time was 19.9 minutes. The average car ownership in Buffalo, NY was 1 car per household.

About the photo: Buffalo City Hall at twilight.

Photo by Aneurysm9

United States New York Erie County, NY Buffalo-Cheektowaga-Niagara Falls, NY

Population & Diversity

Buffalo, NY is home to a population of 276k people, from which 94.8% are citizens. As of 2021, 10.5% of Buffalo, NY residents were born outside of the country (29.1k people).

In 2021, there were 1.38 times more White (Non-Hispanic) residents (123k people) in Buffalo, NY than any other race or ethnicity. There were 89.2k Black or African American (Non-Hispanic) and 18.5k Asian (Non-Hispanic) residents, the second and third most common ethnic groups.

Population & Diversity

Citizenship

94.8%

2021 Citizenship

94.6%

2020 Citizenship

As of 2021, 94.8% of Buffalo, NY residents were US citizens, which is higher than the national average of 93.4%. In 2020, the percentage of US citizens in Buffalo, NY was 94.6%, meaning that the rate of citizenship has been increasing.

The following chart shows US citizenship percentages in Buffalo, NY compared to that of it's neighboring and parent geographies.

Diversity

Race and Ethnicity

The 3 largest ethnic groups in Buffalo, NY

White (Non-Hispanic)
123k ± 2.25k
Black or African American (Non-Hispanic)
89.2k ± 2.09k
Asian (Non-Hispanic)
18.5k ± 1.39k

12.2%

Hispanic Population

33.6k people

12.2% of the people in Buffalo, NY are hispanic (33.6k people).

The following chart shows the 7 races represented in Buffalo, NY as a share of the total population.

Global Diversity

The PUMS dataset is not available at the Place level, so we are showing data for New York.

Most Common Origin

Dominican Republic
512,419 ± 17,349 people
China
414,157 ± 15,637 people
Jamaica
233,946 ± 11,806 people

In 2021, the most common birthplace for the foreign-born residents of New York was Dominican Republic, the natal country of 512,419 New York residents, followed by China with 414,157 and Jamaica with 233,946.

Foreign-Born Population

10.5%

2021 Foreign-Born Population

29.1k people

10.4%

2020 Foreign-Born Population

26.7k people

As of 2021, 10.5% of Buffalo, NY residents (29.1k people) were born outside of the United States, which is lower than the national average of 13.6%. In 2020, the percentage of foreign-born citizens in Buffalo, NY was 10.4%, meaning that the rate has been increasing.

The following chart shows the percentage of foreign-born residents in Buffalo, NY compared to that of it's neighboring and parent geographies.

Military

Veterans

Most Common Service Period

Vietnam
3,326 ± 429
Gulf War (2001-)
2,000 ± 409
Gulf War (1990s)
1,831 ± 377

Buffalo, NY has a large population of military personnel who served in Vietnam, 1.66 times greater than any other conflict.

Economy

The economy of Buffalo, NY employs 123k people. The largest industries in Buffalo, NY are Health Care & Social Assistance (23,213 people), Educational Services (14,310 people), and Retail Trade (12,756 people), and the highest paying industries are Management of Companies & Enterprises ($66,417), Public Administration ($64,309), and Utilities ($54,063).

Males in New York have an average income that is 1.28 times higher than the average income of females, which is $70,847. The income inequality in New York (measured using the Gini index) is 0.493, which is higher than than the national average.

Employment

Occupations

123k

2021 Value

± 2,989

9.33%

1 Year growth

± 3.04%

From 2020 to 2021, employment in Buffalo, NY grew at a rate of 9.33%, from 112k employees to 123k employees.

The most common job groups, by number of people living in Buffalo, NY, are Office & Administrative Support Occupations (16,025 people), Sales & Related Occupations (10,970 people), and Management Occupations (9,750 people). This chart illustrates the share breakdown of the primary jobs held by residents of Buffalo, NY.

Unemployment Insurance Claims

Data is only available at the state level. Showing data for false.

This chart shows weekly unemployment insurance claims in New York (not-seasonally adjusted) compared with the four states with the most similar impact.

The most recent data point uses Advance State Claims data, which can be revised in subsequent weeks.

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Industries

Employment by Industries

123k

2021 Value

± 2,989

9.33%

1 Year growth

± 3.04%

From 2020 to 2021, employment in Buffalo, NY grew at a rate of 9.33%, from 112k employees to 123k employees.

The most common employment sectors for those who live in Buffalo, NY, are Health Care & Social Assistance (23,213 people), Educational Services (14,310 people), and Retail Trade (12,756 people). This chart shows the share breakdown of the primary industries for residents of Buffalo, NY, though some of these residents may live in Buffalo, NY and work somewhere else. Census data is tagged to a residential address, not a work address.

Median Earnings by Industry

$35,879

Median earning men ± $1,721

$30,528

Median earning women ± $847

The industries with the best median earnings for men in 2021 are Public Administration ($67,254), Finance & Insurance, & Real Estate & Rental & Leasing ($52,809), and Information ($48,704).

The industries with the best median earnings for women in 2021 are Public Administration ($58,996), Finance & Insurance, & Real Estate & Rental & Leasing ($42,831), and Information ($42,500).

Employment by Industry Sector

Data is only available at the state level. Showing data for false.

Y-Axis

2.75%

Year-over-year growth

Employment change between February 2022 and February 2023

As of February 2023, there are 155M people employed in New York. This represents a 2.75% increase in employment when compared to February 2022.

The following chart shows monthly employment numbers for each industry sector in New York.

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Domestic Trade

Domestic Production & Consumption

Domestic production and consumption consists of products and services shipped from New York to other states, or from other states to New York.

Top Domestic Production in Dollars

In 2020, the top outbound New York product (by dollars) was Misc. mfg. prods. with $158B, followed by Mixed freight ($72.3B) and Electronics ($71.2B).

The following chart shows the share of these products in relation to all outbound New York products.

Domestic Trade Growth

Showing data for New York.

$810B

2020 Value in New York

$1.62T

Projected 2050 Value in New York

100% growth

In 2020, total outbound New York trade was $810B. This is expected to increase 100% to $1.62T by 2050.

The following chart shows how the domestic outbound New York trade is projected to change in comparison to its neighboring states.

Interstate Trade

Interstate trade consists of products and services shipped from New York to other states, or from other states to New York.

Most Common Trade Partners

New Jersey
$65.9B
Pennsylvania
$49.6B
California
$30.8B

In 2020, the top outbound New York domestic partner for goods and services (by dollars) was New Jersey with $65.9B, followed by Pennsylvania with $49.6B and California and $30.8B.

The following map shows the amount of trade that New York shares with each state (excluding itself).

Civics

In the 2020 presidential election, the popular vote in New York went to Joseph R Biden Jr. with 60.4% of the vote. The runner-up was Donald J. Trump (37.5%), followed by Other (0.813%).

Chuck Schumer and Kirsten Gillibrand are the senators currently representing the state of New York. In the United States, senators are elected to 6-year terms with the terms for individual senators staggered.

New York is currently represented by 26 members in the U.S. house, and members of the House of Representives are elected to 2-year terms.

Presidential Elections

Presidential Popular Vote Over Time

Voting results are not available for Buffalo, NY. Showing the available data for New York.

2020 Election Results

Joseph R Biden Jr. (60.4%)
Democratic Party
Donald J. Trump (37.5%)
Republican Party
Other (0.813%)
Alliance, American Solidarity, Becoming One Nation, Constitution, Independent, Other, Party For Socialism And Liberation, Prohibition, and The Birthday Party

In the 2020 presidential election, the popular vote in New York went to Joseph R Biden Jr. with 60.4% of the vote. The runner-up was Donald J. Trump (37.5%), followed by Other (0.813%).

The following chart shows the popular vote results in New York for each registered party from 1976 to 2020.

Senator Elections

US Senators from New York

Senatorial voting results are only available at the state level. Showing data for New York.

Chuck Schumer

Senator from New York

Assumed office on January 3, 1999

Kirsten Gillibrand

Senator from New York

Assumed office on January 26, 2009
Appointed to the seat following the resignation of Hillary Clinton, who had become Secretary of State.

Chuck Schumer and Kirsten Gillibrand are the senators currently representing New York.

In the United States, senators are elected to 6-year terms with the terms for individual senators staggered.

The following chart shows elected senators in New York over time, excluding special elections, colored by their political party.

US Representative Elections

US Representatives from New York

New York is currently represented by 26 members in the U.S. house.

Members of the House of Representives are elected to 2-year terms, and the following chart shows the how the members for New York have changed over time starting in 2008.

Education

In 2021, universities in Buffalo, NY awarded 7,308 degrees. The student population of Buffalo, NY in 2021 is skewed towards women, with 9,580 male students and 14,777 female students.

Most students graduating from Universities in Buffalo, NY are White (4,667 and 65.1%), followed by Black or African American (1,166 and 16.3%), Hispanic or Latino (459 and 6.4%), and Unknown (373 and 5.2%).

The largest universities in Buffalo, NY by number of degrees awarded are SUNY Buffalo State (2,213 and 30.3%), Erie Community College (1,735 and 23.7%), and Canisius College (1,064 and 14.6%).

The most popular majors in Buffalo, NY are General Business Administration & Management (649 and 8.88%), Registered Nursing (598 and 8.18%), and General Studies (467 and 6.39%).

The median tuition costs in Buffalo, NY are $29,134 for private four year colleges, and $7,070 and $16,980 respectively, for public four year colleges for in-state students and out-of-state students.

Admissions & Enrollments

Applicants, Admissions & Enrolled

University

Measure

In 2021 in Buffalo, NY, the percentage of applicants admitted was 82.4%, while the percentage of admitted who enrolled was 15.1%. The number of students enrolled in 2021 was 24,357 (39.3% men and 60.7% women).

The line chart shows the evolution of the percentage of applicants admitted, admitted who enrolled or the number of students enrolled according to the option selected in the upper button.

Enrollments by Gender and Races

Universities

In 2021 there were 24,357 students enrolled in Buffalo, NY, 39.3% men and 60.7% women.

By race, the largest number of students enrolled was concentrated in White with 13,718 records, of which 61% were women and 39% men.

Completions

Concentrations

Most Common

General Business Administration & Management
317 degrees awarded
Registered Nursing
190 degrees awarded
Criminal Justice - Safety Studies
138 degrees awarded

In 2021, the most common concentation for Bachelors Degree recipients in Buffalo, NY was General Business Administration & Management with 317 degrees awarded.

This visualization illustrates the percentage of students graduating with a Bachelors Degree from schools in Buffalo, NY according to their major.

Universities

Gender

Race

Largest Universities by degrees awarded

SUNY Buffalo State
2,213 degrees awarded
Erie Community College
1,735 degrees awarded
Canisius College
1,064 degrees awarded

In 2021, the institution with the largest number of graduating students was SUNY Buffalo State with 2,213 degrees awarded.

Student Diversity

University

In 2021, 2,751 men were awarded degrees from institutions in Buffalo, NY, which is 0.604 times less than the 4,557 female students who received degrees in the same year.

In 2021 the most common race/ethnicity group awarded degrees at institutions was White students. These 4,667 degrees mean that there were 4 times more degrees awarded to White students then the next closest race/ethnicity group, Black or African American, with 1,166 degrees awarded.

Awarded Degrees over Time

The graph shows the evolution of awarded degrees by degrees. Under the paragraphs, the average number of awarded degrees by university in each degree is shown.

Tuition

Average Net Price by Sector

Universities

Private not-for-profit, 4-year or above ($29,134) is the sector with the highest median state tuition in 2021.

Public, 4-year or above ($1,416) is the sector with the highest median state fee in 2021.

Private for-profit, 4-year or above ($1,800) is the sector with the highest average net price of books and supplies.

The graph shows the average net price by sector and year.

Working Population

Educational Pyramid

Data is only available at the state level. Showing data for New York.

Measure

In 2021, 1.52% of men over 25 years of age had not completed any academic degree (no schooling), while 1.63% of women were in the same situation.

This visualization shows the gender distribution of the population according to the academic level reached.

Educational Attainment

Data is only available at the state level. Showing data for New York.

Race

The most common educational levels obtained by the working population in 2021 were High School or Equivalent (4.08M), Bachelors Degree (3.3M), and Some college (2.84M).

This visualization illustrates the percentage distribution of the population according to the highest educational level reached. You can filter the data by race by using the selector above.

Housing & Living

The median property value in Buffalo, NY was $112,900 in 2021, which is 0.461 times smaller than the national average of $244,900. Between 2020 and 2021 the median property value increased from $101,000 to $112,900, a 11.8% increase. The homeownership rate in Buffalo, NY is 42.7%, which is approximately the same as the national average of 64.6%.

People in Buffalo, NY have an average commute time of 19.9 minutes, and they drove alone to work. Car ownership in Buffalo, NY is lower than the national average, with an average of 1 car per household.

Median household income in Buffalo, NY is $42,186. In 2021, the place with the highest median household income in Buffalo, NY was Census Tract 52.01 with a value of $91,438, followed by Census Tract 45 and Census Tract 48, with respective values of $88,231 and $87,500.

Housing

Property

$112,900

Median Property Value 2021

±$2,970

$50,435

Median Property Taxes

±$1,864

The following chart display owner-occupied housing units distributed between a series of property tax buckets compared to the national averages for each bucket. In Buffalo, NY the largest share of households pay taxes in the < $800 range.

The chart underneath the paragraph shows the property taxes in Buffalo, NY compared to it's parent and neighbor geographies.

Rent vs Own

42.7%

Homeownership

2021

62.9%

Homeowners with Mortgage

2021

In 2021, 42.7% of the housing units in Buffalo, NY were occupied by their owner. This percentage grew from the previous year's rate of 41.5%.

This chart shows the percentage of owner in Buffalo, NY compared it's parent and neighboring geographies.

Equity

Income by Location

Use the dropdown to filter by race/ethnicity.

Race/Ethnicity

Highest Median Household Income (Total)

Census Tract 52.01
Census Tract 45
Census Tract 48

In 2021, the place with the highest Median Household Income (Total) in Buffalo, NY was Census Tract 52.01 with a value of $91,438, followed by Census Tract 45 and Census Tract 48, with respective values of $88,231 and $87,500.

The following map shows all of the places in Buffalo, NY colored by their Median Household Income (Total).

Household Income

Please note that the buckets used in this visualization were not evenly distributed by ACS when publishing the data.

$42,186

Median Household Income

± $1,262

118k

Number of Households

± 2,759

In 2021, the median household income of the 118k households in Buffalo, NY grew to $42,186 from the previous year's value of $39,677.

The following chart displays the households in Buffalo, NY distributed between a series of income buckets compared to the national averages for each bucket. The largest share of households have an income in the < $10k range.

Wage Distribution

The closest comparable wage GINI for Buffalo, NY is from New York.

0.493

2021 Wage GINI in New York

0.494

2020 Wage GINI in New York

In 2021, the income inequality in New York was 0.493 according to the GINI calculation of the wage distribution. Income inequality had a 0.136% decline from 2020 to 2021, which means that wage distribution grew somewhat more even. The GINI for New York was higher than than the national average of 0.478. In other words, wages are distributed less evenly in New York in comparison to the national average.

This chart shows the number of workers in New York across various wage buckets compared to the national average.

Transportation

Commuter Transportation

Most Common Commute in 2021

Drove Alone (68.1%)
Carpooled (9.44%)
Public Transit (9.11%)

In 2021, 68.1% of workers in Buffalo, NY drove alone to work, followed by those who carpooled to work (9.44%) and those who used public transit to get to work (9.11%).

The following chart shows the number of households using each mode of transportation over time, using a logarithmic scale on the y-axis to help better show variations in the smaller means of commuting.

Commute Time

19.9 minutes

Average Travel Time

Using averages, employees in Buffalo, NY have a shorter commute time (19.9 minutes) than the normal US worker (26.8 minutes). Additionally, 1.32% of the workforce in Buffalo, NY have "super commutes" in excess of 90 minutes.

The chart below shows how the median household income in Buffalo, NY compares to that of it's neighboring and parent geographies.

Car Ownership

1 car

Average Number

The following chart displays the households in Buffalo, NY distributed between a series of car ownership buckets compared to the national averages for each bucket. The largest share of households in Buffalo, NY have 1 car.

Poverty

Poverty & Diversity

27.6% of the population for whom poverty status is determined in Buffalo, NY (73.7k out of 268k people) live below the poverty line, a number that is higher than the national average of 12.6%. The largest demographic living in poverty are Females 25 - 34, followed by Males 6 - 11 and then Females 18 - 24.

The most common racial or ethnic group living below the poverty line in Buffalo, NY is Black, followed by White and Hispanic.

The Census Bureau uses a set of money income thresholds that vary by family size and composition to determine who classifies as impoverished. If a family's total income is less than the family's threshold than that family and every individual in it is considered to be living in poverty.

Social Needs

Data only available at the state level.

Most prevalent states

California
35,798 individuals
New York
5,087 individuals
Florida
4,915 individuals

In 2017, California had the highest estimated number of chronically homeless individuals in the nation, at 35,798. New York has the second highest (5,087), followed by Florida (4,915).

The following map shows the estimated number of chronically homeless individuals by state over multiple years.

Health

95.9% of the population of Buffalo, NY has health coverage, with 36% on employee plans, 39.5% on Medicaid, 9.16% on Medicare, 10.2% on non-group plans, and 1.02% on military or VA plans.

Primary care physicians in Erie County, NY see 1252 patients per year on average, which represents a 0.239% decrease from the previous year (1255 patients). Compare this to dentists who see 1168 patients per year, and mental health providers who see 285 patients per year.

Coverage

Patient to Clinician Ratios

Data is only available at the country level. Showing data for Erie County, NY.

1,252 to 1

Patient to Primary Care Physician Ratio in Erie County, NY

Primary care physicians in Erie County, NY see an average of 1,252 patients per year. This represents a 0.239% decrease from the previous year (1,255 patients).

The following chart shows how the number of patients seen by primary care physicians has been changing over time in Erie County, NY in comparison to its neighboring geographies.

Health Care Diversity

In 2021, insured persons according to age ranges were distributed in 24.2% under 18 years, 27.7% between 18 and 34 years, 35.4% between 35 and 64 years, and 12.7% over 64 years.

By gender, of the total number of insured persons, 46.9% were men and 53.1% were women.

The following chart shows the number of people with health coverage by gender.

Uninsured People

4.07%

Uninsured

36%

Employer Coverage

39.5%

Medicaid

9.16%

Medicare

10.2%

Non-Group

1.02%

Military or VA

Between 2020 and 2021, the percent of uninsured citizens in Buffalo, NY declined by 6.17% from 4.34% to 4.07%.

The following chart shows how the percent of uninsured individuals in Buffalo, NY changed over time compared with the percent of individuals enrolled in various types of health insurance.