Buffalo, NY

Census Place

Add Comparison

2024 Population

276,854

US Senator

Chuck Schumer

Democratic Party

US Senator

Kirsten Gillibrand

Democratic Party

2024 Poverty Rate

26%

5.15% 1-year decrease

2024 Median Household Income

$50,041

4.14% 1-year growth

2024 Median Property Value

$164,200

7.81% 1-year growth

2024 Employed Population

124,111

1.2% 1-year growth

About

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.

95.1% of the residents in Buffalo, NY are U.S. citizens.

The largest universities in Buffalo, NY are SUNY Buffalo State University (1,495 degrees awarded in 2024), Erie Community College (1,349 degrees), and D'Youville University (835 degrees).

In 2024, the median property value in Buffalo, NY was $164,200, and the homeownership rate was 43%.

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 277k people, from which 95.1% are citizens. As of 2024, 10.7% of Buffalo, NY residents were born outside of the country (29.5k people).

In 2024, there were 1.36 times more White (Non-Hispanic) residents (117k people) in Buffalo, NY than any other race or ethnicity. There were 86.5k Black or African American (Non-Hispanic) and 24.2k Asian (Non-Hispanic) residents, the second and third most common ethnic groups.

Population & Diversity

Citizenship

95.1%

2024 Citizenship

95.1%

2023 Citizenship

As of 2024, 95.1% of Buffalo, NY residents were US citizens, which is higher than the national average of 93.2%. In 2023, the percentage of US citizens in Buffalo, NY was 95.1%, meaning that the rate of citizenship has been decreasing.

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)
117k ± 2.32k
Black or African American (Non-Hispanic)
86.5k ± 2.24k
Asian (Non-Hispanic)
24.2k ± 1.54k

12.3%

Hispanic Population

34k people

12.3% of the people in Buffalo, NY are hispanic (34k people).

The following chart shows the 8 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
492,198 ± 17,010 people
China
414,597 ± 15,642 people
Jamaica
229,554 ± 11,695 people

In 2024, the most common birthplace for the foreign-born residents of New York was Dominican Republic, the natal country of 492,198 New York residents, followed by China with 414,597 and Jamaica with 229,554.

Foreign-Born Population

10.7%

2024 Foreign-Born Population

29.5k people

10.3%

2023 Foreign-Born Population

28.4k people

As of 2024, 10.7% of Buffalo, NY residents (29.5k people) were born outside of the United States, which is approximately the same as the national average of 14%. In 2023, the percentage of foreign-born citizens in Buffalo, NY was 10.3%, 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
2,850 ± 347
Gulf War (2001-)
2,157 ± 450
Gulf War (1990s)
1,809 ± 390

Buffalo, NY has a large population of military personnel who served in Vietnam, 1.32 times greater than any other conflict.

The chart shows the distribution of veterans by conflict in Buffalo, NY.

Health

95.9% of the population of Buffalo, NY has health coverage, with 34.9% on employee plans, 40% on Medicaid, 9.56% on Medicare, 10.7% on non-group plans, and 0.794% on military or VA plans.

Primary care physicians in New York see 1,245 patients per year on average, which represents a 0% change from the previous year (1,245 patients). Compare this to dentists who see 1205 patients per year, and mental health providers who see 265 patients per year.

By gender, of the total number of insured persons, 47.7% were men and 52.3% were women.

Coverage

Health Care Diversity

In 2024, insured persons according to age ranges were distributed in 23.9% under 18 years, 27.2% between 18 and 34 years, 34.9% between 35 and 64 years, and 13.9% over 64 years.

By gender, of the total number of insured persons, 47.7% were men and 52.3% were women.

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

Uninsured People

4.08%

Uninsured

34.9%

Employer Coverage

40%

Medicaid

9.56%

Medicare

10.7%

Non-Group

0.794%

Military or VA

Between 2023 and 2024, the percent of uninsured citizens in Buffalo, NY grew by 10% from 3.71% to 4.08%.

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.

Economy

The economy of Buffalo, NY employs 124k people. In 2024, the largest industries in Buffalo, NY were Health Care & Social Assistance (24,099 people), Educational Services (14,445 people), and Retail Trade (13,016 people), and the highest paying industries were Utilities ($87,069), Management of Companies & Enterprises ($75,577), and Public Administration ($68,557).

Employment

Occupations

124k

2024 Value

± 3,188

1.2%

1 Year growth

± 3.54%

From 2023 to 2024, employment in Buffalo, NY grew at a rate of 1.2%, from 123k employees to 124k employees.

The most common job groups, by number of people living in Buffalo, NY, are Office & Administrative Support Occupations (14,282 people), Management Occupations (10,556 people), and Sales & Related Occupations (10,001 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 New York.

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.

Industries

Employment by Industries

124k

2024 Value

± 3,188

1.2%

1 Year growth

± 3.54%

From 2023 to 2024, employment in Buffalo, NY grew at a rate of 1.2%, from 123k employees to 124k employees.

The most common employment sectors for those who live in Buffalo, NY, are Health Care & Social Assistance (24,099 people), Educational Services (14,445 people), and Retail Trade (13,016 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

$42,996

Median earning men ± $1,792

$36,147

Median earning women ± $1,001

The industries with the best median earnings for men in 2024 are Public Administration ($73,578), Finance & Insurance, & Real Estate & Rental & Leasing ($69,600), and Wholesale Trade ($53,882).

The industries with the best median earnings for women in 2024 are Public Administration ($62,585), Finance & Insurance, & Real Estate & Rental & Leasing ($53,533), and Construction ($51,242).

Employment by Industry Sector

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

Y-Axis

2.74%

Year-over-year growth

Employment change between February 2022 and February 2023

As of February 2023, there are 9.56M people employed in New York. This represents a 2.74% increase in employment when compared to February 2022.

Right after the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, during April 2020, a general dip can be seen across industry sectors, resulting in an overall decline in employment by 19.7%.

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

Civics

In the 2024 presidential election, the popular vote in New York went to Kamala Harris with 55.9% of the vote. The runner-up was Donald J. Trump (43.3%), followed by Jill Stein (0.565%).

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.

2024 Election Results

Kamala Harris (55.9%)
Democratic Party
Donald J. Trump (43.3%)
Republican Party
Jill Stein (0.565%)
Green Party

In the 2024 presidential election, the popular vote in New York went to Kamala Harris with 55.9% of the vote. The runner-up was Donald J. Trump (43.3%), followed by Jill Stein (0.565%).

The following chart shows the popular vote results in New York for each registered party from 1976 to 2024.

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.

Education

In 2024, universities in Buffalo, NY awarded 5,014 degrees. The student population of Buffalo, NY in 2024 is skewed towards women, with 8,915 male students and 13,542 female students.

Most students graduating from Universities in Buffalo, NY are White (2,952 and 61%), Black or African American (799 and 16.5%), Hispanic or Latino (327 and 6.76%), and Asian (289 and 5.97%).

The largest universities in Buffalo, NY by number of degrees awarded are SUNY Buffalo State University (1,495 and 29.8%), Erie Community College (1,349 and 26.9%), and D'Youville University (835 and 16.7%).

The most popular majors in Buffalo, NY are Registered Nursing (458 and 9.13%), General Business Administration & Management (373 and 7.44%), and General Studies (262 and 5.23%).

The median tuition costs are $26,220 for private four year colleges, and $7,070 and $18,190 respectively, for public four year colleges for in-state students and out-of-state students.

Admissions & Enrollments

Applicants, Admissions & Enrolled

University

Measure

In 2024 in Buffalo, NY, the percentage of applicants admitted was 74%, while the percentage of admitted who enrolled was 10.4%. The number of students enrolled in 2024 was 22,457 (39.7% men and 60.3% 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 2024 there were 22,457 students enrolled in Buffalo, NY, 39.7% men and 60.3% women.

By race, the largest number of students enrolled was concentrated in White with 10,488 records, of which 60% were women and 40% men.

Completions

Concentrations

Most Common

General Business Administration & Management
183 degrees awarded
Registered Nursing
169 degrees awarded
General Biological Sciences
84 degrees awarded

In 2024, the most common concentation for Bachelors Degree recipients in Buffalo, NY was General Business Administration & Management with 183 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 University
1,495 degrees awarded
Erie Community College
1,349 degrees awarded
D'Youville University
835 degrees awarded

In 2024, the institution with the largest number of graduating students was SUNY Buffalo State University with 1,495 degrees awarded.

Student Diversity

University

In 2024, 1,853 men were awarded degrees from institutions in Buffalo, NY, which is 0.586 times less than the 3,161 female students who received degrees in the same year.

In 2024, the most common race/ethnicity group awarded degrees at institutions was White students. These 2,952 degrees mean that there were 3.69 times more degrees awarded to White students then the next closest race/ethnicity group, Black or African American, with 799 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 ($26,220) is the sector with the highest median state tuition in 2024.

Public, 4-year or above ($1,463) is the sector with the highest median state fee in 2024.

Public, 2-year ($1,600) is the sector with the highest average net price of books and supplies.

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

Housing & Living

The median property value in Buffalo, NY was $164,200 in 2024, which is 0.494 times smaller than the national average of $332,700. Between 2023 and 2024 the median property value increased from $152,300 to $164,200, a 7.81% increase. The homeownership rate in Buffalo, NY is 43%, which is lower than the national average of 65.2%.

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.

Housing

Property

$164,200

Median Property Value 2024

±$5,446

$51,496

Median Property Taxes

±$1,867

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 $3k+ range.

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

Rent vs Own

43%

Homeownership

2024

62.9%

Homeowners with Mortgage

2024

In 2024, 43% of the housing units in Buffalo, NY were occupied by their owner. This percentage grew from the previous year's rate of 42.7%.

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

Equity

Household Income

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

$50,041

Median Household Income

± $1,988

120k

Number of Households

± 3,000

In 2024, the median household income of the 120k households in Buffalo, NY grew to $50,041 from the previous year's value of $48,050.

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 $75k - $100k range.

Wage Distribution

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

0.492

2024 Wage GINI in New York

0.493

2023 Wage GINI in New York

In 2024, the income inequality in New York was 0.492 according to the GINI calculation of the wage distribution. Income inequality had a 0.301% decline from 2023 to 2024, which means that wage distribution grew somewhat more even. The GINI for New York was higher than than the national average of 0.474. 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 2024

Drove Alone (62.8%)
Worked At Home (11.3%)
Carpooled (10.2%)

In 2024, 62.8% of workers in Buffalo, NY drove alone to work, followed by those who worked at home (11.3%) and those who carpooled to work (10.2%).

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 (26.4 minutes). Additionally, 1.25% 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

26% of the population for whom poverty status is determined in Buffalo, NY (70.1k out of 270k people) live below the poverty line, a number that is higher than the national average of 12.5%. The largest demographic living in poverty are Females 25 - 34, followed by Females 18 - 24 and then Females 35 - 44.

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.