Buffalo-Cheektowaga, NY Metro Area

Buffalo-Cheektowaga, NY · Metro Area

1,161,343Population

A metropolitan statistical area of 2 counties, part of the Buffalo-Cheektowaga-Olean, NY combined area. The counties are tied together by commuting: people live in one and work in another.

Median household income: $72,237
Median home value: $226,100
Land area: 1,565 sq mi

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Counties in this metro area

Central counties hold the urban core; outlying counties are linked to it by commuting.

County	Role	Population	Median income	Median home value
Erie County, NY	Central	950,622	$72,839	$233,800
Niagara County, NY	Central	210,721	$69,633	$189,800

Largest cities and towns

88 places in our city pages lie in this area; the 25 largest are shown.

Place	Type	Population	Median income
Buffalo, NY	City	276,854	$50,041
Amherst, NY	Town	130,546	$93,483
Cheektowaga, NY	Town	88,989	$69,239
Cheektowaga (CDP), NY	CDP	76,056	$68,613
Tonawanda (Town), NY	Town	71,850	$77,673
Hamburg (Town), NY	Town	60,234	$88,651
Tonawanda (CDP), NY	CDP	56,806	$77,679
Niagara Falls, NY	City	47,987	$49,101
West Seneca, NY	Town	45,303	$79,709
West Seneca (CDP), NY	CDP	45,303	$79,709
Lancaster (Town), NY	Town	45,148	$89,080
Clarence, NY	Town	33,097	$124,800
North Tonawanda, NY	City	30,198	$66,961
Orchard Park (Town), NY	Town	29,779	$109,876
Grand Island, NY	Town	21,488	$115,991
Lockport, NY	City	20,610	$62,410
Lockport (Town), NY	Town	20,516	$86,099
Lackawanna, NY	City	19,753	$52,110
Wheatfield, NY	Town	18,549	$93,682
Lewiston (Town), NY	Town	15,788	$78,400
Evans, NY	Town	15,183	$72,467
Kenmore, NY	Village	15,044	$77,639
Tonawanda, NY	City	15,030	$58,326
Depew, NY	Village	15,000	$73,556
Eggertsville, NY	CDP	14,894	$82,767

Also in the Buffalo-Cheektowaga-Olean, NY combined area

Olean, NY · micro · 76,145

Demographic Rates

Poverty Rate

13.8%

Unemployment

5.1%

College Educated

36.2%

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year Estimates (2020–2024) • Table S1701, S2301, S1501

Race & Ethnicity

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year Estimates (2020–2024) • Table B02001, B03003

Income Profile

Median Household Income

$72,237

Mean Household Income

$96,166

Income Distribution

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year Estimates (2020–2024) • Table S1901, S1902, S1903, B19013, B19113

Sex Distribution

Male

48.8%

Female

51.2%

Population Split

Male48.8%

Female51.2%

The sex distribution of a population provides insight into the demographic balance of a community. Significant skews in this ratio can be influenced by local industries (e.g., military bases, mining, or tech hubs), educational institutions, or migration patterns. Understanding this balance is essential for planning public health initiatives and social services.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year Estimates (2020–2024) • Table S0101

Ancestry

German21.2%

Irish15.5%

Italian14.7%

Polish13.7%

English8.0%

French1.8%

Scottish1.5%

African1.1%

Mexican0.8%

Reported ancestry groups representing the cultural heritage of the population. Percentages may not sum to 100% as residents may report multiple ancestries or none.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year Estimates (2020–2024) • Table B04006

Immigration & Nativity

Nativity Status

6.9%Foreign Born

93.1%Native Born

Citizenship Status

Naturalized58.9%

Non-Citizen41.1%

Period of Entry

2010 or Later44.7%

Before 201055.3%

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year Estimates (2020–2024) • Table B05001, B05002

Housing Characteristics

Total Housing Units

541,660

Median Rent

$1,057/mo

Median Home Value

$226,100

Median Year Built

1957

Housing Tenure

Housing Types

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year Estimates (2020–2024) • Table DP04

Education Enrollment

Total Enrolled

260,550

College Enrollment

22.3%

High School

20.2%

College Educated

36.2%

K-12 Enrollment

Higher Education

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year Estimates (2020–2024) • Table S1401, S1501

Transportation & Commute

Mean Commute Time

21.5 min

Drive Alone Rate

73.2%

Public Transit

2.4%

Work From Home

12.5%

Commute Mode

Vehicle Ownership

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year Estimates (2020–2024) • Table S0801, B08141

Age Distribution

Under 18

20.1%

18-34 Years

22.3%

35-64 Years

38.1%

65+ Years

19.5%

Population Composition

Under 1820.1%

18-3422.3%

35-6438.1%

65+19.5%

The age distribution of a community impacts local services, school requirements, and the labor market. A higher percentage of youth suggests a need for schools and family services, while a larger senior population may indicate a retirement destination or a need for healthcare services.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year Estimates (2020–2024) • Table S0101

Household Composition

Married Couples

40.6%

Single Parent

6.2%

Living Alone

34.5%

Avg Size

2.25

Household Types

Married Couples40.6%

Single Parent6.2%

Living Alone34.5%

Household composition offers insights into the social fabric of a community. A high percentage of married couples often correlates with stability and higher household incomes, while a significant number of single-person households may indicate a younger transient population or an aging community.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year Estimates (2020–2024) • Table S1101

Economic Profile

Per Capita Income

$42,074

SNAP Usage

15.4%

Health Insurance

97.1%

Household Income Breakdown

Under $25k16.7%

$25k - $50k18.7%

$50k - $100k29.1%

$100k+35.4%

Key Industries

Manufacturing

11.0%

Retail Trade

11.0%

Education & Health Care

28.1%

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year Estimates (2020–2024) • Table S1901, S2201, DP03

Health & Disability

Disability Rate

14.2%With Disability

Percentage of the civilian noninstitutionalized population with a disability.

Health Insurance Coverage

97.1%With Coverage

Percentage of the civilian noninstitutionalized population with health insurance coverage.

Why this matters: High disability rates may indicate a need for accessible infrastructure and specialized healthcare services. Health insurance coverage is a key indicator of a community's access to preventative care and financial resilience against medical emergencies.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year Estimates (2020–2024) • Table S1810, S2701

Technology Access

Broadband Internet

90.1%vs ~90% National Avg

Computer Ownership

93.9%vs ~95% National Avg

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year Estimates (2020–2024) • Table S2801

Cost of Living & Housing

Cost of Living Scale

Lower is better

95.8

0130

Below average< 97

Near average97 - 103

Above average> 103

Prices compared with the US average (100). 105 means about 5% more expensive than average.

Housing Affordability

Higher is better

172.2

0200

Hard to Afford< 80

Moderate80 - 100

Affordable> 100

100 means a family earning the median family income just qualifies to buy the median-value home (20% down, 30-year loan at 6.72%).

Source: BEA Regional Price Parities · NAR affordability formula with Census ACS 2020–2024 incomes and home values and the Freddie Mac 30-year rate (2024)

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