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CITY · 1990 CENSUS

Buffalo

New York · 328,123 residents · 40.379 sq mi
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The short version

Buffalo has notably lower household income than the US average, with a median household income of $18,482. Population has held roughly steady since 2000. Median home value is $46,600. The poverty rate of 25.6% is well above the national figure. Households here earn about 44% less than the New York median.

At a glance
Lower income
below the US median
US median: $30,130
Mid-age
median age 32.1
US median: 33.0
Less educated
16% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 20%
Stable housing
home values roughly flat, inflation adjusted
US median home: $93,722
Section 01

Population & growth

Total population
328,123
+12%vs 2000
vs 292,648 in 2000
1990 – 2025
Population density
8,126 / sq mi
+12%vs 2000
vs 7,248 / sq mi in 2000
US average: 221
Median age
32.1
−4%vs 2000
vs 33.6 in 2000
US average: 33.0
Population, 1990 – 2024
249K271K292K314K335K1990201020202024Buffalo
2024277K
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$18,482
−1%inflation adjusted, since 2000
vs $24,536 in 2000
US average: $30,130
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$10,445
−30%vs 2000
vs $14,991 in 2000
US average: $14,340
Poverty rate
25.6%
−1.0 ptsvs 2000
vs 26.6% in 2000
US average: 13.2%
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$46,600
+4%inflation adjusted, since 2000
vs $58,800 in 2000
US average: $93,722
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$352
−2%inflation adjusted, since 2000
vs $472 in 2000
US average: $450
Owner-occupied
43.2%
−0.3 ptsvs 2000
vs 43.5% in 2000
56.8% rent
Afford Score
2.5
+5%vs 2000
vs 2.4 in 2000
1990 – 2024
RELATED:See current rent listings in Buffalo on RentDataNow
Section 04

Race & ethnicity

2000
White, non-Hispanic51.8%(151,450)
Black36.6%(107,066)
Hispanic / Latino7.5%(22,076)
Asian1.4%(4,045)
Other0%
Diversity Score71.1%(208,213)
1990
White, non-Hispanic64.7%(212,208)
Black30.7%(100,767)
Hispanic / Latino4.7%(15,287)
Asian0.9%(3,112)
Other3.7%(12,036)
Diversity Score66.1%(216,870)
Diversity Score
66
−7%vs 2000
vs 71 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
16.0%
−2.2 ptsvs 2000
vs 18.3% in 2000
US average: 20.3%
High school or higher
67.3%
−7.4 ptsvs 2000
vs 74.6% in 2000
US average: 75.2%
Graduate degree
6.6%
−1.2 ptsvs 2000
vs 7.8% in 2000
US average: 7.1%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
17.6 min
+36%vs 2000
vs 12.9 min in 2000
US average: 21.9
Section 07

Work & employment

No data for the years selected.

Section 08

People & community

No data for the years selected.

Explore

Neighborhoods in Buffalo

Abbott McKinleyAllenBabcockBlack RockBroadway-FillmoreBryantDelaware-West FerryEmersonForestFront ParkGenesee MoselleGrant FerryGriderHamlin ParkKaisertownKenfieldKensingtonLakeviewLaSalleLeroyLovejoyMLK ParkNorth ParkRiverside ParkSchiller ParkTifftUniversityWillert ParkNeighborhoods in Buffalo
Drill deeper

Places similar to Buffalo

Toledo
Pop 263,423
Baton Rouge
Pop 222,795
Newark
Pop 323,808
Cincinnati
Pop 314,367
Places similar to Buffalo
Head to head

Compare Buffalo to nearby cities

BUFFALO VS
Kenmore
Income$77,639+320%
Home value$208,600+348%
Population14,808−95%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
BUFFALO VS
Lackawanna
Income$52,110+182%
Home value$140,700+202%
Population19,452−93%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
BUFFALO VS
Cheektowaga
Income$68,613+271%
Home value$185,500+298%
Population76,056−72%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
BUFFALO VS
Eggertsville
Income$82,767+348%
Home value$248,100+432%
Population14,894−95%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
Frequently asked

How many people live in Buffalo, New York?

Buffalo, New York has about 328,123 residents according to the 1990 Census.

What is the median household income in Buffalo, New York?

The typical household in Buffalo, New York earns about $18,482 a year. Half of households make more than that, and half make less.

Is Buffalo, New York expensive?

In Buffalo, New York, the median home is worth about $46,600, and the typical rent is about $352 a month.

How educated are people in Buffalo, New York?

About 16.0% of adults age 25 and over in Buffalo, New York hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

What is the poverty rate in Buffalo, New York?

About 25.6% of people in Buffalo, New York live below the federal poverty line.

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DATA: US CENSUS BUREAU ACS 5-YEAR + DECENNIAL CENSUS · UPDATED 2024

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