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CITY · 2010 ACS

Buffalo

New York · 261,310 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 $30,043. Population has declined 11% since 2000. Median home value is $65,700. The poverty rate of 29.6% is well above the national figure. Households here earn about 46% less than the New York median.

At a glance
Lower income
below the US median
US median: $52,703
Younger
median age 33.2
US median: 37.2
Less educated
22% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 28%
More affordable
home values down 12%, inflation adjusted
US median home: $225,659
Section 01

Population & growth

Total population
261,310
−11%since 2000
from 292,648 in 2000
1990 – 2025
Population density
6,471 / sq mi
−11%since 2000
from 7,248 / sq mi in 2000
US average: 261
Median age
33.2
−1%since 2000
from 33.6 in 2000
US average: 37.2
Population, 1990 – 2024
249K271K292K314K335K1990201020202024Buffalo
2024277K
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$30,043
−3%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $24,536 in 2000
US average: $52,703
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$19,409
+29%since 2000
from $14,991 in 2000
US average: $27,286
Households earning $100K+
16.1%
+0.4 ptssince 2009
from 15.7% in 2009
US average: 33.3%
Poverty rate
29.6%
+3.0 ptssince 2000
from 26.6% in 2000
US average: 13.8%
Income inequality (Gini)
0.507
US average: 0.461
Workforce by industry, 2010
Information10.5%
US avg: 11.5%
Retail trade9.4%
US avg: 10.9%
Other services7.5%
US avg: 7%
Finance & insurance5.8%
US avg: 5.1%
Public administration5.6%
US avg: 4.9%
Professional, scientific, technical5.2%
US avg: 4.2%
Wholesale trade3.6%
US avg: 7.2%
Transportation & warehousing2.2%
US avg: 3.1%
Arts, entertainment, food2%
US avg: 2.4%
Education & health services0.6%
US avg: 0.9%
Agriculture, forestry, fishing0.1%
US avg: 1.9%
Construction0.1%
US avg: 1.4%
Manufacturing0%
US avg: 0.5%
BARS: THIS PLACE · TICKS: US AVERAGE
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$65,700
−12%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $58,800 in 2000
US average: $225,659
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$646
+8%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $472 in 2000
US average: $853
Owner-occupied
25.7%
−17.8 ptssince 2000
from 43.5% in 2000
59.3% rent
Vacancy rate
18.9%
−0.2 ptssince 2009
from 19.1% in 2009
US average: 12.1%
Owner cost-burdened
28.3%
+0.2 ptssince 2009
from 28.1% in 2009
US average: 30.9%
Renter cost-burdened
55.1%
+2.1 ptssince 2009
from 53.0% in 2009
US average: 46.8%
Afford Score
2.2
−9%since 2000
from 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)
2010
White, non-Hispanic45.8%(119,801)
Black37.4%(97,637)
Hispanic / Latino10.5%(27,519)
Asian3.2%(8,313)
Other2.8%(7,339)
Diversity Score79.4%(207,531)
Diversity Score
79
+12%since 2000
from 71 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
21.7%
+3.5 ptssince 2000
from 18.3% in 2000
US average: 27.9%
High school or higher
80.6%
+6.0 ptssince 2000
from 74.6% in 2000
US average: 84.9%
Graduate degree
9.3%
+1.6 ptssince 2000
from 7.8% in 2000
US average: 10.2%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
20.2 min
+56%since 2000
from 12.9 min in 2000
US average: 25.2
Drive alone to work
66.3%
+0.1 ptssince 2009
from 66.1% in 2009
US average: 76.2%
Carpooled to work
10.0%
−0.4 ptssince 2009
from 10.3% in 2009
US average: 10.4%
Public transit
13.2%
+0.9 ptssince 2009
from 12.3% in 2009
US average: 4.7%
Worked from home
2.6%
−0.3 ptssince 2009
from 2.9% in 2009
US average: 4.1%
Walked to work
6.2%
Unchangedsince 2009
from 6.2% in 2009
US average: 2.8%
Biked to work
0.7%
−0.3 ptssince 2009
from 1.0% in 2009
US average: 0.5%
No vehicle available
30.1%
+0.6 ptssince 2009
from 29.5% in 2009
US average: 8.7%
Section 07

Work & employment

Self-employed
17.5%
−0.2 ptssince 2009
from 17.8% in 2009
US average: 12.9%
Management & professional
31.0%
−33.8 ptssince 2009
from 64.8% in 2009
US average: 35.2%
Section 08

People & community

Male
47.6%
+0.2 ptssince 2009
from 47.5% in 2009
Female
52.4%
−0.2 ptssince 2009
from 52.5% in 2009
Foreign born
7.0%
+0.9 ptssince 2009
from 6.1% in 2009
US average: 12.8%
Veterans
8.7%
−37.3 ptssince 2009
from 46.0% in 2009
US average: 9.9%
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+158%
Home value$208,600+218%
Population14,808−95%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
BUFFALO VS
Lackawanna
Income$52,110+73%
Home value$140,700+114%
Population19,452−93%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
BUFFALO VS
Cheektowaga
Income$68,613+128%
Home value$185,500+182%
Population76,056−72%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
BUFFALO VS
Eggertsville
Income$82,767+175%
Home value$248,100+278%
Population14,894−95%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
Frequently asked

How many people live in Buffalo, New York?

Buffalo, New York has about 261,310 residents according to the 2010 American Community Survey.

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

The typical household in Buffalo, New York earns about $30,043 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 $65,700, and the typical rent is about $646 a month.

How educated are people in Buffalo, New York?

About 21.7% 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 29.6% of people in Buffalo, New York live below the federal poverty line.

Has Buffalo, New York grown since 1990?

Yes, Buffalo, New York has shrunk since 1990. The population has lost about 66,813 residents, a change of about -20 percent over that period.

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

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