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CITY

Tonawanda

New York · 14,848 residents (2025 est.) · 3.803 sq mi
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The short version

Tonawanda has notably lower household income than the US average, with a median household income of $58,326. Population has declined 7% since 2000. Median home value has more than doubled since 2000, reaching $173,600. Households here earn about 32% less than the New York median.

At a glance
Lower income
below the US median
US median: $82,259
Older
median age 43.5
US median: 38.9
Less educated
28% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 36%
Less affordable
home values up 30%, inflation adjusted
US median home: $376,019
Section 01

Population & growth

Total population
15,030
−7%since 2000
from 16,136 in 2000
1990 – 2025
Population density
3,952 / sq mi
−7%since 2000
from 4,243 / sq mi in 2000
US average: 281
Median age
43.5
+12%since 2000
from 38.9 in 2000
US average: 38.9

PEP 2025 EST:14,848 residents (Census Bureau Vintage 2025, released March 2026)

Population, 1990 – 2024
15K15K16K17K18K1990201020202024Tonawanda
202415K
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$58,326
−15%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $37,523 in 2000
US average: $82,259
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$36,905
+96%since 2000
from $18,789 in 2000
US average: $44,673
Households earning $100K+
39.3%
+15.0 ptssince 2009
from 24.4% in 2009
US average: 53.3%
Poverty rate
13.8%
+6.8 ptssince 2000
from 7.1% in 2000
US average: 12.5%
Income inequality (Gini)
0.436
+9%since 2010
from 0.400 in 2010
US average: 0.476
Workforce by industry, 2024
Information12.1%
US avg: 10.8%
Retail trade10.8%
US avg: 9.9%
Other services8.8%
US avg: 6.7%
Public administration8.7%
US avg: 4.8%
Wholesale trade6.5%
US avg: 6.9%
Finance & insurance3.6%
US avg: 5.9%
Professional, scientific, technical3.3%
US avg: 5.1%
Transportation & warehousing1.8%
US avg: 2.2%
Arts, entertainment, food0.9%
US avg: 1.9%
Agriculture, forestry, fishing0.4%
US avg: 1.6%
Construction0.4%
US avg: 1.2%
Education & health services0.3%
US avg: 0.9%
Manufacturing0%
US avg: 0.4%
BARS: THIS PLACE · TICKS: US AVERAGE
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$173,600
+30%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $73,100 in 2000
US average: $376,019
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$835
−1%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $461 in 2000
US average: $1,442
Owner-occupied
73.2%
+0.7 ptssince 2000
from 72.5% in 2000
26.8% rent
Vacancy rate
4.4%
−2.7 ptssince 2009
from 7.1% in 2009
US average: 10.0%
Owner cost-burdened
18.6%
−2.5 ptssince 2009
from 21.1% in 2009
US average: 22.9%
Renter cost-burdened
47.8%
+9.5 ptssince 2009
from 38.4% in 2009
US average: 47.4%
Afford Score
3.0
+53%since 2000
from 1.9 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Gentrification Score
59
RELATED:See current rent listings in Tonawanda on RentDataNow
Section 04

Race & ethnicity

2000
White, non-Hispanic97.5%(15,726)
Black0.4%(59)
Hispanic / Latino0.9%(144)
Asian0.4%(63)
Other0%
Diversity Score4.1%(663)
2024
White, non-Hispanic90.7%(13,627)
Black0.6%(94)
Hispanic / Latino4.5%(672)
Asian1.8%(266)
Other2.5%(371)
Diversity Score21.9%(3,288)
Diversity Score
22
+432%since 2000
from 4 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
28.5%
+14.8 ptssince 2000
from 13.7% in 2000
US average: 35.6%
High school or higher
92.0%
+6.8 ptssince 2000
from 85.2% in 2000
US average: 89.6%
Graduate degree
11.2%
+7.2 ptssince 2000
from 4.0% in 2000
US average: 14.0%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
22.7 min
+98%since 2000
from 11.5 min in 2000
US average: 26.5
Drive alone to work
69.0%
−16.6 ptssince 2009
from 85.6% in 2009
US average: 68.9%
Carpooled to work
11.5%
+3.1 ptssince 2009
from 8.4% in 2009
US average: 8.5%
Public transit
0.7%
−0.4 ptssince 2009
from 1.1% in 2009
US average: 3.2%
Worked from home
16.4%
+15.4 ptssince 2009
from 1.1% in 2009
US average: 15.0%
Walked to work
0.5%
−1.2 ptssince 2009
from 1.8% in 2009
US average: 2.4%
Biked to work
0.9%
+0.1 ptssince 2009
from 0.8% in 2009
US average: 0.4%
No vehicle available
12.1%
+4.1 ptssince 2009
from 8.0% in 2009
US average: 8.3%
Section 07

Work & employment

Unemployment rate
6.2%
−1.7 ptssince 2011
from 7.9% in 2011
US average: 5.2%
Labor force participation
61.2%
−5.4 ptssince 2011
from 66.6% in 2011
US average: 63.5%
Self-employed
21.5%
+7.1 ptssince 2009
from 14.4% in 2009
US average: 13.1%
Management & professional
41.9%
−21.3 ptssince 2009
from 63.2% in 2009
US average: 42.5%
Section 08

People & community

Male
50.8%
+1.4 ptssince 2009
from 49.4% in 2009
Female
49.2%
−1.4 ptssince 2009
from 50.6% in 2009
Foreign born
8.1%
+5.5 ptssince 2009
from 2.7% in 2009
US average: 14.1%
Veterans
6.8%
−41.4 ptssince 2009
from 48.2% in 2009
US average: 6.2%
With a disability
16.4%
+4.1 ptssince 2012
from 12.3% in 2012
US average: 13.3%
Uninsured
2.6%
−90.4 ptssince 2013
from 93.0% in 2013
US average: 8.4%
Broadband at home
91.5%
+13.5 ptssince 2017
from 78.0% in 2017
US average: 91.0%
English only at home
92.7%
−2.7 ptssince 2016
from 95.4% in 2016
US average: 77.7%
Spanish at home
0.2%
−2.0 ptssince 2016
from 2.2% in 2016
US average: 13.6%
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Compare Tonawanda to nearby cities

TONAWANDA VS
Tonawanda
Income$77,679+33%
Home value$215,200+24%
Population56,806+283%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
TONAWANDA VS
North Tonawanda
Income$66,961+15%
Home value$197,200+14%
Population29,806+101%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
TONAWANDA VS
Kenmore
Income$77,639+33%
Home value$208,600+20%
Population14,808same
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
TONAWANDA VS
Eggertsville
Income$82,767+42%
Home value$248,100+43%
Population14,894same
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
Frequently asked

How many people live in Tonawanda, New York?

Tonawanda, New York has about 15,030 residents according to the 2024 American Community Survey.

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

The typical household in Tonawanda, New York earns about $58,326 a year. Half of households make more than that, and half make less.

Is Tonawanda, New York expensive?

In Tonawanda, New York, the median home is worth about $173,600, and the typical rent is about $835 a month.

How educated are people in Tonawanda, New York?

About 28.5% of adults age 25 and over in Tonawanda, New York hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

What is the poverty rate in Tonawanda, New York?

About 13.8% of people in Tonawanda, New York live below the federal poverty line.

Has Tonawanda, New York grown since 1990?

Yes, Tonawanda, New York has shrunk since 1990. The population has lost about 2,254 residents, a change of about -13 percent over that period.

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

How we source and harmonize this data →