Buffalo city, New York Demographics & Population 2026
As of 2026, Buffalo city, New York has a total population of 276,397, the 2nd largest city in New York, with a median household income of $48,050, which is 43% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 27.4%.
Key Takeaways
- Buffalo city is the 2nd largest city in New York with a population of 276,397.
- Household income is 43% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
- More than 1 in 4 residents live below the poverty line (27.4%), well above the national average of 12.4%.
Buffalo city Quick Facts
How Buffalo city Compares
Median Household Income
Median Home Value
Economy & Housing
Household Income Distribution
Employment
Housing Overview
People & Demographics
Age Distribution
Race & Ethnicity
Diversity Index
A diverse community with significant representation from multiple racial and ethnic groups.
State average: 65 | National average: 60
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Buffalo city Rankings in New York
Explore New York Rankings
Other Cities in Erie County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tonawanda Town CDP | 56,973 | $76,644 | 9.8% | $199,400 |
| North Tonawanda city | 30,338 | $66,774 | 12.1% | $184,900 |
| Lackawanna city | 19,779 | $48,185 | 22.6% | $126,500 |
| Tonawanda city | 15,044 | $61,619 | 12.0% | $159,500 |
Cities Similar to Buffalo city
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rochester city | 209,720 | $46,628 | $120,600 | 29.9% | 26.6% |
| Yonkers city | 209,529 | $81,816 | $478,000 | 35.2% | 14.7% |
| Syracuse city | 146,211 | $45,845 | $125,100 | 30.5% | 29.6% |
| Albany city | 100,081 | $59,485 | $223,000 | 44.9% | 23.4% |
| Cheektowaga CDP | 76,251 | $66,293 | $169,200 | 28.2% | 9.6% |
Population Overview
Buffalo city is a major urban center located in New York, within Erie County. The total population is 276,397. It ranks as the 2nd most populous out of 1,287 cities and towns in New York.
Age Demographics
The median age in Buffalo city is 34.3 years. This is 13% lower than the state median of 39.6 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Buffalo city is $48,050. This is 43% lower than the state median of $84,578. Compared to the national median of $78,538, household income here is 39% lower. The poverty rate stands at 27.4%. This is 100% higher than the state poverty rate of 13.7%. With more than one in five residents living below the poverty line, economic hardship is a significant challenge for the community. The unemployment rate is 7.2%. This is 16% higher than the state rate of 6.2%. The median home value is $152,300. Housing costs are 62% lower than the state median of $403,000. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.2x. 42.7% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 21% lower than the state average of 54.3%.
Race & Ethnicity
Buffalo city is a highly diverse community where no single racial or ethnic group constitutes a majority of the population. Black or African American residents account for 31.8%. The Black or African American population is significantly higher than the state average (31.8% vs 13.6%).
Education
30.3% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 23% lower than the state rate of 39.6%. Nationally, 35.0% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 86.6%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Buffalo city, New York is sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS) 5-Year Estimates (2019-2023). The ACS collects data from approximately 3.5 million households annually, providing reliable estimates for communities of all sizes. Comparisons are made against New York state averages and national averages calculated from the same dataset. Rankings reflect the city's position among all 1,287 Census-designated places in New York. For official data, visit data.census.gov.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the population of Buffalo city, New York?
Buffalo city, New York has a population of 276,397 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Buffalo city, NY?
The median household income in Buffalo city is $48,050, which is 39% lower the national median of $78,538.
What is the poverty rate in Buffalo city, NY?
The poverty rate in Buffalo city is 27.4%. This means approximately 73,660 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Buffalo city, New York?
Buffalo city's population is 42.7% White, 31.8% Black, 12.7% Hispanic/Latino, and 8.2% Asian.
What is the median home value in Buffalo city, NY?
The median home value in Buffalo city is $152,300. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.2x.
How educated is Buffalo city, New York?
30.3% of adults (25+) in Buffalo city hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 13.4% hold a graduate or professional degree.