Niagara Falls city, New York Demographics & Population 2026
As of 2026, Niagara Falls city, New York has a total population of 48,198, the 18th largest city in New York, with a median household income of $48,535, which is 43% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 23.7%.
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 43% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
- Housing is very affordable with a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.2x.
- Unemployment rate of 9.7% is notably above the national average.
Niagara Falls city Quick Facts
How Niagara Falls city Compares
Median Household Income
Median Home Value
Economy & Housing
Household Income Distribution
Employment
Housing Overview
People & Demographics
Age Distribution
Race & Ethnicity
Diversity Index
Moderate diversity with one or two groups making up the majority.
State average: 65 | National average: 60
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Niagara Falls city Rankings in New York
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Other Cities in Niagara County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lockport city | 20,699 | $59,153 | 16.0% | $131,800 |
Cities Similar to Niagara Falls city
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Binghamton city | 47,357 | $44,331 | $117,400 | 30.8% | 32.9% |
| Troy city | 51,054 | $57,688 | $192,500 | 36.8% | 23.8% |
| Irondequoit CDP | 50,438 | $76,871 | $169,000 | 40.8% | 8.9% |
| West Seneca CDP | 45,329 | $75,465 | $215,000 | 33.2% | 8.3% |
| Utica city | 64,440 | $51,513 | $133,400 | 21.7% | 27.6% |
Population Overview
Niagara Falls city is a mid-sized community located in New York, within Niagara County. The total population is 48,198. It ranks as the 18th most populous out of 1,287 cities and towns in New York.
Age Demographics
The median age in Niagara Falls city is 40.7 years. This is 3% higher than the state median of 39.6 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Niagara Falls city is $48,535. This is 43% lower than the state median of $84,578. Compared to the national median of $78,538, household income here is 38% lower. The poverty rate stands at 23.7%. This is 73% 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 9.7%. This is 57% higher than the state rate of 6.2%. The median home value is $104,400. Housing costs are 74% lower than the state median of $403,000. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.2x, Niagara Falls city is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 57.5% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 6% higher than the state average of 54.3%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Niagara Falls city is White (non-Hispanic), making up 64.1% of the population. Black or African American residents account for 17.1%. The Hispanic or Latino population (8.0%) is well below the state average of 19.6%. The Asian population (2.3%) is well below the state average of 8.8%.
Education
22.8% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 42% 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 88.6%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Niagara Falls 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 Niagara Falls city, New York?
Niagara Falls city, New York has a population of 48,198 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Niagara Falls city, NY?
The median household income in Niagara Falls city is $48,535, which is 38% lower the national median of $78,538.
What is the poverty rate in Niagara Falls city, NY?
The poverty rate in Niagara Falls city is 23.7%. This means approximately 11,313 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Niagara Falls city, New York?
Niagara Falls city's population is 64.1% White, 17.1% Black, 8.0% Hispanic/Latino, and 2.3% Asian.
What is the median home value in Niagara Falls city, NY?
The median home value in Niagara Falls city is $104,400. The home-value-to-income ratio is 2.2x.
How educated is Niagara Falls city, New York?
22.8% of adults (25+) in Niagara Falls city hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 8.7% hold a graduate or professional degree.