Niagara Falls, New York Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Niagara Falls, New York had a total population of 47,987, the 18th largest city in New York, with a median household income of $49,101, which is 43% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 23.7%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
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 2.3x.
- Unemployment rate of 9.6% is notably above the national average.
Niagara Falls Quick Facts
How Niagara Falls Changed
Change from the 2019–2023 ACS period to 2020–2024. These are rolling five-year estimates, not year-over-year measurements.
| Metric | 2019–2023 | 2020–2024 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 48,198 | 47,987 | -0.4% |
| Median household income | $48,535 | $49,101 | +1.2% |
| Median home value | $104,400 | $115,300 | +10.4% |
How Niagara Falls Compares
Median Household Income
Median Home Value
Economy & Housing
Household Income Distribution
Detailed income brackets
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: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Niagara Falls Rankings in New York
Explore New York Rankings
Other Cities in Niagara County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| North Tonawanda | 30,198 | $66,961 | 12.4% | $197,200 |
| Lockport | 20,610 | $62,410 | 15.2% | $139,900 |
| South Lockport | 9,144 | $56,166 | 14.6% | $163,600 |
| Newfane | 3,938 | $77,096 | 13.0% | $151,700 |
| Lewiston | 2,588 | $73,821 | 5.9% | $238,100 |
| Middleport | 1,987 | $67,375 | 7.6% | $115,400 |
| Youngstown | 1,758 | $81,369 | 5.3% | $216,100 |
| Rapids | 1,655 | $121,875 | 5.0% | $294,700 |
| Sanborn | 1,573 | $82,122 | 2.1% | $235,600 |
| Ransomville | 1,564 | $83,400 | 9.5% | $218,200 |
Cities Similar to Niagara Falls
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Binghamton | 47,151 | $45,578 | $124,800 | 30.7% | 32.6% |
| Troy | 51,033 | $58,477 | $206,500 | 37.3% | 23.4% |
| Kiryas Joel | 38,916 | $50,032 | $758,800 | 5.7% | 37.6% |
| Irondequoit | 50,657 | $79,162 | $182,500 | 40.4% | 9.2% |
| West Seneca | 45,303 | $79,709 | $232,800 | 34.5% | 8.8% |
Population Overview
Niagara Falls is a mid-sized community located in New York, within Niagara County. The total population is 47,987. It ranks as the 18th most populous out of 1,289 Census-designated places in New York.
Age Demographics
The median age in Niagara Falls is 40.8 years. This is 3% higher than the state median of 39.8 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Niagara Falls is $49,101. This is 43% lower than the state median of $85,974. It is also 39% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 23.7%. This is 69% higher than the state poverty rate of 14.0%. 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 9.6%. This is 51% higher than the state rate of 6.4%. The median home value is $115,300. Housing costs are 73% lower than the state median of $423,800. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.3x, Niagara Falls is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 58.5% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 8% higher than the state average of 54.4%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Niagara Falls is White (non-Hispanic), making up 62.9% of the population. Black or African American residents account for 17.8%. The Hispanic or Latino population (7.6%) is well below the state average of 19.8%. The Asian population (2.4%) is well below the state average of 9.0%.
Education
22.7% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 43% lower than the state rate of 40.2%. Nationally, 35.7% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 88.8%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Niagara Falls, New York is sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS) 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates. The ACS collects data from approximately 3.5 million households annually and pools five years of responses so that even small communities can be measured, though the margin of error widens as the population falls. Comparisons are made against New York state averages and national averages calculated from the same dataset. Rankings reflect the city's position among all 1,289 Census-designated places in New York. Read more about how these figures are produced on our methodology page, or visit data.census.gov for official data.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the population of Niagara Falls, New York?
Niagara Falls, New York has a population of 47,987 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Niagara Falls, NY?
The median household income in Niagara Falls is $49,101, which is 39% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Niagara Falls, NY?
The poverty rate in Niagara Falls is 23.7%. This means approximately 11,272 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Niagara Falls, New York?
Niagara Falls's population is 62.9% White, 17.8% Black, 7.6% Hispanic/Latino, and 2.4% Asian.
What is the median home value in Niagara Falls, NY?
The median home value in Niagara Falls is $115,300. The home-value-to-income ratio is 2.3x.
How educated is Niagara Falls, New York?
22.7% of adults (25+) in Niagara Falls hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 8.8% hold a graduate or professional degree.