Tonawanda city, New York Demographics & Population 2026
As of 2026, Tonawanda city, New York has a total population of 15,044, the 132nd largest city in New York, with a median household income of $61,619, which is 27% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 12.0%.
Tonawanda city Quick Facts
How Tonawanda 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 less diverse community where one racial or ethnic group represents a large majority.
State average: 65 | National average: 60
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Tonawanda city Rankings in New York
Explore New York Rankings
Other Cities in Erie County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Buffalo city | 276,397 | $48,050 | 27.4% | $152,300 |
| 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 |
Cities Similar to Tonawanda city
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oneonta city | 14,467 | $65,031 | $187,800 | 47.6% | 19.2% |
| Batavia city | 15,494 | $57,150 | $139,700 | 21.9% | 12.8% |
| Fort Drum CDP | 16,124 | $63,194 | N/A | 37.2% | 8.2% |
| Glens Falls city | 14,678 | $70,089 | $195,800 | 33.2% | 11.6% |
| Johnson City village | 15,130 | $51,667 | $110,600 | 29.3% | 19.6% |
Population Overview
Tonawanda city is a small city located in New York, within Erie County. The total population is 15,044. It ranks as the 132nd most populous out of 1,287 cities and towns in New York.
Age Demographics
The median age in Tonawanda city is 42.3 years. This is 7% higher than the state median of 39.6 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Tonawanda city is $61,619. This is 27% lower than the state median of $84,578. Compared to the national median of $78,538, household income here is 22% lower. The poverty rate stands at 12.0%. This is 13% lower than the state poverty rate of 13.7%. The unemployment rate is 6.0%. This is 4% lower than the state rate of 6.2%. The median home value is $159,500. Housing costs are 60% lower than the state median of $403,000. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.6x, Tonawanda city is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 73.8% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 36% higher than the state average of 54.3%.
Race & Ethnicity
Tonawanda city has a predominantly White (non-Hispanic) population, comprising 89.7% of all residents. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 3.4%. The White (non-Hispanic) population is significantly higher than the state average (89.7% vs 53.4%). The Black or African American population (1.3%) is well below the state average of 13.6%. The Hispanic or Latino population (3.4%) is well below the state average of 19.6%. The Asian population (1.9%) is well below the state average of 8.8%.
Education
26.0% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 34% 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 92.3%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Tonawanda 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 Tonawanda city, New York?
Tonawanda city, New York has a population of 15,044 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Tonawanda city, NY?
The median household income in Tonawanda city is $61,619, which is 22% lower the national median of $78,538.
What is the poverty rate in Tonawanda city, NY?
The poverty rate in Tonawanda city is 12.0%. This means approximately 1,795 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Tonawanda city, New York?
Tonawanda city's population is 89.7% White, 1.3% Black, 3.4% Hispanic/Latino, and 1.9% Asian.
What is the median home value in Tonawanda city, NY?
The median home value in Tonawanda city is $159,500. The home-value-to-income ratio is 2.6x.
How educated is Tonawanda city, New York?
26.0% of adults (25+) in Tonawanda city hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 9.8% hold a graduate or professional degree.