Tonawanda, New York Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Tonawanda, New York had a total population of 15,030, the 131st largest city in New York, with a median household income of $58,326, which is 32% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 13.8%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 32% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
Tonawanda Quick Facts
How Tonawanda 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 | 15,044 | 15,030 | -0.1% |
| Median household income | $61,619 | $58,326 | -5.3% |
| Median home value | $159,500 | $173,600 | +8.8% |
How Tonawanda 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 less diverse community where one racial or ethnic group represents a large majority.
State average: 65 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Tonawanda Rankings in New York
Explore New York Rankings
Other Cities in Erie County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Buffalo | 276,854 | $50,041 | 26.0% | $164,200 |
| Cheektowaga | 76,056 | $68,613 | 10.7% | $185,500 |
| Tonawanda Town | 56,806 | $77,679 | 10.0% | $215,200 |
| West Seneca | 45,303 | $79,709 | 8.8% | $232,800 |
| Lackawanna | 19,753 | $52,110 | 23.2% | $140,700 |
| Kenmore | 15,044 | $77,639 | 9.1% | $208,600 |
| Depew | 15,000 | $73,556 | 9.4% | $196,500 |
| Eggertsville | 14,894 | $82,767 | 14.0% | $248,100 |
| Lancaster | 10,113 | $66,148 | 6.7% | $202,200 |
| Hamburg | 9,792 | $112,292 | 3.0% | $248,600 |
Cities Similar to Tonawanda
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Batavia | 15,097 | $59,446 | $148,900 | 21.5% | 14.2% |
| Johnson City | 14,940 | $56,283 | $117,100 | 29.6% | 19.6% |
| Oneonta | 15,045 | $61,111 | $184,100 | 47.4% | 16.6% |
| Gloversville | 14,962 | $51,556 | $106,400 | 16.6% | 17.6% |
| Fort Drum | 16,065 | $62,291 | N/A | 34.8% | 11.7% |
Population Overview
Tonawanda is a small city located in New York, within Erie County. The total population is 15,030. It ranks as the 131st most populous out of 1,289 Census-designated places in New York.
Age Demographics
The median age in Tonawanda is 43.5 years. This is 9% higher than the state median of 39.8 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Tonawanda is $58,326. This is 32% lower than the state median of $85,974. It is also 28% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 13.8%. This is 1% lower than the state poverty rate of 14.0%. The unemployment rate is 6.2%. This is 3% lower than the state rate of 6.4%. The median home value is $173,600. Housing costs are 59% lower than the state median of $423,800. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.0x. 73.2% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 35% higher than the state average of 54.4%.
Race & Ethnicity
Tonawanda has a predominantly White (non-Hispanic) population, comprising 90.7% of all residents. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 4.5%. The White (non-Hispanic) population is significantly higher than the state average (90.7% vs 52.8%). The Black or African American population (0.6%) is well below the state average of 13.4%. The Hispanic or Latino population (4.5%) is well below the state average of 19.8%. The Asian population (1.8%) is well below the state average of 9.0%.
Education
28.5% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 29% 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 92.0%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Tonawanda, 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 Tonawanda, New York?
Tonawanda, New York has a population of 15,030 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Tonawanda, NY?
The median household income in Tonawanda is $58,326, which is 28% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Tonawanda, NY?
The poverty rate in Tonawanda is 13.8%. This means approximately 2,080 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Tonawanda, New York?
Tonawanda's population is 90.7% White, 0.6% Black, 4.5% Hispanic/Latino, and 1.8% Asian.
What is the median home value in Tonawanda, NY?
The median home value in Tonawanda is $173,600. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.0x.
How educated is Tonawanda, New York?
28.5% of adults (25+) in Tonawanda hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 11.2% hold a graduate or professional degree.