Where does this demographic data come from?

All demographic data comes from the U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS) 5-Year Estimates, which samples about 3.5 million households annually. The 5-year estimates provide the most reliable data for small geographies like municipalities.

What is the difference between Census data and ACS data?

The decennial Census (conducted every 10 years) is a full population count focusing on basic demographics. The ACS is an ongoing survey that collects detailed data on income, education, housing, commute patterns, and more. ACS data is updated annually but represents averages over a 5-year period.

How accurate is this data for small towns?

For smaller municipalities, ACS estimates have wider margins of error because fewer residents are sampled. The 5-year estimates reduce this uncertainty by averaging over a longer period. For towns under 5,000 people, treat specific numbers as approximations rather than precise counts.

Buffalo, NY Population, Income & Demographics 2026

Showing latest census year. Full demographic history available with a paid plan. View plans →

Demographics — 2024 ACS 5-Year Estimatesi

Census

Populationi

276,854

Median Agei

34.3

Race & Ethnicityi

White

42.4%117,470

Black

31.3%86,532

Hispanic/Latino

12.3%33,987

Asian

8.7%24,192

Two or More

4.6%12,640

Other

0.4%1,229

American Indian/Alaska Native

0.3%790

Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander

0%14

Educational Attainment (Age 25+)i

GED/Alternative

6.1%11,352

High School Diploma

20.9%38,551

Some College (<1 yr)

5.9%10,967

Some College (1+ yr)

13.2%24,472

Associate's Degree

9.6%17,814

Bachelor's Degree

17%31,451

Master's Degree

9.9%18,331

Professional Degree

2.3%4,325

Doctorate

1.9%3,537

HS or Higher

87%

BA or Higher

31.2%

Graduate+

14.2%

Housingi

Median Home Valuei

$164,200

Median Renti

$1,046

Tenure

Owner-Occupied

43%51,496

Renter-Occupied

57%68,134

Total Units

136,850

Homeownership

43%

Vacancy Rate

12.6%

Home Values

Under $50K

9.4%4,822

$50K–$100K

17.7%9,113

$100K–$150K

18%9,288

$150K–$200K

13.9%7,143

$200K–$300K

17.7%9,128

$300K–$500K

14%7,214

$500K–$1M

7.9%4,085

$1M+

1.4%703

Rent Distribution

Under $500

6,441

$500–$750

7,275

$750–$1,000

16,536

$1,000–$1,250

14,850

$1,250–$1,500

9,933

$1,500–$2,000

7,773

$2,000+

3,207

Year Built

2020 or later

0.4%587

2010–2019

2.4%3,328

2000–2009

1.7%2,381

1990–1999

2.6%3,569

1980–1989

3.1%4,229

1970–1979

4.3%5,912

1960–1969

5.1%6,976

1950–1959

11.6%15,923

1940–1949

7.6%10,447

1939 or earlier

61%83,498

Heating Fuel

Utility Gas

85.9%102,799

Electricity

9.9%11,791

Bottled/LP Gas

2%2,395

Fuel Oil

0.9%1,125

Other

0.7%854

No Fuel

0.4%461

Wood

0.1%173

Solar

0%32

Economyi

Median Household Incomei

$50,041

Mean Household Incomei

$71,605

Per Capita Incomei

$31,843

Poverty Ratei

25.3%

Unemploymenti

7.3%

Labor Forcei

133,950

Household Income Distribution

Under $10K

9.2%10,952

$10K–$15K

8.2%9,798

$15K–$20K

5.1%6,160

$20K–$25K

4.8%5,778

$25K–$30K

5%6,024

$30K–$35K

4.6%5,458

$35K–$40K

4.2%5,042

$40K–$45K

4.7%5,666

$45K–$50K

4.1%4,901

$50K–$60K

7%8,353

$60K–$75K

10.2%12,242

$75K–$100K

11.1%13,311

$100K–$125K

7.3%8,735

$125K–$150K

4.4%5,267

$150K–$200K

4.7%5,645

$200K+

5.3%6,298

Federally Subsidized Housingi

HUD

The federal government helps low-income families, seniors, and people with disabilities afford housing through several programs. Residents typically pay about 30% of their income toward rent, with the government covering the rest. This data shows how many households in this community receive that assistance.

Subsidized Homesi

15,451

Residentsi

23,207

Avg. Tenant Renti

$420/mo

Avg. Waitlisti

34 months

Programs in this community

Public Housing3,757 homes84% occupied$411/mo rent

Government-owned housing managed by local housing authorities

Housing Choice Vouchers7,735 homes78% occupied$443/mo rent

Rental vouchers (Section 8) that help tenants pay for private-market housing

Project Based Section 83,149 homes77% occupied$383/mo rent

Privately owned apartments with rent subsidies tied to the building

S236/BMIR31 homes

202/PRAC360 homes95% occupied$360/mo rent

811/PRAC122 homes91% occupied$384/mo rent

Household Incomei

Based on area median of $50,041/yr

Extremely low incomeUnder $15K/yr

81.3%

Very low income$15K–$25K/yr

14.3%

Low income$25K–$40K/yr

3.7%

Moderate / aboveOver $40K/yr

0.7%

Who Receives This Housing

71.7% of subsidized households are headed by a single mother

85.1% of subsidized households are minority

27.7% of subsidized households include someone with a disability

38.8% of subsidized households include a senior (62+)

Ancestry & Heritage

Self-reported ancestry groups. Residents may report multiple ancestries, so totals may exceed 100%.

Foreign-Born Populationi

Foreign-Borni

30,14210.9%

By Region

Top Countries

India

1,009

Canada

864

China

677

Mexico

352

United Kingdom

331

Germany

316

Korea

303

Philippines

282

Commute & Transportationi

Workersi

120,738

Avg. Commutei

19.9 min

How People Get to Work

Travel Time to Work

Workforce

Total Employed

124,111

Occupations

Industries

Social Characteristicsi

Marital Status (15+)i

Veteransi

10,673(5% of civilian adults)

Health Insurancei

95.9%Insured

4.1%Uninsured