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.

Tonawanda, NY Population, Income & Demographics 2026

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Demographics — 2024 ACS 5-Year Estimatesi

Census

Populationi

15,030

Median Agei

43.5

Race & Ethnicityi

White

90.7%13,627

Hispanic/Latino

4.5%672

Two or More

2.2%336

Asian

1.8%266

Black

0.6%94

American Indian/Alaska Native

0.1%18

Other

0.1%17

Educational Attainment (Age 25+)i

GED/Alternative

2.9%334

High School Diploma

25.5%2,908

Some College (<1 yr)

7.9%902

Some College (1+ yr)

14.2%1,615

Associate's Degree

12.9%1,466

Bachelor's Degree

17.3%1,968

Master's Degree

8.7%987

Professional Degree

0.5%59

Doctorate

2%228

HS or Higher

92%

BA or Higher

28.5%

Graduate+

11.2%

Housingi

Median Home Valuei

$173,600

Median Renti

$835

Tenure

Owner-Occupied

73.2%5,185

Renter-Occupied

26.8%1,900

Total Units

7,412

Homeownership

73.2%

Vacancy Rate

4.4%

Home Values

Under $50K

3.1%160

$50K–$100K

8.1%422

$100K–$150K

18.2%943

$150K–$200K

38.2%1,983

$200K–$300K

28.7%1,490

$300K–$500K

1.1%58

$500K–$1M

0.5%28

$1M+

1.9%101

Rent Distribution

Under $500

206

$500–$750

566

$750–$1,000

261

$1,000–$1,250

333

$1,250–$1,500

123

$1,500–$2,000

196

$2,000+

Year Built

2020 or later

0.6%42

2010–2019

0.7%49

2000–2009

0.2%13

1990–1999

0.8%60

1980–1989

2.9%217

1970–1979

4.3%316

1960–1969

9.2%679

1950–1959

35.8%2,651

1940–1949

7.9%586

1939 or earlier

37.8%2,799

Heating Fuel

Utility Gas

91.4%6,475

Electricity

6.2%437

Fuel Oil

0.9%64

Wood

0.9%62

Bottled/LP Gas

0.7%47

Economyi

Median Household Incomei

$58,326

Mean Household Incomei

$77,501

Per Capita Incomei

$36,905

Poverty Ratei

13.8%

Unemploymenti

6.1%

Labor Forcei

7,749

Household Income Distribution

Under $10K

6.5%464

$10K–$15K

2.7%194

$15K–$20K

4.9%344

$20K–$25K

4.2%300

$25K–$30K

4.2%298

$30K–$35K

4.7%333

$35K–$40K

7.7%548

$40K–$45K

4.8%341

$45K–$50K

4.6%329

$50K–$60K

7.1%502

$60K–$75K

9.1%646

$75K–$100K

10.7%760

$100K–$125K

9.9%704

$125K–$150K

6.1%429

$150K–$200K

7.2%512

$200K+

5.4%381

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

853

Residentsi

1,162

Avg. Tenant Renti

$443/mo

Avg. Waitlisti

45 months

Programs in this community

Housing Choice Vouchers407 homes77% occupied$456/mo rent

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

Project Based Section 8362 homes94% occupied$436/mo rent

Privately owned apartments with rent subsidies tied to the building

202/PRAC78 homes97% occupied$403/mo rent

Household Incomei

Based on area median of $58,326/yr

Extremely low incomeUnder $17K/yr

75%

Very low income$17K–$29K/yr

21.9%

Low income$29K–$47K/yr

3.1%

Who Receives This Housing

70.3% of subsidized households are headed by a single mother

34.5% of subsidized households are minority

36.5% of subsidized households include someone with a disability

55.6% 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

1,2228.1%

By Region

Top Countries

Poland

147

United Kingdom

Canada

Philippines

Germany

Mexico

India

Korea

Commute & Transportationi

Workersi

7,085

Avg. Commutei

22.7 min

How People Get to Work

Travel Time to Work

Workforce

Total Employed

7,231

Occupations

Industries

Social Characteristicsi

Marital Status (15+)i

Veteransi

837(6.8% of civilian adults)

Health Insurancei

97.4%Insured

2.6%Uninsured