Buffalo, New York
City Overview
As of 2007, Buffalo's population is 276,059 people. Since 2000, it has had a population growth of -5.67 percent.
The median home cost in Buffalo is $78,500. Home appreciation the last year has been 1.95 percent.
Compared to the rest of the country, Buffalo's cost of living is 22.36% Lower than the U.S. average.
Buffalo public schools spend $9,387 per student. The average school expenditure in the U.S. is $6,058. There are about 14 students per teacher in Buffalo.
The unemployment rate in Buffalo is 5.50 percent(U.S. avg. is 4.60%). Recent job growth is Negative. Buffalo jobs have Decreased by 0.77 percent.
Buffalo SperlingFile
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People
The 2007 Buffalo, NY, population is 276,059. There are 6,794 people per square mile (population density).
Family in Buffalo, NY
The median age is 34.3. The US median is 37.6. 41.11% of people in Buffalo, NY, are married. 10.25% are divorced.
The average household size is 2.26 people. 11.83% of people are married, with children. 16.11% have children, but are single.
Race in Buffalo, NY
50.44% of people are white, 39.41% are black, 1.82% are asian, 0.68% are native american, and 7.04% claim 'Other'.
9.10% of the people in Buffalo, NY, claim hispanic ethnicity (meaning 90.90% are non-hispanic).
Buffalo People SperlingViews
Like to drink?: I have lived in Buffalo for something like 8 years now. Our claim to fame? Chicken wings, and bars on every corner - literally, every corner. Jobs are few and far... (read more)Our friends in Buffalo: Great city but it sure has changed since I was a kid growing up in Toronto, Canada. We use to go there to party and shop but now it's quite the opposite I think. People... (read more)do not listen to the natives!: For some odd reasons, people from here cannot move or seem to come back! I hate it here! I have been stuck here for almost 15 years now and really hope to get out as... (read more)Have an opinion about Buffalo? Leave a commentTo See All SperlingViews for Buffalo Click Here
Economy
The unemployment rate in Buffalo, NY, is 5.50%, with job growth of -0.77%. Future job growth over the next ten years is predicted to be 10.86%.
Buffalo, NY Taxes
Buffalo, NY,sales tax rate is 8.25%. Income tax is 7.13%.
Buffalo, NY Income and Salaries
The income per capita is $16,889, which includes all adults and children. The median household income is $26,910.
Buffalo Economy SperlingViews
What Recession?: I tend to laugh when I read about the recession that is hitting the United States. Buffalo has been in a recession since 1971 and no one seems to care. It is so bad that... (read more)High Sales tax: Erie county sales tax is 9% not the 8.25% listed on Sperling's BestPlaces.... (read more)This is for real.: Buffalo is a dying city by the minute. I have lived here for 30+ years and I am leaving within 5 months going south. The taxes are so high, there is no middle class. The... (read more)Have an opinion about Buffalo? Leave a commentTo See All SperlingViews for Buffalo Click Here
| Unemployment Rate | 5.50% | 4.60% |
| Recent Job Growth | -0.77% | 1.40% |
| Future Job Growth | 10.86% | 11.90% |
| Sales Taxes | 8.25% | 6.00% |
| Income Taxes | 7.13% | 5.02% |
| Income per Cap. | $16,889 | $24,020 |
| Household Income | $26,910 | $44,684 |
| ESTIMATED HOUSEHOLDS BY HOUSEHOLD INCOME | | |
| Income Less Than 15K | 29.85% | 13.64% |
| Income between 15K and 25K | 17.56% | 11.21% |
| Income between 25K and 35K | 13.78% | 11.46% |
| Income between 35K and 50K | 14.31% | 15.84% |
| Income between 50K and 75K | 13.00% | 19.28% |
| Income between 75K and 100K | 5.91% | 11.53% |
| Income between 100K and 150K | 3.81% | 10.70% |
| Income between 150K and 250K | 1.25% | 4.43% |
| Income between 250K and 500K | 0.42% | 1.31% |
| Income greater than 500K | 0.12% | 0.61% |
| POPULATION BY OCCUPATION | | |
| Management, Business, and Financial Operations | 8.51% | 13.61% |
| Professional and Related Occupations | 20.92% | 20.24% |
| Service | 20.98% | 14.75% |
| Sales and Office | 26.99% | 26.74% |
| Farming, Fishing, and Forestry | 0.13% | 0.74% |
| Construction, Extraction, and Maintenance | 5.44% | 9.48% |
| Production, Transportation, and Material Moving | 17.02% | 14.44% |
Housing
The median home value in Buffalo, NY, is $78,500. Home appreciation is 1.95% over the last year. The median age of Buffalo, NY, real estate is 51 years.
Buffalo, NY Apartments and Rentals
Renters make up 47.35% of the Buffalo, NY, population. 15.77% of houses and apartments in Buffalo, NY, are unoccupied (vacancy rate).
Buffalo Housing SperlingViews
re: Buffalo is great, NC sucks - 4/8/2007: Take another look! Have you been to the "Old First Ward" lately? That cheap, poorly-insulated 50-year old house you dream of comes with terrible schools, high crime,... (read more)No Better People!: I have lived in Buffalo my entire life. Even though I actually live in a suburb called North Tonawanda, it's so much easier saying "Buffalo". Buffalo is going through... (read more)Buffalo is great, NC sucks: I was born and raised in the OLd 1st Ward of Buffalo. I moved to NC to become a Police Officer. After 7 years, I can't wait to move back to Buffalo. The pay is... (read more)Have an opinion about Buffalo? Leave a commentTo See All SperlingViews for Buffalo Click Here
| Median Home Age | 51 | 27 |
| Median Home Cost | $78,500 | $217,200 |
| Home Appreciation | 1.95% | 9.80% |
| Homes Owned | 37.04% | 64.07% |
| Housing Vacant | 15.77% | 14.48% |
| Homes Rented | 47.35% | 21.45% |
| Property Tax Rate | $26.46 | $13.28 |
| OWNER-OCCUPIED HOUSING UNITS BY VALUE | | |
| Less Than $20,000 | 3.92% | 3.01% |
| $20,000 to $39,999 | 11.23% | 4.37% |
| $40,000 to $59,999 | 19.92% | 5.74% |
| $60,000 to $79,999 | 23.72% | 7.07% |
| $80,000 to $99,999 | 17.65% | 8.41% |
| $100,000 to $149,999 | 16.85% | 19.74% |
| $150,000 to $199,999 | 3.34% | 14.06% |
| $200,000 to $299,999 | 2.06% | 16.59% |
| $300,000 to $399,999 | 0.59% | 8.21% |
| $400,000 to $499,999 | 0.30% | 4.53% |
| $500,000 to $749,999 | 0.23% | 4.75% |
| $1,000,000 or more | 0.07% | 1.86% |
| HOUSING UNITS BY YEAR STRUCTURE BUILT | | |
| 1999 to October 2005 | 3.15% | 10.15% |
| 1995 to 1998 | 1.08% | 6.69% |
| 1990 to 1994 | 1.15% | 6.70% |
| 1980 to 1989 | 1.88% | 14.75% |
| 1970 to 1979 | 3.59% | 17.11% |
| 1960 to 1969 | 5.82% | 12.78% |
| 1950 to 1959 | 12.66% | 11.64% |
| 1940 to 1949 | 14.90% | 6.64% |
| 1939 or Earlier | 55.76% | 13.55% |
Health
There are 337 physicians per capita in Buffalo, NY. The US average is 170.
Buffalo, NY Health Index
Air quality in Buffalo, NY is 10 on a scale to 100 (higher is better). This is based on ozone alert days and number of pollutants in the air, as reported by the EPA.
Water quality in Buffalo, NY is 71 on a scale to 100 (higher is better). The EPA has a complex method of measuring watershed quality using 15 indicators.
Superfund index is 10 on a scale to 100 (higher is better). This is upon the number and impact of EPA Superfund pollution sites in the county, including spending on the cleanup efforts.
Buffalo Health SperlingViews
re: quality of life - 9/22/2008: People in Buffalo do have goals. The real problem is that all of these goal oriented people are moving out of the city. Buffalo has always been a center for the arts... (read more)quality of life: Buffalo is a very boring and poor city. i would like to move somewhere alot more lively and where people have goals and are doing things with their... (read more)Left for a reason: I left Buffalo in 2004 and haven't looked back. The job market is poor and the hourly wage for jobs is pretty low. The only reason why I visit once a year is to see... (read more)Have an opinion about Buffalo? Leave a commentTo See All SperlingViews for Buffalo Click Here
Crime
Buffalo, NY, violent crime, on a scale from 1 (low crime) to 10, is 7. Violent crime is composed of four offenses: murder and nonnegligent manslaughter, forcible rape, robbery, and aggravated assault. The US average is 3.
Buffalo, NY, property crime, on a scale from 1 (low) to 10, is 7. Property crime includes the offenses of burglary, larceny-theft, motor vehicle theft, and arson. The object of the theft-type offenses is the taking of money or property, but there is no force or threat of force against the victims. The US average is 3.
Buffalo Crime SperlingViews
crime in buffalo: Buffalo is the 24th crime city according to 2007 morgan quinto city rankings while buffalo's suburb amherst is the 4th... (read more)saftey: it's not very... (read more)Enough Is Enough: I have lived here for 26 years and the crime keeps getting worse and worse. Alot of police are crooked and safety doesn't seem to be much of their concern. There are... (read more)Have an opinion about Buffalo? Leave a commentTo See All SperlingViews for Buffalo Click Here
Climate
Buffalo, NY, gets 37 inches of rain per year. The US average is 37. Snowfall is 82 inches. The average US city gets 25 inches of snow per year. The number of days with any measurable precipitation is 166.
On average, there are 155 sunny days per year in Buffalo, NY. The July high is around 80 degrees. The January low is 18. Our comfort index, which is based on humidity during the hot months, is a 55 out of 100, where higher is more comfortable. The US average on the comfort index is 44.
Buffalo Climate SperlingViews
Weather: Buffalo weather is very hot for two months and then so-so the... (read more)I don't want to live anywhere else: I'm shocked and amazed to read some of the other comments on this site. I don't even recognize the city they describe. Buffalo is great city, and a city with true... (read more)weather: It gets harder each year with the cold and snow. If we are lucky, we get summer. It's tough when allergy seasons comes around. In the winter, it's really cold. The... (read more)Have an opinion about Buffalo? Leave a commentTo See All SperlingViews for Buffalo Click Here
Educate
Buffalo, NY, schools spend $9,387 per student. There are 14 pupils per teacher, 869 students per librarian, and 553 children per counselor in Buffalo, NY schools.
Buffalo Education SperlingViews
true true true: i live here but they (politicians) are the reason for the sweaty armpit review. it is done for greed alone and we as citizens don't realize it. it is far worse than... (read more)SUNY Buffalo: Hello. My name is May and I'm from NYC. Currently I'm a senior in high school, trying to decide where to go for college. SUNY Buffalo is one of choices, however I'm a... (read more)Reply: Anna's Post Is A Joke: Your post is so true. There is tons of good points in Buffalo, but there are is enough bad to over shadow the good. I live in a good part of town but there are places in... (read more)Have an opinion about Buffalo? Leave a commentTo See All SperlingViews for Buffalo Click Here
Transportation
The average one-way commute in Buffalo, NY, takes 23 minutes. 66% of commuters drive their own car alone. 14% carpool with others. 12% take mass transit and 2% work from home.
Buffalo Transportation SperlingViews
What Recession?: I tend to laugh when I read about the recession that is hitting the United States. Buffalo has been in a recession since 1971 and no one seems to care. It is so bad that... (read more)Weather: Buffalo weather is very hot for two months and then so-so the... (read more)I don't want to live anywhere else: I'm shocked and amazed to read some of the other comments on this site. I don't even recognize the city they describe. Buffalo is great city, and a city with true... (read more)Have an opinion about Buffalo? Leave a commentTo See All SperlingViews for Buffalo Click Here
Cost of Living
Our cost of living indices are based on a US average of 100. An amount below 100 means Buffalo, NY is cheaper than the US average. A cost of living index above 100 means Buffalo, NY is more expensive.
Overall, Buffalo, NY cost of living is 77.64.
Buffalo Cost of Living SperlingViews
re: Buffalo is great, NC sucks - 4/8/2007: Take another look! Have you been to the "Old First Ward" lately? That cheap, poorly-insulated 50-year old house you dream of comes with terrible schools, high crime,... (read more)No Better People!: I have lived in Buffalo my entire life. Even though I actually live in a suburb called North Tonawanda, it's so much easier saying "Buffalo". Buffalo is going through... (read more)Buffalo is great, NC sucks: I was born and raised in the OLd 1st Ward of Buffalo. I moved to NC to become a Police Officer. After 7 years, I can't wait to move back to Buffalo. The pay is... (read more)Have an opinion about Buffalo? Leave a commentTo See All SperlingViews for Buffalo Click Here
Religion
74.38% of the people in Buffalo, NY are religious, meaning they affiliate with a religion. 57.27% are Catholic; 11.60% are Protestant; 0.18% are LDS; 2.61% are another Christian faith; 2.10% in Buffalo, NY are Jewish; 0.04% are an eastern faith; 0.57% affilite with Islam.
Buffalo Religion SperlingViews
Diversity : Unfourtuately, Buffalo is dead to the world of marketing when it comes to tourism. Although when it comes to accecpting religion it is very accecpting ,but only in... (read more)re: quality of life - 9/22/2008: People in Buffalo do have goals. The real problem is that all of these goal oriented people are moving out of the city. Buffalo has always been a center for the arts... (read more)true true true: i live here but they (politicians) are the reason for the sweaty armpit review. it is done for greed alone and we as citizens don't realize it. it is far worse than... (read more)Have an opinion about Buffalo? Leave a commentTo See All SperlingViews for Buffalo Click Here
| Percent Religious | 74.38% | 50.03% |
| Catholic | 57.27% | 21.92% |
| Protestant | 11.60% | 19.12% |
| LDS | 0.18% | 1.57% |
| Baptist | 1.37% | 8.16% |
| Episcopalian | 1.15% | 8.12% |
| Pentecostal | 1.16% | 1.89% |
| Lutheran | 3.05% | 2.81% |
| Methodist | 3.53% | 3.84% |
| Presbyterian | 1.33% | 1.33% |
| Other Christian | 2.61% | 4.66% |
| Jewish | 2.10% | 2.16% |
| Eastern | 0.04% | 0.05% |
| Islam | 0.57% | 0.54% |
Voting
56.41% of the people in Buffalo, NY are registered as Democrats. 41.43% are registered Republican. Remaining are independent: 2.16%.
Buffalo Voting SperlingViews
crime in buffalo: Buffalo is the 24th crime city according to 2007 morgan quinto city rankings while buffalo's suburb amherst is the 4th... (read more)saftey: it's not very... (read more)Enough Is Enough: I have lived here for 26 years and the crime keeps getting worse and worse. Alot of police are crooked and safety doesn't seem to be much of their concern. There are... (read more)Have an opinion about Buffalo? Leave a commentTo See All SperlingViews for Buffalo Click Here
