Population 63,315 · Census ACS 2020–24
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Population and households in Niagara Falls
Household size in Niagara Falls
| Period | Niagara Falls | Buffalo area | New York | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 2.32 | 2.41 | 2.68 | 2.68 |
| 2010–14 | 2.35 | 2.39 | 2.72 | 2.73 |
| 2015–19 | 2.27 | 2.33 | 2.69 | 2.71 |
| 2020–24 | 2.19 | 2.33 | 2.65 | 2.65 |
| Change | −0.13 | −0.08 | −0.03 | −0.03 |
Niagara Falls is a place of small households, averaging 2.19 people against 2.65 for the U.S., which points to many singles, couples and roommates and relatively few children. Since 2006–10, household size has dropped from 2.32, a much bigger shift than nationally. Of the 488 New York cities with 5,000+ people, only 47 have smaller households.
Household size: the average number of people living in each occupied home. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25010).
Median age in Niagara Falls
| Period | Niagara Falls | Buffalo area | New York | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 40.7 | 40.4 | 38.3 | 37.7 |
| 2010–14 | 41.7 | 41.2 | 39.0 | 38.6 |
| 2015–19 | 40.8 | 41.9 | 40.2 | 39.6 |
| 2020–24 | 41.9 | 42.0 | 40.8 | 40.1 |
| Change | +1.3 | +1.6 | +2.5 | +2.3 |
The median resident of Niagara Falls is 41.9 years old, a bit older than the national median of 40.1. The median age has climbed from 40.7 in 2006–10, mirroring the country. Residents skew youngest in the northwest and oldest in the northeast.
Median age: the age that splits residents into two equal halves. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B01002).
Single-parent households in Niagara Falls
| Period | Niagara Falls | Buffalo area | New York | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 15.6% | 11.7% | 13.1% | 12.3% |
| 2010–14 | 15.1% | 12.1% | 12.7% | 12.3% |
| 2015–19 | 16.0% | 11.2% | 11.6% | 11.6% |
| 2020–24 | 15.6% | 11.5% | 11.6% | 11.6% |
| Change | −0.1 pts | −0.2 pts | −1.5 pts | −0.6 pts |
Single parents head nearly one in six households in Niagara Falls (15.6%), well above the national share of 11.6%. Only 39 of the 488 New York cities with 5,000+ people have a higher share of single-parent households.
Single-parent households: households where one adult with no spouse present lives with children under 18. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B11003).
Housing in Niagara Falls
Renters in Niagara Falls
| Period | Niagara Falls | Buffalo area | New York | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 38.2% | 32.9% | 44.8% | 33.3% |
| 2010–14 | 39.3% | 33.8% | 46.2% | 35.6% |
| 2015–19 | 40.5% | 34.3% | 46.2% | 36.0% |
| 2020–24 | 37.7% | 33.2% | 45.7% | 34.8% |
| Change | −0.5 pts | +0.3 pts | +0.9 pts | +1.5 pts |
Renting in Niagara Falls is about as common as it is nationally: 37.7% of households rent, against 34.8%. Renters make up a bigger share here than in the Buffalo area as a whole (33.2%). More than half of owners (54.3%) have paid off their mortgages, well above the national share of 39.8%. Renting is most common in the west and least common in the east.
Renters: occupied homes that are rented rather than owned. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25003).
Vacant homes in Niagara Falls
| Period | Niagara Falls | Buffalo area | New York | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 16.6% | 10.6% | 10.3% | 11.4% |
| 2010–14 | 16.8% | 10.3% | 10.4% | 11.4% |
| 2015–19 | 15.8% | 10.0% | 11.0% | 11.1% |
| 2020–24 | 11.5% | 8.4% | 9.7% | 9.6% |
| Change | −5.1 pts | −2.2 pts | −0.6 pts | −1.8 pts |
A few more homes sit empty in Niagara Falls than nationally: 11.5%, against 9.6%. The count includes vacation homes and homes between owners or tenants, not just abandoned ones. Since 2006–10, vacancy has fallen 5.1 points, in line with the national trend.
Vacant homes: homes with no one living in them, including vacation homes and homes for sale or rent. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25002).
Age of homes in Niagara Falls
| Period | Niagara Falls | Buffalo area | New York | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 1951 | 1957 | 1956 | 1974 |
| 2010–14 | 1951 | 1958 | 1957 | 1975 |
| 2015–19 | 1953 | 1958 | 1958 | 1977 |
| 2020–24 | 1955 | 1960 | 1961 | 1980 |
| Change | +3 | +3 | +5 | +6 |
Niagara Falls is a place of older homes: half were built before 1955, while the national median is 1980. That means established neighborhoods, and more houses that may need updating. The median year built has moved up from 1951 in 2006–10, a sign of steady new building. The newest homes are mostly in the east, the oldest in the west.
Age of homes: the year that splits the housing stock into older and newer halves. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25035).
Rent in Niagara Falls
| Period | Niagara Falls | Buffalo area | New York | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | $670 | $728 | $1,095 | $965 |
| 2010–14 | $713 | $783 | $1,201 | $1,040 |
| 2015–19 | $735 | $873 | $1,426 | $1,213 |
| 2020–24 | $973 | $1,126 | $1,794 | $1,571 |
| Change | +$303 | +$398 | +$698 | +$606 |
The median renter in Niagara Falls pays $973 a month for rent and utilities, well below the national median of $1,571. Rents are up $303 a month from 2006–10, a 45% rise, a slower climb than the nation's. Rent takes 35.4% of the typical renter's income, well over the 30% mark often used to define affordable rent, so many renters here are stretched.
Rent: monthly rent plus the utilities renters pay themselves. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25064).
Education in Niagara Falls
Bachelor's degrees in Niagara Falls
| Period | Niagara Falls | Buffalo area | New York | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 13.9% | 27.6% | 31.9% | 28.4% |
| 2010–14 | 16.9% | 29.6% | 33.4% | 29.6% |
| 2015–19 | 18.9% | 32.3% | 36.2% | 32.1% |
| 2020–24 | 22.7% | 35.6% | 39.8% | 35.6% |
| Change | +8.9 pts | +8.0 pts | +8.0 pts | +7.2 pts |
Fewer adults in Niagara Falls have a four-year degree than in the country as a whole: 22.7%, against 35.6% nationally. Since 2006–10, the share with a degree has risen 8.9 points, in line with the national trend. Niagara Falls has a lower share of college graduates than the great majority of New York cities.
Bachelor's degrees: adults 25 and older with a bachelor's degree or higher. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B15003).
High school graduates in Niagara Falls
| Period | Niagara Falls | Buffalo area | New York | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 85.0% | 88.2% | 84.0% | 84.9% |
| 2010–14 | 86.6% | 89.8% | 84.9% | 86.1% |
| 2015–19 | 88.3% | 91.2% | 86.5% | 87.7% |
| 2020–24 | 89.7% | 91.9% | 87.3% | 89.3% |
| Change | +4.7 pts | +3.7 pts | +3.3 pts | +4.3 pts |
High school completion in Niagara Falls is close to the national rate: 89.7% of adults have a diploma or equivalent, against 89.3%. The rate is lower than in the Buffalo area as a whole (91.9%). The share with a diploma has risen 4.7 points since 2006–10, mirroring the country.
High school graduates: adults 25 and older with a high school diploma, GED or more. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B15003).
Jobs in Niagara Falls
| Period | Niagara Falls | Buffalo area | New York | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 8.5% | 8.0% | 7.7% | 8.1% |
| 2010–14 | 11.0% | 8.5% | 9.2% | 9.4% |
| 2015–19 | 6.0% | 4.8% | 5.7% | 5.6% |
| 2020–24 | 10.0% | 5.4% | 6.6% | 5.4% |
| Change | +1.5 pts | −2.6 pts | −1.2 pts | −2.7 pts |
Unemployment in Niagara Falls runs well above the national rate: 10.0% of the labor force was out of work and looking, against 5.4%. Of the 488 New York cities with 5,000+ people, only five have higher unemployment. Unemployment has edged up 1.5 points since 2006–10, even as the national rate fell.
Unemployment: people looking for work as a share of everyone working or looking. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B23025).
Niagara Falls compared with nearby cities
| City | Household size | Median age | Single parents | Renters | Vacant homes | Median year built | Median rent | Bachelor's degree | High school diploma | Unemployment |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Niagara Falls | 2.19 | 41.9 | 15.6% | 37.7% | 11.5% | 1955 | $973 | 22.7% | 89.7% | 10.0% |
| Niagara University | 2.32 | 19.5 | 5.1% | 26.1% | 8.5% | 1954 | $1,241 | 6.6% | 86.1% | 8.4% |
| Sandy Beach | 2.47 | 48.5 | 1.5% | 20.1% | 2.7% | 1972 | $1,107 | 42.9% | 92.0% | 2.0% |
| Lewiston | 2.13 | 51.5 | 5.6% | 25.0% | 6.1% | 1970 | $984 | 41.1% | 94.9% | 3.8% |
| Grand Island | 2.47 | 46.7 | 6.8% | 18.9% | 1.8% | 1975 | $1,390 | 46.2% | 96.0% | 3.5% |
| Sanborn | 2.69 | 44.0 | 11.0% | 12.9% | 5.7% | 1966 | $1,166 | 30.4% | 93.9% | 4.6% |
| Stella Niagara | 2.16 | 44.4 | 5.0% | 40.3% | 4.0% | 1986 | $950 | 41.2% | 96.7% | 4.5% |
| North Tonawanda | 2.29 | 44.8 | 9.5% | 27.2% | 5.8% | 1967 | $1,074 | 31.4% | 93.7% | 5.5% |
| Shawnee | 2.64 | 43.4 | 11.3% | 11.2% | 9.3% | 1970 | $1,176 | 26.8% | 93.6% | 6.6% |
| Youngstown | 2.27 | 46.3 | 10.0% | 25.6% | 7.0% | 1966 | $958 | 38.3% | 97.9% | 3.6% |
| Ransomville | 2.45 | 47.9 | 9.5% | 14.5% | 11.5% | 1956 | $1,034 | 26.7% | 95.5% | 2.8% |
All figures 2020–24.
Cities with similar populations: Belleville, IL · Blaine, MN · Burnsville, MN · Casa Grande, AZ · Castro Valley, CA · West Bloomfield, MI · Martinsburg, WV · Mechanicsville, VA · North Richland Hills, TX · Port Orange, FL
About these numbers
Every figure on this page is a BestNeighborhood calculation from the Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS), built up from the Census block groups that make up Niagara Falls. Each ACS 5-year release pools five years of responses; this page shows the last 15 releases, 2006–10 through 2020–24. Neighboring releases share four of their five years, so they move gradually and small changes between them are within the survey's margin of error; in small places the lines can jump from one release to the next for the same reason. The maps show the same measures for each neighborhood, ranked against the whole country.
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