City profile · New York · Census ACS 2023

Niagara Falls, NY

Population, income, housing, safety, climate and schools for Niagara Falls - drawn straight from Census ACS, FBI UCR, NOAA, NCES, HUD and FEMA, refreshed on the 2024–2025 release cycle.

48,198
Residents
$48,535
Median income
$104,400
Median home
$1,343
Median rent (state)

Niagara Falls - the verdict

Niagara Falls ranks in the 17th percentile for household income and the 13th percentile for safety nationally, out of every US city with at least 1,000 residents. Source: Census ACS + FBI UCR.

17th
percentile, household income
11th
percentile, home value
49th
percentile, median rent
13th
percentile, safety
📝 How we sourced this

Population, income, and housing-cost figures come from the U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey 5-year estimates (B-series tables). Crime data uses FBI UCR; climate uses NOAA Climate Normals; school counts come from NCES Common Core of Data; permits use the Census Building Permits Survey (BPS). See our methodology page for the full ETL pipeline and OMB / FIPS join keys.

Data Snapshot: Niagara Falls, NY

48,198 people live in Niagara Falls, New York - a small city by U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 estimates. Niagara Falls households earn a median of $48,535 annually, in the lower quartile of U.S. cities for household income, with a poverty rate of 18.7%. Typical homes in Niagara Falls are valued around $104,400, and the median resident age is 40.7 years. Educational attainment runs 22.8% of adults with a bachelor's degree or higher. Separately, 53.1% of working-age residents are in the labor force.

The Census Building Permit Survey recorded 4 residential units authorized here in 2024 (Low Activity). Niagara Falls's reported crime rate runs above the national norm: FBI UCR reporting places total crime at 3308.9 incidents per 100,000 residents, above the national average (voluntary agency reporting, reflects reporting activity, not a definitive danger score). NOAA puts Niagara Falls's yearly average temperature at 47.7°F with 33.0 inches of precipitation per year.

New York carries a cost-of-living premium: BEA Regional Price Parities 2024 puts New York at 107.9 on a 100-equals-national-average scale (Above Average). HUD Fair Market Rent for a typical two-bedroom in this state is $1,343 per month. Monthly utility costs average around $285 across New York, per EIA 2023 residential energy estimates. Workers in Niagara Falls report an average commute of 17.1 minutes, with 73.1% driving alone and 7.0% working from home. On FEMA's National Risk Index, this area rates 83.4 out of 100 for natural-hazard exposure (High).

Population

48,198 residents

Census ACS 2023 - New York

Median Household Income

$48,535 /yr

Poverty 18.7%

Cost of Living Index (state)

107.9 (US=100)

Above Average - BEA RPP 2024, New York average

How does Niagara Falls compare to other US cities?

Niagara Falls measured against every US city with 1,000+ residents, computed live from the same Census and FBI data shown throughout this page.

Household income 17% higher than other cities
Home value 11% pricier than other cities
Median rent 49% pricier than other cities
Safety 13% safer than other cities

"Safer than" reflects total crime rate from FBI UCR; the others use Census ACS estimates.

Zoom in to just New York and the picture shifts: Niagara Falls ranks #42 of 55 New York cities by lowest crime rate, a different read than the national percentile above.

How we calculate these percentiles & ranks

For each metric we count every US city with population 1,000+ and a non-null value, then compute what share of them fall below Niagara Falls's value: round(cities-below ÷ total × 100). Safety is inverted (percentile = share of cities with a higher crime rate) so a higher number always means safer. The in-state rank narrows that same crime-rate comparison to only the cities PlainCities tracks in New York, breaking ties alphabetically. See the methodology page for the full source-to-figure lineage.

17thIncome percentile
13thSafety percentile

17th percentile nationally for median household income · 13th percentile for safety (lower crime rate). Source: Census ACS 2023 / FBI UCR 2023.

Niagara Falls's profile vs. every US city

Income, affordability, and safety percentile

Niagara Falls's percentile rank on 3 favorable-direction measures (income, affordability, safety) vs. every tracked US city -- higher on every axis is more favorable. Not a composite quality score, just the arithmetic mean of the axes shown. 3-axis radar comparing 1 series across Income, Affordability, Safety. IncomeAffordabilitySafety 33 Avg. percentile National median
Niagara Falls's percentile rank on 3 favorable-direction measures (income, affordability, safety) vs. every tracked US city -- higher on every axis is more favorable. Not a composite quality score, just the arithmetic mean of the axes shown.

How Niagara Falls's home value compares nationally

Median home value vs. every US city (population 1,000+)

$104,400 Among the most affordable more affordable than 89% of 15,600 US cities

$0–$25,000: 5 US cities (0%). Below this entry. $25,000–$50,000: 54 US cities (0%). Below this entry. $50,000–$75,000: 352 US cities (2%). Below this entry. $75,000–$100,000: 1,086 US cities (7%). Below this entry. $100,000–$125,000: 1,516 US cities (10%). This entry sits in this band. $125,000–$150,000: 1,170 US cities (8%). Above this entry. $150,000–$175,000: 1,278 US cities (8%). Above this entry. $175,000–$200,000: 1,229 US cities (8%). Above this entry. $200,000–$225,000: 1,035 US cities (7%). Above this entry. $225,000–$250,000: 976 US cities (6%). Above this entry. $250,000–$275,000: 754 US cities (5%). Above this entry. $275,000–$300,000: 712 US cities (5%). Above this entry. $300,000–$325,000: 521 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $325,000–$350,000: 526 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $350,000–$375,000: 465 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $375,000–$400,000: 393 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $400,000–$425,000: 317 US cities (2%). Above this entry. $425,000–$450,000: 300 US cities (2%). Above this entry. $450,000–$475,000: 307 US cities (2%). Above this entry. $475,000–$500,000: 250 US cities (2%). Above this entry. $500,000–$525,000: 160 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $525,000–$550,000: 156 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $550,000–$575,000: 172 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $575,000–$600,000: 172 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $600,000–$625,000: 163 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $625,000–$650,000: 167 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $650,000–$675,000: 135 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $675,000–$700,000: 101 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $700,000–$725,000: 95 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $725,000–$750,000: 71 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $750,000–$775,000: 65 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $775,000–$800,000: 70 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $800,000–$825,000: 57 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $825,000–$850,000: 67 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $850,000–$875,000: 60 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $875,000–$900,000: 58 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $900,000–$925,000: 47 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $925,000–$950,000: 37 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $950,000–$975,000: 31 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $975,000–$1,000,000: 470 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $1,000,000–$1,025,000: 0 US cities (0%). Above this entry. Niagara Falls $0 $1,025,000 every US city, bucketed by value

Each bar is a $25K-wide band; taller bars hold more US cities. The dashed line + filled bar mark this entry. Hover or tap any bar for its full count, share, and where it sits relative to this entry.

Source U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year Estimates · 2023

Income distribution context

Household income distribution - Niagara Falls, NY Niagara Falls, NY's reported median household income shown against the U.S. national quintile-share pattern (not Niagara Falls, NY-specific quintile data). The Lorenz curve traces the national cumulative income share against cumulative population share, perfect equality is the diagonal; observed inequality bows below. $ Household Income Distribution Niagara Falls, NY median $48,535/yr, vs. U.S. national quintile pattern QUINTILE SHARE OF AGGREGATE INCOME Lowest 20% 3.4% Second 20% 9.2% Middle 20% 15.1% Fourth 20% 23.2% Top 20% 49.1% LORENZ CURVE cumulative income vs. population 100% 0% 100% pop. 0%
Niagara Falls, NY's median household income (Census ACS 5-year estimate) plotted against the U.S. national income-quintile distribution pattern for context; the quintile shares and Lorenz curve are national figures, not computed specifically for Niagara Falls, NY. Diagonal = perfect equality.

Key socioeconomic indicators

Bachelor's degree or higher (adults 25+) 22.8%

Census ACS S1501, educational attainment

Poverty rate (households below FPL) 18.7%

Census ACS S1701, poverty status

Labor force participation (adults 16+) 53.1%

Census ACS S2301, share of working-age residents in the labor force

Population
48,198
Median Income
$48,535
Median Home Value
$104,400
Median Age
40.7
Poverty Rate
18.7%
Labor force participation
53.1%
Bachelor's Degree+
22.8%

Safety & Crime

Total Crime Rate
3308.9
per 100,000 residents
Violent Crime
501.1
per 100,000 residents
Property Crime
2807.8
per 100,000 residents

Reflects incidents reported to the FBI's Uniform Crime Reporting program — agency participation is voluntary and reporting completeness varies by jurisdiction and year, so this reflects reporting activity, not a definitive danger score. Not adjusted for tourism, commuter, or daytime population.

Climate

Avg Temperature
47.7°F
Annual Precipitation
33.0"
Annual Snowfall
N/A

Schools

Total Schools
13
Public schools in this city

Population Change

Annual U.S. Census Bureau Population Estimates Program (PEP) estimates, 2020–2025

See the fastest-growing cities →
47,000 residents47,500 residents48,000 residents48,500 residents49,000 residents 202020212022202320242025 48,560 residents 47,255 residents ▼ -2.7%
Niagara Falls's Census PEP population estimates, 2020–2025.

Housing Supply

Census Bureau Building Permits Survey (BPS) - annual residential permits authorized

🏗️ Low Activity
Total Permits (2024)
4
housing units authorized
Single-Family
4
detached homes
Multifamily
0
apartments & condos
Supply Intensity
0.1
permits per 1,000 residents

5-Year Permit Trend (2019–2024)

Year Total
2019 0
2020 0
2021 7
2022 0
2023 0
2024 4

Commute Patterns

How workers travel to work, Census ACS 2023

Average Commute Time
17.1 minutes
Drive Alone
73.1%
Carpool
9.7%
Public Transit
3.1%
Walk
4.2%
Work from Home
7.0%
Other
2.9%

Based on 20,309 workers 16 and over.

Monthly Utility Costs

State-average estimates for New York - EIA 2023 residential energy data

Electricity
$130
avg/month
Natural Gas
$90
avg/month
Water & Sewer
$65
avg/month
Total Utilities
$285
estimated/month

Estimates reflect New York state averages. Actual costs vary by home size, usage, and local rates. Source: U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) 2023.

Living Costs & Risk

Cost of living is a New York state average from BEA; rent and hazard risk are county-level figures from HUD and FEMA for the county Niagara Falls sits in

Cost of Living Index
107.9
Above Average
US average = 100 · BEA RPP 2024
Typical 2-BR Rent
$1,343/mo
HUD Fair Market Rent
County-level FMR estimate
Natural Hazard Risk
83.4 / 100
High
FEMA NRI composite score (county)

Similar Cities in New York

Binghamton
47,357 people
Irondequoit
50,438 people
Troy
51,054 people
West Seneca
45,329 people
Levittown
51,557 people
Freeport
44,102 people

Cities of a Similar Size Nationwide

Population-matched peers from other states, closest to Niagara Falls's 48,198 residents (Census ACS 5-Year 2023).

Cleveland, TN
48,185 people
Hilo, HI
48,223 people
Fort Pierce, FL
48,094 people
Cerritos, CA
48,340 people
Prescott Valley, AZ
48,048 people
San Luis Obispo, CA
48,039 people

Cities with a Similar Household Income Nationwide

Median-household-income-matched peers from other states, closest to Niagara Falls's $48,535 (Census ACS 5-Year 2023, table B19013).

Tuscaloosa, AL
$48,536 median income
Neodesha, KS
$48,532 median income
Wilhoit, AZ
$48,542 median income
Ila, GA
$48,542 median income
Farmersburg, IA
$48,542 median income
Warba, MN
$48,542 median income

Race & Ethnicity Composition

Race and ethnicity - Niagara Falls, NY Race categories sum to one hundred percent per Census methodology. Hispanic or Latino is shown separately as an ethnicity overlay; it cuts across all race categories per OMB Directive 15. Race & Ethnicity Composition Niagara Falls, NY - Census ACS, OMB race + ethnicity categories RACE, sums to 100% 66.1% 17.8% 10.2% ETHNICITY, Hispanic or Latino (any race) 8.0% White 66.1% Black or African American 17.8% Asian 2.3% American Indian 0.8% Native Hawaiian 0.0% Some other race 2.7% Two or more races 10.2% Per OMB Directive 15: Hispanic/Latino ethnicity is reported separately from the race categories.
Race categories sum to 100%. Hispanic or Latino ethnicity is reported separately and cuts across race per Census/OMB methodology.

City-level race and ethnicity, Census ACS 5-year 2023 (tables B02001, B03001), OMB Directive 15 categories.

How Niagara Falls compares to nearby New York cities

Population + median household income, sourced from Census Bureau ACS 5-year B01001 (population) and B19013 (median household income).

City Population Median Household Income
Niagara Falls (this city) 48,198 $48,535
Binghamton 47,357 $44,331
Irondequoit 50,438 $76,871
Troy 51,054 $57,688
Census ACS 5-year FIPS NY FBI UCR NOAA Normals NCES CCD Census BPS 2024 OMB Bulletin 23-01

What do people ask about Niagara Falls, NY?

What is the population of Niagara Falls, NY? +

48,198 people live in Niagara Falls, NY according to U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 estimates.

What is the median household income in Niagara Falls, NY? +

Median annual household income in Niagara Falls runs $48,535, based on Census ACS 2023 data.

What is the cost of living in Niagara Falls? +

BEA does not publish a city-level cost-of-living figure for Niagara Falls; the closest available measure is the New York state average, a cost of living index of 107.9 (U.S. average = 100), rated "Above Average" based on BEA Regional Price Parities 2024 data. Costs within New York vary by metro area.

Is Niagara Falls, NY safe? +

Niagara Falls has a total crime rate of 3308.9 per 100,000 residents, which is above the national average. This reflects incidents reported to the FBI UCR program, not a definitive safety score -- agency reporting is voluntary and completeness varies by jurisdiction.

What is the median home value in Niagara Falls, NY? +

Niagara Falls's median home value sits at $104,400, according to Census ACS 2023 estimates.

What is the climate like in Niagara Falls? +

Climate normals put Niagara Falls's yearly average temperature at 47.7°F, 33.0 inches of precipitation. Source: NOAA Climate Normals.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year 2023, FBI UCR, NOAA Climate Normals, NCES CCD, Census BPS 2024, Census ACS B08301/B08136, U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) 2023, BEA Regional Price Parities 2024, HUD Fair Market Rents 2026, FEMA National Risk Index.

Read our methodology - how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.

Primary sources: Census ACS, FBI UCR, NOAA Climate Normals, NCES.

Citation & verification links Data sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau. See our methodology for details. Retrieved and formatted by PlainCities Editorial

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Every figure on PlainCities is rendered directly from Census ACS source data, no number is typed in by an editor. This page draws directly on Census ACS source data, no figure is typed in by an editor. See our editorial standards & corrections policy, the methodology behind these numbers, or report a data error.