County · New York
Erie County, New York
Erie County, New York. Erie County had 946,741 residents in 2025 by the Census Bureau's estimate, down 0.8% since 2020, in line with New York (−1.0%). It holds 62 places (19 cities, villages and boroughs, 24 towns and townships and 19 census-designated) and 261 census tracts. GEOID 36029.
Erie County is one of the 2 counties of the Buffalo-Cheektowaga, NY metropolitan statistical area (the Census Bureau's July 2023 delineation).
Residents, July 2025 estimate
946,741
Census Bureau estimate (no margin published)
2020 Census count: 954,236 · ACS 2020-2024: 950,622
Median household income
$72,839
±$1,077 (90% margin)
New York: $85,974
Median home value
$233,800
±$1,649 (90% margin)
New York: $423,800
Median gross rent
$1,090
±$11 (90% margin)
New York: $1,621
How many people live in Erie County, and is it growing?
The 2020 Census counted 954,236 residents in Erie County. The Census Bureau estimates 946,741 for July 1, 2025, down 0.8% since 2020, in line with New York (−1.0%). The 2020-2024 American Community Survey puts the population at 950,622 over 1,043 square miles of land.
| Measure | Erie County | New York | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total population | 950,622 | 19,852,366 | +31,267 |
| Households | 409,665±1,635 | 7,722,646 | +20,080 |
| Average household size | 2.26±0.01 | 2.49 | −0.03 |
| Housing units | 441,214±295 | 8,585,241 | +12,852 |
Erie County's population since 2000
From 950,265 in 2000 to 946,741 in 2025: down 0.4%. The 2000, 2010 and 2020 figures are census counts. The 2005 figure is the Census Bureau's intercensal estimate, revised to fit the 2000 and 2010 counts and drawn on 2010 boundaries; 2015 and 2025 are July 1 estimates made from the census before them.
Source: The 2000, 2010 and 2020 Census counts and the Census Bureau's population estimates (intercensal 2000-2010, Vintage 2020, Vintage 2025) · Census population estimates
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026); PEP Vintage 2025 (CO-EST2025); 2020 Census · Check it at data.census.gov
What cities and towns are in Erie County?
Erie County holds 62 places: 19 cities, villages and boroughs (incorporated places), 24 towns and townships (county subdivisions with their own government) and 19 census-designated places. The largest is Buffalo with 274,613 residents (2025 estimate). Places that cross a county line are listed with the share of their 2020 residents who live in this county.
| Buffalo | 278,349 | $50,041 |
|---|---|---|
| Amherst (town) | 129,595 | $93,483 |
| Cheektowaga (town) | 89,877 | $69,239 |
| Cheektowaga | 76,829 | $68,613 |
| Tonawanda (town) | 72,636 | $77,673 |
| Hamburg (town) | 60,085 | $88,651 |
| Tonawanda Town | 57,431 | $77,679 |
| West Seneca | 45,500 | $79,709 |
| Lancaster (town) | 45,106 | $89,080 |
| Clarence (town) | 32,950 | $124,800 |
| Orchard Park (town) | 29,686 | $109,876 |
| Grand Island (town) | 21,389 | $115,991 |
| Lackawanna | 19,949 | $52,110 |
| Eggertsville | 15,561 | $82,767 |
| Evans (town) | 15,308 | $72,467 |
| Kenmore | 15,205 | $77,639 |
| Depew | 15,178 | $73,556 |
| Tonawanda | 15,129 | $58,326 |
| Aurora (town) | 13,943 | $102,065 |
| Elma (town) | 11,721 | $116,460 |
| Lancaster | 10,027 | $66,148 |
| Alden (town) | 9,706 | $91,441 |
| Hamburg | 9,696 | $112,292 |
| Newstead (town) | 8,689 | $71,200 |
| Concord (town) | 8,316 | $78,594 |
| Boston (town) | 7,948 | $92,482 |
| Eden (town) | 7,573 | $97,262 |
| University at BuffaloGEOID 3676280 | 6,798 | not published |
| East Aurora | 5,998 | $103,949 |
| Collins (town) | 5,894 | $60,905 |
| Harris Hill | 5,839 | $100,881 |
| Williamsville | 5,423 | $98,850 |
| Marilla (town) | 5,189 | $92,787 |
| Grandyle Village | 4,805 | $115,036 |
| Springville | 4,225 | $71,996 |
| Sloan | 3,775 | $72,214 |
| Highland-on-the-Lake | 3,765 | $87,800 |
| North Collins (town) | 3,504 | $100,270 |
| Lake Erie Beach | 3,467 | $59,968 |
| Eden | 3,346 | $84,900 |
| Holland (town) | 3,281 | $66,198 |
| Wanakah | 3,137 | $72,681 |
| Colden (town) | 3,121 | $97,935 |
| Orchard Park | 3,108 | $99,904 |
| Wales (town) | 3,009 | $88,590 |
| Akron | 2,888 | $44,935 |
| Elma Center | 2,851 | $121,425 |
| Clarence | 2,733 | $88,269 |
| Sardinia (town) | 2,716 | $84,583 |
| Clarence Center | 2,605 | $143,344 |
| Alden | 2,604 | $70,541 |
| Blasdell | 2,539 | $69,856 |
| North Boston | 2,529 | $62,377 |
| Town LineGEOID 3675121 | 2,334 | $78,393 |
| Angola | 2,046 | $81,108 |
| Brant (town) | 1,912 | $89,531 |
| Billington HeightsGEOID 3606574 | 1,748 | $81,947 |
| Angola on the Lake | 1,481 | $54,743 |
| North Collins | 1,247 | $66,607 |
| Holland | 1,173 | $37,344 |
| Gowanda | 2,513 | $51,828 |
| Farnham | 381 | $97,857 |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026); 2020 place-by-county parts · Check it at data.census.gov
Who lives in Erie County?
The median resident of Erie County is 40.4 years old; 20.1% are under 18 and 19.3% are 65 or older. The largest group is non-Hispanic white residents at 72.3%, then non-Hispanic Black residents at 12.1%. 7.5% of residents were born outside the United States.
| Measure | Erie County | New York | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 40.4±0.2 | 39.8 | no clear change |
| Under 18 years | 20.1%±0.1 pts | 20.5% | – |
| 65 years and over | 19.3%±0.1 pts | 17.9% | – |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 6.4% | 19.8% | +0.9 pts |
| White alone, not Hispanic | 72.3%±0.1 pts | 52.8% | −3.2 pts |
| Black or African American alone, not Hispanic | 12.1%±0.2 pts | 13.4% | −0.9 pts |
| Asian alone, not Hispanic | 4.9%±0.1 pts | 9.0% | +1.4 pts |
| American Indian and Alaska Native alone, not Hispanic | 0.3%±0.1 pts | 0.2% | – |
| Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander alone, not Hispanic | 0.0%±0.1 pts | 0.0% | – |
| Two or more races, not Hispanic | 3.5%±0.3 pts | 3.8% | – |
| Some other race alone, not Hispanic | 0.4%±0.1 pts | 1.0% | – |
| Born outside the United States | 7.5%±0.2 pts | 22.8% | +0.3 pts |
| Speak a language other than English at home (age 5+) | 11.3%±0.3 pts | 30.9% | – |
| Civilian veterans (age 18+) | 5.7%±0.2 pts | 3.7% | – |
| With a disability | 13.8%±0.3 pts | 12.6% | – |
| No health insurance coverage | 2.9%±0.2 pts | 5.1% | −0.3 pts |
| High school graduate or higher (age 25+) | 92.5%±0.3 pts | 88.0% | – |
| Bachelor's degree or higher (age 25+) | 38.0%±0.5 pts | 40.2% | +3.6 pts |
| Graduate or professional degree (age 25+) | 17.1%±0.4 pts | 17.9% | – |
| Moved from another state in the past year | 1.1%±0.1 pts | 1.5% | – |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profiles DP02, DP05) · Check it at data.census.gov
What do households in Erie County earn?
Half of Erie County's 409,665 households earn less than $72,839 a year (±$1,077), against $85,974 in New York. In 2015-2019 it was $71,529 in 2024 dollars; the margins of error cannot tell the two periods apart. 13.9% of residents live below the poverty line.
| Measure | Erie County | New York | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median household income | $72,839±$1,077 | $85,974 | no clear change |
| Mean household income | $97,738±$1,300 | $128,247 | – |
| Per capita income | $42,777±$529 | $50,712 | +$1,428 |
| People below the poverty line | 13.9%±0.4 pts | 14.0% | no clear change |
| Children under 18 below the poverty line | 18.5%±1.0 pts | 18.3% | −2.6 pts |
| Households receiving SNAP | 15.5%±0.5 pts | 15.6% | – |
| Households with a broadband subscription | 90.2%±0.4 pts | 90.8% | – |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profile DP03) · Check it at data.census.gov
What does housing cost in Erie County?
Owners occupy 65.8% of Erie County's occupied homes and renters 34.2%. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $233,800 by its owner (±$1,649). The median renter pays $1,090 a month including utilities, and 41.3% of renters pay 35% or more of their income on rent.
| Measure | Erie County | New York | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median home value (owner-occupied) | $233,800±$1,649 | $423,800 | +$45,012 |
| Median gross rent | $1,090±$11 | $1,621 | +$70 |
| Renters paying 35% or more of income on rent | 41.3%±1.1 pts | 43.1% | no clear change |
| Median monthly owner costs, with a mortgage | $1,619±$14 | $2,555 | – |
| Owner-occupied homes | 65.8%±0.6 pts | 54.3% | +1.2 pts |
| Housing units | 441,214±295 | 8,585,241 | +12,852 |
| Homeowner vacancy rate | 0.6%±0.1 pts | 1.1% | – |
| Rental vacancy rate | 3.8%±0.5 pts | 3.8% | – |
| Single-family detached homes | 58.9%±0.5 pts | 41.2% | – |
| Mobile homes | 1.5%±0.2 pts | 2.1% | – |
| Built 2020 or later | 0.6%±0.1 pts | 0.8% | – |
| Built 1939 or earlier | 29.4%±0.5 pts | 30.3% | – |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profile DP04) · Check it at data.census.gov
How many new homes is Erie County building?
Builders took permits for 1,213 new housing units across Erie County in 2025 (666 single-family), 1.3 per 1,000 residents.
Source: Building Permits Survey, annual county files 2019-2025, U.S. Census Bureau · Census Building Permits Survey
How do people in Erie County get to work?
72.4% of Erie County's workers drive alone and 12.9% work from home. The average trip to work takes 21.3 minutes. The unemployment rate in 2020-2024 averaged 4.9%.
| Measure | Erie County | New York | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| In the labor force (age 16+) | 62.4%±0.4 pts | 62.7% | – |
| Unemployment rate | 4.9%±0.3 pts | 6.4% | +0.6 pts |
| Drove alone to work | 72.4%±0.6 pts | 48.8% | – |
| Carpooled | 7.8%±0.3 pts | 6.3% | – |
| Public transportation | 2.8%±0.2 pts | 21.6% | – |
| Walked | 2.3%±0.2 pts | 5.6% | – |
| Worked from home | 12.9%±0.4 pts | 14.9% | +9.8 pts |
| Mean travel time to work | 21.3 min±0.3 | 32.6 min | no clear change |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profile DP03) · Check it at data.census.gov
What are Erie County's census tracts?
Erie County is divided into 261 census tracts. Among those with a reliable estimate, median household income runs from $20,974 (Tract 14.04) to $185,848 (Tract 90.07).
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) · Check it at data.census.gov
How does Erie County compare with New York's other counties?
| Measure | Rank |
|---|---|
| Population | 8th of 62 |
| Growth 2020-2025 | 26th of 62 |
| Residents per square mile | 11th of 62 |
| Median household income | 29th of 62 |
| Median home value | 24th of 62 |
| Median gross rent | 26th of 62 |
| Poverty rate | 20th of 62 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 16th of 62 |
| Median age | 44th of 62 |
Source: PlainCities ranks from the American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) and PEP Vintage 2025 · How ranks are computed
How these figures are made: methodology and release checks · reading a margin of error · every state · corrections
Not on this page: crime, weather and schools for Erie County are other agencies' records. Crime: the FBI's Crime Data Explorer · climate: NOAA's U.S. Climate Normals · schools: the National Center for Education Statistics' school search.