Communities

Cheektowaga

Cheektowaga residents experience poverty at lower rates than the region overall. But as the region’s third largest municipality, Cheektowaga still has many individuals and families in need. Some of the greatest economic threats to community residents are high housing cost burdens, low education levels, limited access to good-paying jobs, and keeping up with the costs of owning a car.

Click here to learn more about what living in or near poverty means for individuals and families.

The total population, as well as those facing poverty, saw modest declines in recent years.

Vulnerable populations, % living in poverty, 2017

More than 2,500 children in the town live in poverty. Many are being raised by single parents.

Source: American Community Survey.

Almost a third of all single parents in Cheektowaga live in poverty. That’s about 1,100 families altogether.

Source: American Community Survey.

About one in ten young adults live in poverty and could benefit from higher education or vocational training.

Source: American Community Survey.

Married couples with children are seven times less likely to live in poverty than single parent families.

Source: American Community Survey.

More than 600 refugees and immigrants in Cheektowaga live in poverty.

Source: American Community Survey.

The poverty rate for seniors in the town is on par with the region. Homeowner costs can burden many older adults.

Source: American Community Survey.

WORK AND INCOME

Cheektowaga’s top 10 employers are in retail, healthcare and manufacturing. Together they make up about 11% of all jobs in the town.

Top 10 Employers, 2019
Rank Employer
#1 Wegmans
#2 Tops Friendly Markets
#3 Osmose Utilities Services Inc.
#4 PCB Piezotronics Inc.
#5 Walmart Supercenter
#6 Center-Hospice Palliative Care
#7 Sodexo
#8 Buffalo Niagara International Airport
#9 Derrick Corp
#10 Cameron Compression Systems

Source: Various. See Data Sources and Notes.

With nearly 48,000 jobs, Cheektowaga attracts workers from all over the region. But about two-thirds of jobs here pay less than $40k/yr.

Jobs by Income Level, 2015
Cheektowaga Buffalo Niagara
Total Jobs 47,910 547,851
Earnings <$15k/yr 15,216
(32%)
150,324
(27%)
Earnings $15k-$40k/yr 16,009
(33%)
178,599
(33%)
Earnings >$40k/yr 16,685
(35%)
218,928
(40%)

Source: US Census Bureau, LEHD.

Education

45% of all Cheektowaga adults have no more than a high school diploma. Those with some college education earn at least 20% more.

Graduation rates in Cheektowaga are stable and on par with the regional average.

Housing

The majority of lower-income households are burdened by housing costs. Most are renters.

  • Cheektowaga’s homes are relatively affordable. The median value is $30k less than the region.

    Median Home Value, 2017

    $104,800

    Source: American Community Survey

  • Rents in Cheektowaga are slightly higher than the region overall.

    Median Rent, 2017

    $802/mo

    Source: American Community Survey

Transportation

Seniors are more likely to be without a car than younger residents.

Households Without Vehicles, 2017
  • 8%
    UNDER 65 yr
  • 14%
    OVER 65 yr
Source: American Community Survey.

Most workers (94%) use a car to get to work. There’s bus service in town, but less than 700 workers commute by public transit.

Crime

The violent crime rate went up 23% from 2010 to 2017, but is still lower than the region.

While property crime is declining, rates are consistently higher than the regional average.

There were half as many juvenile arrests in 2017 than 2013.

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