Communities

City of Niagara Falls

Niagara Falls has some of the highest poverty rates in the region. Poverty is particularly common among children, single parents, and refugees and immigrants. With low graduation rates and a prevalence of lower-paying jobs in the city, young adults are also at risk of poverty. Lower rents and home values make housing more affordable, still 68% of lower-income residents are burdened by housing costs.

*Learn more about what living in or near poverty means for individuals and families.

Population is declining while poverty is rising.

Vulnerable populations, % living in poverty, 2017

More than 40% of all children in Niagara Falls are in poverty—about twice the rate of the region as a whole.

Source: American Community Survey.

Over half of single parents in Niagara Falls live in poverty. This is a higher share than the region as a whole.

Source: American Community Survey.

About one in four young adults live in poverty. Of all the 12 communities, this is the highest poverty rate for young adults.

Source: American Community Survey.

Two-parent families in Niagara Falls are more than twice as likely to live in poverty than the region overall.

Source: American Community Survey.

Almost one in four refugees and immigrants live in poverty. This is on par with the region as a whole.

Source: American Community Survey.

With 367 older adults living in poverty in Niagara Falls, senior poverty rates in the community are on par with the region.

Source: American Community Survey.

WORK AND INCOME

Six of the top ten employers are tourism related. Many jobs are lower-paying, part-time or seasonal.

Top 10 Employers, 2019
Rank Employer
#1 Seneca Gaming Corp.
#2 Niagara Falls Memorial Medical Center
#3 Niagara Falls City School District
#4 City of Niagara Falls
#5 Niagara County Social Services
#6 Walmart Supercenter
#7 New York State Parks & Rec.
#8 Sheraton Niagara Falls
#9 Occidental Chemical Corp
#10 US Post Office

Source: Various. See Data Sources and Notes.

About two thirds of all jobs in the community pay less than $40k per year.

Jobs by Income Level, 2015
Niagara Falls Buffalo Niagara
Total Jobs 18,601 547,851
Earnings <$15k/yr 5,587 (30%) 150,324
(27%)
Earnings $15k-$40k/yr 6,581 (35%) 178,599
(33%)
Earnings >$40k/yr 6,433 (35%) 218,928
(40%)

Source: American Community Survey.

Education

Over half of adults could increase earnings by pursuing education beyond high school.

Graduation rates in Niagara Falls are consistently below the regional average.

Housing

Housing costs are particularly burdensome for lower-income renters.

  • Niagara Falls’ median home value is low—about half the region.

    Median Home Value, 2017

    $69,900

    Source: American Community Survey

  • Rents in Niagara Falls are lower than the region overall.

    Median Rent, 2017

    $645/mo

    Source: American Community Survey

Transportation

Seniors in Niagara Falls are slightly more likely to be without a car.

Households Without Vehicles, 2017
  • 20%
    UNDER 65 yr
  • 22%
    OVER 65 yr
Source: Various. See Data Sources and Notes.

Nine out of ten workers use a car to get to work, but over 3,300 use other modes.

Crime

Violent crime fell 7% since 2010, but the city has the highest rate of all 12 communities.

While rates fell 17%, property crimes are more common here than the other 12 communities.

Despite high poverty among youth, juvenile arrests fell by more than half since 2013.

Explore other communities in urban areas in Buffalo Niagara:

Learn more through Community Reports

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