Communities

West Seneca

Residents in West Seneca are less likely to live in or near poverty compared to other communities across the region. But a recent uptick in poverty is a challenge for the town—service providers must support higher levels of need without a growing resource base. An aging population, limited high-paying job options, housing cost burdens, and the need to own a car to get around, all add to the community’s economic needs.

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

Since 2011, the number in or near poverty grew at 5 times the pace of the total population.

Vulnerable populations in or near poverty, 2017

9% of all West Seneca children are in poverty. Children of single parents are more at risk.

Source: American Community Survey.

20% of single parent families are in poverty compared to 36% of single parent families region wide.

Source: American Community Survey.

Young adults in West Seneca are less than half as likely to live in poverty as they are across the region.

Source: American Community Survey.

Poverty rates for married couples with children in West Seneca are half the regional rate (6%).

Source: American Community Survey.

Compared to the region, refugees and immigrants in West Seneca are unlikely to live in poverty.

Source: American Community Survey.

The poverty rate for West Seneca’s older adults is lower than the region overall (10%).

Source: American Community Survey.

WORK AND INCOME

These top employers provide 20% of all jobs in town. They include construction firms, manufacturers, schools, retailers, and wholesalers.

Top 10 Employers, 2019
Rank Employer
#1 West Seneca Central School District
#2 Multisorb Technologies Inc.
#3 Wegmans
#4 Erie 1 BOCES
#5 Union Concrete & Construction Corporation
#6 Certo Brothers Distributing Co.
#7 Tops Friendly Market
#8 Mayer Brothers
#9 Jack Cooper Transport
#10 Home Depot

Source: Various. See Data Sources and Notes.

With less than 18,500 jobs, 61% of which pay less than $40k/year, West Seneca is not a major employment hub for the region.

Jobs by Income Level, 2015
West Seneca Buffalo-Niagara Metro. Regio
Total Jobs 18,465 547,851
Earnings <$15k/yr 5,553
(30%)
 150,324
(27%)
Earnings $15k-$40k/yr 5,665
(31%)
 178,599
(33%)
Earnings >$40/yr 7,247
(39%)
 218,928
(40%)

Source: US Census Bureau, LEHD.

Education

66% of adults have a high school diploma or some college education. They earn more than residents with the same education regionally.

West Seneca high school graduation rates remained consistently above the regional average since 2010.

Housing

Renters are more likely to be burdened by housing costs, but there are more cost-burdened homeowners than renters.

  • With higher median home values than the region, many homeowners are cost-burdened.

    Median Home Value, 2017

    $141,500

    Source: American Community Survey

  • Rents in West Seneca are slightly higher than the region overall.

    Median Rent, 2017

    $780/mo

    Source: American Community Survey

Transportation

Older adults are more than twice as likely as younger households to not have a vehicle.

Households Without Vehicles, 2017
  • 5%
    UNDER 65 yr
  • 11%
    OVER 65 yr
Source: American Community Survey.

96% of workers either drive or carpool. Less than 1,000 commute by some other mode.

Crime

West Seneca’s violent crime rate increased from a low of 78 in 2013 to 139 in 2016.

Property crime decreased by 43% since 2010.

Juvenile arrest numbers are low and on the decline in West Seneca.

Explore other communities in suburban areas in Buffalo Niagara:

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