Communities

Lockport

Overall, poverty in Lockport is declining. But poverty is still common for single parents and children. Young adults in Lockport face poverty at a higher rate than the region overall. High school graduation rates are above the regional average, but young adults may be challenged to find good-paying jobs in the community. Other challenges include high housing cost burdens for lower-income families, and the need to have a car to get to to work.

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

Lockport’s population declined since 2011, but the number of residents living in or near poverty declined even more.

Vulnerable populations, % living in poverty, 2017

13% of all children in Lockport live in poverty. This is less than the poverty rate for young adults.

Source: American Community Survey.

About a third of all single parents live in poverty. This is on par with the region as a whole.

Source: American Community Survey.

About one in five young adults live in poverty. This is a higher share than the region overall.

Source: American Community Survey.

The poverty rate for Lockport’s two-parent families is 4%. This is lower than the regional rate (6%).

Source: American Community Survey.

13% of refugees and immigrants are in poverty—about half the regional poverty rate for this group.

Source: American Community Survey.

Seniors in Lockport are less likely to live in poverty than children and young adults.

Source: American Community Survey.

WORK AND INCOME

Even with fewer jobs than decades ago, GM is still Lockport’s largest employer. These 10 employers make up about a quarter of all jobs.

Top 10 Employers, 2019
Rank Employer
#1 General Motors
#2 Eastern Niagara Hospital
#3 Lockport City School District
#4 Niagara County Sheriffs Dept.
#5 Grand Tours & Ridge Road Express
#6 Walmart Supercenter
#7 Candlelight Cabinetry Inc.
#8 Wyndham Lawn Home For Children
#9 Home Depot
#10 Odd Fellow-Rebekah Benefit Fund

Source: Various. See Data Sources and Notes.

With nearly 17,000 jobs, many that pay more than $40k/year, Lockport is an employment hub for Niagara County.

Jobs by Income Level, 2015
Lockport Buffalo Niagara
Total Jobs 16,784 547,851
<$15k/yr 4,427
(26%)
 150,324
(27%)
$15-$40k/yr 5,975
(36%)
 178,599
(33%)
>$40k/yr 6,382
(38%)
 218,928
(40%)

Source: US Census Bureau, LEHD.

Education

23% of Lockport adults have a bachelor’s degree or more. These residents earn more than those with less education.

Graduation rates in Lockport are consistently above the regional average. High school grads earn $10k+/yr more than those who drop out.

Housing

66% of lower-income households are burdened by housing costs. Homeowners are more likely to be cost-burdened.

  • Home values are 15% lower than the regional average.

    Median Home Value, 2017

    $105,606

    Source: American Community Survey.

  • Monthly rents are also 15% lower than the regional average.

    Median Rent, 2017

    $652/month

    Source: American Community Survey.

Transportation

Older residents in Lockport are slightly more likely to be without a vehicle.

Households Without Vehicles, 2017
  • 8%
    UNDER 65 yr
  • 11%
    OVER 65 yr
Source: American Community Survey.

About 93% of workers commute by car, but nearly 1,200 use other modes, like walking.

Crime

In 2017, Lockport’s violent crime rate hit its lowest point since at least 2010.

Lockport’s property crime rate decreased by 52% from 2010 to 2017.

There have only been three juvenile arrests in Lockport since 2013.

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