Communities

Town of Tonawanda

With 73,000 residents and 33,000 jobs, the Town of Tonawanda is one of the region’s largest communities and employment centers. Yet more than a quarter of the population lives in or near poverty. Vulnerable groups in the town are less likely to be in poverty than elsewhere in the region. However, an aging population, a gap between worker skills and major employer needs, high rents, and reliance on automobiles all add to economic needs.

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

The total population and the number in or near poverty declined slightly since 2011.

Created with Highcharts 7.2.2Population and Poverty, 2011 and 2017Source: American Community Survey.73,81273,81273,04473,04418,20918,20917,42717,427Total PopulationPopulation In or Near Poverty20112017

Use this slider to view trends over time.

2011
2012
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2017

Economic need is concentrated on the west side of Tonawanda where over half of residents live in or near poverty.

Population In or Near Poverty

  • 0%–25%
  • 25%–50%
  • 50%–75%
  • 75%–100%

    • Source: American Community Survey

    Maps are meant to show general trends in the proportion of people living in or near poverty. Trends can be affected by many factors, including changes in total population, unemployment, retirement, marriage, divorce, and other changes in family structure. Questions about the maps can be directed to the UB Regional Institute at regional-institute@buffalo.edu.

    Vulnerable populations, % living in poverty, 2017

    Childhood poverty rates in Tonawanda are lower than the region (22%). Still, about 1,700 children in the town live in poverty.

    Source: American Community Survey.

    Created with Highcharts 7.2.213%13%

    Poverty rates for single parents in the town are lower than the region (36%), but poverty still affects almost 600 single parent families.

    Source: American Community Survey.

    Created with Highcharts 7.2.221%21%

    Young adults in Tonawanda are three times less likely to live in poverty than those across the region.

    Source: American Community Survey.

    Created with Highcharts 7.2.25%5%

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

    Source: American Community Survey.

    Created with Highcharts 7.2.25%5%

    Refugees and immigrants in the town are less likely to live in poverty (14%) than they are across the region (25%).

    Source: American Community Survey.

    Created with Highcharts 7.2.214%14%

    Older adults in the town are less likely to be in poverty than the region overall. Still, about 520 residents age 75 or older live in poverty.

    Source: American Community Survey.

    Created with Highcharts 7.2.27%7%

    WORK AND INCOME

    In a town with a rich history of manufacturing, most of Tonawanda’s top employers are still manufacturers.

    Top 10 Employers, 2019
    Rank Employer
    #1 GM Powertrain
    #2 Caregivers Home Care
    #3 Sumitomo Rubber USA
    #4 Praxair Inc.
    #5 Kenmore-Tonawanda Union Free School District
    #6 DuPont
    #7 Tops Friendly Market
    #8 John W. Danforth Company
    #9 JD Supply
    #10 ABM Engineering Services

    Source: Various. See Data Sources and Notes.

    With nearly 14,000 jobs paying over $40k/yr, Tonawanda provides quality job opportunities for the region’s residents.

    Jobs by Income Level, 2015
    Town of Tonawanda Buffalo Niagara
    Total Jobs 32,964 547,851
    Earnings <$15k/yr 9,112
    (28%)
    		150,324
    (27%)
    Earnings $15k-$40k/yr 10,033
    (30%)
    		178,599
    (33%)
    Earnings >$40k/yr 13,819
    (42%)
    		218,928
    (40%)

    Source: US Census Bureau, LEHD.

    Education

    58% of adults in the town have a high school diploma or some college. They earn more than residents with the same education regionally.

    Created with Highcharts 7.2.2Educational Attainment and Income, 2017Source: American Community Survey.$25,930$25,930$31,682$31,682$36,957$36,957$45,892$45,892$52,574$52,5746%6%26%26%32%32%20%20%16%16%Median Earnings% of Adults Age 25+ by Educational AttainmentLess than High SchoolHigh School Diploma (orequivalent)Some College or Associate'sDegreeBachelor's DegreeGraduate or Professional Degree

    Graduation rates in Tonawanda are consistently above the regional average.

    Created with Highcharts 7.2.2Graduation Rates, 2011-2017Source: NYS Education Department.81%81%83%83%83%83%84%84%87%87%90%90%87%87%81%81%79%79%81%81%81%81%84%84%85%85%84%84%Town of TonawandaBuffalo Niagara Metro Region2010-112011-122012-132013-142014-152015-162016-17

    Housing

    Lower-income homeowners are less likely to be cost-burdened than lower-income renters.

    Created with Highcharts 7.2.2Lower-Income Households Paying More than 30% of Household Income on Housing Costs, 2017Source: American Community Survey.59%79%OwnersRenters

    • Homes are fairly affordable in the town—median values are $11,000 less than the region.

      Median Home Value, 2017

      $124,200

      Source: American Community Survey

    • Rental housing is slightly more expensive in Tonawanda than the region overall.

      Median Rent, 2017

      $792/mo

      Source: American Community Survey

    Transportation

    Adults age 65 or older are about three times more likely to be without a car than younger households.

    Households Without Vehicles, 2017
    • 6%
      UNDER 65 yr
    • 17%
      OVER 65 yr
    Source: American Community Survey.

    More than 3,100 Tonawanda households do not have a vehicle, yet 93% of workers use a car to get to work.

    Created with Highcharts 7.2.2Commute Mode, 2017Source: American Community Survey.84%84%9%9%2%2%2%2%2%2%0%0%1%1%Drive AloneCarpoolPublic TransportationWalkWork from HomeBicycleOther Transportation

    Crime

    2017 rates for violent crime were among the lowest in recent years.

    Property crime rates are also at a seven-year low.

    Created with Highcharts 7.2.2Violent Crime Rate per 100,000, 2010-2017Source: NYS Division of Criminal Justice Services.17417414114116016015915912812819219218218213713720102011201220132014201520162017
    Created with Highcharts 7.2.2Property Crime Rate per 100,000, 2010-2017Source: NYS Division of Criminal Justice Services.1,5051,5051,4041,4041,4541,4541,4941,4941,3791,3791,5041,5041,5131,5131,2491,24920102011201220132014201520162017

    Juvenile arrests decreased by 55% from 2013 to 2017.

    Created with Highcharts 7.2.2Juvenile Arrests, 2013-2017Source: NYS Division of Criminal Justice Services.10810886861001008181484820132014201520162017

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