Gowanda, NY

Full City Profile · New York · Cattaraugus County County

3.3 /5.0
B Good
2,929 Population 1,842/sq mi density
$49,946 Median Income $24,635 per capita
$84,700 Home Value $166,180 Zillow
$709 Median Rent 33.0% income on rent
47°F Avg Temperature
B
Overall
3.3 / 5.0
Good overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
B
Economy
3.0 / 5.0
$49,946 median income, 4.9% unemployment
A+
Affordability
5.0 / 5.0
$84,700 home value, $709/mo rent
D
Education
1.8 / 5.0
10.5% bachelor's degree or higher
Gowanda experiences four distinct seasons with an average annual temperature of 47°F (8°C). Winters average 23°F in January while summers reach 69°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 53.7 inches. The area receives 208.3 inches of snow annually.

Temperature

23°F Jan (-5°C) 69°F Jul (21°C)
Annual Average46.9°F
13% below US avg
January Average23°F (-5°C)
July Average69°F (21°C)

Geography

Elevation765 ft (233 m)
Area1.6 sq mi (4.2 km²)
Population Density1,842/sq mi
Coordinates42.4604°N, 78.9345°W
TimezoneAmerica/New_York
CountyCattaraugus County County
Nearest AirportBuffalo Niagara International (BUF)
35 miles away

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall 53.7"
41% above US avg
Snowfall 208.3"
Wettest Month (Dec) 5.76"
Driest Month (May) 3.65"

Air Quality

Natural Hazard Risk

Overall RiskRelatively Moderate
Risk Score81.6 / 100
Social Vulnerability78.9 / 100
Community Resilience60.9 / 100

Hazard Breakdown

Tornado Relatively Moderate
Hurricane Relatively Low
Earthquake Very Low
Wildfire Very Low
Flood Relatively Moderate
Hail Very Low
Strong Wind Relatively Moderate
Heat Wave Very Low
Winter Weather Relatively Moderate
Lightning Relatively High
Ice Storm Relatively Low
Drought No Rating
Cold Wave Relatively Low
Landslide Relatively Low
Avalanche Very Low
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)

Earthquake History

18 earthquakes (M2.5+) within 150 km since 1990. Strongest: M3.8. Most recent: M3.8 on Feb 6, 2023.

Nov 26, 1999 14 km ESE of Centennial Scarborough, Canada M3.8 139 km
Feb 6, 2023 1 km NE of West Seneca, New York M3.8 46 km
Feb 3, 2001 6 km W of Bath, New York M3.2 127 km
May 8, 2018 14 km SSE of Ajax, Canada M3.0 142 km
May 25, 1995 3 km NW of Amherst, New York M3.0 60 km
Aug 4, 2004 30 km SSW of Cobourg, Canada M3.0 148 km
Jun 16, 2004 11 km NNW of Angola on the Lake, New York M2.9 35 km
Jun 5, 2009 4 km SSE of Attica, New York M2.9 70 km
Mar 28, 2005 16 km NW of Virgil, Canada M2.8 100 km
Mar 8, 2008 5 km ENE of Clarence Center, New York M2.7 70 km
Dec 21, 2009 10 km NNE of Olcott, New York M2.7 110 km
Mar 15, 2022 5 km SSW of Warsaw, New York M2.6 69 km
Mar 29, 2020 11 km N of Lyndonville, New York M2.6 117 km
Sep 20, 2009 20 km ESE of Oakville, Canada M2.6 111 km
Jul 11, 2017 11 km NNW of Barker, New York M2.5 112 km
Jan 25, 1999 New York M2.5 94 km
Dec 17, 1990 5 km SSE of Middleboro, Pennsylvania M2.5 113 km
Feb 13, 2014 34 km N of Lyndonville, New York M2.5 138 km
Source: USGS (M2.5+, 1990-2025)

Tornado History

124 tornadoes (EF0+) within 100 km since 1950. Strongest: EF4. Total: 8 fatalities, 88 injuries.

Date Rating Distance Fatalities
May 31, 1985 EF4 93 km 4
May 31, 1985 EF3 54 km 0
May 31, 1985 EF3 98 km 0
May 2, 1983 EF3 66 km 2
Aug 19, 1970 EF3 24 km 0
Jun 20, 1969 EF3 75 km 0
Jul 24, 1967 EF3 22 km 0
May 15, 1961 EF3 49 km 0
Jul 10, 2024 EF2 19 km 0
Jul 28, 2022 EF2 53 km 0
Apr 14, 2019 EF2 80 km 0
Jul 20, 2017 EF2 32 km 0
Nov 14, 2011 EF2 40 km 0
Nov 14, 2011 EF2 57 km 0
Jul 24, 2010 EF2 34 km 0
Jul 24, 2010 EF2 57 km 0
Apr 28, 2002 EF2 68 km 0
Jun 2, 1998 EF2 65 km 0
Aug 16, 1997 EF2 98 km 0
Jun 13, 1994 EF2 30 km 0
Source: NOAA SPC (EF0+, 1950-2024)

Wildfire History

1 wildfire (100+ acres) within 100 km. Largest: MOHAWK POOL (507 ac, 1994).

Year Name Acres Distance
1994 MOHAWK POOL 507 86 km
Source: NIFC/IRWIN (100+ acres)

Monthly Weather

Month Avg Temperature Precipitation Summary
January 23°F (-5°C) 4.9 in Coldest
February 25°F (-4°C) 4.2 in
March 33°F (1°C) 3.8 in
April 44°F (7°C) 4.0 in
May 57°F (14°C) 3.7 in Driest
June 66°F (19°C) 4.2 in
July 69°F (21°C) 3.7 in Warmest
August 68°F (20°C) 4.5 in
September 61°F (16°C) 5.0 in
October 49°F (10°C) 5.3 in
November 39°F (4°C) 4.8 in
December 29°F (-2°C) 5.8 in Wettest

Gowanda has a seasonal temperature swing of 46°F / from 23°F in January to 69°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 53.7 inches, with December being the wettest month (5.8") and May the driest (3.7").

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