Tonawanda, NY

New York · Metropolitan Area

Tonawanda is a small city in New York with a population of 15,044. Residents earn $61,619 per year, which is 18% below the national average.

3.2 /5.0
B Good
15,044 Population 3,959/sq mi density
$61,619 Median Income $35,348 per capita
$159,500 Home Value
$776 Median Rent
48°F Avg Temperature
140 Violent Crime/100K 2,347 property/100K
B
Overall
3.2 / 5.0
Good overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
B+
Economy
3.9 / 5.0
$61,619 median income, 3.6% unemployment
A+
Affordability
5.0 / 5.0
$159,500 home value, $776/mo rent
F
Safety
1.0 / 5.0
140 violent crimes/100K (63% below avg)
B
Education
3.1 / 5.0
26.0% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $61,619
18% lower than US avg
Home Value $159,500
43% lower than US avg
Violent Crime 140/100K
63% lower than US avg
Bachelor's+ 26.0%
23% lower than US avg
Median Rent $776
33% lower than US avg
Obesity Rate 33.4%
4% higher than US avg
Unemployment 3.6%
0% lower than US avg
Poverty Rate 7.3%
41% lower than US avg

How Tonawanda Compares to the U.S. Average (100% = U.S. avg)

People

Population15,044
Median Age42.3 yrs
Density3,959/mi²
Male / Female50% / 50%
Largest GroupWhite 91%

Economy

B+
Median Income$61,619
Per Capita$35,348
Unemployment3.6%
Poverty7.3%
County GDP$13,570M
Commute22 min

Housing

A+
Home Value$159,500
Rent$776
OwnershipN/A

Crime

F
Violent140/100K
Property2,347/100K
Murder0.0/100K
Assault94/100K
Burglary267/100K

Health

Obesity33.4%
UninsuredN/A
Depression23.3%
Heart Disease5.5%

Climate

Avg Temp48°F
AQI36 (Good)
Rain40.1 in/yr
Elevation571 ft

Education

B
Bachelor's+26.0%
High School+92.3%
School Score5.39

Community

2024 VoteR 57% / D 43%
Commute22 min
EV Stations11
Libraries12

Is Tonawanda a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, Tonawanda receives an overall livability score of 3.2 out of 5.0, earning a grade of B. Key strengths include low crime rates, affordable housing, a low poverty rate, high health insurance coverage. Tonawanda offers a solid quality of life with a good balance of affordability, safety, and opportunity.

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in Tonawanda is $61,619, 18% below the national average of $75,149. Unemployment stands at 3.6%, indicating a healthy job market. Only 7.3% of residents live below the poverty line, well below the national rate of 12.4%. Workers commute an average of 22 minutes.

Cost of Living & Housing

The median home value in Tonawanda is $159,500, 43% below the national median — offering relatively affordable homeownership. Renters pay a median of $776 per month, below the national average — a plus for affordability. At just 2.6x median income, home prices are very affordable relative to local earnings.

Safety & Crime

Tonawanda is a very safe community with a violent crime rate of 140 per 100,000 residents — well below the national average of 380. Property crime occurs at a rate of 2,347 per 100,000, near the national average.

Education

26.0% of residents hold a bachelor's degree, below the national average of 33.7%. 92.3% have completed high school. Area schools have an average test score of 5.4/10.

Climate & Weather

Tonawanda experiences four distinct seasons with an average temperature of 48°F. Winters average 25°F in January while summers reach 71°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 40.1 inches, including 79.8 inches of snow. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 36.

Tonawanda has a population of 15,044 with a density of 3,959 people per square mile. The median age is 42.3 years, 9% older than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly White (91%), with 1.4% Black.

Population

15,044
Total Population
3,959
People / sq mi
42.3yrs
Median Age
9% above US avg
3.8mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 50.2%
Female 49.8%

Race & Ethnicity

Tonawanda vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

English Only92.9%
18% above US avg
Spanish7.1%
47% below US avg

Social Characteristics

Tonawanda vs U.S. Average

The median household income in Tonawanda is $61,619, which is 18% below the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 3.6% (below the 3.6% US average). 7.3% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 22 minutes.

Income: Tonawanda vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$61,619
18% below US avg
Per Capita Income$35,348
Avg Weekly Wage$1,071
IRS Avg AGI$65,629

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment3.6%
0% below US avg
Poverty Rate7.3%
41% below US avg
Establishments (County)4,950
County GDP$13,570M

Business (County)

Restaurants534
Healthcare485
Retail715
Manufacturing254

Tax & Cost of Living

Property Tax (IRS)$7,213
106% above US avg
Effective Tax Rate4.52%

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time22.3 min
Work from Home14.6%

Walkability

The median home value in Tonawanda is $159,500, 43% below the national average. Monthly rent averages $776 (33% below US avg).

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$159,500
43% below US avg
Median List Price$240,000

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Median List Price$240,000
$/Sq Ft$185
Homes Sold43
Sale-to-List Ratio101.8%
Price Drops16.7%
Inventory18

Rental Costs

Census Median Rent$776
33% below US avg
Zillow Rent (ZORI)$1,298

HUD Fair Market Rent

Studio$1,215
1 Bedroom$1,315
2 Bedrooms$1,579
3 Bedrooms$1,976
4 Bedrooms$2,193

Ownership & Property

Owner-Occupied73.8%

Property Tax

Avg Tax (IRS)$7,213
106% above US avg
Effective Rate4.52%
In Tonawanda, 33.4% of adults are obese (above the 32.1% national rate). 23.3% report depression. 24.4% are physically inactive.

Health Metrics: Tonawanda vs U.S. Average (%)

Chronic Conditions

Obesity33.4%
4% above US avg
Diabetes8.9%
Heart Disease5.5%
High Blood Pressure28.8%
Asthma11.9%
COPD6.7%
Stroke2.9%

Behaviors & Mental Health

Binge Drinking20.4%
Physical Inactivity24.4%
Depression23.3%
Mental Distress18.4%
Physical Distress13.2%

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate96.7%
Checkup Rate80.1%
Premature Death9,535/100K

Food & Exercise

Food Environment8.2/10
Exercise Access87.8%
Healthcare Facilities485
Tonawanda has a violent crime rate of 140 per 100,000 residents, 63% below the national average of 380. Property crime stands at 2,347 per 100,000 (20% above US avg). The murder rate is 0.0 per 100,000.

Crime Rates: Tonawanda vs U.S. Average (per 100,000)

Violent Crime

Total Violent140.4/100K
63% below US avg
Murder0.0/100K
100% below US avg
Rape26.7/100K
Robbery20.1/100K
Assault93.6/100K

Property Crime

Total Property2,346.6/100K
20% above US avg
Burglary267.4/100K
Theft1,992.2/100K
Vehicle Theft86.9/100K
Arson20.1/100K

Traffic Safety

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)25

Safety Score

Safety GradeF
Safety Score1.0 / 5.0
Tonawanda has an average annual temperature of 48°F (9°C). Winters average 25°F in January while summers reach 71°F in July. Annual precipitation is 40.1 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 36.

Temperature

25°F Jan (-4°C) 71°F Jul (22°C)
Annual Average48.2°F
11% below US avg
January Average25°F (-4°C)
July Average71°F (22°C)

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall40.1 inches
6% above US avg
Snowfall79.8 inches/yr

Air Quality

AQI Median36.0
RatingGood

Geography

Elevation571 ft (174 m)
Area3.8 sq mi (9.8 km²)
Population Density3,959/sq mi
Coordinates43.0119°N, 78.8834°W
County FIPS36063
It is classified as Metro — 1 million+. 26.0% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (23% below US avg). In the 2024 election, the county voted Republican by a 14.9-point margin.

2024 Presidential Election (County)

R 57.5%
D 42.5%

Winner: Republican by 14.9 points

Education

Bachelor's Degree+26.0%
23% below US avg
High School+92.3%
School Test Score5.39
B Education Grade (3.1/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 1Metro — 1 million+
Population Density3,959/sq mi
Total Area3.8 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

EV Charging Stations11
Alt Fuel Stations12
Public Libraries12
Healthcare Facilities485
Restaurants534
Retail Stores715

Safety & Disasters

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)25
F Safety Grade (1.0/5.0)

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute22.3 min
Work from Home14.6%

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