Buffalo, New York Population 2026
Updated April 2026 · US Census ACS 2023 5-Year Estimates
The population of Buffalo, New York is 276,397 as of the 2023 American Community Survey, making it the 78th-largest city in the United States and the 2nd-largest in New York. The median household income is $48,050, the median home value is $152,300, and the median age is 34.3.
The population has grown 5.9% since 2010 (261,275 → 276,617).
276,397
Population
6845
People / sq mi
$48,050
Median Income
$152,300
Median Home Value
Get Buffalo's next ACS population data
Subscribe for Population Review updates by email. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.
Buffalo covers 40.4 sq mi of land at 6845 people per square mile.
About Buffalo, NY
The poverty rate is what most separates Buffalo from the typical city: 22.3% of residents live below the federal poverty line, against 12.4% nationally. With 276,397 residents, Buffalo is a city in New York. That makes it one of the ten largest cities in New York in the country, at #2 by population.
Household earnings sit near the bottom of the range at $48,050, below the US median of $78,538. Poverty is among the highest of comparable US cities: 22.3%, above the national 12.4%. Homes are comparatively cheap — a median value of $152,300, with typical rent around $989.
Degree attainment is mid-range for US cities: 30.3% of adults hold a four-year degree, below the national 35.0%. Around 9.6% of workers work from home, below the national 14.0%, and the average commute runs about 20 minutes each way.
The elevated poverty rate is the context for the rest of the profile in Buffalo: it pulls on median income, housing tenure, and the share of residents with a college degree.
Buffalo city Population History (2010-2024)
The city of Buffalo city had a population of 261,275 in 2010 and 276,617 in 2024, a 5.9% growth over 14 years. The peak was 277,728 in 2021. Average annual growth rate: 0.43%.
276,617
Population (2024)
261,275
Population (2010)
277,728
Peak (2021)
0.43%
Avg Annual Growth
| Year | Population |
|---|---|
| 2010 | 261,275 |
| 2011 | 260,701 |
| 2012 | 260,155 |
| 2013 | 260,013 |
| 2014 | 259,548 |
| 2015 | 258,165 |
| 2016 | 256,816 |
| 2017 | 256,301 |
| 2018 | 255,781 |
| 2019 | 255,284 |
| 2020 | 277,558 |
| 2021 | 277,728 |
| 2022 | 275,907 |
| 2023 | 276,376 |
| 2024 | 276,617 |
Race & Ethnicity
| White | 45.4% |
| Black or African American | 32.9% |
| Asian | 0.0% |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 1.6% |
| Two or More Races | 0.0% |
Economy & Income
$48,050
Median Household Income
$30,995
Per Capita Income
22.3%
Poverty Rate
4.3%
Unemployment Rate
Housing
$152,300
Median Home Value
$989
Median Rent
42.7%
Owner-Occupied
Education
86.6%
High School+
30.3%
Bachelor's+
Commute
8.5%
Drive Alone
64.5%
Public Transit
9.6%
Work From Home
19.9 min
Avg Commute
Community Profile
11.3%
Foreign Born
80.8%
Non-English at Home
5.1%
Veterans
16.5%
With Disability
96.3%
Health Insurance
92.6%
Internet Access
Employment by Industry
| Professional, Scientific & Management | 31.4% |
| Education, Health Care & Social Services | 10.7% |
| Finance, Insurance & Real Estate | 10.5% |
| Manufacturing | 8.5% |
| Information | 7.3% |
| Retail Trade | 5.5% |
| Public Administration | 4.3% |
| Arts, Entertainment & Food Services | 4.2% |
| Construction | 3.7% |
| Transportation & Warehousing | 1.7% |
| Agriculture & Mining | 0.4% |
Largest cities in New York
Largest counties in New York
Part of New York
Metro areas in New York
City rankings
Common questions about Buffalo, NY
Frequently Asked Questions
Buffalo, New York has a population of 276,397 according to the US Census Bureau's 2023 American Community Survey 5-year estimates, making it the 78th-largest city in the United States and the 2nd-largest in New York.
The median household income in Buffalo, New York is $48,050, with 22.3% of residents living below the federal poverty level.
The median home value in Buffalo, New York is $152,300, with median monthly rent at $989 and a homeownership rate of 42.7%.
The median age in Buffalo, New York is 34.3 years. The population is 47.8% male and 52.2% female.
The population has grown 5.9% since 2010 (261,275 → 276,617).
Where to stay in Buffalo
Visiting or relocating to Buffalo, NY? Compare hotels and short-term rentals across the metro — live availability and prices.
Availability and prices from Stay22 partners (Booking.com, Vrbo, Expedia). We may earn a commission from bookings, at no extra cost to you.
More from New York
Population 8,516,202
Population 209,720
Population 209,529
Population 146,211
Population 100,081
Full rankings of New York cities by population
Statewide data for New York
Population, race, income, age, and trends across New York
Data from the American Community Survey (ACS) 5-Year estimates.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS, 2026.