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
Buffalo covers 40.4 sq mi of land at 6845 people per square mile.
About Buffalo, NY
Buffalo is a city in New York with a population of 276,397. It ranks #2 among cities in New York by population. The median age is 34.3, younger than the national median. The population is 47.8% male and 52.2% female.
The median household income in Buffalo is $48,050, below the US median of $74,580. 22.3% of residents live below the federal poverty level. Home values sit at a median of $152,300, with monthly rent averaging $989. The homeownership rate of 42.7% is lower than the national rate of 64.8%.
Educational attainment in Buffalo reflects 30.3% of adults 25 and older holding a bachelor's degree or higher, below the national average of 34.3%. Roughly 9.6% of workers primarily work from home, below the national work-from-home rate of 14.2%. The average commute is 19.9 minutes each way.
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).
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Statewide data for New York
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Data from the American Community Survey (ACS) 5-Year estimates.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS, 2026.