If you look at the various websites that the US Government uses to publish all of the data they collect every year, you would be quite surprised to see the vast amount of information they collect. Every 10 years, the US Commerce Department conducts a decennial US Census that gathers all sorts of information about the people who live in America. They then update that info annually with the American Community Survey.

When looking at all of the data collected from the 2020 Census and the ACS, you learned a lot about Buffalo and Western New York. From demographic trends to the economy, it's nice to see how Buffalo has changed over time, how things have improved or declined, and how those changes impact our region compared to the economy in New York State and the entire nation.

Now, while Western New York has seen a resurgence in the local economy and real estate market, Buffalo continues to rank among the poorest cities in the entire United States of America. Not only does Buffalo remain one of the poorest cities in the US overall, but it also continues to be one of the most economically segregated places in America. In simple terms, what that means is that poverty in the 716 area is not evenly spread. There are some very poor and needy areas, and then there are incredibly wealthy areas. Buffalo and Western New York is the tale of two cities.

You will find some eye-opening details in New York's Census data.

Where Are Western New York's Richest Areas?

The US Census Bureau breaks down every area in the country into Census Tracts or small, relatively permanent statistical subdivisions of a county. Census tracts generally have a population size between 1,200 and 8,000 people, with an optimum size of 4,000 people. Census tracts are tracked and identified by an 11-digit number assigned to each neighborhood or area.

Most of the low-income Census Tracts in Erie County are within the City of Buffalo, which includes the five poorest neighborhoods, while a vast majority of the upper-income Census Tracts are outside of the City.

According to the Census, the annual median income within the Buffalo-Cheektowaga-Niagara Falls, NY (MSA) is approximately $78,000. In contrast, the income in the five wealthiest neighborhoods in Buffalo averages well above $150,000 per year.

5 Wealthiest Neighborhoods In Western New York

You can truly see the differences between the haves and have-nots when looking at these neighborhoods. Details from the 2020 US Census tell us more of the story.

Gallery Credit: Ed Nice

Buffalo, New York's Most Impoverished Neighborhoods Are The Total Opposite

While you can find some seriously impoverished areas in the 716, you will not find any in WNY's richest areas. You can check those out here.

5 Poorest Neighborhoods In Western New York

You can truly see the differences between the haves and have-nots when looking at these neighborhoods. Details from the 2020 US Census tell us more of the story.

Gallery Credit: Ed Nice

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