Cheektowaga

by The Linguist

Cheektowaga is a town located in Erie County, New York, United States. As of the 2020 census, the population of Cheektowaga was estimated to be 87,309 residents, making it the second largest suburb of Buffalo after Amherst.

Population

According to the 2020 census, Cheektowaga had a population of 87,309 people. This makes it the second most populous suburb of Buffalo, after Amherst. The town’s population density was estimated to be 3,466 people per square mile. The racial makeup of Cheektowaga is predominantly white, with 78.5% of residents identifying as white alone. Other major racial groups include Black or African American (13.5%), Asian (3.6%), and Hispanic or Latino (4.4%) of any race.

Over the past few decades, Cheektowaga’s population has declined slightly. In 2000, the population was recorded as 90,355 and in 2010 it was 88,226. This represents a 2.4% decrease between 2000 and 2010. Some possible reasons for the population decline include people moving to other parts of the Buffalo metro area or out of the region altogether.

In terms of age, Cheektowaga has a slightly older population compared to New York state overall. The median age in Cheektowaga is 41.8 years old, while the statewide median age is 38.2 years old. Approximately 15.5% of Cheektowaga’s population is aged 65 years and over.

Economy and Major Employers

Historically Cheektowaga was a manufacturing and industrial center, but like many cities in the Rust Belt, it has seen a decline in manufacturing over the past few decades. Some of the major employers in Cheektowaga today include:

Some of the industries that currently make up the economic base of Cheektowaga include healthcare, retail, education, and local government. Tourism and hospitality also play a role, driven by attractions like the Walden Galleria shopping mall which draws in visitors from around the region.

In 2019, the median household income in Cheektowaga was $60,752 while the per capita income was $33,524. The town’s unemployment rate as of May 2021 was estimated at 5.7%. This compares to a statewide unemployment rate in New York of 7.8% for the same time period.

Overall, Cheektowaga has a diversifying economy but one that faces some of the same post-industrial challenges as other parts of upstate New York and the rust belt.

Landmarks and Attractions

Some of the most notable landmarks and attractions in Cheektowaga include:

Recreational opportunities are also abundant in Cheektowaga. The town has over 12 parks and is home to parts of the Niagara River/Tonawanda Creek watershed which provides fishing, boating, and other water activities.

Government

Cheektowaga has a council-manager form of government. The Cheektowaga Town Council consists of four council members who pass legislation and appoint a Town Supervisor. The Town Supervisor serves as chief executive officer. The day-to-day operations are handled by a professional Town Manager appointed by the council.

Some of the departments within Cheektowaga’s government include police, public works, parks and recreation, planning, and zoning. In addition to the town government, Cheektowaga is served by the Cheektowaga Central School District for public education.

Residents can stay up to date on town news and events by following the Town of Cheektowaga Facebook page or visiting the official town website.

Sports

Cheektowaga does not have any major professional sports teams within the town limits. However, residents are still able to enjoy sports by supporting Buffalo’s professional teams, including:

In high school athletics, Cheektowaga’s teams are known as the Warriors and compete in the New York State Public High School Athletic Association Class A Section 6 league.