Buffalo, New York – The Queen City

With a population of over 258,000 residents as of 2020 according to Wikipedia, Buffalo is the second largest city in New York state after New York City. Located in Erie County in Western New York, Buffalo is a vibrant city with a rich history and bright future.

History

The City of Buffalo traces its origins to 1789 when Cornelius Winney established a tavern here along the eastern end of Lake Erie. By 1825, the completion of the Erie Canal helped transform Buffalo into a major transportation hub, connecting the eastern seaboard with the Great Lakes region.

During the 19th and early 20th centuries, Buffalo thrived as a major railroad center and inland port. The opening of the St. Lawrence Seaway in 1957 allowed ships to bypass Niagara Falls and helped revitalize the city’s economy. Learn more about Buffalo’s storied history at the Buffalo History Museum.

Economy

Formerly a manufacturing powerhouse, Buffalo has worked hard to reinvent itself in recent decades. Major local employers include M&T Bank, Kaleida Health, the University at Buffalo, General Motors, Moog Aerospace, Delaware North food service and hospitality, and Rich Products. The Buffalo Niagara Medical Campus is a major center of medical research and healthcare. Tourism also makes an important contribution to the local economy.

Major companies headquartered in Buffalo include New Era Cap Company, Delaware North, AAA Western and Central New York, and Gibraltar Industries. For more on the Buffalo economy visit the Buffalo Niagara Partnership website.

Attractions and Entertainment

Buffalo offers a wealth of cultural attractions and recreational opportunities. The Albright-Knox Art Gallery houses an outstanding collection of modern and contemporary works. The Buffalo Museum of Science engages visitors through interactive exhibits. The Frank Lloyd Wright-designed Darwin Martin House allows you to tour an iconic example of Prairie Style architecture.

The Buffalo & Erie County Public Library system operates 37 local branches including the striking Central Library downtown. Buffalo is also home to numerous professional and amateur theater companies, including Shea’s Performing Arts Center.

For family fun, check out the Buffalo Zoo, Buffalo Museum of Science, Canalside, Niagara Square, Buffalo and Erie County Naval & Military Park, and Tifft Nature Preserve. Buffalo is also home to Minor League baseball with the Buffalo Bisons, the Triple-A affiliate of the Toronto Blue Jays.

Public Transportation

The Niagara Frontier Transportation Authority (NFTA) operates public buses throughout Erie and Niagara counties as well as the Metro Rail light rail system. Buffalo Niagara International Airport offers direct flights on a number of domestic and international carriers. Visit NFTA.com for route maps and schedules.

Geography and Climate

Buffalo is located in Western New York State on the eastern shores of Lake Erie at the head of the Niagara River, approximately 20 miles south of Niagara Falls. It lies north of Pennsylvania across Lake Erie. Buffalo has a humid continental climate with four distinct seasons.

Summers are mild to warm with temperatures averaging in the 70s. Winters are cold and snowy – one of Buffalo’s claims to fame is receiving huge amounts of lake effect snow from November through March!

Neighborhoods and Housing

The City of Buffalo contains a diverse array of architecture and vibrant neighborhoods. Allentown is known for its historic Victorian homes, art galleries, and boutiques. The Elmwood Village offers street after street of beautiful residential streets. The waterfront has undergone extensive redevelopment over the past decade, with Canalside, Harbor Center, and the Outer Harbor parks.

Popular suburbs include Williamsville, Amherst, Tonawanda, Buffalo, Depew, West Seneca, and Orchard Park. Housing stock ranges from urban apartments and lofts to suburban split levels and ranch homes. The median home value in Buffalo is around $155,000.

Higher Education

Buffalo is home to over a dozen colleges and universities. The largest is the State University of New York at Buffalo (UB), a major public research university with over 30,000 students spread across three campuses. Other major schools include Buffalo State College, Canisius College, Medaille College, D’Youville College, Daemen College, and Bryant & Stratton College.

Sports Teams

Despite its relatively small size, Buffalo boasts two major league professional sports teams. The Buffalo Bills are a National Football League team who play their home games at Highmark Stadium in Orchard Park. The Buffalo Sabres are a National Hockey League team based at KeyBank Center downtown.

In addition to the Bisons minor league baseball team, Buffalo is also home to the Buffalo Bandits indoor lacrosse team and the Buffalo Beauts women’s ice hockey team.

Cuisine

Buffalo is rightfully famous for its chicken wings, originally invented here in 1964 at the Anchor Bar. Stop by the original Anchor Bar location downtown or try dozens of other wing joints scattered around the region. Beef on weck is another local specialty – a roast beef sandwich served on a kummelweck roll topped with salt and caraway seeds.

The city offers a diverse array of dining options including Italian, Polish, German, Asian, Mexican, Greek, Middle Eastern, vegetarian, and more. Local mainstays include Ted’s Hot Dogs, Schwabl’s, Charlie the Butcher, and Sweetness 7 Cafe. Buffalo’s food culture will not disappoint!

Demographics

Buffalo has a diverse population of around 258,000. The racial makeup is approximately 47% white, 37% black, 7% Hispanic, and 6% Asian. The median age is 35. Nearly 23% of residents live below the poverty line. Buffalo has been working to reverse decades of population decline through focused economic development efforts.

County and Regional Links

Buffalo is the county seat of Erie County. Visit ErieCounty.gov or call (716) 858-6000 for more county resources and information. The mailing address is:
95 Franklin Street
Buffalo, NY 14202

Buffalo is part of the bi-national Buffalo Niagara mega-region which includes Southern Ontario, Canada. Learn more at BuffaloNiagara.org.

School Districts

Public schools in Buffalo are operated by the Buffalo Public School District at BuffaloSchools.org. Numerous public school districts also serve the surrounding suburbs and towns including Sweet Home, Williamsville, Cheektowaga, West Seneca, and more. There are also nearly 100 private and parochial schools in the region.

Parks and Outdoor Recreation

The Buffalo Olmsted Parks Conservancy maintains an emerald necklace of beautiful parks designed by Frederick Law Olmsted including Delaware Park and Front Park. Other major parks include Martin Luther King Jr Park, Cazenovia Park, and South Park. Buffalo’s Outer Harbor provides access to Lake Erie with miles of trails, bike paths, and recreation areas.

Major Landmarks

Buffalo City Hall – 65 Niagara Square, Buffalo, NY 14202 (Website)

Lafayette Square – Buffalo, NY 14203 (Website)

Darwin Martin House – 125 Jewett Pkwy, Buffalo, NY 14214 (Website)

Here are the GPS coordinates for these landmarks:

Buffalo City Hall – 42°53’07.0″N 78°52’29.0″W

Lafayette Square – 42°53’43.3″N 78°52’17.8″W

Darwin Martin House – 42°55’57.4″N 78°50’37.6″W