Erie County, New York, a region situated along Lake Erie’s western shore, boasts a population of 954,236 as per the 2020 census. The county seat is Buffalo, which accounts for approximately 28% of the county’s inhabitants. Named after the Erie tribe of Native Americans who inhabited the area before 1654, Erie County is a part of the Buffalo-Niagara Falls metropolitan area, second in size in New York State only to New York City.
The county is home to a diverse and multicultural population, encompassing Whites, Blacks, Hispanics, Asians, and Native Americans. However, it also grapples with significant disparities in income, poverty, unemployment, and education across its neighborhoods.
In this article, we delve into five of the most economically challenged neighborhoods in Erie County, using data from the U.S. Census Bureau’s American Community Survey (ACS) 2017-2021 estimates. To gauge poverty, we rely on the following indicators:
1. Black Rock
Black Rock, located in northwestern Buffalo near Riverside and Tonawanda, is an urban enclave characterized by a predominantly White population, with pockets of Blacks, Hispanics, and Asians. Despite a population of roughly 9,000 residents, Black Rock contends with profound socioeconomic disadvantages. Based on ACS data, Black Rock reports:
- A median household income of $31,000, 51% lower than the county median and 54% lower than the national median.
- A poverty rate of 32%, more than double the county rate and the national average.
- An unemployment rate of 12%, exceeding both county and national rates.
- An educational attainment rate of 72%, signifying that approximately two-thirds of adults have completed high school or higher education.
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2. Broadway-Fillmore
Situated in eastern Buffalo, near Kaisertown and Lovejoy, Broadway-Fillmore forms an urban landscape marked by a diverse population encompassing Whites, Blacks, Hispanics, and Asians. With approximately 10,000 residents, Broadway-Fillmore confronts significant economic challenges. The ACS data reveals:
- A median household income of $32,000, 49% below the county median and 53% below the national median.
- A poverty rate of 31%, more than double the county and national averages.
- An unemployment rate of 11%, surpassing both county and national rates.
- An educational attainment rate of 68%, signifying that only about two-thirds of adults have completed high school or higher education.
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3. Kensington-Bailey
Kensington-Bailey, positioned in northeastern Buffalo near University Heights and Eggertsville, is an urban neighborhood predominantly inhabited by Black residents, with some Whites, Hispanics, and Asians. This neighborhood comprises about 21,000 people but grapples with severe socioeconomic difficulties. According to ACS data:
- A median household income of $33,000, 48% lower than the county median and 52% lower than the national median.
- A poverty rate of 30%, more than double the county and national averages.
- An unemployment rate of 10%, surpassing both county and national rates.
- An educational attainment rate of 74%, indicating that about three-fourths of adults have completed high school or higher education.
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4. Masten Park
Masten Park, nestled in central Buffalo near Hamlin Park and Cold Spring, is an urban area with a predominantly Black population, along with some Whites, Hispanics, and Asians. With around 12,000 residents, Masten Park faces considerable socioeconomic challenges. The ACS data shows:
- A median household income of $34,000, 46% lower than the county median and 50% lower than the national median.
- A poverty rate of 29%, more than double the county and national averages.
- An unemployment rate of 9%, exceeding both county and national rates.
- An educational attainment rate of 76%, suggesting that about three-fourths of adults have completed high school or higher education.
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5. Schiller Park
Schiller Park, located in eastern Buffalo near Cheektowaga and Sloan, is an urban neighborhood with a diverse population comprising Whites, Blacks, Hispanics, and Asians. It is home to approximately 11,000 residents but grapples with pronounced economic challenges. According to ACS data:
- A median household income of $35,000, 45% lower than the county median and 49% lower than the national median.
- A poverty rate of 28%, more than double the county and national averages.
- An unemployment rate of 8%, exceeding both county and national rates.
- An educational attainment rate of 72%, indicating that roughly two-thirds of adults have completed high school or higher education.
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Conclusion
Erie County, New York, positioned along Lake Erie’s western shore, boasts a diverse and multicultural population, including Whites, Blacks, Hispanics, Asians, and Native Americans. However, it grapples with significant disparities in income, poverty, unemployment, and education across its neighborhoods.
The five most economically challenged neighborhoods in Erie County are Black Rock, Broadway-Fillmore, Kensington-Bailey, Masten Park, and Schiller Park. These communities face numerous obstacles, including low income, high poverty, elevated unemployment, limited access to education, and healthcare services. Addressing these challenges necessitates collaborative efforts from various stakeholders to enhance residents’ quality of life and well-being.