1st Advantage MortgageAbout 71% of Niagara County homes are owner-occupied, and the median household income is $69,633. A loan makes sense only if its total cost beats your alternatives and the payment fits your budget. Check the lender's New York license first.
On this page
- A quick profile of Niagara County
- Household income in Niagara County
- Work, industries and travel time in Niagara County
- Niagara County housing compared with New York
- Regional comparison for Niagara County
- Niagara County towns compared
- What a median Niagara County budget can carry
- Borrowing situations common in Niagara County
- Who lives in Niagara County, in numbers
- Checking a lender's license in New York
- Before you sign
- Nearby and statewide guides
- Frequently asked questions
A quick profile of Niagara County
The latest five-year Census estimate puts Niagara County's population at 210,721; only 17 of New York's 62 county-level areas are larger. Land area is 522 square miles (2024 Gazetteer), so density runs near 403 per square mile. It is one of the counties that make up the Buffalo-Cheektowaga, NY metropolitan statistical area (OMB, 2023). Niagara Falls is the biggest of its 16 Census places, at roughly 47,987 people (23% of the county total).
Household income in Niagara County
Half of Niagara County households take in less than $69,633 a year and half take in more, 19% below the New York median of $85,974. Only 37 New York counties post a higher median.
| Household income | Niagara County | vs New York |
|---|---|---|
| Under $35,000 | 24.9% | +2.7 pts |
| $35,000 to $99,999 | 42.9% | +8.9 pts |
| $100,000 to $199,999 | 24.4% | -2.4 pts |
| $200,000 or more | 7.8% | -9.2 pts |
About 25% of households earn under $35,000, while 32% clear $100,000. Census counts 13.5% of Niagara County residents in poverty, against 14.0% across New York. The Gini index of income inequality is 0.444 (0 is perfect equality). Income from any regular source can count, including Social Security, pensions and disability benefits, as long as you can document it.
Work, industries and travel time in Niagara County
The biggest employer of Niagara County residents, by industry, is education and health care at 25% of workers, followed by manufacturing (14%). Manufacturing stands out: 14% of workers here, versus 6% statewide. ACS puts five-year average unemployment at 5.9% in Niagara County. About 77% drive to work alone and 9% have trips of 45 minutes or more. Only 9.9% of homes here go without a vehicle.
| Industry (employed residents 16+) | Niagara County | Gap to New York |
|---|---|---|
| Education and health care | 24.8% | -4.6 pts |
| Manufacturing | 13.6% | +7.8 pts |
| Retail trade | 12.1% | +2.5 pts |
| Professional and administrative services | 9.8% | -3.5 pts |
| Arts, lodging and food service | 8.2% | +0.1 pts |
| Finance, insurance and real estate | 6.9% | -1.1 pts |
If your hours swing with the season or with overtime, size a loan payment against your base pay, not your best month.
Niagara County housing compared with New York
Median gross rent, utilities included, comes to $899 in Niagara County versus $1,621 statewide. Rent takes 30% or more of income for 49% of renter households here. With a median value of $189,800, a typical Niagara County house costs 2.7 times what the median household earns in a year. Owners occupy 71% of homes.
| Niagara County | New York | U.S. county median | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median gross rent | $899/mo | $1,621/mo | $877/mo |
| Median home value | $189,800 | $423,800 | $185,300 |
| Owners | 71% | 54% | 75% |
| Rent-burdened renters | 49% | 52% | 45% |
| Burdened owners | 23% | 33% | n/a |
| Mobile homes | 4.0% | 2.1% | n/a |
| Vacant units | 9% | 10% | n/a |
Regional comparison for Niagara County
The six counties whose centers lie closest to Niagara County's, from 31 to 64 miles away. Monroe County leads the group on income ($76,382), Orleans County trails ($65,969), and Niagara County out-earns 2 of the six.
| Nearby county | Center to center | Household income | Gross rent | Owner-occupied |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Niagara County | - | $69,633 | $899/mo | 71% |
| Orleans County, NY | 31 mi | $65,969 | $874/mo | 77% |
| Erie County, NY | 36 mi | $72,839 | $1,090/mo | 66% |
| Genesee County, NY | 36 mi | $73,314 | $929/mo | 74% |
| Wyoming County, NY | 49 mi | $69,110 | $802/mo | 76% |
| Monroe County, NY | 56 mi | $76,382 | $1,173/mo | 64% |
| Livingston County, NY | 64 mi | $74,001 | $931/mo | 76% |
Niagara County towns compared
16 Census places fall mainly inside Niagara County; the 14 biggest are below. They account for 128,183 residents, leaving about 39% of the county in unincorporated, unnamed areas. Rapids has the highest median household income on the list ($121,875) and Niagara Falls the lowest ($49,101), counting places with at least 500 residents. Median rent ranges from $385 in Barker to $1,131 in Lewiston. This guide covers each of the 16 places and the rural areas around them.
| Community | Type | Residents | Household income (median) | Rent (median) | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Niagara Falls | city | 47,987 | $49,101 | $823 | 16 mi |
| North Tonawanda | city | 30,198 | $66,961 | $934 | 16 mi |
| Lockport | city | 20,610 | $62,410 | $945 | 9 mi |
| South Lockport | CDP | 9,144 | $56,166 | $711 | 11 mi |
| Newfane | CDP | 3,938 | $77,096 | $828 | 6 mi |
| Lewiston | village | 2,588 | $73,821 | $1,131 | 13 mi |
| Middleport | village | 1,987 | $67,375 | $770 | 17 mi |
| Youngstown | village | 1,758 | $81,369 | $900 | 12 mi |
| Rapids | CDP | 1,655 | $121,875 | n/a | 15 mi |
| Sanborn | CDP | 1,573 | $82,122 | $1,049 | 9 mi |
| Ransomville | CDP | 1,564 | $83,400 | $900 | 6 mi |
| Niagara University | CDP | 1,473 | n/a | n/a | 15 mi |
| Wilson | village | 1,379 | $60,639 | $768 | 3 mi |
| Gasport | CDP | 1,212 | $74,816 | n/a | 13 mi |
CDP: census-designated place, an unincorporated community mapped for statistics.
What a median Niagara County budget can carry
Here is the Niagara County median household run through a simple DTI check. Your numbers will differ.
- Start: $5,803 gross per month ($69,633 / 12)
- Less median rent of $899, which is 15% of it
- 35% debt-to-income limit: $1,132 left for all other debt payments
- At 45%, room after rent is $1,712 a month
Two-income households and single earners in Niagara County land in very different places on this math, so run it for your own budget.
Borrowing situations common in Niagara County
What the Niagara County figures suggest, and what to check first:
- Rent squeeze. 49% of renters spend 30%+ of income on rent; borrow only if the loan cuts what you pay overall.
- Know your credit. Review all three bureau reports for free (AnnualCreditReport.com).
- Combining balances. It helps when total cost falls and the cards stay paid down (consolidation).
Who lives in Niagara County, in numbers
28% of Niagara County adults 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or more. 2.9% of residents have no health coverage.
| Residents | Niagara County | New York | Middle U.S. county |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 43.3 | 39.8 | 41.5 |
| Bachelor's or higher | 28.0% | 40.2% | 22.2% |
| No high school diploma | 7.9% | 12.0% | n/a |
| No health insurance | 2.9% | 5.1% | 7.8% |
| No vehicle | 9.9% | 29.2% | 5.4% |
| Work from home | 10.6% | 14.9% | 8.7% |
| Poverty rate | 13.5% | 14.0% | 13.2% |
| Unemployment (ACS) | 5.9% | 6.4% | 4.4% |
| Minutes to work | Niagara County workers |
|---|---|
| Under 15 min | 31.4% |
| 15 to 29 min | 38.4% |
| 30 to 44 min | 20.8% |
| 45 to 59 min | 6.3% |
| 60+ min | 3.0% |
Checking a lender's license in New York
Before sharing details with a lender, a Niagara County resident can confirm its license with the New York State Department of Financial Services. Problems with a lender can also go to the CFPB. More on New York: New York personal loans.
Before you sign
Steps that save money for Niagara County residents:
- Know the exact dollar figure you need before talking to a lender.
- Prequalify with soft pulls where offered, then compare in writing.
- Look the lender up with the state regulator first.
- Ask a Niagara County credit union about member loans.
Nearby and statewide guides
For statewide rules and data, see the New York guide.
Frequently asked questions
How much do households in Niagara County earn?
The median is $69,633; 32% earn $100,000 or more and 25% under $35,000. A lender uses your own documented income, not this figure.
Is Niagara County expensive for renters?
Median rent is $899 against $1,621 statewide, and 49% of renter households are cost-burdened.
I own my home in Niagara County. Personal loan or HELOC?
A HELOC uses the house as collateral; a personal loan usually does not. With 71% of homes owner-occupied here, many readers can compare both in writing.
Does this page cover Niagara Falls?
Yes, along with the other 15 Census places in Niagara County, such as North Tonawanda, Lockport, South Lockport.
Does living in Niagara County change what I qualify for?
Not in our fit check, which uses only the amount, credit range, income and payments you enter, the same for a Niagara County resident as anyone. Lenders decide under fair-lending law.