RANK #41 / 996 · POP 212,230 · NY
PROJECTED GROWTH: +3.5%
Niagara County, New York, is defined by its namesake, Niagara Falls, a major natural landmark that draws visitors globally. Located in western New York, just north of Buffalo, the county borders Lake Ontario and the Niagara River, which also forms part of the U.S.-Canada border. Commuting to Buffalo takes about 36 minutes by car or 52 minutes by bus. The county offers a mix of urban and rural settings, with communities like Lewiston known for outdoor recreation and festivals, and Lockport recognized for its historic Erie Canal locks. Numerous state parks, including Niagara Falls State Park, provide extensive opportunities for hiking, fishing, and winter sports.
Life in Niagara County offers a lower cost of living compared to larger cities in New York. The population includes families and retirees, with a notable presence of young professionals. Public schools in the county are generally above average, with several districts serving the area. The economy is significantly influenced by tourism, which supports a substantial portion of the workforce and generates considerable tax revenue. Beyond tourism, the county's economy is also supported by sectors such as manufacturing, agriculture, and energy, with ongoing efforts to foster business growth and job creation.
Above national median
Below-average climate & terrain
Below national median (13x)
Housing looks undervalued at 3.3x — home prices are low relative to local economic output. The typical U.S. county is 4–6x.
Source: Redfin · Census BPS — Browse sales on Redfin →
| PROJECT | AMOUNT | STATUS |
|---|---|---|
|
Lake Mariner Data Center Expansion
TeraWulf
|
$3,200M | Under Construction |
|
Niagara Digital Campus
Niagara Falls Redevelopment (NFR) & Urbacon Data Centre Solutions
|
$1,500M | Proposed |
|
Amazon Robotics Fulfillment Center
Amazon
|
$550M | Under Construction |
|
Lockport Storage Battery Energy Storage System
Origis Energy
|
$180M | Planned |
|
Somerset Solar Array
AES
|
$125M | Planned |
|
Bear Ridge Solar
Cypress Creek Renewables
|
$93M | Proposed |
Source: public records, news, corporate announcements. Amounts are estimates where noted.
Bars show percentile rank among all 996 counties.
Niagara County has a Boom Town Index score of 96/100, ranking #41 among 996 U.S. counties. With job growth at +0.7% and a median household income of $65,882, it's an above-average county on economic indicators.
The median home value in Niagara County is $163,100 with median rent at $823/month. The income-to-home-value ratio is 0.4039, which is more affordable than the national average.
Population growth: -0.3% year-over-year. Job growth: +0.7%. Home values changed +5.6% in the past 12 months.
Yes — 2.34% of Niagara County's population moved from another state, which is above the national average and indicates strong in-migration.