Niagara Falls
RANK #353 / 996 NAT · #22 / 45 NY · POP 212,230
1YR FORECAST: +3.2%
5YR OUTLOOK: +27%
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.
Estimated local headcount ranges. Larger employers shown as floor + "+"; smaller employers show exact counts where reported.
Source: Redfin · Census BPS — Browse sales on Redfin →
Source: CDC/NCHS vital statistics via County Health Rankings (2020–2022 avg). Rates per 100,000 population. Grade based on homicide rate relative to national average (~6.3). Learn more →
Source: EPA Air Quality System (2021–2023). Grade based on 3-year average median AQI. Learn about AQI →
| 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.
With a Boom Town Index score of 64/100, Niagara County sits in the upper half of all 996 ranked counties. Employment is expanding at +0.7%, and median household income stands at $65,882 — indicators that suggest solid fundamentals even if it's not among the fastest-growing counties in NY.
By national standards, Niagara County is quite affordable. Homes here have a median value of $163,100, and the income-to-home-value ratio of 0.40 is well above the U.S. average — especially with median rent at just $823/month. Residents can generally buy a home without being cost-burdened.
Population and employment in Niagara County are both close to flat — population -0.3% YoY and jobs +0.7%. Home values shifted +5.6% over the past 12 months. A steady-state county, neither expanding quickly nor shrinking.
There's a moderate stream of newcomers. About 2.34% of residents moved from another state, which is above average and suggests Niagara County has appeal as a relocation destination — though it's not among the highest-inflow counties nationally.
Home values climbed +5.6% year-over-year, which is a solid pace of appreciation. The median home in Niagara County is now valued at $163,100. That kind of growth typically reflects sustained demand rather than speculative frenzy.