Buffalo, NY Demographics

A map of Buffalo's Population by Race

Race	2024 Pop	2020 Pop	2024 %	2020 %
White	117,470	108,652	42.4%	39.0%
Black	86,532	99,102	31.3%	35.6%
Hispanic	33,987	35,643	12.3%	12.8%
Asian	24,192	21,119	8.7%	7.6%
Multiracial	12,640	10,978	4.6%	3.9%
Native American/Other	2,033	2,855	0.7%	1.0%

Buffalo, New York has an estimated population of 276,854, a less than 1% change from the 278,349 recorded in the 2020 Census. The population is 42.4% White, 31.3% Black, 12.3% Hispanic, 8.7% Asian, 4.6% Multiracial, and 0.7% Native American/Other. This demographic dot map shows the population of Buffalo, with one dot drawn for each person counted by the Census, color-coded by race.

Buffalo is about as racially diverse as it was in the 2020 Census. It is more diverse than New York overall. Demographers use a diversity index to measure the probability that two randomly selected individuals belong to different racial or ethnic groups. In Buffalo, that probability was 69.7% in 2020 and 69.7% in the most recent ACS estimates.

Buffalo is ranked the 2nd most populous place in New York, out of 1,291 places. This ranking is based on the Census definition of a place, which includes incorporated places like cities, towns, and villages, as well as unincorporated census-designated places (CDPs). Buffalo was ranked the 2nd most populous place in the 2020 Census.

Buffalo's White Population

117,470 residents of Buffalo, or 42.4% of the population, identify as White. The share of White residents in Buffalo is considerably lower than in New York overall, where 52.8% of the population is White. Buffalo ranks 1232nd statewide in terms of White residents as a share of the population, out of 1,291 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Buffalo's White population has grown by an estimated 8.1%. White residents' share of Buffalo's population has increased from 39.0% to 42.4%.

Buffalo is less White than neighboring Sloan (83.6% White), Kenmore (81.6% White), Lackawanna (66.7% White), Eggertsville (70% White), and Tonawanda Town (83.6% White).

Buffalo's Black Population

86,532 residents of Buffalo, or 31.3% of the population, identify as Black. The share of Black residents in Buffalo is significantly higher than in New York overall, where 13.4% of the population is Black. Buffalo ranks 16th statewide in terms of Black residents as a share of the population, out of 1,291 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Buffalo's Black population has declined by an estimated 12.7%. Black residents' share of Buffalo's population has decreased from 35.6% to 31.3%.

Buffalo is more Black than neighboring Sloan (4.1% Black), Kenmore (5.1% Black), Lackawanna (15.2% Black), Eggertsville (12.7% Black), and Tonawanda Town (4.2% Black).

Buffalo's Asian Population

24,192 residents of Buffalo, or 8.7% of the population, identify as Asian. The share of Asian residents in Buffalo is comparable to the share in New York overall, where 9% of the population is Asian. Buffalo ranks 152nd statewide in terms of Asian residents as a share of the population, out of 1,291 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Buffalo's Asian population has grown by an estimated 14.6%. Asian residents' share of Buffalo's population has increased from 7.6% to 8.7%.

Buffalo is more Asian than neighboring Sloan (1.3% Asian), Kenmore (0.9% Asian), Lackawanna (1.6% Asian), and Tonawanda Town (3% Asian). Buffalo is less Asian than neighboring Eggertsville (9.7% Asian).

Buffalo's Hispanic Population

33,987 residents of Buffalo, or 12.3% of the population, identify as Hispanic. The share of Hispanic residents in Buffalo is lower than in New York overall, where 19.8% of the population is Hispanic. Buffalo ranks 274th statewide in terms of Hispanic residents as a share of the population, out of 1,291 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Buffalo's Hispanic population has declined by an estimated 4.6%. Hispanic residents' share of Buffalo's population has decreased from 12.8% to 12.3%.

Buffalo is more Hispanic than neighboring Sloan (3% Hispanic), Kenmore (5.6% Hispanic), Lackawanna (11.7% Hispanic), Eggertsville (2.6% Hispanic), and Tonawanda Town (5.4% Hispanic).

Buffalo's Native American/Other Population

2,033 residents of Buffalo, or 0.7% of the population, identify as American Indian/Alaska Native/Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander/Other. The share of Native American/Other residents in Buffalo is comparable to the share in New York overall, where 1.2% of the population is Native American/Other. Buffalo ranks 267th statewide in terms of Native American/Other residents as a share of the population, out of 1,291 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Buffalo's Native American/Other population has declined by an estimated 28.8%. Native American/Other residents' share of Buffalo's population has remained roughly unchanged at 0.7%.

Buffalo is more Native American/Other than neighboring Sloan (0% Native American/Other), Lackawanna (0.5% Native American/Other), and Tonawanda Town (0.5% Native American/Other). Buffalo is less Native American/Other than neighboring Kenmore (2.1% Native American/Other), and Eggertsville (1.2% Native American/Other).

Buffalo's Multiracial Population

12,640 residents of Buffalo, or 4.6% of the population, identify as Multiracial. The share of Multiracial residents in Buffalo is comparable to the share in New York overall, where 3.8% of the population is Multiracial. Buffalo ranks 466th statewide in terms of Multiracial residents as a share of the population, out of 1,291 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Buffalo's Multiracial population has grown by an estimated 15.1%. Multiracial residents' share of Buffalo's population has increased from 3.9% to 4.6%.

Buffalo is more Multiracial than neighboring Lackawanna (4.4% Multiracial), Eggertsville (3.8% Multiracial), and Tonawanda Town (3.2% Multiracial). Buffalo is less Multiracial than neighboring Sloan (7.9% Multiracial), and Kenmore (4.8% Multiracial).

Sources: Most recent population estimates are from the 2020-2024 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates. 2020 population counts and map data are from 2020 Census State Redistricting Data. Geographic data are from Census TIGER/Line Shapefiles.