Map the Block › Places › New York › Erie County
Erie County, New York in numbers: crime, income, hazards
Erie County averaged 3.1 reported violent crimes per 1,000 residents a year in 2021-2025, 18% lower than the New York rate (3.8). Median household income is $72,839 and the unemployment rate was 4.4% in August 2026. Population: about 950,622 (Census, 2020-2024).
Last updated . Crime: FBI 2021-2025. Income and housing: Census ACS 2020-2024. Unemployment: BLS August 2026. Road work: October 11, 2026.
Also on the map: income · hazard risk · Superfund · dams
What is the crime rate in Erie County?
Police agencies in Erie County reported an average of 2,974 violent crimes and 20,056 property crimes a year from 2021 to 2025. That is 3.1 violent crimes per 1,000 residents, 18% lower than the New York rate (3.8), and 16% lower than the U.S. rate (3.7). Burglary, theft and car theft together come to 20.8 per 1,000 residents, compared with 15.7 across New York. Most violent crimes here are aggravated assaults (67%). CDC death records show about 66 homicide deaths a year in the county (7.1 per 100,000), a count that includes cases police may classify differently.
| Offense (yearly average, 2021-2025) | Erie County | Per 1,000 | New York per 1,000 | U.S. per 1,000 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Violent crime | 2,974 | 3.1 | 3.8 | 3.7 |
| Murder | 55 | 0.06 | 0.03 | 0.06 |
| Rape | 239 | 0.25 | 0.26 | 0.40 |
| Robbery | 680 | 0.71 | 1.0 | 0.62 |
| Aggravated assault | 2,000 | 2.1 | 2.5 | 2.6 |
| Property crime | 20,056 | 20.8 | 15.7 | 18.1 |
| Burglary | 2,157 | 2.2 | 1.4 | 2.4 |
| Larceny-theft | 14,549 | 15.1 | 12.9 | 13.0 |
| Motor vehicle theft | 3,349 | 3.5 | 1.4 | 2.6 |
Most crime never reaches the police, so these are reported crimes, a floor rather than the full count. In 2024 about half of violent crimes (48%) and about 3 in 10 property crimes (31%) were reported to police (U.S. Justice Department, National Crime Victimization Survey). Rates also depend on how completely each agency reports to the FBI. County figures add up the city police and sheriff reports in the county (22 agencies; 100% of residents covered).
What is the median household income in Erie County?
Median household income is $72,839, 15% lower than the statewide figure ($85,974). The typical owner-occupied home is valued at $233,800 by its owners; renters pay a median $1,090. 15.5% of households received SNAP benefits in the past year (state: 15.6%). The newest monthly figure from the Bureau of Labor Statistics is 4.4% for August 2026 (preliminary), with 20,719 people out of work and looking.
| Census ACS 2020-2024 | Erie County | New York | United States |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 950,622 | 19,852,366 | 334,922,499 |
| Median household income | $72,839 | $85,974 | $80,734 |
| Median home value (owner-occupied) | $233,800 | $423,800 | $332,700 |
| Median gross rent | $1,090 | $1,621 | $1,413 |
| Unemployment rate (2020-2024 average) | 4.9% | 6.4% | 5.2% |
| People below the poverty line | 13.9% | 14.0% | 12.5% |
| Households receiving SNAP (food stamps) | 15.5% | 15.6% | 12.1% |
| Adults 25+ with a bachelor's degree or higher | 38.0% | 40.2% | 35.7% |
| Homeowner households | 65.8% | 54.3% | 65.2% |
| Median age | 40.4 | 39.8 | 38.9 |
| Households with broadband internet | 90.2% | 90.8% | 91.0% |
| People without health insurance | 2.9% | 5.1% | 8.4% |
What natural hazards and environmental sites are in Erie County?
On FEMA's National Risk Index, Erie County has an overall natural-hazard risk rating of “Relatively High”. Among the hazards we show, the highest-rated are tornadoes (Relatively High) and river flooding (Relatively High). The index compares counties with each other and also weighs how vulnerable and resilient a community is, so it is a long-run estimate, not a forecast.
Superfund sites
No active Superfund site is listed in Erie County. 3 former sites have finished cleanup and been taken off EPA's National Priorities List: Pfohl Brothers Landfill, Peter Cooper and Wide Beach Development. A listing means EPA is managing a long-term cleanup; it does not by itself mean anyone is exposed today.
High-hazard dams
Erie County has 3 dams classed as high hazard in the National Inventory of Dams. 2 are rated Poor or Unsatisfactory in condition, 1 Satisfactory or Fair. The two tallest are Springville Dam (40 ft) and Green Lake Dam (37 ft). “High hazard” describes what lies downstream (people would probably die if the dam failed), not how likely the dam is to fail.
Industrial chemical releases
64 facilities in the county filed Toxics Release Inventory reports for 2024, together reporting 867,457 pounds of listed chemicals released on site. Reported releases are legal permitted amounts in most cases.
Disasters, air and water
Erie County was covered by 2 federal major disaster declarations from 2016 through 2025 (Snowstorm 1, Severe Storm 1), not counting COVID-19. EPA air monitors logged 1 day in 2024 when the air quality index reached “unhealthy for sensitive groups” or worse. Of 44 community water systems, 1 had an open health-based drinking-water violation in EPA's records (September 2026). EPA puts the county in radon zone 1 (highest). NHTSA counted 55 traffic deaths in the county in 2024, including 19 pedestrians.
Is there road construction in Erie County?
Erie County had 43 highway work zones in the October 11, 2026 feed from the state DOT (25 active that day). Roads listed: I-190, NY 240 and NY 33. 12 are on interstates. The map's construction layer is refreshed every morning.
See today's work zones on the map →
How many schools, nursing homes and parks are in Erie County?
Federal school lists show 223 public and 53 private schools in the county. 35 nursing homes are certified by Medicare or Medicaid here; star ratings for each are on the map and on Medicare's Care Compare. USGS mapping shows 140 fire or EMS stations and 50 police or sheriff stations. National Park Service sites here: Theodore Roosevelt Inaugural National Historic Site. 7 state parks or recreation areas: Amherst State Park, Beaver Island State Park, Buckhorn Island State Park, Buffalo Harbor State Park and Evangola State Park and 2 more.
What tribal lands and sacred sites are in Erie County?
Census tribal areas that reach into Erie County: Cattaraugus Reservation and Tonawanda Reservation.
Tribal areas are Census statistical boundaries, shown for reference; they are not legal boundaries.
See them on the map: tribal lands →
Gun shops, liquor stores and Planned Parenthood in Erie County
Gun shops
17 gun shops with a public storefront are on the map in Erie County, plus 76 more licensed dealers without a public storefront (not shown). One of them is a pawnshop licensed to sell guns. On the ATF list: Cabela's 458 (Cheektowaga), Dd's Ranch LLC (Alden), Firearm And Safety Training (Buffalo), H & H Firearms INC (Lackawanna), Iron Sight LLC (Hamburg), Just Holster It (Alden), Made In America Store (Elma), Metro Loan INC (Buffalo) and 9 more.
Liquor stores
120 liquor stores are on the map in Erie County: 5 Star Wine & Spirits (Buffalo), 6 Star Liquor and Wines (Buffalo), 7 Wine 6 INC (Buffalo), Abbott Wines & Spirits (Buffalo), Addys Wine And Spirits (Williamsville), Airport Discount Liquors LLC (Cheektowaga), Akrons House Of Spirits (Akron), Alden Wine & Liquor (Alden) and 112 more.
Planned Parenthood
3 Planned Parenthood health centers are on the map in Erie County: Planned Parenthood of Central and Western New York-Buffalo Health Center (Buffalo), Planned Parenthood of Central and Western New York-N. Tonawanda Health Center (N. Tonawanda) and Planned Parenthood of Central and Western NY-West Seneca Health Center (West Seneca).
See them on the map: gun shops · liquor stores · Planned Parenthood →
Sources: ATF licensee list (Sept 2026); state liquor licence lists, OpenStreetMap and Overture Maps (non-official); HHS Title X directory and CMS NPPES.
Common questions
What is the crime rate in Erie County?
Erie County averaged 2,974 reported violent crimes a year in 2021-2025, or 3.1 per 1,000 residents, 18% lower than the New York rate (3.8). The property-crime rate was 20.8 per 1,000 (FBI Uniform Crime Reporting).
What is the median household income in Erie County?
$72,839 (Census American Community Survey, 2020-2024 average), compared with $85,974 for New York and $80,734 nationally.
What is the unemployment rate in Erie County?
The newest monthly figure from the Bureau of Labor Statistics is 4.4% for August 2026 (preliminary), with 20,719 people out of work and looking.
What natural hazards affect Erie County?
On FEMA's National Risk Index, Erie County has an overall natural-hazard risk rating of “Relatively High”. Among the hazards we show, the highest-rated are tornadoes (Relatively High) and river flooding (Relatively High).
Are there Superfund sites in Erie County?
No active Superfund site is listed in Erie County. 3 former sites have finished cleanup and been taken off EPA's National Priorities List: Pfohl Brothers Landfill, Peter Cooper and Wide Beach Development.
Is there road construction in Erie County right now?
Erie County had 43 highway work zones in the October 11, 2026 feed from the state DOT (25 active that day). Roads listed: I-190, NY 240 and NY 33. 12 are on interstates.
How many nursing homes are in Erie County?
35 Medicare- or Medicaid-certified nursing homes (CMS provider data, September 2026).
How does Erie County compare with neighboring counties?
| County | Population | Violent crimes per 1,000 (2021-25) | Median household income |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cattaraugus County | 76,145 | 1.5 | $59,540 |
| Chautauqua County | 125,544 | 2.4 | $58,351 |
| Genesee County | 57,787 | 1.9 | $73,314 |
| Niagara County | 210,721 | 2.2 | $69,633 |
| Wyoming County | 39,753 | 0.69 | $69,110 |
Cities in Erie County with their own page: Buffalo, Cheektowaga, Tonawanda Town.
More: New York statewide numbers · Sex-offender registry search (U.S. Justice Department, NSOPW)
Where do these numbers come from?
- Crime: FBI Uniform Crime Reporting 2021-2025 (agency level, Return A), averaged and summed by county by Map the Block; Census population; state and national rates: FBI estimated crimes 2021-2025.
- Income, housing, education: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year, table B19013 (median household income) and related tables.
- Monthly unemployment: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Local Area Unemployment Statistics (LAUS), county data, not seasonally adjusted. Public domain.
- Hazards: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), county scores; disasters: FEMA OpenFEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries.
- Superfund: U.S. EPA, Superfund site boundaries and NPL status (October 2026). Dams: U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, National Inventory of Dams (public map service, October 2026). Chemical releases: U.S. EPA Toxics Release Inventory, reporting year 2024 (basic data file).
- Air and water: U.S. EPA AirData, annual AQI by county 2024; EPA Air Quality Design Values 2023-2025 (June 2026); U.S. EPA SDWIS via ECHO drinking-water download (September 30, 2026). Traffic deaths: NHTSA Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS) 2024; Census population.
- Work zones: State departments of transportation, via the U.S. DOT Work Zone Data Exchange (WZDx) and state 511 feeds; refreshed every morning (snapshot October 11, 2026).
- Schools: National Center for Education Statistics, EDGE public school locations 2024-25; budgets: U.S. Census Bureau, Annual Survey of School System Finances, fiscal year 2024; National Center for Education Statistics, EDGE Private School geocodes (Private School Survey 2023-24). Nursing homes: U.S. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, Nursing Home Provider Information and Penalties (September 2026). Stations: U.S. Geological Survey, National Structures Dataset (Fire Stations/EMS Stations), October 2026 pull.
- Parks: USGS Protected Areas Database of the U.S. (PAD-US 4.1); state park agencies' open data (CA, NY, PA, TN, TX, FL, NJ, KY, HI, UT, MT and others); OpenStreetMap contributors for some hours, phones, fees and camping; U.S. National Park Service: unit boundaries (Land Resources Division), Acreage Report (Sept 30, 2026), park pages on nps.gov (hours, fees), Visitor Use Statistics (2025).
Map the Block shows public statistics about places, not people, and does not rate or rank neighborhoods as places to live. Figures are as published by each source; check the source before relying on a number.
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