County population in 2012: 919,086 (91% urban, 9% rural); it was 950,265 in 2000 County owner-occupied with a mortgage or a loan houses and condos in 2010: 161,836 County owner-occupied free and clear houses and condos in 2010: 86,463 County owner-occupied houses and condos in 2000: 248,780 Renter-occupied apartments: 134,865 (it was 132,093 in 2000)
% of renters here:
35%
State:
47%
Land area: 1044 sq. mi. Water area: 182.7 sq. mi.
Population density: 879 people per square mile
(very high).
Mar. 2012 cost of living index in Erie County: 102.8 (near average, U.S. average is 100)
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Industries providing employment: Professional,scientific,management,administrative,and waste management services (24.2%), Educational,health and social services (16.6%), Finance,insurance,real estate,and rental and leasing (10.5%).
Estimated median household income in 2009: $46,832 ($38,567 in 1999)
This county:
$46832
New York:
$54659
Median contract rent in 2009 for apartments: $525 (lower quartile is $397, upper quartile is $674)
This county:
$525
State:
$877
Estimated median house or condo value in 2009: $119,900 (it was $88,200 in 2000)
Erie County:
$119,900
New York:
$306,000
Lower value quartile - upper value quartile: $82,600 - $182,500
Mean price in 2009:
Detached houses: $152,727
Here:
$152,727
State:
$343,827
Townhouses or other attached units: $153,710
Here:
$153,710
State:
$484,742
In 2-unit structures: $87,922
Here:
$87,922
State:
$460,134
In 3-to-4-unit structures: $226,964
Here:
$226,964
State:
$569,159
In 5-or-more-unit structures: $338,876
Here:
$338,876
State:
$676,553
Mobile homes: $64,647
Here:
$64,647
State:
$40,766
Median monthly housing costs for homes and condos with a mortgage: $1,267 Median monthly housing costs for units without a mortgage: $501
Institutionalized population: 12,145
Crime in 2005 (reported by the sheriff's office or county police, not the county total):
Murders: 0
Rapes: 12
Robberies: 13
Assaults: 111
Burglaries: 218
Thefts: 648
Auto thefts: 21
Crime in 2004 (reported by the sheriff's office or county police, not the county total):
Murders: 1
Rapes: 7
Robberies: 9
Assaults: 122
Burglaries: 193
Thefts: 770
Auto thefts: 11
Health of residents in Erie County based on CDC Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System Survey Questionnaires from 2003 to 2009:
General health status score of residents in this county from 1 (poor) to 5 (excellent) is 3.5. This is about average. 71.7% of residents exercised in the past month. This is about average. 51.2% of residents smoked 100+ cigarettes in their lives. This is more than average. 98.6% of adult residents drank alcohol in the past 30 days. This is more than average. 74.5% of residents visited a dentist within the past year. This is more than average. Average weight of males is 194 pounds. This is about average. Average weight of females is 158 pounds. This is about average.
Single-family new house construction building permits:
Median real estate property taxes paid for housing units with mortgages in 2009: $3,423 (2.7%) Median real estate property taxes paid for housing units with no mortgage in 2009: $2,432 (2.4%)
Percentage of residents living in poverty in 2009: 13.9%
(8.8% for White Non-Hispanic residents, 36.6% for Black residents, 37.2% for Hispanic or Latino residents)
Percentage of residents living in poverty in 2009: 13.9%
Erie County:
13.9%
New York:
14.2%
(8.8% for White Non-Hispanic residents, 36.6% for Black residents, 37.2% for Hispanic or Latino residents)
Median age of residents in 2010: 40 years old
(Males: 38 years old, Females: 42 years old)
(Median age for: White residents: 43 years old, Black residents: 31 years old, American Indian residents: 32 years old, Asian residents: 27 years old, Hispanic or Latino residents: 24 years old, Other race residents: 25 years old)
Area name: Buffalo-Niagara Falls, NY MSA Fair market rent in 2006 for a 1-bedroom apartment in Erie County is $488 a month. Fair market rent for a 2-bedroom apartment is $586 a month. Fair market rent for a 3-bedroom apartment is $725 a month.
Notable locations in this county outside city limits:
Notable locations in Erie County: Gowanda Country Club (A), Buffalo Launch Club (B), Buffalo Country Club (C), Scott Corners (D), Johnstons Corners (E), Grand Island Range Lights (F), Shepards Corners (G), Bray Farms (H), Whites Corners (I), Westwood Country Club (J), Alden Station (K), Wanakah Country Club (L), River Port Inn Marina (M), East River Marina (N), Beaver Island State Park Marina (O), Toad Hollow Camp (P), Mary Glen Camp (Q), Erie County Fairgrounds (R), Saint Ignatius Retreat Home (S), Williamsville Toll Plaza (T). Display/hide their locations on the map
Churches in Erie County include: Cattaraugus Long House Church (A), Saint Augustines Church (B), Saint Columbans Retreat House (C), Saint Gabriels Church (D), Saint George Church (E), Saint John Marons Church (F), Saint Johns Church (G), Holy Communion Episcopal Church (H), Churchill Memorial United Methodist Church (I). Display/hide their locations on the map
Cemeteries: John Wolf Cemetery (1), Halter Cemetery (2), Saint Augustines Cemetery (3), Saint Johns Cemetery (4), Saint Marys Cemetery (5), Saint Michaels Cemetery (6), Saint Paul Cemetery (7). Display/hide their locations on the map
Streams, rivers, and creeks: Gun Creek (A), Graff Brook (B), Got Creek (C), Stony Bottom Creek (D), Burnt Ship Creek (E), Stony Brook (F), Woods Creek (G), Pike Creek (H), Pipe Creek (I). Display/hide their locations on the map
Parks in Erie County include: Wendt Beach Park (1), Royal Playground (2), Orchard Acres Park (3), Garnett Playground (4), Lancaster Rural Memorial Park (5), Lake Shore Park (6), Fireman Park (7), Evangola State Park (8), Emery Park (9). Display/hide their locations on the map
Current college students: 63,289 People 25 years of age or older with a high school degree or higher: 82.9% People 25 years of age or older with a bachelor's degree or higher: 24.5%
Number of foreign born residents: 42,886 (58% naturalized citizens)
Erie County:
4.5%
Whole state:
20.4%
Year of entry for the foreign-born population
1995 to March 2000: 9,034
1990 to 1994: 5,322
1985 to 1989: 3,315
1980 to 1984: 2,611
1975 to 1979: 2,524
1970 to 1974: 2,496
1970 to 1974: 2,740
1965 to 1969: 14,844
Mean travel time to work (commute): 21.3 minutes
Percentage of county residents living and working in this county: 94.1%
Housing units in structures:
One, detached: 230,359
One, attached: 13,086
Two: 90,876
3 or 4: 28,906
5 to 9: 19,287
10 to 19: 9,753
20 or more: 17,565
Mobile homes: 6,011
Boats, RVs, vans, etc.: 25
Housing units in Erie County with a mortgage: 132,554 (10,096 second mortgage, 24,174 home equity loan, 497 both second mortgage and home equity loan) Houses without a mortgage: 68,906
Here:
65.8% with mortgage
State:
67.9% with mortgage
Religion statistics:
Percentage of population affiliated with a religious congregations: 74.38%
Here
74.4%
USA
50.2%
Total adherents: 706,830 Total congregations: 570
Adherents
Breakdown of population affiliated with a religious congregations
Name
Catholic Church
Jewish
Evangelical Lutheran Church in America
United Methodist Church
The Wesleyan Church
Adherents
544,252 (77.0%)
20,000 (2.8%)
18,768 (2.7%)
18,638 (2.6%)
14,476 (2.0%)
Congregations
149 (26.1%)
16 (2.8%)
38 (6.7%)
49 (8.6%)
9 (1.6%)
Name
Presbyterian Church (USA)
United Church of Christ
Episcopal Church
Lutheran Church
Other
Adherents
12,641 (1.8%)
11,720 (1.7%)
10,969 (1.6%)
10,071 (1.4%)
45,295 (6.4%)
Congregations
39 (6.8%)
39 (6.8%)
32 (5.6%)
24 (4.2%)
175 (30.7%)
Source: Jones, Dale E., et al. 2002. Congregations and Membership in the United States 2000. Nashville, TN: Glenmary Research Center.
Average size of farms: 125 acres Average value of agricultural products sold per farm: $71,654 Average value of crops sold per acre for harvested cropland: $494.14 The value of nursery, greenhouse, floriculture, and sod as a percentage of the total market value of agricultural products sold: 23.29% The value of livestock, poultry, and their products as a percentage of the total market value of agricultural products sold: 54.11% Average total farm production expenses per farm: $64,494 Harvested cropland as a percentage of land in farms: 53.03% Irrigated harvested cropland as a percentage of land in farms: 1.97% Average market value of all machinery and equipment per farm: $55,783 The percentage of farms operated by a family or individual: 89.06% Average age of principal farm operators: 55 years Average number of cattle and calves per 100 acres of all land in farms: 19.60 Milk cows as a percentage of all cattle and calves: 48.95% Corn for grain: 6416 harvested acres All wheat for grain: 1997 harvested acres Soybeans for beans: 2148 harvested acres Vegetables: 3,331 harvested acres Land in orchards: 2,257 acres
Tornado activity:
Erie County historical area-adjusted tornado activity is significantly above New York state average. It is 1.1 times below overall U.S. average. Tornadoes in this county have caused 6 injuries recorded between 1950 and 2004. On 8/19/1970, a category 3 (max. wind speeds 158-206 mph) tornado injured 3 people and caused between $50,000 and $500,000 in damages.
Earthquake activity:
Erie County-area historical earthquake activity is slightly above New York state average. It is 87% smaller than the overall U.S. average.
On 11/26/1999 at 22:33:01, a magnitude 3.8 (3.8 LG, 3.4 LG, Depth: 8.0 mi, Class: Light, Intensity: II - III) earthquake occurred 59.7 miles away from the county center On 3/12/1994 at 10:43:15, a magnitude 3.6 (3.5 LG, 3.6 LG, Depth: 0.6 mi) earthquake occurred 47.0 miles away from the county center On 12/25/1998 at 13:30:26, a magnitude 3.6 (3.6 LG, 3.0 LG, Depth: 11.2 mi) earthquake occurred 80.0 miles away from the county center On 5/25/1995 at 14:22:32, a magnitude 3.0 (2.6 LG, 3.0 LG, Depth: 3.1 mi) earthquake occurred 9.5 miles away from Erie County center On 8/4/2004 at 23:55:26, a magnitude 3.2 (3.2 MW, 3.0 MD, Depth: 3.1 mi) earthquake occurred 63.8 miles away from the county center On 2/3/2001 at 20:15:15, a magnitude 3.2 (3.2 LG) earthquake occurred 79.8 miles away from the county center Magnitude types: regional Lg-wave magnitude (LG), duration magnitude (MD), moment magnitude (MW)
Most recent natural disasters:
New York Severe Storms and Flooding, Incident Period: August 8, 2009 to August 10, 2009, Major Disaster (Presidential) Declared (DR-1857): September 1, 2009, FEMA Id: FEMA-DR-1857, Natural disaster type: Storm, Flood
New York Snowstorm, Incident Period: October 12, 2006 to October 25, 2006, Emergency Declared (EM-3268): October 15, 2006, FEMA Id: FEMA-EM-3268, Natural disaster type: Snowstorm
New York Severe Storms and Flooding, Incident Period: October 12, 2006 to October 25, 2006, Major Disaster (Presidential) Declared (DR-1665): October 24, 2006, FEMA Id: FEMA-DR-1665, Natural disaster type: Storm, Flood
New York Hurricane Katrina Evacuation, Incident Period: August 29, 2005 to October 1, 2005, Emergency Declared (EM-3262): September 30, 2005, FEMA Id: FEMA-EM-3262, Natural disaster type: Hurricane
New York Severe Storms and Flooding, Incident Period: May 13, 2004 to June 17, 2004, Major Disaster (Presidential) Declared (DR-1534): August 3, 2004, FEMA Id: FEMA-DR-1534, Natural disaster type: Storm, Flood
New York Power Outage, Incident Period: August 14, 2003 to August 16, 2003, Emergency Declared (EM-3186): August 23, 2003, FEMA Id: FEMA-EM-3186, Natural disaster type: Power Outage
New York Snowstorm, Incident Period: December 24, 2001 to December 29, 2001, Major Disaster (Presidential) Declared (DR-1404): March 1, 2002, FEMA Id: FEMA-DR-1404, Natural disaster type: Snowstorm
New York Snowstorm, Incident Period: December 24, 2001 to December 29, 2001, Emergency Declared (EM-3170): December 31, 2001, FEMA Id: FEMA-EM-3170, Natural disaster type: Snowstorm
New York Snow Storm, Incident Period: November 19, 2000 to November 21, 2000, Emergency Declared (EM-3157): December 4, 2000, FEMA Id: FEMA-EM-3157, Natural disaster type: Storm, Snow
New York Virus Threat, Incident Period: May 22, 2000 to November 1, 2000, Emergency Declared (EM-3155): October 11, 2000, FEMA Id: FEMA-EM-3155, Natural disaster type: Other
8 other natural disasters have been reported since 1953.
The number of natural disasters in Erie County (18) is greater than the US average (12). Major Disasters (Presidential) Declared: 9 Emergencies Declared: 9
Causes of natural disasters: Storms: 6, Floods: 5, Snowstorms: 5, Snow: 1, Storm: 1, Blizzard: 1, Hurricane: 1, Ice Storm: 1, Power Outage: 1, Snow: 1, Winter Storm: 1, Other: 1 (Note: Some incidents may be assigned to more than one category).
Births per 1000 population from 1990 to 1999: 13.1 Births per 1000 population from 2000 to 2006: 11.2
Births per 1000 population in Erie County
Deaths per 1000 population from 1990 to 1999: 10.5 Deaths per 1000 population from 2000 to 2006: 10.5
Deaths per 1000 population in Erie County
Infant deaths per 1000 live births from 1990 to 1999: 8.5 Infant deaths per 1000 live births from 2000 to 2006: 8.3
Infant deaths per 1000 live births in Erie County
Persons enrolled in hospital insurance and/or supplemental medical insurance (Medicare) in July 1, 2003: 167,356 (142,541 aged, 24,815 disabled) Population without health insurance coverage in 2000: 10% Children under 18 without health insurance coverage in 2000: 5%
Short term general hospitals per 100,000 population in 2004: 0.96 Short term general hospital admissions per 100,000 population in 2004: 14142.31 Short term general hospital beds per 100,000 population in 2004: 478.790 Emergency room visits per 100,000 population in 2004: 36133.66
General practice office based MDs per 100,000 population in 2005: 1071.770 Medical specialist MDs per 100,000 population in 2005: 1077.890 Dentists per 100,000 population in 1998: 10.74
Total births per 100,000 population, July 2005 - July 2006 : 62.71 Total deaths per 100,000 population, July 2005 - July 2006: 86.17
Limited-service eating places per 100,000 population in 2005 : 10.53 Beer, wine & liquor stores per 100,000 population in 2005: 1 Fitness & recreation sports centers per 100,000 population in 2005: 4836.531
EPA green book nonattainment status in 2004-2006: 1
Homicides per 1,000,000 population from 2000 to 2006: 61.7. This is less than state average.
Mechanisms of homicide:
Deaths per 1,000,000 population:
Firearm - 42.3
Cut/Pierce - 6.9
Other - 12.5
Suicides per 1,000,000 population from 2000 to 2006: 69.7. This is more than state average.
Mechanisms of suicide:
Deaths per 1,000,000 population:
Firearm - 30.3
Suffocation - 25.2
Poisoning - 7.6
Other - 6.6
Household type by relationship:
Households: 890,653
In family households: 703,665 (150,587 male householders, 79,422 female householders)
161,163 spouses, 259,954 children (245,472 natural, 6,125 adopted, 8,357 stepchildren), 13,651 grandchildren, 7,172 brothers or sisters, 6,060 parents, 6,352 other relatives, 16,208 non-relatives
In nonfamily households: 186,988 (69,279 male householders (54,381 living alone)), 83,876 female householders (72,187 living alone)), 33,833 nonrelatives
In group quarters: 28,387 (12,145 institutionalized population)
Size of family households: 103,220 2-persons, 54,078 3-persons, 43,976 4-persons, 19,061 5-persons, 6,296 6-persons, 3,378 7-or-more-persons.
91.0% of residents of Erie County speak English at home.
2.9% of residents speak Spanish at home (63% speak English very well, 19% speak English well, 15% speak English not well, 3% don't speak English at all).
4.6% of residents speak other Indo-European language at home (70% speak English very well, 19% speak English well, 10% speak English not well, 1% don't speak English at all).
0.8% of residents speak Asian or Pacific Island language at home (52% speak English very well, 29% speak English well, 16% speak English not well, 2% don't speak English at all).
0.6% of residents speak other language at home (67% speak English very well, 21% speak English well, 10% speak English not well, 2% don't speak English at all).
In fiscal year 2004:
Federal Government expenditure: $6,463,738,000 ($6903 per capita) Department of Defense expenditure: $337,042,000 Federal direct payments to individuals for retirement and disability: $2,575,527,000 Federal other direct payments to individuals: $1,275,016,000 Federal direct payments not to individuals: $32,488,000 Federal grants: $1,688,790,000 Federal procurement contracts: $345,432,000 ($233,152,000 Department of Defense) Federal salaries and wages: $546,486,000 ($58,826,000 Department of Defense) Federal Government direct loans: $293,208,000 Federal guaranteed/insured loans: $317,756,000 Federal Government insurance: $403,125,000
Population change from April 1, 2000 to July 1, 2005:
Births: 56,198
Here:
60 per 1000 residents
State:
70 per 1000 residents
Deaths: 52,733
Here:
57 per 1000 residents
State:
42 per 1000 residents
Net international migration: +6,895
Here:
+7 per 1000 residents
State:
+35 per 1000 residents
Net internal migration: -28,714
Here:
-31 per 1000 residents
State:
-52 per 1000 residents
Population growth in Erie County
Total withdrawal of fresh water for public supply: 177.74 millions of gallons per day (1% from ground, 99% from surface)
Median number of rooms in houses and condos:
Here:
6.3
State:
6.3
Median number of rooms in apartments:
Here:
4.5
State:
3.6
Year house built
2005 or later: 3,555
2000 to 2004: 13,279
1990 to 1999: 25,982
1980 to 1989: 25,904
1970 to 1979: 41,179
1960 to 1969: 46,219
1950 to 1959: 76,645
1940 to 1949: 41,227
1939 or earlier: 149,295
Rooms in houses/apartments in Erie County, New York
64% of Erie County residents lived in the same house 5 years ago. Out of people who lived in different houses, 79% lived in this county. Out of people who lived in different counties, 54% lived in New York.
Erie County:
63.9%
State average:
64.4%
Place of birth for U.S.-born residents:
This state: 780766
Northeast: 37011
Midwest: 25487
South: 42893
West: 9030
Median price asked for vacant for-sale houses in 2000: $71,800
Housing units lacking complete plumbing facilities: 1%
Housing units lacking complete kitchen facilities: 1%
Year Householders Moved Into Unit:
Most commonly used house heating fuel in Erie County
#1 on the list of "Top 101 counties with the lowest percentage of residents relocating from other counties between 2005 and 2006 (pop. 50,000+)"
#2 on the list of "Top 101 counties with the lowest percentage of residents relocating from other counties between 2005 and 2006"
#8 on the list of "Top 101 counties with the lowest percentage of residents relocating to other counties in 2006 (pop. 50,000+)"
#12 on the list of "Top 101 counties with the lowest percentage of residents relocating to other counties in 2006"
#15 on the list of "Top 101 counties with the largest number of people moving out compared to moving in (pop. 50,000+)"
#22 on the list of "Top 101 counties with the most fitness & recreation sports centers per 100,000 population in 2005"
#22 on the list of "Top 101 counties with the most fitness & recreation sports centers per 100,000 population in 2005 (pop. 50,000+)"
#25 on the list of "Top 101 counties with highest percentage of residents voting for 3rd party candidates in the 2004 Presidential Election, pop. 50,000+"
#25 on the list of "Top 101 counties with the highest surface withdrawal of fresh water for public supply (pop. 50,000+)"
#26 on the list of "Top 101 counties with the highest surface withdrawal of fresh water for public supply"
#40 on the list of "Top 101 counties with the most Catholic Church adherents (pop. 50,000+)"
#40 on the list of "Top 101 counties with the highest total withdrawal of fresh water for public supply (pop. 50,000+)"
#40 on the list of "Top 101 counties with the most beer, wine & liquor stores per 100,000 population in 2005"
#41 on the list of "Top 101 counties with the highest total withdrawal of fresh water for public supply"
#45 on the list of "Top 101 counties with the highest Nitrogen Dioxide air pollution readings in 2005 (ppm)"
#48 on the list of "Top 101 counties with the highest Sulfur Oxides 24-hour air pollution readings in 2005 (µg/m3)"
#71 on the list of "Top 101 counties with highest percentage of residents voting for 3rd party candidates in the 2004 Presidential Election"
#72 on the list of "Top 101 counties with the smallest number of children under 18 without health insurance coverage in 2000 (pop. 50,000+)"
#76 on the list of "Top 101 counties with the lowest carbon monoxide air pollution readings in 2005 (ppm)"
#82 on the list of "Top 101 counties with the highest Ozone (8-hour) air pollution readings in 2005 (ppm)"
40.0 years
38.0 years
(49.4%)
(50.6%)
, Chautauqua County 
, Genesee County 
, Niagara County 
, Wyoming County 
.
