Buffalo, New York

Buffalo
Etymology: Named after the nearby Buffalo Creek, which was named by French and Moravian explorers[1][2][3]
Nicknames: 
Queen City, City of Good Neighbors, City of No Illusions, Nickel City, Queen City of the Lakes, City of Light, City of Trees[4]
Map
Interactive map of Buffalo
Buffalo is located in New York
Buffalo
Buffalo
Buffalo is located in the United States
Buffalo
Buffalo
Coordinates: 42°53′11″N 78°52′41″W / 42.88639°N 78.87806°W / 42.88639; -78.87806
Country United States
State New York
RegionWestern New York
MetroBuffalo–Niagara Falls
CountyErie
First settled (village)1789 (1789)
Founded1801 (1801)
Incorporated (city)1832 (1832)
Named forBuffalo River
Government
 • TypeStrong mayor-council
 • BodyBuffalo Common Council
 • MayorByron Brown (D)
 • Deputy MayorRashied McDuffie (D), Callie Johnson (D)
 • State SenatorsTim Kennedy & Sean Ryan (D)
 • AssemblymembersWilliam Conrad (D), Crystal D. Peoples-Stokes (D), Patrick Burke (D), Monica P. Wallace (D), & Jon Rivera (D)
 • U.S. Rep.Brian Higgins (D)
Area
 • City52.48 sq mi (135.92 km2)
 • Land40.38 sq mi (104.58 km2)
 • Water12.10 sq mi (31.34 km2)
Elevation600 ft (200 m)
Population
 (2020)
 • City278,349
 • RankUS: 76th NY: 6th
 • Density6,893.41/sq mi (2,661.58/km2)
 • Urban948,864 (US: 50th)
 • Urban density2,786.7/sq mi (1,075.9/km2)
 • Metro
1,125,637 (US: 49th)[6]
 • CSA
1,201,500 (US: 48th)
DemonymsBuffalonian
GDP
 • Buffalo–Niagara Falls (MSA)$84.673 billion (2022)
Time zoneUTC−05:00 (EST)
 • Summer (DST)UTC−04:00 (EDT)
ZIP code
142XX
Area code716
FIPS code36-11000
GNIS feature ID0973345[7]
Websitewww.buffalony.gov

Buffalo is a city in the U.S. state of New York and the seat of Erie County. It lies in Western New York, at the eastern end of Lake Erie, at the head of the Niagara River, on the United States border with Canada. With a population of 278,349 according to the 2020 census, Buffalo is the largest city in Western New York and the 78th largest city in the United States.[10] Buffalo and the city of Niagara Falls together make up the two-county Buffalo–Niagara Falls Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA), which had an estimated population of 1.2 million in 2020, making it the 49th-largest MSA in the United States.

Before the 17th century, the region was inhabited by nomadic Paleo-Indians who were succeeded by the Neutral, Erie, and Iroquois nations. In the early 17th century, the French began to explore the region. In the 18th century, Iroquois land surrounding Buffalo Creek was ceded through the Holland Land Purchase, and a small village was established at its headwaters. In 1825, after its harbor was improved, Buffalo was selected as the terminus of the Erie Canal, which led to its incorporation in 1832. The canal stimulated its growth as the primary inland port between the Great Lakes and the Atlantic Ocean. Transshipment made Buffalo the world's largest grain port of that era. After the coming of railroads greatly reduced the canal's importance, the city became the second-largest railway hub (after Chicago). During the mid-19th century, Buffalo transitioned to manufacturing, which came to be dominated by steel production. Later, deindustrialization and the opening of the St. Lawrence Seaway saw the city's economy decline and diversify. It developed its service industries, such as health care, retail, tourism, logistics, and education, while retaining some manufacturing. In 2019, the gross domestic product of the Buffalo–Niagara Falls MSA was $53 billion (~$60.1 billion in 2023).

The city's cultural landmarks include the oldest urban parks system in the United States, the Buffalo AKG Art Museum, the Buffalo History Museum, the Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra, Shea's Performing Arts Center, the Buffalo Museum of Science, and several annual festivals. Its educational institutions include the University at Buffalo, Buffalo State University, Canisius University, and D'Youville University. Buffalo is also known for its winter weather, Buffalo wings, and three major-league sports teams: the National Football League's Buffalo Bills, the National Hockey League's Buffalo Sabres and the National Lacrosse League's Buffalo Bandits.

  1. ^ Cite error: The named reference Beautiful was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  2. ^ Cite error: The named reference River was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  3. ^ Cite error: The named reference Bison was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  4. ^ Neville, Anne (August 16, 2009). "Who are we? Queen City, Flour City, Nickel City ... what's with all the nicknames for Buffalo?". The Buffalo News. Archived from the original on June 22, 2021. Retrieved May 26, 2021.
  5. ^ "ArcGIS REST Services Directory". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved September 20, 2022.
  6. ^ "Metropolitan and Micropolitan Statistical Areas Population Totals: 2010–2020". 2020 Population Estimates. US Census Bureau, Population Division. Retrieved June 28, 2021.
  7. ^ a b U.S. Geological Survey Geographic Names Information System: Buffalo, New York
  8. ^ "List of 2020 Census Urban Areas". census.gov. United States Census Bureau. Retrieved July 22, 2023.
  9. ^ "Total Gross Domestic Product for Buffalo-Cheektowaga-Niagara Falls, NY (MSA)". fred.stlouisfed.org.
  10. ^ "QuickFacts: Buffalo city, New York". Retrieved August 17, 2021.