Buffalo, New York

Buffalo is a city in the U.S. state of New York. It is found in Western New York near the big Lake Erie and close to where the Niagara River begins, right on the Canada–United States border. With over 278,000 people, Buffalo is the second-most populous city in New York.

Long ago, before the 1600s, native groups like the Neutral, Erie, and Iroquois lived in the area. In 1825, Buffalo grew fast when it became the end point of the important Erie Canal. This helped it become a big place for moving goods, especially grain, by boat. Later, trains and factories changed the city again.

Today, Buffalo is famous for many things. It has some of the oldest urban parks system in the United States, great museums like the Buffalo AKG Art Museum and the Buffalo History Museum, and fun events all year. People there love their chilly winter weather, tasty Buffalo wings, and cheering for the Buffalo Bills and Buffalo Sabres sports teams. The city is also home to colleges such as the University at Buffalo and Buffalo State University.

History

Main article: History of Buffalo, New York

For a chronological guide, see Timeline of Buffalo, New York.

Pre-Columbian era to European exploration

Long ago, before Europeans came, people called Paleo-Indians lived in what is now western New York. Later, during the Woodland period, the Iroquois Confederacy grew, and its tribes spread across the state. In the 1600s, Jesuit missionaries from Europe were the first to visit the area.

During the 1600s, French explorers found the area mostly empty, with groups like the Erie people and the Neutral Nation living there. They traded tobacco and hemp with the Iroquois, who traded furs with the French. These groups used paths to travel, which later became modern roads. Traditional stories from the Seneca people were told only in winter and were very important.

In the mid-1600s, the Senecas took over the Erie and Neutral groups. Native Americans didn’t settle permanently along Buffalo Creek until 1780, after some Senecas were moved from Fort Niagara. The Seneca named their town Došowëh, meaning "Between the basswoods," and this name is still used for Buffalo today.

Explorers like Louis Hennepin and Sieur de La Salle visited the area in the late 1600s. In 1679, La Salle’s ship, Le Griffon, was the first to sail above Niagara Falls. A small French settlement existed along Buffalo Creek for a short time in 1758. After wars between France and Britain, the area came under British rule. After the American Revolution, New York began to expand westward.

New York and Massachusetts both wanted the land where Buffalo is now. The rights were sold to Robert Morris in 1791. Despite protests from Seneca leader Red Jacket, Morris made a deal with another leader, Cornplanter, selling the land to the Holland Land Company. This gave the Senecas three reservations and the company millions of acres of land.

Permanent settlers came to the area after being captured during the Revolutionary War. Early landowners included an Iroquois interpreter, a former enslaved person named Joseph "Black Joe" Hodges, and a Dutch trader named Cornelius Winney. Because the Iroquois sided with the British, their land was taken bit by bit through treaties. By the late 1700s, only a small amount of land remained for the Iroquois.

After another treaty in 1797, Joseph Ellicott mapped out land at the mouth of Buffalo Creek. The village, originally called New Amsterdam, was soon renamed Buffalo.

Erie Canal, grain and commerce

The village was named after Buffalo Creek, first mentioned in a journal in 1764. A road to Pennsylvania was built in 1802 for people moving to Ohio. British forces burned Buffalo and a nearby village in 1813 during the War of 1812, but it was rebuilt quickly by 1815. Buffalo hoped to grow because of the planned Erie Canal, and its harbor was expanded to become the canal’s end. The canal opened in 1825, bringing trade, factories, and power from water.

Buffalo became a city in 1832. In the 1830s, a businessman named Benjamin Rathbun helped grow the business area. The city grew quickly from 1845 to 1855, and many new residents were from Ireland and Germany.

During the 1840s, people escaping being forced away from their homes traveled north to Buffalo. Buffalo was a stop on the Underground Railroad, where many freely crossed the Niagara River to Canada. Buffalo’s port kept growing, and new ways to move goods were developed. In 1843, a new machine called the grain elevator was invented, making it faster to move grain. Buffalo became a key place for moving goods on the Great Lakes, and its economy depended on weather, events on the lakes, and faraway cities.

Besides grain, Buffalo imported things like meat, whiskey, lumber, and tobacco from the Midwest, and it exported leather, ships, and iron products. New factories appeared in the mid-1800s, especially ones making iron.

By the 1860s, many railroads ended in Buffalo, and the city handled a lot of shipping on Lake Erie. After the Civil War, canals became less important as railroads grew. Workers began forming unions in the late 1800s.

Steel, challenges, and the modern era

At the start of the 1900s, Buffalo was a top place for grain and flour milling, using power from the Niagara River. The city hosted a big fair in 1901 showing new inventions and ideas, but some displays were unfair to certain groups. During the fair, President William McKinley was killed, and Theodore Roosevelt became president.

In 1904, a big iron and steel company moved to a town near Buffalo, bringing many jobs. But over time, companies were bought by others far away, which hurt the local economy. The Great Depression caused lots of unemployment, and new government programs helped.

During World War II, Buffalo made steel, chemicals, planes, trucks, and ammunition, and its manufacturing grew strong again. By 1950, Buffalo was the 15th-largest city in the United States, with most jobs in factories. The city also had many train stations.

A big shipping route called the St. Lawrence Seaway opened in 1959, which changed Buffalo’s port and canals. Shipbuilding slowed down in the 1960s, and steel mills began to close or cut jobs in the 1970s. Many people lost jobs, and Buffalo, like other places, worked to recover from these changes.

Geography

Buffalo is located on the eastern shore of Lake Erie, right across from Fort Erie, Ontario. It sits at the start of the Niagara River, which flows northward over Niagara Falls into Lake Ontario.

The area around Buffalo is part of the Erie/Ontario Lake Plain within the Eastern Great Lakes Lowlands. The city is mostly flat, except for some higher areas in the University Heights and Fruit Belt neighborhoods. The Southtowns have more hills, leading up to the Cattaraugus Hills in the Appalachian Upland. Buffalo receives a lot of snow each year, averaging about 95 inches annually, making it one of the snowiest large cities in the country.

Buffalo has several water channels, including the Niagara River, Buffalo River, Scajaquada Creek, and the Black Rock Canal. According to the United States Census Bureau, Buffalo covers an area of 52.5 square miles, of which about 40.38 square miles is land and the rest is water.

See also: List of tallest buildings in Buffalo, New York and Architecture of Buffalo, New York

Buffalo has many different types of buildings, with styles from the 19th and 20th centuries. Famous spots in downtown Buffalo include Louis Sullivan's Guaranty Building, the Ellicott Square Building, the Art Deco Buffalo City Hall, and the Electric Tower. Other important buildings are the Buffalo Central Terminal and the Richardson Olmsted Complex. The city's architecture shows many influences, including work by famous designers like Frank Lloyd Wright.

Main article: List of neighborhoods in Buffalo, New York

Buffalo has many neighborhoods, and their borders have changed over time. The city is split into five districts with thirty-five neighborhoods in total. Main Street divides the east and west sides of the city. The west side was built earlier and tends to be wealthier than the east side.

Some neighborhoods, like the Elmwood Village, have seen new development and investment since the 1990s. Areas such as Larkinville and downtown Buffalo have grown with new homes and businesses. The city updated its building rules in 2017 to make streets safer and encourage different types of buildings close together.

Buffalo has a humid continental climate, which means it has cold winters and warm summers. The city is famous for its heavy winter snow, especially because of lake-effect snow from Lake Erie. Even though Buffalo gets a lot of snow, it is not always the snowiest city in New York state. The coldest temperature ever recorded in Buffalo was −20 °F (−29 °C), which happened twice, in 1934 and 1961.

Buffalo's summers are usually dry and sunny, with breezes from Lake Erie keeping temperatures comfortable. The city's highest recorded temperature was 99 °F (37 °C) on August 27, 1948. Rain usually falls at night during the summer, and the lake helps keep storms away. August tends to be a bit more rainy than other summer months.

Demographics

Main article: Demographics of Buffalo, New York

Buffalo has been home to many different groups of people over time. Before 1800, several hundred Seneca, Tuscarora, and other Iroquois tribal peoples lived in the area around Buffalo Creek. After the Revolutionary War, settlers from New England and eastern New York moved in.

In the 1830s to the 1850s, Irish and German immigrants from Europe joined them, settling in certain parts of the city. Later, Polish and Italian families also moved to Buffalo. During the 20th century, many Black Americans from the South came to Buffalo for jobs, especially during the World Wars. In the 1940s and 1950s, many Puerto Rican families also moved to the city.

Buffalo's population grew until 1950, when it had 580,132 people. After that, the city lost many residents as people moved to the suburbs or other places. However, the 2020 census showed a small increase, with 278,349 people living in Buffalo. The city is now considered a majority minority city, meaning that more than half of its residents are from Black or Latino backgrounds.

Buffalo has seen changes in its religious life as well. Christianity, especially Catholicism, has been important, with many churches and followers. There are also Jewish, Islamic, Buddhist, and Hindu communities in the area today.

Economy

Main article: Economy of Buffalo, New York

Buffalo grew because of the Erie Canal, which helped move goods like grain from the Midwest to the east. Later, making steel and car parts became very important for the city. When these jobs decreased, Buffalo started focusing more on services like health care, banking, and tourism, especially with nearby Canada. Even today, some factories still make metals, chemicals, food, and electronics. New kinds of manufacturing, like using computers to control machines, are also growing.

Big employers in Buffalo include hospitals, banks, and schools. The city is home to companies like Rich Products, Delaware North, and Fisher-Price. Even during tough economic times, Buffalo managed better than many other cities. However, the COVID-19 pandemic brought challenges, increasing unemployment in the area.

Culture

Performing arts and music

Buffalo has many theaters, with most located in the downtown Theatre District. Shea's Performing Arts Center is the city's biggest theater. Built in 1926, it shows Broadway musicals and concerts. Shakespeare in Delaware Park happens outdoors every summer since 1976.

Comedy is popular in Buffalo, with Helium Comedy Club hosting both local and famous comedians.

The Nickel City Opera, also called NC Opera Buffalo, is an opera company started in 2004. It worked with the Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra and put on many opera shows.

The Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra began in 1935 and plays at Kleinhans Music Hall, known for its great sound. The orchestra almost stopped in the late 1990s but got help and continued. Under JoAnn Falletta, it got many Grammy Award nominations and won one in 2009.

KeyBank Center brings in music acts from around the country all year. Sahlen Field hosts the WYRK Taste of Country music festival every summer. Canalside has outdoor concerts in the summer. The Colored Musicians Club keeps jazz history alive.

Rick James, a famous musician, was born and raised in Buffalo. He formed his Stone City Band there and became popular with songs in R&B, disco, and funk in the late 1970s and early 1980s. Other famous groups from Buffalo include the jazz fusion band Spyro Gyra, jazz saxophonist Grover Washington Jr., and the alternative rock group Goo Goo Dolls. The death metal band Cannibal Corpse also started in Buffalo.

Underground hip-hop artists in Buffalo work with Griselda Records, including Westside Gunn, Conway the Machine, and Benny the Butcher.

Cuisine

Buffalo's food comes from many cultures. In 2015, National Geographic named Buffalo third on its list of the world's top ten food cities. Buffalo wings, chicken wings seasoned and fried, were first made at Anchor Bar in 1964 by Teressa Bellissimo. Duff's Famous Wings is another famous place for wings, but Buffalo wings are served in many bars and restaurants. They are usually eaten with blue cheese dressing and celery. In 2003, Anchor Bar won a James Beard Foundation Award.

Buffalo has many pizzerias, more than most cities. Craft breweries opened in the 1990s, and bars close at 4 am. Other popular foods include beef on weck, butter lambs, kielbasa, pierogi, sponge candy, chicken finger subs, and fish fry, especially during Lent. With new people moving to Buffalo, there are many ethnic restaurants, including some in food trucks.

Museums and tourism

Buffalo was named the seventh-best city to visit in the United States in 2021 by Travel + Leisure. The Buffalo AKG Art Museum has modern and contemporary art with over 8,000 pieces. A new three-story addition opened in June 2023. The Burchfield Penney Art Center has paintings by Charles E. Burchfield. The Buffalo History Museum shows the city's past, and the Buffalo Museum of Science is on the East Side.

Canalside, Buffalo's historic area by the water, gets over 1.5 million visitors each year. It has the Explore & More Children's Museum, a naval and military park, LECOM Harborcenter, shops, and restaurants. In 2021, a restored carousel and a boathouse replica were added. Other places to visit include the Theodore Roosevelt Inaugural National Historic Site, Michigan Street Baptist Church, Buffalo RiverWorks, Seneca Buffalo Creek Casino, Buffalo Transportation Pierce-Arrow Museum, and the Nash House Museum.

The National Buffalo Wing Festival happens every Labor Day at Sahlen Field. Since 2002, it has served over 4.8 million Buffalo wings. The Taste of Buffalo food festival happens in July and draws 450,000 people each year. Other events include the Allentown Art Festival, Dyngus Day, the Elmwood Avenue Festival of the Arts, Juneteenth, the World's Largest Disco, and the Friendship Festival.

Main article: List of festivals in Buffalo, New York

Sports

Main article: Sports in Buffalo

Buffalo is home to three big professional sports teams. These are the Buffalo Sabres, who play in the National Hockey League, the Buffalo Bills in the National Football League, and the Buffalo Bandits in the National Lacrosse League. The Bills started in 1960 and have played at Highmark Stadium in Orchard Park since 1973. They are the only NFL team in New York State.

The Sabres began in 1970 and share KeyBank Center with the Bandits. The Bandits have won seven championships, more than the other teams. All three teams are owned by Pegula Sports and Entertainment.

Parks and recreation

Main article: Parks and recreation in Buffalo, New York

Buffalo is known for its beautiful parks and green spaces. A famous designer named Frederick Law Olmsted helped plan the city's parks many years ago. He created a network of parks, paths, and trails that are still enjoyed today. The biggest park is Delaware Park, which has a zoo, a lake, a golf course, and many places to play.

The city takes care of more than 180 parks, pools, and recreation centers. One special place is the Japanese Garden in Delaware Park, which has beautiful cherry blossoms. There is also Tifft Nature Preserve, where you can hike, go birdwatching, and fish. Buffalo's parks are popular, and many people live close enough to visit them easily.

Buffalo’s waterfront has been changed into a fun area for people to enjoy. You can rent paddle boats in the summer or go ice skating in the winter. The city also has trails that let you explore different parts of the area, making it a great place for outdoor activities.

Government

Main article: Politics and government of Buffalo, New York

See also: List of mayors of Buffalo, New York; Buffalo Police Department; and Buffalo Fire Department

Buffalo has a strong mayor–council government. The mayor is the chief leader of the city, overseeing city departments and connecting the city with cultural groups. Since January 1, 2026, Sean Ryan has been the mayor.

The Buffalo Common Council has nine members who make laws, collect taxes, and approve the mayor’s choices and the city’s budget. The city is also the seat of Erie County and part of the Eighth Judicial District, where smaller legal cases are handled.

Media

Main article: Media in Buffalo, New York

Buffalo has a big newspaper called The Buffalo News. It started in 1880 and now has about 35,000 readers each day. There are also other newspapers like the Buffalo Criterion and The Spectrum from the local universities.

The city has eighteen radio stations and over ninety radio signals can be heard. There are eight television stations, including WGRZ 2 (NBC), WIVB-TV 4 (CBS), and WKBW-TV 7 (ABC). Buffalo also has a public television station, WNED-TV 17 (PBS).

Many movies have been filmed in Buffalo, such as Hide in Plain Sight (1980), Tuck Everlasting (1981), and Bruce Almighty (2003). Even though it can be expensive to film there, special money help has brought new movie studios to the area.

Education

Main articles: List of colleges and universities in Buffalo, New York and Buffalo Public Schools

Buffalo has many schools for children and students of all ages.

Primary and secondary education

The Buffalo Public Schools help about thirty-four thousand students learn in schools from primary to high school. There are about sixty public schools, with teachers to guide them. Some well-known schools include the City Honors School, which is highly rated, and there are also private schools such as Bishop Timon – St. Jude High School and Canisius High School.

Colleges and universities

Buffalo is also home to large colleges and universities. The University at Buffalo is the biggest public university in the area, with many students and different schools to study in. Other colleges include Buffalo State College and private schools like Canisius University.

Libraries

Buffalo’s main library, the Central Library, has been around since 1835 and holds many books and special items. It also has spaces for people to read and learn, with smaller libraries in different parts of the city.

Infrastructure

Healthcare

Buffalo has nine hospitals, including Oishei Children's Hospital and Buffalo General Medical Center, run by Kaleida Health. Other hospitals are Mercy Hospital, Sisters of Charity Hospital, Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center, and the county-run Erie County Medical Center. The Buffalo Niagara Medical Campus includes important research centers and a specialized institute for stroke recovery.

Transportation

Main article: Transportation in Buffalo, New York

Buffalo’s street layout was designed in 1804 with streets named after Dutch landowners and Native American tribes. The city is a key port near Canada, connected by the Peace Bridge. Major highways like I-190 and NY 5 help transport many cars each day. Public transportation is managed by the Niagara Frontier Transportation Authority, which runs buses, a light-rail line, and operates the airport. The city’s airport offers daily flights and has won awards for customer service. Buffalo also has train stations for travel to other cities.

Utilities

Buffalo’s water comes from a treatment station that opened in 1915. Electricity and gas are provided by companies like National Grid and National Fuel Gas. The city’s Department of Public Works takes care of snow removal, street cleaning, and trash pickup. During snowy weather, snowplows clear roads, and special measures are taken to prevent ice jams near Niagara Falls using a large steel barrier called a boom.

Notable residents

Further information: List of people from Buffalo, New York

Buffalo, New York, has been home to many famous people throughout history. Some of these individuals have made important contributions in fields like entertainment, sports, and more. The city continues to be a place where interesting and influential people live and grow.

Sister cities

Buffalo has eighteen sister cities around the world. These cities are places where Buffalo and the other city work together to share ideas and help each other. Some of these sister cities include places like Aboadze in Ghana, Bursa in Turkey, Dortmund in Germany, Kanazawa in Japan, Lille in France, and Wolverhampton in the United Kingdom.