Clarence is a small suburb of Buffalo in Upstate New York. At the time of it founding in 1808, Clarence was the first town in Erie County, predating the larger city’s creation by 2 years. Throughout the 20th century, Clarence was a mining town, focused on gypsum and potash, as well as brickmaking. Today, the area is best known as the hometown of the NHL player Dave Andreychuk, and for its family-friendly, small-town feel. Considering moving to Clarence? Here’s what you need to know about living in this charming town.
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Who Lives in Clarence?
About 31,000 people call the town of Clarence home. The median age here is 47.7, and the community is split between retirees and parents between 35-55 with children under 18. There are very few empty nester professionals living in the area. Only 4.6% of the local population was born outside of the U.S., and 10% were born in states outside of New York.
Among adults in the community, 71% receive their income from a salary, and upwards of 40% receive Social Security or income from investments. The median household income in Clarence across age brackets is $87,308, which is $25,000 higher than the median for New York, and $30,000 higher than the American median. Clarence is a majority White town, although 3% of the population is Hispanic and 1.5% is African American or Black.
Clarence Cost of Living
In addition to its high median income, Clarence benefits from a low cost of living, meaning that people living in Clarence make more and get to keep more of what they make! The median property value in town is $224,800 as of 2017, which, while higher than 2016, is still nearly $70,000 lower than the overall median for New York. About one-third of Clarence residents choose to rent instead of buying a home, and they, too, benefit from reasonably pricing; the average rent here is $1,466 per month.
In other areas, Clarence also has a low cost of living. For example, healthcare in this community costs on average 13% less than elsewhere in New York. Groceries and goods and services are on par with the national average. One cost that is higher than average is utilities in Clarence, which may be due to the area’s need for both A/C during hot summers and heat during cold winter days.
Best Clarence Neighborhoods
Wondering where you should live in Clarence? Clarence, NY covers more than 53 square miles, giving you plenty of options when it comes to choosing a neighborhood. While all the districts in town are wonderful, here are three we love to help jumpstart your search.
- Eastbrook – Essex Greens At Waterford: This master planned community features gorgeous new construction patio homes, ranging in size from 1,600 to 3,000+ square feet. The convenient location is close to many local amenities and shopping options.
- Northwoods: Another new construction neighborhood, this top place to live in Clarence lets you build your custom home from the ground up, or buy an existing model. The homes feature a modern aesthetic, and lots begin at $100,000.
- Spalding Green: Offering six different floor plans, this community boasts wide tree-lined streets and a convenient location in the heart of Clarence. In addition to beautiful homes on large plots, the neighborhood also includes a 200+ acre nature preserve.
What’s the Weather like in Clarence?
Like much of Upstate New York, Clarence experiences a full four season year, with an average temperature that swings from the 80s during summer to, at times, single digit temperatures during winter. In addition to 154 sunny days, the area gets more than its fair share of snow; 84 inches per year on average, to be exact!
Because of Clarence’s location between Lake Erie and Lake Ontario, Clarence is also prone to a weather phenomenon called lake-effect snow. This effect brings snowy weather into the area with stunning speed, turning a sunny day into a blizzard in under an hour. Lake effect snow can also bring ice and dangerous road conditions, so be sure to watch the weather and plan accordingly if you choose to live here!
Clarence Schools
Families living in Clarence are served by the Clarence Central School District, which includes four elementary schools, one middle school and one high school. Clarence High School, home of the Clarence Devils, is well known for its commitment to a well-rounded education and numerous opportunities for ambitious students. In addition to its rigorous standard course load and several Advanced Placement course options, Clarence also offers two specialized education tracts: The Academy of Business and Finance and the Academy of Visual and Performing Arts. In total, the school serves about 1,400 students, and has been recognized by GreatSchools.org with a 9/10 rating for excellence in education.
Jobs in Clarence
How many people work in Clarence? The answer is, the local economy supports about 1,300 jobs at present. The most common occupations among Clarence workers are management, education and sales roles. Healthcare, retail, education and manufacturing are the largest industries in town. Since it’s only 15 miles from Clarence, NY to Buffalo, many Clarence residents work in downtown Buffalo, where top employers include Kaleida Health, M&T Bank, and upstate New York’s favorite supermarket, Wegmans Food Markets Inc.
Things to do in Clarence
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Clarence may not be a big city, but there’s still plenty of fun things to do here in town. From local boutique shops to incredible restaurants, Clarence has tons to offer! Not sure where to start? To begin feeling like a true local, you’ll need to visit Antique World and Flea Market, and of course, Clarence Town Park.
Antique World and Flea Market
This unique market is one of the largest antique centers in New York, and is the perfect place to find that special something for your home. Explore dozens of vendors in the market’s huge space, which includes an expo center, traditional flea market, and garage sale spots. Have something to sell? You can also get your items appraised at Antique World.
Clarence Town Park
Located in the center of town, Clarence Town Park is one of the most beautiful green spaces around. The park spans a total of 90 acres, and includes a playground for kids, the town pool, multiple sports courts and fields for everything from baseball to tennis. In the winter, the park becomes a winter wonderland with skating and sledding for visitors of all ages!
Clarence’s Top Restaurants
Looking for a bite to eat in Clarence? This town has dozens of wonderful restaurants for you to enjoy, but two of our favorites are Orazio’s by Zarcone and El Ranchito Mexican Restaurant.
Orazio’s by Zarcone
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For Italian cuisine with a homemade feel, there’s nowhere better in Clarence than Orazio’s. The menu includes all your favorites, from fried calamari and classic antipasto to spaghetti parmesan, and of course decadent, delicious tiramisu.
- Hours: 3PM-9PM Monday, Wednesday & Thursday, 3PM-10PM Friday and Saturday, 12PM-9PM Sunday, Closed on Tuesdays
- Website: http://www.orazios.com/
- Phone: (716) 759-8888
- Address: 9415 Main St, Clarence, NY 14031
El Ranchito Mexican Restaurant
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Craving something spicy? After being seating in this colorful Mexican restaurant, choose from an array of delicious dishes, including sizzling fajitas and classic chimichangas.
- Hours: 11:30AM – 9PM Monday-Thursday, 11:30AM – 9:30PM Friday, 12PM – 9:30PM Saturday, 12PM – 9PM Sunday
- Phone: (716) 320-5830
- Address: 9780 Main St, Clarence, NY 14031
Tips for Moving to Clarence, NY
Now that you’re an expert on living in Clarence, is moving to Clarence right for you? While making your decision, keep these key points in mind:
- You’ll be just 15 miles from Buffalo
- Homes here are very affordable
- Schools in Clarence are top rated.
Need help with your relocation to Clarence? The expert local movers at Wayfinder Moving are here to help, with services for both residential and commercial customers! Call 716-832-6683 now to get started.
