Made up of two small villages known as Kenmore and Brighton, the town of Tonawanda rests on the northern side of Buffalo’s metro area. Before it was established as a town in 1836, the area was under the control of the French for many years until they lost control of it during the French and Indian War.
Apart from a few shopping areas, the area of Tonawanda is mainly residential and offers locals a calm, comfortable place to live. Bordered by Amherst to the east, Buffalo to the south, and the Niagara River to the west, this town is in a truly convenient location.
If you’ve been thinking about moving to Tonawanda, then this guide is for you. Check it out to learn everything you should know concerning fun local amenities, the weather, as well as local schools and jobs.
Table of Contents
1. People of Tonawanda
The city of Tonawanda population is currently about 57,725 with a median age of around 44 years old. People living in Tonawanda generally enjoy a quiet lifestyle with nice, cozy neighborhoods and plenty of fun local activities.
The most recent Tonawanda demographics counts show there is a fairly limited amount of diversity in the area with about 88% of the population being white, while about 4% are Hispanic or Latino and less than 4% are African American. The gender ratio in Tonawanda has a bit of an uneven split with about 53.73% female and 46.27% male.
2. Things to Do & Restaurants in Tonawanda
Looking for the best things to do in Tonawanda after moving there? Don’t miss out on the Riviera Theatre, where you can catch a wide variety of performances ranging from movies and plays to live concerts and comedy shows. And if you’re ever feeling outdoorsy, a visit to the 165-acre Ellicott Creek Park is the perfect place to enjoy paved trails and picnic shelters, all while watching for local wildlife like deer, rabbits, woodpeckers, frogs, salamanders, and many more.
View this post on Instagram
Riviera Theatre, 67 Webster St, North Tonawanda, NY 14120
View this post on Instagram
Ellicott Creek Park, 1 Ellicott Creek Drive, Tonawanda, NY 14150
Whenever you get hungry, you’ll find a handful of awesome restaurants in Tonawanda as well. The Remington Tavern and Seafood Exchange is an 1895 renovated trolley barn that serves tavern burgers as well as seafood that includes crab, oysters, mussels, clams, and other options. And for those who are in the mood for a laid back karaoke spot with occasional live bands and great American cuisine, The Dockside Bar & Grill is just the place for you.
Remington Tavern and Seafood Exchange
View this post on Instagram
Remington Tavern and Seafood Exchange, 184 Sweeney St, North Tonawanda, NY 14120
View this post on Instagram
The Dockside Bar & Grill, 153 Sweeney St, North Tonawanda, NY 14120
3. Tonawanda Cost of Living
Among the most affordable places to live in New York, the cost of living in Tonawanda is more than 10% lower than the national average and about 40% lower than the NY state average. Typically, the only regular expenses that cost more in town are the local utilities, generally due to the higher amounts of snow this area sees during the winter.
At about 30% lower than national medians, the average price of a home in Tonawanda is currently about $151,700. These numbers have risen slightly by about 5% over the last year, but as you’re looking through Tonawanda, NY homes for sale, you’re sure to find a great place that fits your budget.
With about 74% of people living in Tonawanda owning their homes, only about one-fourth of the population choose to lease their living areas. The average price of rent in Tonawanda varies between $931 per month for a two-bedroom location up to $1,080 per month for four-bedroom homes.
4. Variety of Neighborhoods in Tonawanda
Although the city spans only about 20 square miles of western New York, a variety of great Tonawanda neighborhoods can be spotted all over the map. Some of the top communities around town include Sheridan Parkside, Green Acres, Colvin Estates, Kenilworth, Wilton Argonne, and Lincoln Park. These Tonawanda neighborhoods vary from family-friendly housing developments to senior living communities.
Located within Erie County, Tonawanda zip codes include 14150, 14207, 14217, and 14223. You can expect to get a 716 area code if you decide to set up a new local phone number.
People moving to Tonawanda, NY will have a wide range of convenient places to shop around the city such as Youngman Plaza, Gander Outdoors, Walmart, Crunch Fitness, Big Lots, and Walgreens.
5. School System in Tonawanda
With about 7,800 students making up 13.5% of the Tonawanda population, parents who are moving to the area with kids will be pleased to know there are plenty of education options for their primary school-aged children. As members of the Tonawanda City School District, some of the top-rated locations include Mullen Elementary, Riverview Elementary, Tonawanda Middle High School, and Kenmore East Senior High.
And while there are no colleges within the Tonawanda borders, there are secondary schools nearby in both Buffalo and in the city of Amherst.
6. Job Opportunities in Tonawanda
Are you moving to Tonawanda and need to find somewhere to work once you get there? There are a handful of options across multiple industries in the areas which equal out to a median household income of $55,247. People searching for Tonawanda jobs can always start out by checking with places like Praxair, Dunlop Tire, General Motors – Powertrain, and the local Kenmore Mercy Hospital.
A large number of people living in the area commute from Tonawanda to Buffalo, NY. This easy 13-mile trip takes workers straight down the I-190 and typically can be made in less than 20 minutes, depending on traffic and lights.
7. Weather in Tonawanda
Sitting almost right between Lake Ontario and Lake Erie, the Tonawanda climate is cool, partly cloudy, and mildly humid all year long. Summers tend to bring high temperatures in the mid-80s with nights dipping into the low 60s. The rainy season can pour up to 37 inches of rain on the area as well.
And if you’re moving to Tonawanda, or anywhere in the Buffalo area, you’ll want to also prepare yourself for freezing, snowy winters. With temperatures ranging from the mid-teens to barely above 30°F, Tonawanda also anticipates upwards of 85 inches of snowfall every year.
Tips for Moving to Tonawanda
- Great Buffalo suburb with good people and nice location.
- Fun local activities you can find both indoors and outdoors.
- One of the most affordable cities to live in New York.
- Comfortable neighborhoods surrounding good schools and plenty of jobs.
- It does get cold, so make sure you have a jacket, beanie, and snow boots.
Tonawanda is a fun city with its own unique flair. It offers close access to incredible sights like the two nearby lakes as well as Niagara Falls all within a 30-minute drive. Whether you’re looking for a suburb where you can live for easy commuting to Buffalo or you want somewhere to retire, living in Tonawanda offers great options.
Does moving to Tonawanda sound like it’s the right choice for you? The team here at Wayfinder Moving has about a decade of experience assisting with relocations all around the Buffalo metro area. We’d love to show you why more than 10,000 people have trusted our top-rated moving services for their transition.
Give us a call today at (716) 832-6683 if you have any questions or feel free to complete the Request a Quote form on this page to get a free Tonawanda moving estimate.
