Buffalo, NY

Buffalo is a city in the U.S. state of New York. It lies in Western New York on the eastern shore of Lake Erie and at the head of the Niagara River on the Canada–United States border, with a population of 278,349 at the 2020 census.^[10] The Buffalo–Niagara Falls metropolitan area, with over 1.23 million residents, is the second-largest metropolitan area in New York State behind only the New York City metropolitan area, and the 51st-largest metropolitan area in the United States. Buffalo is the county seat of Erie County.

Before the 17th century, the Buffalo region was inhabited by nomadic Paleo-Indians who were succeeded by the Neutral, Erie, and Haudenosaunee conferencies. By the early 17th century, the French began to explore the region. In the 18th century, Haudenosaunee land surrounding Buffalo Creek was ceded through the Holland Land Purchase, and a small village was established at its headwaters. Buffalo was selected as the terminus of the Erie Canal in 1825, which led to its incorporation in 1832 and stimulated its growth as the primary inland port between the Great Lakes and Atlantic Ocean. Transshipment made Buffalo the world’s largest grain port in that era.

After the coming of railroads greatly reduced the canal’s importance, Buffalo became the second-largest railway hub in the U.S. (after Chicago), and the city came to be dominated by steel production by the 20th century. Later, de-industrialization 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 2023, the gross domestic product of the Buffalo–Niagara Falls metropolitan area was approximately $90.7 billion^[11] (equivalent to about $109.5 billion in 2024)^[12].

Buffalo’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 two major league professional sports teams: the Buffalo Bills (NFL) and Buffalo Sabres (NHL).