Geographic Size | Government | Population | Housing | Economy | Census Data
Geographic Size
Erie County is a metropolitan center located on the western border of the State covering 1,058 square miles. The County is bounded by Lake Erie to the west, Niagara County and Canada to the north, Genesee County and Wyoming County to the east, and Cattaraugus and Chautauqua Counties to the south. Half the population in both countries as well as half of the personal income created by the United States and Canada, are within 500 miles of Erie County. In addition, three-quarters of Canada's manufacturing activity and 55 percent of the United States' manufacturing activity fall within that radius. Located within the County are three cities and 25 towns, including the City of Buffalo, the second largest city in the State, which serves as the County seat.
Government
Erie County is governed under a home rule charter which provides for the separation of legislative and executive functions. The County Executive, elected to a four year term, is the chief executive officer of the County. The County Legislature, consisting of 11 members elected to two year terms, is the County's governing body. Other elected positions are Comptroller, County Clerk, District Attorney, and Sheriff.
Population
The Bureau of Census population statistics for Erie County are as follows:
| Year | Population | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| 1970 | 1,113,491 | ||
| 1980 | 1,015,472 | ||
| 1990 | 968,532 | ||
| 2000 | 950,265 | ||
| 2010 | 919,040 | ||
| 2011 Estimate | 918,028 | ||
| The 2010 population of the cities and five largest towns are as follows: | |||
| Municipality | 2010 Population | ||
| Buffalo, City | 261,310 | ||
| Lackawanna, City | 18,141 | ||
| Tonawanda, City | 15,130 | ||
| Amherst, Town | 122,366 | ||
| Cheektowaga, Town | 88,226 | ||
| Tonawanda, Town | 73,567 | ||
| Hamburg, Town | 56,936 | ||
| West Seneca, Town | 44,711 | ||
Economy
Erie County is a major New York industrial and commercial center. The following tables illustrate the major components of employment in the Buffalo-Niagara Falls Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA).
| Ten Largest Employers In WNY | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Organization | Employees | ||
| State of New York | 25,244 | ||
| United States Government | 10,000 | ||
| Kaleida Health | 8,439 | ||
| SUNY at Buffalo | 7,106 | ||
| Catholic Health Systems | 6,286 | ||
| Employer Services Corporation | 6,271 | ||
| Tops Markets LLC | 5,117 | ||
| City of Buffalo Schools | 4,949 | ||
| M & T Bank | 4,593 | ||
| Erie County Government | 4,304 | ||
| Total Labor Force and Employment (In 000's) | |||
| Year | No. Employed | ||
| 2003 | 469,900 | ||
| 2004 | 473,200 | ||
| 2005 | 472,800 | ||
| 2006 | 470,200 | ||
| 2007 | 465,800 | ||
| 2008 | 471,800 | ||
| 2009 | 469,000 | ||
| 2010 | 465,600 | ||
| 2011 | 460,300 | ||
| 2012* | 459,600 | ||
|
Source: NYS Department of Labor - Annual Data |
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| Annual Average Unemployment Rates 2007-2011 (a) | |||
| Erie County | New York State | United States | |
|
2007 |
4.8 | 4.6 | 4.6 |
| 2008 | 5.7 | 5.4 | 5.8 |
| 2009 | 8.2 | 8.3 | 9.3 |
| 2010 | 8.3 | 8.6 | 9.6 |
| 2011 | 7.9 | 8.2 | 8.9 |
|
(a) Percent of total force unemployed, by place of residence, not seasonally adjusted. |
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|
Source: U.S. Rate - U.S. Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics Other Rates - New York State Department of Labor, Labor Market Information |
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| 10 LARGEST REAL PROPERTY TAXPAYERS IN ERIE COUNTY 2012 | |||
| Taxpayer | Equalized Taxable Value | ||
| NATIONAL GRID/NIAGARA MOHAWK | 698,295,685 | ||
| NATIONAL FUEL GAS | 693,674,968 | ||
| BENDERSON DEVELOPMENT CO | 451,245,342 | ||
| HUNTLEY POWER LLC | 415,800,428 | ||
| VERIZON | 301,723,196 | ||
| NYSEG | 259,796,402 | ||
| BG - VARIOUS PROPERTIES | 188,528,153 | ||
| PYRAMID CO OF BUFFALO | 181,184,043 | ||
| NORFOLK/CONRAIL/CSX | 133,765,838 | ||
| UNILAND DEVELOPMENT | 113,242,682 | ||
| 3,437,256,737 | |||
| Source: Erie County Division of Real Property Tax Services | |||