Niagara Falls, New York

Niagara Falls, New York
Name	Niagara Falls
Settlement type	City
Nickname	The Cataract City
Subdivision type	Country
Subdivision name	United States
Subdivision type1	State
Subdivision name1	New York
Subdivision type2	County
Subdivision name2	Niagara County
Established title	Settled
Established date	c. 1788
Established title1	Incorporated (village)
Established date1	1848
Established title2	Incorporated (city)
Established date2	1892
Government type	Mayor-Council
Leader title	Mayor
Leader name	Robert Restaino
Area total km2	43.58
Area land km2	36.41
Area water km2	7.17
Elevation m	187
Population total	48,671
Population as of	2020
Population density km2	auto
Timezone	EST
Utc offset	-5
Timezone DST	EDT
Utc offset DST	-4
Postal code type	ZIP Codes
Postal code	14301–14305
Area code	716
Blank name	FIPS code
Blank info	36-51055
Blank1 name	GNIS feature ID
Blank1 info	0958888
Website	niagarafallsusa.org

Niagara Falls, New York is a city located on the western border of the state, adjacent to the world-famous Niagara Falls. Situated in Niagara County, it is directly across the Niagara River from its larger Canadian counterpart, Niagara Falls, Ontario. The city's history and economy have been profoundly shaped by the hydropower generated from the falls and its identity as a major tourism destination, though it has faced significant economic and demographic challenges in recent decades.

History

The area was originally inhabited by the Neutral Nation and later the Seneca of the Haudenosaunee Iroquois Confederacy. European exploration began with French explorer Robert de La Salle, who built the Fort Conti outpost nearby in 1679. Following the American Revolutionary War, the land was acquired by the State of New York from the Seneca nation through the 1784 Treaty of Fort Stanwix and the 1797 Treaty of Big Tree, opening it for settlement. The village was incorporated in 1848, spurred by the completion of the Erie Canal and the arrival of the New York Central Railroad. The city was chartered in 1892, and its industrial base exploded with the pioneering development of alternating current hydroelectricity by inventors like Nikola Tesla and industrialists such as Edward Dean Adams, who built the massive Adams Power Plant Transformer House. The 20th century saw the city become a major honeymoon destination and a hub for chemical manufacturing led by companies like Hooker Chemical Company, though the latter legacy included the infamous Love Canal environmental disaster.

Geography

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 43.6 square kilometers, of which 36.4 square kilometers is land and 7.2 square kilometers is water. It is bounded by the Niagara River to the west and north, which forms the international border with Canada. The city is situated on the Niagara Escarpment, and the Niagara Gorge cuts through the area below the falls. Major geographic features include Goat Island, which separates the American Falls and Bridal Veil Falls from the larger Horseshoe Falls, and the Niagara Falls State Park, designed by landscape architect Frederick Law Olmsted. The city is part of the Buffalo–Niagara Falls metropolitan area.

Demographics

As of the 2020 United States Census, the population was 48,671, a continued decline from its peak of over 102,000 in the 1960 Census. The Census Bureau reports the racial makeup as approximately 65.5% White, 21.8% Black or African American, 2.8% Asian, and 5.6% identifying as two or more races. Hispanic or Latino residents of any race constituted about 9.2% of the population. The median household income is significantly below the state average, and a high percentage of residents live below the poverty line. The population decline is attributed to the loss of manufacturing jobs and suburban migration.

Economy

The economy has historically been driven by tourism and heavy industry. The falls attract millions of visitors annually to attractions like the Maid of the Mist, Cave of the Winds, and the Observation Tower. Major manufacturing, particularly in chemicals and abrasives, was centered around cheap hydroelectric power from the Niagara Power Project, operated by the New York Power Authority. Companies like Carborundum, Hooker Chemical Company (later Occidental Petroleum), and DuPont were major employers. The closure of many industrial plants, including a large Goodyear chemical facility, led to severe economic contraction. Today, the economy remains reliant on tourism, supported by several large hotel and casino properties, including the Seneca Niagara Resort & Casino operated by the Seneca Nation of New York.

Government and infrastructure

The city operates under a mayor-council government, with Mayor Robert Restaino as its chief executive. The Niagara Falls City Council is the legislative body. Key infrastructure includes the Niagara Falls International Airport, the Niagara Falls Air Reserve Station (home to the Air Force Reserve's 914th Air Refueling Wing), and the Whirlpool Rapids Bridge and Rainbow Bridge connecting to Canada. Critical utilities are provided by the Niagara Falls Water Board, and the New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation manages the state park. The city is part of New York's 26th congressional district.

Culture and recreation

The city's culture is intrinsically linked to the natural wonder of the falls. Key cultural institutions include the Aquarium of Niagara, the Niagara Falls Underground Railroad Heritage Center which details the area's role in the Underground Railroad, and the Niagara Gorge Discovery Center. Annual events include the Niagara Falls Winter Festival of Lights and the Niagara County Fair. The Niagara Falls Convention Center hosts various events. Recreational activities are centered on Niagara Falls State Park, which offers extensive hiking trails along the gorge, and the Niagara River Greenway. The Artpark State Park in nearby Lewiston presents outdoor concerts and theatrical performances.

Category:Cities in New York (state) Category:Niagara County, New York