Built by the lumber trade, Tonawanda is a staple community of the Buffalo area
Thanks to its advantageous location at the edge of the Erie Canal, the city of Tonawanda, New York, began developing in the early 19th century. What started as a massive player in the lumber industry soon became a bustling community as area businesses grew, and the influence of that growth can still be seen today. Despite waning from its pinnacle, there is still a significant industrial presence in the city, particularly along the banks of the canal and the Niagara River. “The Tesla plant is between Hamburg and Buffalo, and in the Tonawandas, close to the Grand Island Bridge, you have the GM motor stamp plant,” says John Cook, Realtor with Signature Real Estate Services and lifelong area resident. “FedEx is right in the same area as an Amazon facility, so we still have some decent factory presence.”
To outsiders, Tonawanda may seem more like a suburb of Buffalo due to its position 12 miles north of downtown. However, those who live here quickly realize what sets it apart. “I just sold a house in the city to a family who moved from Manhattan,” Cook says. “It had snowed just before they arrived with their things. What surprised them most was to find out that their new neighbors had already shoveled their driveway for them, and I mean before they had even said hello. It was just an instant sense of family for them, and you’ll find that all throughout Tonawanda, no matter where you go.” This atmosphere, along with its sturdy backbone of locally owned businesses, its commitment to lively annual events and its plentiful green space throughout, has helped to make Tonawanda an anchor of the Buffalo metropolitan area.
The median home price in Tonawanda is $146,000.
Home prices in Tonawanda are similar to North Tonawanda with around $210,000 on average.
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From townhouses at the Niagara Riverfront to tree-shaded suburban cottages
In Tonawanda, prospective owners will find everything from historic homes with views of the Niagara River to Craftsman cottages on tree-lined suburban streets that branch away from the downtown district. Many homes date back to the city’s mid-20th century population boom, with detached Cape Cods, gable-front Colonials and American Foursquares being most prominent. Single-family homes tend to price between $120,000 and $300,000. Townhouses on the banks of the Niagara River, built primarily in the 1980s, can cost anywhere from $375,000 to $450,000.
The farther homes get from the downtown area, the higher the likelihood that buyers will run into unexpected expenses. “Tonawanda has two different government organizations,” Cook says. “There is the city of Tonawanda and the town of Tonawanda. On paper, they’re both Tonawanda. But that situation can raise eyebrows when the property tax bill arrives, and people find out they’re paying more than they realized.”
There are lost of American Foursquares in Tonawanda as well.
You can also find cottages in Tonawanda if you looking to down size.
Just like most of Buffalo, Tonawanda usually sees plenty of snow in the winter.
Walk, transit and bike scores of Tonawanda are all below 50 out of 100.
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The vivid Canal Fest of the Tonawandas
The Canal Fest of the Tonawandas is the city's most significant event and is among the largest in New York State, drawing over 300,000 visitors annually. “Tonawanda and North Tonawanda get together to organize a festival on both sides of the canal,” Cook says. “There are car shows, motorcycle shows, live music by local bands – it really is a point of pride for both cities.” The Canal Fest occurs annually in July, and the celebrations continue for eight days. Tonawanda also does not escape the gravitational pull of Buffalo, its larger neighbor to the south. “The Bills and Sabres are both very big here,” Cook adds. On weekends, residents venture south to Highmark Stadium for tailgates in the parking lot or head to KeyBank Center to watch hockey games.
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Locally owned businesses drive the success of downtown Tonawanda
Stores like Tops Friendly Markets, Big Lots and Walgreens all sell everyday necessities on the outskirts of the city. The walkable downtown district is home to thriving local businesses like Twin City Deli and Western New York Collectibles. Residents browse through Black Sheep Market for handmade gifts and pick up brightly wrapped candies from Hello, Sweets! Boaters will often pull up to Prescott’s Provisions, a restaurant near the edge of the Erie Canal that offers house-made pasta and cocktails. “Both of the Tonawandas are very into boating,” Cook says. “There are lots of restaurants designed to accommodate boats, which will be docked two- or three-wide sometimes, so it's expected that you’ll be walking across other peoples’ boats to get to your table.”
Residents in Tonawanda have plenty of restaurants to choose from.
Black Sheep is a shop in Tonawanda with plenty of fun home decor options.
Prescott Provisions is one of the highest rated restaurants in Tonawanda.
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Two public schools serve the Tonawanda City School District
The city is served by the Tonawanda City School District, which earns an overall C from Niche. Children begin their education at Tonawanda Elementary School, the first of just two schools in the district. As of 2024, Tonawanda Elementary is unranked on most school review sites due to its new building and curriculum. Tonawanda Middle/High School earns a C-plus, educating over 1,000 students in the city. Catholic schools such as Cardinal O’Hara High in nearby Buffalo provide faith-based alternatives to public institutions for young men and women alike.
Tonawanda Elementary opened in 2023 consolidating three schools.
Tonawanda Middle High School serves 900 students in grades 6 to 12.
Cardinal O'Hara High School is is a private, Roman Catholic high school in Tonawanda.
Kenmore West Senior High School in Buffalo was established in 1939.
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Jogging at Shoreline Trail and boating past Gateway Harbor
There is one aspect in which Tonawanda outshines its northern twin. “Tonawanda has a stronger park presence than North Tonawanda,” Cook says. Particularly in the suburban neighborhoods to the east of downtown, residents will find green spaces like East Athletic Field, home to multiple baseball diamonds, and Ellicott Creek Park, which features a disc golf course and a cricket pitch. Locals walk dogs and enjoy picnics at Clinton Park in the center of town, or sip hot coffee and watch the snow fall at the City of Tonawanda Gazebo. The Tonawanda Little League chapter plays at Ives Park, while youth hockey players can lace up their skates and head to Paddock Chevrolet Ice Arena for practice. The Paddock Chevrolet Golf Dome, just across the parking lot from the ice rink, offers space for golfers to practice their swing during the winter and early spring.
This bike trail in Niawanda Park connects Buffalo and Niagara Falls.
This aerial shows the layout of Clinton Park.
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Getting from Tonawanda to Niagara Falls and Buffalo
New York Routes 265 and 266 are major thoroughfares for Tonawanda and are essential for getting to and from Buffalo, especially when rush hour traffic backs up Interstates 290 and 190. Route 265 also runs north along the river to Niagara Falls, which is popular for sightseeing and for crossing the border into Canada. Interstate 290 provides the most direct route to Buffalo Niagara International Airport, a 16-mile trip southeast.
Crime rates in Tonawanda are below the national average
The FBI Crime Data Explorer reports that property crime occurs in Tonawanda at a rate of 134 incidents per 100,000 individuals, which is below the national average. Violent crime is even rarer, occurring at a rate of almost 27 incidents per 100,000 residents, far below the average.
Rosalind Burgin, with 30 years in customer service and two successful careers, feels Blessed and Grateful. Her personal and professional commitment is to help increase homeownership as a means of building wealth and strengthening communities.
Toward that end, Rosalind is grateful to assist her clients in their real estate endeavors, guiding them through important decisions as they make one of life’s largest investments.
Together, she and her clients will turn their dreams into reality – with confidence, planning, and compassion. Rosalind's promise of Excellence in Service throughout the home buying/selling process will exceed her clients' expectations as she becomes their trusted advisor, helping them reach their goals.
As a graduate of The Cusack Center for Professional Development and as a Board Member of the Greater Buffalo Niagara Area Association of Realtors, Rosalind's skills and knowledge in real estate come with honesty, professionalism, and personal service for her client's home buying or selling needs.
Disclaimer: Certain information contained herein is derived from information provided by parties other than Homes.com. Our sources include: Accuweather, Public Records and Neustar. All information provided is deemed reliable, but is not guaranteed to be accurate and should be independently verified.
