Tonawanda (city), New York
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- For other places with a similar name, see Tonawanda, New York.
Tonawanda is a city located in Erie County, New York in the USA. As of the 2000 census, the city had a total population of 16,136.
The City of Tonawanda is on the northern edge of Erie County, New York, across the Erie Canal from Niagara County.
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History
The city was incorporated in 1903. It borders the Town of Tonawanda as well as Niagara County.
Culture
Canal Fest
In conjunction with North Tonawanda, New York, the City of Tonawanda celebrates an annual Canal Festival. For one week, members of both communities celebrate Tonawanda's historic location on the western end of the Erie Canal in the largest festival of its kind. The Festival began in 1983 when several state and regional leaders set out to promote the businesses of the Tonawandas, provide fundraising opportunities for local non-profit organizations, and provide recreational activities for the citizens of both Tonawanda and North Tonawanda.
Though the event only took place on the north side of the canal the first year, it soon grew into both cities. Today, the Canal fest is organized by the Canal Fest of the Tonawandas Inc., a non-profit organization. It's estimated that over one-hundred fifty thousand people attend the Canal Fest each year, though an accurate number is impossible to obtain since attending the event is entirely free of charge and there are no turnstiles to measure crowds. The Canal Fest is the largest event held along the Erie Canal oday and is in the top percentile of New York State events.
Demographics
As of the censusTemplate:GR of 2000, there are 16,136 people, 6,741 households, and 4,361 families residing in the city. The population density is 1,643.8/km² (4,252.9/mi²). There are 7,119 housing units at an average density of 725.2/km² (1,876.3/mi²). The racial makeup of the city is 98.08% White, 0.42% Black or African American, 0.46% Native American, 0.39% Asian, 0.01% Pacific Islander, 0.17% from other races, and 0.46% from two or more races. 0.89% of the population are Hispanic or Latino of any race.
There are 6,741 households out of which 28.9% have children under the age of 18 living with them, 49.9% are married couples living together, 10.8% have a female householder with no husband present, and 35.3% are non-families. 31.2% of all households are made up of individuals and 13.1% have someone living alone who is 65 years of age or older. The average household size is 2.39 and the average family size is 3.01.
In the city the population is spread out with 23.9% under the age of 18, 7.6% from 18 to 24, 29.0% from 25 to 44, 22.7% from 45 to 64, and 16.8% who are 65 years of age or older. The median age is 39 years. For every 100 females there are 94.4 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there are 90.2 males.
The median income for a household in the city is $37,523, and the median income for a family is $46,242. Males have a median income of $36,980 versus $24,314 for females. The per capita income for the city is $18,789. 7.1% of the population and 4.9% of families are below the poverty line. Out of the total population, 8.4% of those under the age of 18 and 7.1% of those 65 and older are living below the poverty line.
External links
- City of Tonawanda (http://www.ci.tonawanda.ny.us/)
- Canal Fest of the Tonawandas, Inc. (http://www.canalfest.org/)