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North Tonawanda, NY

Frequently asked questions

North Tonawanda, NY

North Tonawanda is a city in Niagara County, New York, United States. It is part of the Buffalo–Niagara Falls Metropolitan Statistical Area. The city is named after Tonawanda Creek, its south border. Tonawanda in the Seneca's tongue means "Swift Running Water". Tonawanda Creek, which flows into the Niagara River, once had large stretches of rapids (see Rapids, New York) until it was tamed with the construction of the Erie Canal.

The city also calls itself "The Lumber City," due to its past primary industry, and once was the largest port on the Great Lakes during the height of the Erie Canal. Along Goundry Street are mansions built for the lumber barons, including 208 Goundry Street, called "Kent Place", designed by Stanford White. Many of the residents refer to the city as "The Jewel of Niagara County" due to its geographical setting between the Niagara River and the Erie Canal. It is also home to the 2009 Class AA NYS Football Champion Lumberjacks. Street signs on the borders of town welcome visitors to "The Home Of The Carousel".

After the first settlers arrived in 1809, North Tonawanda became part of the town of Wheatfield, New York in Niagara County, from May 1836. An abortive attempt at a village containing portions in two counties and two towns from January 1854 until April 1857, it was part of the Niagara County/Town of Wheatfield component, with the other portion in Erie County and the Town of Tonawanda. The experiment was abandoned after New York State removed the village's North Tonawanda component. Oral history claims a dispute between merchants was the cause, but the combination of communities in two counties and two towns was unwieldy. 

After becoming a village on May 8, 1865 (still in the Town of Wheatfield, but as part of Martinsville, New York), North Tonawanda was incorporated as a City on April 24, 1897. North Tonawanda is on the north side of the Erie Canal/Tonawanda Creek, across from Erie County, New York, and the communities of the City of Tonawanda and the Town of Amherst. The Town of Wheatfield borders North Tonawanda on the north and east; the Niagara River serves as its western border, and Tonawanda Creek is its southern border. North Tonawanda is the second largest city in Niagara County, after Niagara Falls, New York.

North Tonawanda is located at 43°2′28″N 78°52′8″W (43.041006, -78.868920). The Erie Canal defines the southern and the majority of the eastern borders of the city, with the rest of the eastern border made up of Sweeney Street and Old Falls Boulevard. Niagara Falls Boulevard (US Route 62) defines the northeastern border of the city. The majority of the northern border of the city is a line that runs east-west just above Forbes Terrace, mostly paralleling Ruie Road, with the rest of the northern border being a short northwesterly line that runs from Ward Road to Witmer Road. The western edge of the city is defined by the Niagara River and a line that runs just west of and parallel to Witmer Road. Also, at the southwest corner of the city is Tonawanda Island, which is separated from the mainland by the Little River (Part of the East Branch of the Niagara River) and is part of the city. The edge of North Tonawanda is sometimes hard to find because the southern parts of both the Towns of Wheatfield and Pendleton use the same zip code as North Tonawanda, 14120.

Health and wellness are integral to North Tonawanda's community spirit. The city offers a range of facilities and programs to promote residents' well-being. The North Tonawanda Health Department plays a pivotal role in ensuring access to public health services, contributing to the overall quality of life. Additionally, the city boasts picturesque parks like Gratwick Riverside Park, providing a serene environment for outdoor activities and promoting an active lifestyle.

For those seeking medical care, DeGraff Memorial Hospital is a prominent healthcare facility in North Tonawanda, offering comprehensive services to residents. Health & Wellness Massage Therapy provides a tranquil retreat with a range of therapeutic massages and holistic therapies. Snap Fitness offers 24/7 access to state-of-the-art equipment and personalized training programs, ensuring fitness goals are within reach at any hour. Barretend Buffalo hosts diverse yoga and Pilates classes, focusing on enhancing core strength and flexibility. Notaro Chiropractic emphasizes spinal health, pain relief, and overall wellness through a variety of chiropractic services. Planet Fitness promotes a judgment-free environment with a wide array of exercise equipment and group fitness classes. North Tonawanda Recreation Department offers outdoor activities, scenic walking trails, and community sports programs, promoting active living. Crunch Fitness delivers high-intensity workouts aimed at improving strength and endurance.

Top Sites in North Tonawanda, NY: Herschell Carrousel Factory Museum, North Tonawanda History Museum, North Tonawanda Botanical Gardens.

Population: 30,235 (2022). Elevation: 580 ft (177 m). ZIP Code: 14120. Area code: 716. Area: 4.64 square miles (12.00 km²).

FAQs

What is North Tonawanda, NY famous for?

North Tonawanda is known as "The Lumber City," because it was from the mid-19th century through the 1970s, a lumber transportation and forwarding center of significance because of the ready availability of lumber. It was the birthplace of the Herschell-Spillman Company/Allan Herschell Co., one of the leading manufacturers of carousels in America, and is now the home of the Herschell Carrousel Factory Museum.

What is the ethnicity of North Tonawanda, NY?

White: 92.89% Two or more races: 3.46% Black or African American: 2.15%. The average household income in North Tonawanda is $80,824 with a poverty rate of 10.81%. The median age in North Tonawanda is 43.4 years: 40.7 years for males, and 47.3 years for females.

What is the poverty rate in North Tonawanda, NY?

The average household income in North Tonawanda is $80,824 with a poverty rate of 10.81%. The median age in North Tonawanda is 43.4 years: 40.7 years for males, and 47.3 years for females. North Tonawanda is currently declining at a rate of -0.32% annually and its population has decreased by -1.28% since the most recent census, which recorded a population of 30,430 in 2020.

Sources

Wikipedia

City of North Tonawanda

Niagara County

World Population Review

Herschell Carrousel Factory Museum

North Tonawanda History Museum

North Tonawanda Botanical Gardens

Snap Fitness

Barretend Buffalo

Notaro Chiropractic

Planet Fitness 

Crunch Fitness

DeGraff Memorial Hospital

North Tonawanda Recreation Department

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