Curious about the richest towns in Western New York? Often overshadowed and omitted from lists of the richest towns in both upstate New York and the broader NY state, these prosperous Western New York towns, many of which are affluent suburbs of Buffalo, deserve closer examination.
In this article, we’ll explore the richest towns in Western New York.
Richest Towns in Western New York
1. Elma Center, NY
Elma Center is the richest town in Western New York with a mean income of $170,230.
Located in Erie County, 20 minutes from Buffalo, Elma Center is an affluent suburb of Buffalo with a population of 2,851 with a relatively high percentage of children under 18 years old at 29.8% and seniors at 23.3%.
Elma Center primarily consists of owner-occupied homes, accounting for 90% of the housing market, with a median home price of $465,638 and a median rent of $1,317.
| Elma Center | |
|---|---|
| Mean Income | $170,230 |
| Median Home Price | $465,638 |
2. Clarence Center, NY
Clarence Center is another wealthy suburb of Buffalo with a mean income of $167,893.
Located just 29 minutes from Buffalo, Clarence Center is a hamlet in Eerie County with a population of 2,605. The town has a notable 28.5% of children under 18 years old and 12% of seniors.
Clarence Center has a historic district with well-preserved 19th-century architecture and a charming downtown with quaint shops and restaurants.
An impressive 97.6% of homes in Clarence Center are owner-occupied. The median home price in Clarence Center is $496,384.
Clarence Center is surrounded by lush greenery including the nearby Akron Falls Park with hiking trails and scenic waterfalls.
| Clarence Center, NY | |
|---|---|
| Mean Income | $167,893 |
| Median Home Price | $496,384 |
3. Pittsford, NY
Pittsford is one of the richest towns in Western New York with a mean income of $154,224.
Located along the banks of the Erie Canal, it’s a small village with a population of 1,419, with 25.8% being children under 18 and 16.5% being seniors.
A majority, 69.9%, of homes in Pittsford are owner-occupied with a median home price of $402,058.
Pittsford’s historic district is a postcard-perfect showcase of 19th-century architecture, featuring well-preserved homes, boutique shops, and cozy cafes.
The Erie Canal Heritage Trail, running through the heart of Pittsford, invites leisurely strolls and scenic bike rides along the canal’s tranquil waters.
| Pittsford, NY | |
|---|---|
| Mean Income | $154,224 |
| Median Home Price | $402,058 |
4. Mendon, NY
Mendon is the richest suburb of Rochester with a mean income of $141,001.
The affluent Western New York town is 24 minutes from Rochester with a median home price of $411,598.
Mendon is a quaint upstate New York town with a historic downtown area lined with well-preserved 19th-century architecture, which houses local shops and eateries.
Mendon has a population of 9,095, with 23.7% of children under 18 and 16.6% of seniors.
Mendon is surrounded by beautiful natural landscapes, including Mendon Ponds Park, a popular destination for outdoor activities such as hiking, birdwatching, and picnicking.
The majority of homes in Mendon are owner-occupied, at 77.9%, with a median rent of $887.00.
| Mendon, NY | |
|---|---|
| Mean Income | $141,001 |
| Median Home Price | $411,598 |
5. Brighton, NY
Brighton is one of the richest suburbs of Rochester with a mean income of $114,611.
Located in Monroe County, the affluent Rochester suburb has a population of 37,137, with 19% of children under 18 and 20.7% of seniors.
Brighton is near the picturesque Highland Park, known for its annual Lilac Festival and beautiful gardens.
The median home price in Brighton is $486,577. There are a lot of rentals in Brighton, with only 56% owner-occupied homes.
Being just 10 minutes from downtown Rochester, Brighton is a commuter town with a median rent of $1,133.
| Brighton, NY | |
|---|---|
| Mean Income | $114,611 |
| Median Home Price | $486,577 |
6. Conesus Lake, NY
Conesus Lake is one of the richest lake towns in the Western New York Finger Lakes region with a mean income of $114,334.
It is a hamlet within the town of Conesus, located on the shores of Conesus Lake. The affluent Western New York lake town has a population of 2,270, with 11.3% of children under 18 and 32.3% of seniors.
Home to lakefront properties, Conesus Lake has a median home price of $432,888.
An impressive 92.5% of homes in Conesus Lake are owner-occupied, and the median rent is $1,250.
| Conesus Lake, NY | |
|---|---|
| Mean Income | $114,334 |
| Median Home Price | $432,888 |
7. Pendleton, NY
Pendleton is one of the richest towns near Niagara Falls with a mean income of $113,921.
Located just 26 minutes from Buffalo, Pendleton is one of the richest suburbs of Buffalo with a population of 7,035 where 19.3% are children under 18 and 20.9% are seniors.
The town is home to rolling farmland, picturesque landscapes, and a mix of residential neighborhoods.
Pendleton has a median home price of $302,436 with the majority of homes in Pendleton are owner-occupied, at 90.6%.
The Erie Canal, a historic waterway, runs through Pendleton along with the nearby Tonawanda Creek and provides opportunities for recreational activities such as biking and hiking.
The with a median rent at Pendleton is $919.
| Pendleton, NY | |
|---|---|
| Mean Income | $113,921 |
| Median Home Price | $302,436 |
8. Barrington, NY
Barrington is one of the wealthiest towns in Western New York with a mean income of $109,131.
Located in Yates County in the Finger Lakes region, Barrington is an affluent Western New York town with a population of 1,541, with 26.5% being children under 18 and 22% seniors.
With waterfront homes on Keuka Lake, Barrington has a median home price of $515,100. An impressive 96.3% of homes in Barrington are owner-occupied.
The median rent at Barrington is $1,113.
| Barrington, NY | |
|---|---|
| Mean Income | $109,131 |
| Median Home Price | $515,100 |
9. Ellicottville, NY
Ellicottville is one of the richest towns in Western New York with a mean income of $106,783.
Nestled in the foothills of the Allegheny Mountains, Ellicottville is a popular year-round destination for outdoor enthusiasts. The village is particularly famous for its ski resorts, such as Holiday Valley and HoliMont.
While the median home price in Ellicottville is $420,575, it’s important to note that the village is famous for its seasonal vacation properties.
Ellicottville is a village in the town of Ellicottville with a small population of 256, with 22.8% of children under 18 and 30.6% of seniors.
A substantial 79.9% of homes in Ellicottville are owner-occupied.
| Ellicottville, NY | |
|---|---|
| Mean Income | $106,783 |
| Median Home Price | $420,575 |
10. Clarence, NY
Clarence is one of the richest suburbs in Western New York with a mean income of $102,694.
Located in Eerie County, Clarence is a wealthy suburb of Buffalo with a population of 2,733, with 13% of children under 18 and 39.1% of seniors.
The town is a mix of residential neighborhoods, farmland, and commercial areas with a median home price of $466,896.
Clarence has excellent schools. In fact, Niche.com ranks Clarence Central School District as the #2 school district in the Buffalo area.
Most homes in Clarence are owner-occupied, at 67.2%. Rent is affordable at Clarence with a median rent of $538.
| Clarence, NY | |
|---|---|
| Mean Income | $102,694 |
| Median Home Price | $466,896 |
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