While the city was formerly inhabited by Native Americans, Europeans who migrated to the Niagara Falls in the mid-17th century began to open businesses and develop infrastructure. Later in the 18th and 19th centuries, scientists and businessmen began harnessing the power of theNiagara River for electricity and the city began to attract manufacturers and other businesses drawn by the promise of inexpensive hydroelectric power. After the 1960s, however, the city and region experienced an economic decline. As industries left the region, affluent and middle-class families relocated from Niagara Falls to other metropolitan areas around the country.
Due to the loss of jobs in the region, especially in the manufacturing sector, the city has gone from over 102,000 residents in 1960 to approximately 48,000 residents in 2020, a population drop of more than 50%.
Before Europeans entered the area, it was dominated by theNeutral Nation of Native Americans. European migration into the area began in the 17th century. The first recorded European to visit the area wasFrenchmanRobert de la Salle, who builtFort Conti at the mouth of the Niagara River early in 1679, with permission from theIroquois, as a base for boatbuilding; his shipLe Griffon was built on the upper Niagara River at or nearCayuga Creek in the same year.[3] He was accompanied byBelgian priestLouis Hennepin, who was the first known European to see the falls. The influx of newcomers may have been a catalyst for already hostile native tribes to turn to open warfare in competition for the fur trade.[citation needed]
By the end of the 19th century, the city was heavily industrialized, due in part to the power potential offered by theNiagara River. Tourism was considered a secondary niche, while manufacturing ofpetrochemicals,abrasives,metallurgical products and other materials was the main producer of jobs and attracted a large number of workers, many of whom were immigrants.
The Niagara Falls mill district downriver from theAmerican Falls, 1900
In 1927, the city annexed the village of La Salle, named for Robert de la Salle, from the Town of Niagara.
Industry and tourism grew steadily throughout the first half of the 20th century due to a high demand for industrial products and the increased mobility of people to travel. Paper, rubber, plastics, petrochemicals, carbon insulators and abrasives were among the city's major industries. This prosperity would end by the late 1960s as aging industrial plants moved to less expensive locations. In addition, the falls were incompatible with modern shipping technology.[further explanation needed]
In 1956, the Schoellkopf Power Plant on the lower river just downstream of the American Falls was critically damaged by the collapse of the Niagara Gorge wall above it. This prompted the planning and construction of one of the largest hydroelectric plants to be built in North America to that time, generating a large influx of workers and families to the area. New York City urban plannerRobert Moses built the new power plant in nearbyLewiston, New York. Much of the power generated there fueled growing demands for power in downstate New York and New York City.
The neighborhood ofLove Canal gained national media attention in 1978 when toxic waste contamination from a chemical landfill beneath it forced United States PresidentJimmy Carter to declare astate of emergency, the first such presidential declaration made for a non-natural disaster. Hundreds of residents were evacuated from the area, many of whom were ill because of exposure to chemical waste.[5]
The contaminated neighborhood ofLove Canal received national attention in 1978.
After the Love Canal disaster, the city—which had already been declining in population for nearly two decades—experienced accelerated economic and political difficulties. The costs of manufacturing elsewhere had become less expensive, which led to the closure of several factories. The city's population eventually dropped by more than half of its peak, as workers fled the city in search of jobs elsewhere. Then, much like the nearby city of Buffalo, the city's economy plummeted when a failedurban renewal project destroyed Falls Street and the tourist district.
In 2001, the leadership ofLaborers Local 91 was found guilty ofextortion,racketeering and other crimes following an exposé by Mike Hudson of theNiagara Falls Reporter. Union boss Michael "Butch" Quarcini died before trial, while the rest of the union leadership was sentenced to prison.
In early 2010, former Niagara Falls Mayor Vincenzo Anello was indicted on federal charges ofcorruption, alleging the mayor accepted $40,000 in loans from a businessman who was later awarded a no-bid lease on city property. The charges were dropped as part of aplea deal after Anello pleaded guilty to unrelated charges of pension fraud, regarding a pension from theInternational Brotherhood of Electrical Workers, of which he is a member. He was sentenced to 10 to 16 months in prison.[6]
On November 30, 2010, the New York State Attorney General entered into an agreement with the city and its police department to create new policies to govern police practices in response to claims of excessive force and police misconduct. The city committed to create policies and procedures to prevent and respond to allegations of excessive force, and to ensure police are properly trained and complaints are properly investigated. Prior claims filed by residents will be evaluated by an independent panel.[8]
Cataract Commons
In 2020, a public square namedCataract Commons opened on Old Falls Street. It is a public space for outdoor events and activities.[9][10]
According to theUnited States Census Bureau, the city has an area of 16.9 square miles (44 km2), of which 14.1 square miles (37 km2) (83.43%) is land and 2.8 square miles (7.3 km2) (16.57%) is water.[13] The city is built along theNiagara Falls and theNiagara Gorge, which is next to theNiagara River.
Niagara Falls has ahumid continental climate (Dfa). The city experiences cold, snowy winters and very warm, humid summers. Precipitation is moderate and consistent in all seasons, falling equally or more as snow during the winter. The city has snowier than average winters compared to most cities in the US, however less than many other cities in Upstate New York including nearby Buffalo and Rochester. Thaw cycles with temperatures above 32 °F (0 °C) are a common occurrence.[14] The hottest and coldest temperatures recorded in the decade through 2015 were 97 °F (36 °C) in 2005 and −13 °F (−25 °C) in 2003, respectively.[15] 38% of warm season precipitation falls in the form of a thunderstorm.[16]
View of the American Falls and the Downtown area of Niagara Falls, New York, fromSkylon Tower in 2007
Buffalo Avenue – runs along the south end along the Niagara River once home to a vast number of old families with architecturally significant mansions; further east (past John Daly Boulevard) the street is surrounded by a number of industrial sites to 56th Street before returning to a residential area and ending at theLove Canal area at 102nd Street.
Deveaux – Located in the northwestern corner (west of the North End) along the Niagara River is residential area built in the 1920s to 1940s. Named for JudgeSamuel DeVeaux who left his estate to be established as the Deveaux College for Orphans and Destitute Children in 1853 (closed 1971), now the site ofDeVeaux Woods State Park[20] andDeVeaux School Historical District.
East Side – the area bounded by the gorge on the west, Niagara Street on the south, Ontario Avenue on the North and Main Street (NY Rt 104) on the east.[21]
Hyde Park – Located near the namesake Hyde Park next to Little Italy as well as home to Hyde Park Municipal Golf Course.[22]
LaSalle – Bounded by 80th Street, Niagara Falls Boulevard, Cayuga Drive andLaSalle Expressway was built up in the 1940s to 1960s.Cayuga Island is linked to neighborhood. The actual neighborhood where the Love Canal was to be built.[23]
Little Italy – home to a once predominately Italian community that runs along Pine Avenue from Main Street to Hyde Park Boulevard
Love Canal – Established in the 1950s on land acquired fromHooker Chemical Company. Most of the neighborhood was evacuated in the 1980s after toxic waste was discovered underground. Resettlement began in 1990.[24]
Niagara Street – residential area east of Downtown along Niagara Street (distinct from Niagara Ave.) once home to a predominately German and Polish community.
North End – runs along Highland Avenue in the north end of the city before it merges with Hyde Park Boulevard.
As of thecensus of 2010, there were 50,193 people, 22,603 households, and 12,495 families residing in the city. Thepopulation density was 2,987.7 people per square mile (1,153.5 per square km). There were 26,220 housing units at an average density of 1,560.7 per square mile (602.6/km2). The racial makeup of the city was 70.5%White, 21.6%African American, 1.9%Native American, 1.2%Asian, 0%Pacific Islander, 0.8% fromother races, and 3.9% from two or more races.Hispanic orLatino of any race were 3.0% of the population.
There were 22,603 households, out of which 23.9% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 29.8% weremarried couples living together, 19.7% had a female householder with no husband present, and 44.7% were non-families. 38.1% of all households were made up of individuals, and 13.7% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.20 and the average family size was 4.02.
St. Peter's Episcopal Church
In the city, 22% of the population was under the age of 18, 10.1% aged from 18 to 24, 24.2% from 25 to 44, 28.2% from 45 to 64, and 15.5% were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 39 years. For every 100 females, there were 91.2 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 94.4 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $26,800, and the median income for a family was $34,377. Males had a median income of $31,672 versus $22,124 for females. 23% of the population was below the poverty line.
Niagara Falls has struggled with high rates ofviolent andproperty crime;FBI crime data indicate that the city has among the highest crime rates in New York state.[26][27] In response to gun violence, volunteer groups such as Operation SNUG mobilized to promote positive community involvement in the troubled areas of the city.[28]
Abandoned industrial building within "Chemical Row" in Niagara Falls
Niagara Falls' main industry is tourism, driven primarily by the waterfalls.[29]
A 2012 profile from the Office of theNew York State Comptroller reported that Niagara Falls has "struggled through decades of population losses, rising crime and repeated attempts to reinvent itself from a manufacturing town with some tourism to a major tourist destination."[30] The city became aboomtown with the opening of theNew York State Power Authority'shydroelectricNiagara Power Plant in the 1960s;[29] the cheap electricity produced by the plant generated power for a burgeoning manufacturing industry.[30] Along with the rest ofWestern New York, Niagara Falls suffered a significant economic decline from a decline in industry by the 1970s.[29] Today, the city struggles to compete withNiagara Falls, Ontario; the Canadian side has a greater average annual income, a higher average home price, and lower levels of vacant buildings andblight,[31] as well as a more vibrant economy and better tourism infrastructure.[32] The population of Niagara Falls, New York fell by half from the 1960s to 2012. In contrast, the population of Niagara Falls, Ontario more than tripled.[33] In 2000, the city'smedian household income was 36% below the national average.[29] In 2012, the city's unemployment rate was significantly higher than the statewide unemployment rate.[30]
In late 2001, the State of New York established the USA Niagara Development Corporation, a subsidiary to the State's economic development agency, to focus specifically on facilitating development in the downtown area. However, the organization has been criticized for making little progress and doing little to improve the city's economy.[34]
From 1973 to 2002, the city had aConvention and Civic Center on 4th street. In 2002 the venue was converted into theSeneca Niagara Casino & Hotel. In 2004, a new Niagara Falls Convention Center (NFCC) opened on Old Falls Street. The Old Falls Street venue has 116,000 square feet for exhibitions and meetings, and a 32,200-square-foot event/exhibit hall.[35]
Attractions in the downtown include theSeneca Niagara Casino & Hotel and Pine Avenue which was historically home to a largeItalian American population and is now known as Little Italy for its abundance of shops and quality restaurants.
The City of Niagara Falls functions under astrong mayor-council form of government. The government consists of a mayor, a professional city administrator, and a city council. The current mayor is Robert Restaino.
The city council serves four-year, staggered terms, except in the case of a special election. It is headed by a chairperson, who votes in all items for council action.
On a state level, Niagara Falls is part of the 145th Assembly District of New York State, represented by RepublicanAngelo Morinello. Niagara Falls is also part of the 62nd Senate District of New York State, represented by RepublicanRobert Ortt.
Founded in 1892 Niagara Falls Police Department provide local law enforcement in the city with 155 sworn officers.[36] This force is not to be mistaken for the Town ofNiagara, New York which has a smaller force founded in 1954.
The city has two local newspapers, theNiagara Gazette, which is published daily except Tuesday andThe Messenger Of Niagara Falls, NY which is published quarterly.The Messenger Of Niagara Falls, NY, which is officially Niagara Falls, New York's, first black-owned and operated news publication, founded October 2018.The Messenger Of Niagara Falls, NY published its inaugural issue April 2019.The Buffalo News is the closest major newspaper in the area. The city also is the home to a weekly tabloid known as theNiagara Falls Reporter.
Three radio stations are licensed to the city of Niagara Falls, includingWHLD AM 1270,WEBR AM 1440, andWKSE FM 98.5.
Niagara Falls is primarily served by theBuffalo Niagara International Airport for regional and domestic flights within the United States. The recently expandedNiagara Falls International Airport serves the city, and many cross-border travellers, with flights to Myrtle Beach, Fort Lauderdale, Orlando and Punta Gorda.Toronto'sPearson International Airport on the Canadian side is the closest airport offering long-haul international flights for the Niagara region.
Niagara Frontier Transportation Authority is the public transit provider in the Buffalo metro area, with hubs at the Portage Road and Niagara Falls transportation centers.
Interstate 190, also referred to as the Niagara Expressway, is a north–south highway and a spur ofInterstate 90 which borders the eastern end of the city. The highway enters the city from the town ofNiagara and exits at theNorth Grand Island Bridge.U.S. Route 62, known as Niagara Falls Boulevard, Walnut Avenue, and Ferry Avenue, is signed as a north–south highway. U.S. Route 62 has an east–west orientation, and is partially split between two one-way streets within Niagara Falls. Walnut Avenue carries U.S. Route 62 west to its northern terminus at NY 104, and Ferry Avenue carries U.S. Route 62 east from downtown Niagara Falls.U.S. Route 62 Business, locally known as Pine Avenue, is an east–west route which parallels U.S. Route 62 to the south. Its western terminus is at NY 104, and its eastern terminus is at U.S. Route 62.
Two international bridges connect the city to Niagara Falls, Ontario. TheRainbow Bridge connects the two cities with passenger and pedestrian traffic and overlooks the Niagara Falls, while theWhirlpool Rapids Bridge, which formerly carried theCanadian National Railway, now serves local traffic and Amtrak's Maple Leaf service.
^"Station: Niagara Falls, NY".U.S. Climate Normals 2020: U.S. Monthly Climate Normals (1991–2020). National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. RetrievedAugust 9, 2021.
^see map for boundaries the area corresponding to a region with boundaries around the textCity of Niagara Falls
Mah, Alice.Industrial Ruination, Community, and Place: Landscapes and Legacies of Urban Decline (University of Toronto Press; 2012) 240 pages; comparative study of urban and industrial decline in Niagara Falls (Canada and the United States), Newcastle upon Tyne, Britain, and Ivanovo, Russia.
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