ARTSPACE NEIGHBORHOOD DEMOGRAPHICS

Overview

The following demographic analysis is a comparison between

two census tracts that surround the Artspace site; one on the east
side of Main Street (tract 32.03) the other on the west side of Main
Street (tract 67.02). For this analysis census tract 67.02 is made up
of 3 block groups, spanning from Elmwood Ave to Main Street
and from Utica to North Street. Census tract 32.02, made up of
five block groups, spans from Main Street to Jefferson and from
Ferry to Best Street. Refer to the enlarged version of Census tract
map to the right entitled Census Tracts 32.02 & 67.02. It
immediately follows the written demographic section and
indicates the two tracts analyzed as well as the eight block
groups, and the location of the Artspace site.

Income, race, age and renter versus owner occupied housing

data for both census tracts will be analyzed in the following
section to ultimately draw comparisons and conclusions between
the two tracts and more specifically, block groups, divided by
Buffalo’s Main Street. Although five block groups are analyzed in
census tract 32.02 and only three block groups are analyzed in
67.02, their populations are very similar due to population density
and the amount of vacant lots in each tract. The population of
block groups 1,3 and 4 that make up census tract 67.02 for this
Artspace Neighborhood Census Tract Map
analysis is 2,804; census tracts 4,5,6,7, and 8 that make up census (An Enlarged Version of This Map is located at the end of the Demographic Section)
tract 32.02 is 2,534. The population of census tract 67.02 is much
denser compared to 32.02, because of the vast amount of
apartment buildings on Linwood and Delaware Ave. as well as
the amount of large homes converted to apartments along
Linwood. The population of census tract 32.02 is less dense with a
more scattered population in part because of the amount of
vacant property with in the five block groups, along with a
smaller concentration of residential property (Refer to Appendix
1: Land use map. Note: the black areas are vacant land or
properties.)
Income

The largest amount of people with an income in the highest

income bracket ($200,000 or more) is in census tract 32.02 block
group 6, while the same block group has the second largest
amount of people making below the poverty level or $19,000 or
less. This proves that on this one block on the east side of Main
Street there is a huge separation or barrier between residents in
terms of household income and ultimately the residents lifestyle.

The greatest amount of people making $19,000 or less is with in

census tract 67.02 block groups 1 and 4; this is in part due to the
senior housing facility on the corner of Delaware and North
Street. The majority of people making between $125,000 and
$199,000 are located in census tract 67.02; while in census tract
32.02 block group 6 no one makes over $49,999. The amount of
people making between $20,000 and $49,999 is fairly consistent
throughout both tracts. Similarly, the amount of people making
$19,000 or less, accounts for the majority of the population in all
eight block groups.

In tract 67.02 block group 1, 102 people make over $50,000,

where as in census tract 32.02 block groups 7 and 8 directly
across from tract 67.02 but on the east side of Main Street, only 63
people make over $50,000. This is important to note because in
just crossing over Main Street there is a vast difference in income
Artspace Neighborhood Income Range Map
levels for residents, creating not only economical barriers but (An Enlarged Version of This Map is located at the end of the Demographic Section)
social and political barriers as well. Refer to the corresponding
map entitled Income Range for Census Tracts 32.02 & 67.02 at the
end of the demographic Section, in addition to Appendix 2: Bar
Chart.
Race

In analyzing race populations with in tracts 67.02 and 32.02 white

and African American populations are most noteworthy,
because these races make up the majority in each tract. The
population of American Indian, Asian, Native Hawaiian and some
other race are to low consistently throughout both tracts to make
firm comparisons.

Tract 67.02 compared to tract 32.02 is much more integrated in

terms of the population of white and African American residents.
For instance in tract 67.02 block group 4 there are 602 white
residents and 414 African American residents, while in tract 32.02
block group 5 there are 5 white residents and 407 African
American residents. Block group 1, the closest block group with
in tract 67.02 to

Main Street and the Artspace site has the most segregated
population compared to block groups 3 and 4, with a white
population of 685 and an African American population of 192.
Similarly in block groups 7 and 8, the two closest block groups
to Main Street from the east and the Artspace site are quite
segregated as well. Block group 7 has a white population of 45
and an African American population of 690, as block group 8 has
white population of 27 and an African American population of Artspace Neighborhood Race Population Map
439. Refer to the corresponding race map entitled Race (An Enlarged Version of This Map is located at the end of the Demographic Section)
Populations for Census Tracts 32.02 & 67.02 following this section
and Appendix 3: Bar Chart.
Age

In all eight block groups that make up census tracts 67.02 and
32.02 the amount of 20-54 year olds is significantly higher that the
other two age groups, 0-19 and 55-85. This is crucial not only for a
growing or development area but also because of the need for
a large working class surrounding Artspace. With a large working
class the artists of Artspace and the residents of the surrounding
area will have a common ground.

The smallest age group represented in all five block groups that
make up census tract 32.02 is the 55-85 range. At the same time
the smallest group represented in all three block groups in tract
67.02 is the 0-19 range. Thus the east side of Main Street, our
concentration area for growth and revitalization, consists of a
large working class as well as growing young population. In this
concentration area, the 0-19 age range will become a part of
the working class in the years to come while Artspace is
developing and growing as well; stressing the importance of
schools and after school programs to encourage children to
become a part of the working class for the betterment of their
community.

Census tract 67.02 represents a working class population on the

verge of retirement as well as a dense retired population, thus
one of this areas civil service contributions to residents are elderly
homes and facilities. Refer to the Age map entitled Age Artspace Neighborhood Age Population Map
(An Enlarged Version of This Map is located at the end of the Demographic Section)
Population for Census Tracts 32.02 & 67.02 as well as Appendix 4:
Excel Table.
Renter/ Owner Occupied Housing

As mentioned above there is an immense amount of apartment

buildings on Linwood and Delaware Ave. as well as homes
converted to multiple unit apartments, explaining the
overwhelming amount of renter occupied units in Census tract
67.02 compared to owner occupied homes. In all three block
groups in tract 67.02 there are on average 20 times as many
renter occupies units as there are owner occupied. On the
contrary, Tract 32.02 has a more equal distribution of renter and
owner occupied housing. Block groups 4 and 5 in Tract 32.02
actually have more owner occupies housing than renter
occupied.

• Owner occupied housing is vital for a growing area in terms of

community or block group involvement but also for the
upkeep of the property and perhaps home renovation
through home improvement incentives. A good mix of renter
and owner occupied housing, like in tract 32.02, is crucial for
a developing area to increase residential density and to
improve the overall property and landscape esthetic of the
area. More active citizen involved, both renter and home
owners, in a concentrated area is a recipe for simultaneous
change and revitalization. Refer to the Renter versus Owner
Occupied Housing map as well as Appendix 5: Bar Chart. Artspace Neighborhood Renter Vs. Owner Occupied Units Map
(An Enlarged Version of This Map is located at the end of the Demographic Section)