Nestled in the western part of Erie County, Cheektowaga, New York, is one of the largest and most populous suburbs of Buffalo. Known for its strong Polish-American heritage, vibrant retail districts, well-developed infrastructure, and proximity to the Buffalo Niagara International Airport, Cheektowaga has evolved from rural farmland into a vital residential and commercial hub in Western New York. With a population of over 85,000 residents, it is the second-most populous town in Erie County, trailing only the City of Buffalo.
History and Origins
The name “Cheektowaga” comes from the Seneca word Ji-ik-do-wah-gah, which roughly translates to “land of the crabapple tree.” Prior to European settlement, the area was home to the Neutral and later the Seneca people, part of the Iroquois Confederacy.
Cheektowaga was established as a town in 1839, carved out of the Town of Amherst. For much of its early history, it remained rural and agricultural, with scattered hamlets and farming communities. This began to change in the early 20th century with the arrival of railroads and the expansion of the Buffalo metropolitan area. Suburbanization accelerated after World War II, transforming Cheektowaga into a densely populated, commuter-friendly town. A major influx of Polish immigrants gave Cheektowaga a distinct cultural identity that persists today through churches, bakeries, and social clubs.
Geography and Layout
Cheektowaga is located directly east of Buffalo and borders the city on its western edge. To the north lies the Town of Amherst, while Lancaster and West Seneca border the town to the east and south, respectively.
The town spans approximately 29.5 square miles, with mostly flat to gently rolling terrain. Cheektowaga is bisected by numerous creeks and drainage channels, including Cayuga Creek and Scajaquada Creek. These water bodies, while small, have historically influenced the town’s flood planning and greenbelt spaces.
The town is a mix of residential neighborhoods, commercial corridors, industrial parks, and public institutions. It is home to Buffalo Niagara International Airport, the region’s primary air travel hub, as well as several key state routes and expressways—including NY-33 (Kensington Expressway), NY-240 (Harlem Road), and Interstate 90 (New York State Thruway), which bisects the town.
Neighborhoods and Communities
While not incorporated as a city or village itself, Cheektowaga encompasses several distinct neighborhoods and smaller communities, such as:
Sloan: A village within Cheektowaga with a rich industrial history and strong Polish roots.
Maryvale: A heavily residential section known for its public schools and long-established homes.
Pine Hill: Closer to Buffalo, with a mix of older housing stock and urban characteristics.
Cleveland Hill (Clev-Hill): Home to Cleveland Hill Schools and known for its postwar development boom.
Union Road Corridor: A vital retail and commercial spine running north-south, home to restaurants, car dealerships, and strip malls.
These areas give Cheektowaga a patchwork identity—part suburban, part urban, with a strong sense of local pride.
Demographics and Culture
As of the most recent census, Cheektowaga has a population of around 85,000 residents. The racial makeup is primarily White (around 80%), with growing African American, Asian, and Hispanic populations. The town’s Polish-American community remains influential, and Polish is still spoken in some households and churches.
Median household income hovers around $54,000, slightly below the national average, while the cost of living remains relatively low. Home ownership rates are high, and many residents have lived in Cheektowaga for decades, contributing to its reputation as a “close-knit” town.
Cultural events, particularly Polish celebrations like Dyngus Day, are popular and often spill over from Buffalo into Cheektowaga’s halls and bars. St. John Gualbert Church and the Polish-American Civic Center are just a few of the cultural institutions that preserve the town’s heritage.
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