A community leader in the Buffalo-Niagara region.
Amherst is a diverse and welcoming community,
steeped in rich traditions and forward-thinking innovation. Our public spaces, festivals, and historic landmarks are just a glimpse of what makes this area so special.
Community Resources
Town of Amherst Senior Service |
Town of Amherst Senior Service
The Amherst Center for Senior Services offers an array of offerings, including educational classes, clubs, social and recreational events, nutritious meals, and fitness and wellness programs designed to foster active, independent aging. It also provides social work resources such as case management, short-term counseling, health insurance guidance, friendly visitor support, and outreach services (SOS) that assist those 60+ with home-bound care needs and access to benefits and essential community services.
Parks & Recreation Department |
Parks & Recreation Department
The Town of Amherst’s Parks & Recreation Department offers residents access to over 20 parks and playgrounds, featuring amenities such as playgrounds, shelters, bike paths, tennis courts, sports fields, and picnic areas. Additionally, the department provides various programs and operates facilities including community centers, pools, and golf courses to serve the community’s recreational needs.
Police Department |
Police Department
The Amherst Police Department serves the Town of Amherst, including the Village of Williamsville, and its roughly 131,000 residents. Their divisions include Patrol, K‑9, Community Outreach, Detectives, Narcotics, Traffic, Family Offenses/Domestic Violence, and a Special Victims Unit. They offer programs such as a Citizen Police Academy, Youth Police Academy, Crime report/fingerprint services, child safety‑seat regulation, surveillance camera and vulnerable person registries, emergency business contacts, and more.A Thriving Shopping Scene
Amherst boasts a bustling retail sector, with a variety of shopping centers, restaurants, and entertainment options catering to both residents and visitors. The Boulevard and Main Street in Williamsville offer everything from big-name retailers to local boutiques, while providing a comfortable and welcoming atmosphere for a diverse community. The area’s retail options create a dynamic economic environment, making it an attractive destination for both entrepreneurs and consumers alike.
Top-Ranked Schools and Higher Education
The Town of Amherst in Erie County, New York, stands as one of Western New York’s premier educational communities, offering exceptional K-12 education through three distinguished school districts and world-class higher education through three major institutions. This comprehensive educational ecosystem serves families seeking academic excellence and students pursuing advanced degrees and specialized training.
This exceptional concentration of educational excellence creates a unique environment in Amherst where K-12 students benefit from proximity to world-class research universities, while higher education institutions draw from well-prepared local graduates. The synergy between these institutions fosters innovation, research collaboration, and community engagement that benefits residents across all age groups.
The presence of these diverse educational options – from top-ranked public schools to a major research university, a private liberal arts institution, and accessible community college programming – positions Amherst as one of Western New York’s most educationally rich communities. This educational infrastructure supports both family attraction and retention while contributing significantly to the region’s economic development and cultural vitality.
Diverse Real Estate Options
Amherst offers a wide variety of real estate options that cater to diverse lifestyles and preferences. From affordable starter homes to upscale estates, you’ll find something that suits your needs. The community also boasts vibrant apartment complexes, spacious suburban neighborhoods, and historic properties that offer a taste of the area’s rich history, all within a safe, family-friendly environment.
A Historic Village with Modern Amenities
At the heart of Amherst is the charming Williamsville Historic District, a picturesque village known for its beautiful architecture, quaint shops, and community spirit. This area is a nod to the past, offering a glimpse into Amherst’s rich history, while still providing access to modern amenities. Whether you’re strolling down Main Street or enjoying a meal at one of the local restaurants, Williamsville provides a sense of nostalgia with the convenience of contemporary life.
Lifestyle By The Numbers
Amherst consistently ranks as one of the best places to live, thanks to its safety, healthcare, and cost of living advantages. Whether raising a family or starting a business, Amherst is where opportunity meets quality of life.
Safety
Amherst is ranked as one of the safest communities in the region.
Health Outcomes
Access to top-tier healthcare ensures high-quality medical care for residents.
Cost Of Living
A balanced cost of living, just 0.4% above the national average, makes.
Fast Facts
- Economics
- Residents
- Households
- Town taxes
- Education
- Population: 131,064
- Per Capita Income: $50,511
- Median Household Income: $93,119
- Total Employment: 60,977
- Unemployment Rate: 2.6%
- Total Establishments: 3,381
- Median Age: 39
- Age Breakdown:
- Under 5: 4.9%
- Under 18: 19.3%
- Median Age (Male): 36.2
- Median Age (Female): 42.9
- Households: 52,820
- Median Home Value: $350,000
- School Taxes:
- Amherst: $13.30
- Sweet Home: $14.95
- Williamsville: $11.68
- Clarence: $10.32
- Town Property Tax: $3.05
- County Property Taxes: $3.43
- 56.2% of Amherst’s Population holds a Bachelor’s Degree or Higher
- 26.7% of Amherst’s Population holds a Graduate or Professional Degree
- Educational Institutions in Amherst:
- University of Buffalo
- Daemen University
- SUNY – Erie Community College
Life is Well Lived in Amherst
Amherst offers an unbeatable quality of life, safe neighborhoods, excellent healthcare, and abundant recreational opportunities.
K-12 Education: Four Distinguished School Districts
Amherst Central School District
The Amherst Central School District consistently ranks among New York State’s top-performing districts. The district serves 2,972 students across grades PK-1 and operates through a streamlined structure of 2 primary schools, 1 middle school, and 1 high school.
Amherst Central High School demonstrates exceptional academic achievement, with rankings placing it #101 out of 4,377 schools, positioning it among the top 5% of public schools in New York. The school also holds national recognition at #1,266 in the National Rankings, based on performance on state-required tests, graduation rates, and college preparation effectiveness. Amherst Middle School ranks #195 in New York Middle Schools, maintaining the district’s tradition of academic excellence throughout all grade levels.
Clarence Central School District
Serving a small portion of the eastern edge of Amherst, the Clarence Central School District has built a reputation for academic rigor and comprehensive programming. The district consistently performs well on state assessments and offers extensive Advanced Placement coursework, dual enrollment opportunities, and specialized programs in STEM fields. Clarence schools are known for their strong college preparation programs and high graduation rates.
Sweet Home Central School District
The Sweet Home Central School District serves a large portion of the Town of Amherst and neighboring Town of Tonawanda and consists of seven schools total: four elementary schools, one middle school, and one high school.. With a growing enrollment of over 3,600 students, Sweet Home builds its foundation on commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion, work through the Leader in Me program, and guidance from their Strategic Plan. The district emphasizes character development, teaching students human values like respect, responsibility, honesty, and concern for others through a comprehensive values education program. The district is rated as highly rated on various school rating platforms. The high school offers Advanced Placement courses and Project Lead The Way curriculum to provide rigorous academic opportunities.
Williamsville Central School District
The Williamsville Central School District, another high-performing system serving parts of Amherst, is recognized statewide for its academic excellence and innovative programming. The district operates multiple elementary, middle, and high schools that consistently rank among New York’s best with nearly 10,000 students on a yearly basis. Williamsville schools are particularly noted for their comprehensive arts programs, competitive athletics, and strong community engagement.
The district ranks in the top 20% of New York school districts for highest overall rank (Top 10%), highest math proficiency (Top 20%), highest reading/language arts proficiency (Top 10%), highest science proficiency (Top 10%), and highest graduation rate (Top 20%). Williamsville East High School stands out as particularly exceptional, ranked #11 out of 4,093 schools, which ranks it among the top 1% of public schools in New York. Williamsville South High School also demonstrates strong performance, ranking in the top 10% of all schools in New York for overall test scores, with math proficiency in the top 5% and reading proficiency in the top 5%. Williamsville North High School serves the largest student population with 1,306 students and ranks in the top 5% of all schools in New York for overall test scores, with 98% of students achieving proficiency in math.