The story of this market
The typical home in ZIP 14004 sells for about $325,000, or $168 per square foot.
Prices are up +4.5% from a year ago, so sellers still have some momentum. Homes take about 34 days to sell. HUD's fair market rent for a two-bedroom is $938 a month.
ZIP 14004 — Alden
The 14004 housing market remains stable with low inventory and steady demand from local buyers. Prices have seen modest year-over-year growth, supported by the area's appeal to families seeking suburban space. Market conditions are currently balanced, though limited supply continues to put upward pressure on pricing.
This ZIP is well-suited for families and those seeking a quieter, suburban-to-rural lifestyle who are willing to commute to the Buffalo employment core for work.
Median prices moved up 4.5% year over year.
Homes spend a median of 34 days on market with 2.8 months of supply — a fast-moving market.
12% of listings have cut prices · homes sell at 98.5% of asking — demand is running ahead of supply.
no recorded foreclosure-ledger notices (0.0 per 10,000 residents) · unemployment 5.4% · poverty 5.3% — a stable, low-distress profile.
Researched annual trajectory for this ZIP, from published historical series
Solid: researched ten-year history · dotted: 1 / 3 / 5-year projection extended from the historical 7.1%/yr trend — a deterministic estimate, not a published forecast or guarantee.
Median annual property tax paid on this ZIP's residential parcels
Solid: researched ten-year history · dotted: 1 / 3 / 5-year projection extended from the historical 5.0%/yr trend — a deterministic estimate, not a published forecast or guarantee.
versus the prior ACS vintage
net outflow — more people moved out than in
ZCTA 14004, Erie County NY
ACS 2024 5-year estimates. Aggregate published statistics for this ZIP — never individual records, and never an attribute of any individual property or resident.
Crime rates in the Alden area are generally low compared to the broader Buffalo-Niagara Falls metropolitan region, with property crime being the primary concern.
The area is served by the Alden Central School District, which is generally regarded as providing a stable, community-focused educational environment with consistent performance ratings.
The region faces seasonal risks from heavy lake-effect snow and occasional localized flooding, though wildfire risk is minimal.
Economic momentum is driven by proximity to the Buffalo employment core and local agricultural and small-business sectors, with steady but modest residential development.
Property taxes are levied by Erie County, the Town of Alden, and the Alden Central School District; rates are influenced by local school budgets and municipal assessments.
Residents typically commute by car to the Buffalo metropolitan area, with travel times averaging 25-35 minutes via major regional highways.
The area features access to local parks, rural trails, and community-focused recreational facilities, with larger shopping and dining options available in nearby suburban hubs.
The rental market is characterized by low vacancy pressure and limited inventory, with demand driven by those seeking a suburban or rural lifestyle outside the city center.
The local economy is supported by a mix of small businesses, agricultural operations, and a workforce that largely commutes to the broader Buffalo-Niagara manufacturing and service sectors.
Transportation is heavily reliant on private vehicle use, with access to the Buffalo metro area via NY-33 and other regional corridors.
Development is largely focused on low-density residential infill and maintaining the rural character of the town.
Erie County utilizes a centralized assessment system to determine property values for tax purposes, with periodic reassessments.
Parcels are subject to school district taxes, county taxes, and town-specific levies for services like fire protection and road maintenance.
Property insurance premiums are influenced by regional weather patterns, specifically the risk of heavy winter snow loads and wind damage.
New York State has experienced net domestic out-migration, though suburban areas like Alden maintain relative stability.
New York is a judicial foreclosure state, requiring court intervention for the foreclosure process, which typically extends the timeline for lenders.
New York requires sellers to provide a Property Condition Disclosure Statement, though sellers may opt to pay a credit in lieu of disclosure.
Data retrieved from data.census.gov ZCTA 14004 profile.
Public schools whose reported address is in this area (NCES). Not attendance boundaries — schools that serve residents may sit outside it. Check the district's address locator for assignment.
Provides local green space, sports fields, and community event areas.
Features local retail, dining, and essential services for the community.
Key-figure check: no independent anchor retained yet — first-researched cycles establish the anchor baseline this pass.