NEW YORK 27 : Suburban Buffalo and rural west - Amherst

New York's 27th starts in the Seneca Falls area and heads west through agriculture and manufacturing towns until reaching the Buffalo suburbs. Republican territory, the 27th was almost eliminated in 1992 redistricting but then-Rep. Bill Paxon's efforts to spare the seat paid off. The redrawn 27th takes in solidly GOP areas.

Although the district's manufacturing and farming sectors had their ups and downs in the 1990s, the economy held steady. The 27th's population is anchored in Amherst, a white-collar suburb of Buffalo and the 27th's largest city. The main campus of the State U. of New York at Buffalo and corporate office parks are mainstays. Moving east from Buffalo, large farms produce fruit, vegetables and dairy products. Vineyards in Ontario and Seneca counties attract travelers heading to Niagara Falls.

In mostly middle-class Amherst, Republicans form the majority. However, the town has become a bit more amicable to Democrats. Republicans regularly win local office throughout the rest of the district.

Major Industry
Agriculture, manufacturing, service

Population
580,317 (1990)

Cities
Amherst, 112,431; Chili, 27,509; Clarence, 22,509 (1996)

People
55% rural; 13% age 65+ (ranks 18 of 31 in state; middle third nationally); 63% married couples, 30% married couples with children; 22% college educated (ranks 15 of 31 in state; top third nationally); 58% white collar (ranks 22 of 31 in state; middle third nationally), 27% blue collar (ranks sixth of 31 in state; middle third nationally) (1990)

Race
96% white, 2% black, 1% Asian; 1% Hispanic origin (1990)

Median Household Income
$34,573 (ranks 12 of 31 in state; top third nationally) (1990)

Unusual Features
First Women's Rights Convention held in 1848 in Seneca Falls; Joseph Smith, founder of the Mormon Church, grew up and had his first visions in Palmyra.

© 2002 The Washington Post Company