Independence is a town in Allegany County, New York, United States. The population was 1,095 at the 2020 census. The town is in the southeast corner of Allegany County, southeast of the village of Wellsville.

From Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0 · facts via Wikidata (CC0)

Town numbers

ZIP codeSign in to add

Area code607

Living in Independence

Safety in Independence

—

Not graded

A grade needs all of the FBI's latest years (2023–2025). Independence's police department reported only 2023 and 2024, so we don't grade it yet. The figures below are still real.

Violent crime per 1,000

Independence 0.9

New York 3.9

U.S. 3.6

Property crime per 1,000

Independence 1.9

New York 17.2

U.S. 17.7

FBI crime data, 2024 · crimes reported to policeCrime & safety →

Work & commute in Independence

Full picture →

Most working residents leave Independence for work: only 3% work in town. The top destinations are Wellsville (33%), Alfred (4%) and Amherst (3%). Half commute less than 18 miles.

Wellsville

33%

Alfred

Amherst

Hornell

3%Work in townlive and work in Independence 18 miWhere do people commute?the commute map 299Jobs based herebalanced

Census LEHD 2023 · ACSWork & commute in Independence →

Health in Independence

Compared with New York

3better than NY·13worse

of 32 measures CDC estimates. The other 16 are too close to call.

Conditions 9▼ 3 close Habits 1▼ 3 close Care 1▲ 1▼ 5 close Mind 1▲ 2▼ 2 close Everyday needs 1▲ 3 close

BetterToo close to callWorse

What stands out

6.2%Fewer uninsured adultsNY 7.9% · better 12%Fewer adults facing housing insecurityNY 14.5% · better 9.2%More adults with COPDNY 6% · worse

Care nearby

Jones Memorial HospitalWellsville · 9.4 mi · ER

Westfield Laurel Health CenterWestfield · 16 mi · sliding-scale fees

Primary careShortage · county-wide

DentalNo shortage

Mental healthShortage · county-wide

CDC PLACES 2025 · modeled estimates for adults · ZIP codes 14897, 14806, 14895 · CMS · HRSAHealth in Independence →

Natural hazards in Independence

Very high

Expected storm and flood damage is higher than in 90% of U.S. communities.

🌊 Inland flooding

0Does Independence flood?no paid flood claims on record NoneDisasters that paid out hereof 20 declared for Allegany County MapIndependence vs. its neighborsnearby towns shaded by rating

FEMA National Risk Index December 2025 · OpenFEMANatural hazards in Independence →

Climate in Independence

Full climate →

Independence has cold, snowy winters and pleasant summers. A typical July afternoon reaches 79°, a January night drops to 13°, and about 61 inches of snow falls in a normal winter.

33° / 16°Winter

55° / 32°Spring

77° / 53°Summer

58° / 37°Fall

How much snow does Independence get?About 61 inches a winter.Rain & snow →When is the first frost?Around Oct 2, with the last in spring around May 15.Frost dates →Is it warmer than it used to be?+0.9° vs. the 20th century.Then & now →

NOAA U.S. Climate Normals, 1991–2020Climate in Independence →

Schools in Independence

All Independence schools →

C⁻

School Grade C-

The public schools Independence’s kids attend trail 80% of New York’s districts on state tests. Among towns with similar incomes, they rank near the bottom.

DistrictWHITESVILLE CENTRAL SCHOOL DISTRICTSchools1

Whitesville Central School BOther · Grades K–12 · 112 students

School data from the U.S. Department of Education (NCES, EDFacts). The School Grade is our own summary of state test results, graded within NY. Ratings are from neighbors.