Living in Clarence, NY

Last updated October 17, 2026 · By Michael McGreevy, Licensed Realtor

New here? Start with the step-by-step Moving to Clarence: 2026 guide.

Overview

The Town of Clarence sits in northeastern Erie County, with Transit Road along its western edge bordering Amherst. Its historic hamlets, including Clarence Hollow on Main Street (Route 5), Clarence Center and Harris Hill, give the town a distinctly small-town feel. Newer planned neighborhoods and open, more rural land to the east offer a wide range of settings. People are drawn here by that combination: space, trails, the Clarence Central School District and an easy drive to Amherst and the rest of the Buffalo area.

Clarence addresses use two main ZIP codes, 14031 (Clarence) and 14032 (Clarence Center), and the town's western edges carry East Amherst (14051) and Williamsville (14221) addresses. See Clarence ZIP codes explained.

A Little History

According to the Town's history, one of Clarence's earliest enterprises was Francis Carr's sawmill in what became Clarence Hollow; Carr also served as the first Town Supervisor. Early settler Asa Harris kept a tavern on the old Buffalo Road that still stands, and Benjamin Bowman founded the settlement of Bowmansville. Many 19th-century homes and buildings survive today, such as the Humbert House and Store, the Goodrich-Landow Log Cabin and the Asa Ransom House, and they give the town much of its character.

Schools

Much of the town is served by the Clarence Central School District: Clarence High School, Clarence Middle School, and Clarence Center, Harris Hill, Ledgeview and Sheridan Hill elementary schools. Because school-district lines don't follow ZIP codes, some addresses with Clarence-area mailing addresses fall in neighboring districts such as Williamsville Central.

Always verify school assignment for a specific address directly with the district at clarenceschools.org. For enrollment and performance data, use the NYSED public data site. The town is also served by the Clarence Public Library.

Parks & Trails

Clarence is a standout for anyone who loves to walk, run or bike. The Town lists four trails, the West Shore Trail, Peanut Line Trail, Spaulding Green Trail and Waterford Trail, totaling about 13.5 miles, with future extensions planned.

• Peanut Line Trail: a paved trail on a former rail right-of-way from near Transit Road east toward Newstead, with access to Meadowlakes Park and Memorial Park.
• West Shore Trail: runs from Wehrle Drive through the Main Street Town Park, the municipal parking area and the seasonal farmers' market. Both main trails connect with Newstead's trails toward Akron.
• Waterford Trail: about 1.2 miles from the Peanut Line at Clarence Center Road south to Roll Road, through the Waterford neighborhood.
• Spaulding Green Trail: serving the Spaulding Green community near Clarence Center.
• Clarence Town Park: the main park on Main Street, with pavilions, the Town Park Clubhouse and events like Fireworks in the Park. The Parks Department is at 10405 Main St.
• Beeman Creek Park: wooded trails reached from parking off Parker Road (via Salt Road), with a butterfly garden near the trailhead.
• Also: Memorial Park, Meadowlakes Park, Sunset Park, Parker Commons, the Clarence Escarpment Sanctuary and the Tillman Road Wildlife Management Area.

Main Street Dining, Shops & Antiques

Main Street (Route 5) is the heart of town, lined with local restaurants, shops and historic buildings.

• The Humbert House (10622 Main St): a cocktail bar and restaurant in a building that dates to 1864.
• Antique World & Flea Market (11111 Main St): home to the Clarence Hollow Antique Mall, with 40+ vendors in about 13,000 sq ft, and a weekend outdoor flea market (Saturdays and Sundays, 7–4, in season).
• The Great Pumpkin Farm (11199 Main St): fall festivities, plus a July 4th-weekend carnival (July 3–5 in 2026).
• Everyday shopping and dining along Transit Road on the Amherst line.

Golf

Golfers have Brookfield Country Club (5120 Shimerville Rd), a driving range on Main Street, and many public and private courses within a short drive across the Northtowns.

Community Events

• Fireworks in the Park at Clarence Town Park, an annual early-summer tradition run with community volunteers (June 29 in 2026).
• Seasonal farmers' market on Main Street by the Town Park and West Shore Trail.
• Fall at the farms: The Great Pumpkin Farm's autumn season and the weekend flea market at Antique World.

Check the Town of Clarence website for current dates.

Housing Styles

Clarence's homes span two centuries:

• 19th-century farmhouses and village homes in brick, frame and local stone along Main Street and in the hamlets.
• Mid-century ranches on generous lots. One 1956 ranch on 0.87 acres at 11168 Main St was listed at $249,900 in 2026.
• 1970s–2000s colonials and contemporaries in established subdivisions.
• New construction in planned communities. A Natale-built home at 9797 Longleaf Trail was listed at $1,590,000 in 2026.
• Estate homes, for example around Spaulding Lake, where 2026 asking prices topped $2.2 million.

Historic

Colonial

Newer

Estate

Asking prices are from public 2026 listings (Compass) and are not sale prices. "Newer" and "Estate" tiles use representative stock photos.

Neighborhoods

A few of the communities buyers ask about most (full details and sources on the Neighborhood Guide):

• Waterford Estates: 225 lots on 205 acres, laced with the Waterford Trail.
• Spaulding Green: master-planned, with lakes, trails and a large preserve (per the developer).
• Spaulding Lake: a 40-acre private lake with a clubhouse, tennis and a beach.
• Clarence Hollow, Clarence Center and Harris Hill: the historic hamlets.

Getting Around

Clarence borders Amherst along Transit Road, and Main Street (Route 5) runs west to Williamsville, Amherst and Buffalo. Most residents drive. Commute times depend on your exact location and time of day, so test-drive the commute from any home you're considering.

Safety & Local Data

Every buyer weighs safety differently, so look at official sources rather than relying on anyone's characterization. The Town of Clarence is patrolled by the Erie County Sheriff's Office, and crime statistics are published by the NYS Division of Criminal Justice Services.

Clarence in the Fall

Autumn may be the best time to get to know Clarence: a walk or ride on the Peanut Line under turning maples, a quiet loop at Beeman Creek Park, a Saturday morning at the Antique World flea market, the Great Pumpkin Farm, then dinner on Main Street. Read: a fall weekend in Clarence →