Overview

Town of Westfield Community Profile
Prepared by Deborah Williams Director, Patterson Library

This community profile compiled by the Patterson Library staff may be used as a tool to examine Westfield by grant writers, those interested in moving into the area and the general public.  This profile is a work-in-progress. Additions, corrections, & updatesmay be sent via e-mail:pldebbie@fairpoint.net

Historic and picturesque Westfield is conveniently located at New York State Thruway ( I-90) Exit 60 just 60 miles south of  Buffalo and easily accessible from Cleveland 120 miles west and Pittsburgh 200 miles south. Located on the south shore of Lake Erie, Westfield is just seven miles east of the New York-Pennsylvania border. The Southern Tier Expressway (I-86) is less than 20 miles from Westfield. U.S. Route 20 courses east and west, connecting Westfield with neighboring towns and villages. State Route 394 also provides access south to I-86 and the Jamestown area.

The 5,232 residents of the Town of Westfield hold dear all aspects of community life.  They take special pride in the unique architecture and historical heritage of the town and village. Westfield’s lakeshore plain, edged by the hill and upper escarpment, contains creeks flowing through deep gorges and open fields that offer a multitude of recreational opportunities for the whole family. There are eight churches, a modern library and cultural center, museum, a YWCA, and over 20 antique shops. Chautauqua Institution is located only 10 miles away and offers summer programs in education, fine arts, recreation, and religion. A small, modern hospital offering inpatient and outpatient services, with available heliport service to metro hospitals serves the community. Westfield has a diverse economic base including industries in software, machine manufacturing, banking and finance, insurance, real estate, and agriculture, specifically grape and dairy. Westfield grows Concord grapes and produces juices, jellies, and fine wines. The quality of life in Westfield is the best that small town America has to offer. 

Source: Town of Westfield and Westfield Academy and Central School