North Tonawanda is a city in Niagara County, New York, United States. The population was 33,262 at the 2000 census. The city is named after the creek that flows past it. Tonawanda in native American tongue means "Swift Running Water". Tonawanda creek, which flows into the Niagara River, once had large stretches of rapids (see Rapids, New York)until it was tamed with the construction of the Erie Canal. The city also calls itself "The Lumber City," due to its past primary industry.

The City of North Tonawanda was incorporated in 1897. It is on the north side of Tonawanda Creek, opposite the Erie County, New York communities of the City of Tonawanda and the Town of Tonawanda. North Tonawanda is the birthplace of the Herschell-Spillman Company, one of the leading manufacturers of carousels in America. It is also the place that Randolph Wulitzer first developed and manufactured the Wurlitzer Organ and later the Wurlitzer Jukebox.