Auburn
RANK #185 / 996 NAT · #8 / 45 NY · POP 76,171
1YR FORECAST: +3.2%
5YR OUTLOOK: +32%
Cayuga County, New York, is distinguished by its connection to historical figures like Harriet Tubman, whose home is a National Historical Park in Auburn, the county seat. Located in the west-central part of New York within the Finger Lakes region, the county is about 25 miles southwest of Syracuse. Commuting options include public transportation via Centro, which serves Auburn, and ride-sharing services. The community offers a rural charm with access to several lakes, including Owasco and Cayuga, providing opportunities for outdoor recreation like hiking, biking, fishing, and boating.
Life in Cayuga County offers a blend of traditional values and access to natural resources. The county's economy is supported by manufacturing, agriculture, and tourism. Recent economic development efforts have focused on streamlining support for businesses and attracting investment. The area features public schools, including Union Springs High School and Auburn High School. Residents can enjoy outdoor activities at locations like Fillmore Glen State Park and Sterling Nature Center.
Above national median
Below-average climate & terrain
Above national median (13x)
Housing looks undervalued at 3.9x — home prices are low relative to local economic output. The typical U.S. county is 4–6x.
Estimated local headcount ranges. Larger employers shown as floor + "+"; smaller employers show exact counts where reported.
Source: Redfin · Census BPS — Browse sales on Redfin →
Source: CDC/NCHS vital statistics via County Health Rankings (2020–2022 avg). Rates per 100,000 population. Grade based on homicide rate relative to national average (~6.3). Learn more →
| PROJECT | AMOUNT | STATUS |
|---|---|---|
|
Cayuga Data Campus (Former Cayuga Power Plant site)
TeraWulf Inc.
|
$450M | Permitting Stage |
|
Cayuga Milk Ingredients Expansion
Cayuga Milk Ingredients
|
$270M | Under Construction |
|
Garnet Energy Center Solar PV Park
ConnectGen Cayuga County
|
$215M | Permitting Stage |
|
Agricola Wind Project
Agricola Wind LLC (Liberty Renewables)
|
$97M | Planned |
|
Bluebird Renewable Energy Biogas Project
Bluebird Renewable Energy, LLC
|
$50M | Approved |
Source: public records, news, corporate announcements. Amounts are estimates where noted.
Bars show percentile rank among all 996 counties.
Cayuga County ranks #185 out of 996 U.S. counties on the Boom Town Index with a score of 81/100. The composite score reflects long-term strength — housing, income, and migration patterns — but near-term hiring is soft (employment is down 0.9% year-over-year). Median household income here is $63,227.
By national standards, Cayuga County is quite affordable. Homes here have a median value of $158,900, and the income-to-home-value ratio of 0.40 is well above the U.S. average — especially with median rent at just $868/month. Residents can generally buy a home without being cost-burdened.
Cayuga County is losing population (-0.6% YoY) while the job market is essentially flat (-0.9% employment change). Home values are +3.0% over the past 12 months. A slow-bleed pattern — not a collapse, but residents are leaving faster than employers are hiring.
There's a moderate stream of newcomers. About 3.51% of residents moved from another state, which is above average and suggests Cayuga County has appeal as a relocation destination — though it's not among the highest-inflow counties nationally.