Batavia
RANK #56 / 996 NAT · #2 / 45 NY · POP 58,204
1YR FORECAST: +3.7%
5YR OUTLOOK: +39%
The village of Le Roy, within Genesee County, is known as the birthplace of Jell-O, a fact celebrated at the Jell-O Museum. Genesee County is located in Western New York, positioned between Buffalo and Rochester. The county seat, Batavia, serves as a central hub. Commutes to either major city typically take around 30-70 minutes by car. The community maintains a rural feel, characterized by agricultural landscapes and historic towns. Outdoor recreation opportunities are available at locations like Darien Lakes State Park and the Genesee County Park & Forest, which offers trails and an interpretive center.
Life in Genesee County often involves a mix of residents, including families and individuals who may commute to nearby cities. Public transportation, provided by RTS Genesee, offers local routes and regional connections. The public school system includes districts like Batavia City School District and Le Roy Central School District, with schools generally performing above the New York public school average. The economy is driven by sectors such as advanced manufacturing, agribusiness, and energy. Recent developments include investments in manufacturing facilities and data centers, alongside efforts to revitalize commercial areas.
Above national median
Below-average climate & terrain
Above national median (13x)
Housing looks undervalued at 3.3x — 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 |
|---|---|---|
|
STAMP Data Center Campus (Stream Data Centers)
Stream Data Centers
|
$6,300M | Planned |
|
Cider Solar Farm
Greenbacker Renewable Energy Company (originally Hecate Energy)
|
$950M | Under Construction |
|
Excelsior Energy Center Solar Farm
Excelsior Energy Center, LLC (subsidiary of NextEra Energy Resources, LLC)
|
$345M | Operating |
|
Plug Power Green Hydrogen Manufacturing Facility
Plug Power Inc.
|
$290M | Under Construction |
|
Heritage Wind Project
Undisclosed
|
$126M | Planned |
Source: public records, news, corporate announcements. Amounts are estimates where noted.
Bars show percentile rank among all 996 counties.
Genesee County ranks #56 out of 996 U.S. counties on the Boom Town Index with a score of 94/100, placing it in the top tier nationally. Median household income is $68,178 and the underlying growth metrics (housing, migration, income) hold up against peer counties.
By national standards, Genesee County is quite affordable. Homes here have a median value of $148,600, and the income-to-home-value ratio of 0.46 is well above the U.S. average — especially with median rent at just $866/month. Residents can generally buy a home without being cost-burdened.
Population and employment in Genesee County are both close to flat — population -0.3% YoY and jobs 0.0%. Home values shifted +2.8% over the past 12 months. A steady-state county, neither expanding quickly nor shrinking.
There's a moderate stream of newcomers. About 2.97% of residents moved from another state, which is above average and suggests Genesee County has appeal as a relocation destination — though it's not among the highest-inflow counties nationally.