Geneseo
RANK #536 / 996 NAT · #36 / 45 NY · POP 61,980
1YR FORECAST: +2.1%
5YR OUTLOOK: +23%
Letchworth State Park, often called the "Grand Canyon of the East," is a major draw for Livingston County, New York, which is located in the Finger Lakes region, south of Rochester. The Genesee River flows through the county, contributing to its natural beauty and offering opportunities for outdoor recreation. The village of Geneseo, the county seat, is a notable town with a Main Street listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Commuting to Rochester is about a 30-minute drive from Geneseo via Highway 390. The community offers a blend of rural charm and access to larger city amenities.
Life in Livingston County offers a balance of small-town living with access to outdoor activities. The county is home to SUNY Geneseo, which contributes to the area's educational and cultural landscape. Agriculture, food processing, and manufacturing are key industries. The American Rock Salt mine also represents a significant, long-standing industry. The local economy is supported by initiatives like the "Small Business->Big Boost" program, which provides resources for entrepreneurs. Public transportation, including routes within Geneseo and medical shuttles to Monroe County, is available.
Below national median (4.7x)
Above national median
Below-average climate & terrain
Above national median (13x)
Housing is fairly valued at 4.2x 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 →
Bars show percentile rank among all 996 counties.
Livingston County scores 46/100 on the Boom Town Index, landing in the middle of the pack among 996 U.S. counties (#536). Median household income is $70,443 and job growth is running at +1.8%. The data points to a county with mixed signals — some positive indicators alongside areas that lag faster-growing peers.
By national standards, Livingston County is quite affordable. Homes here have a median value of $159,900, and the income-to-home-value ratio of 0.44 is well above the U.S. average — especially with median rent at just $919/month. Residents can generally buy a home without being cost-burdened.
Employers in Livingston County are hiring — job growth of +1.8% — but the population is close to flat (-0.4% YoY). Home values moved +1.6% over the past year. Labor demand is outpacing local population growth, which tends to tighten wages and housing.
In significant numbers — 6.4% of Livingston County's current population relocated from another state, well above the national norm. That level of in-migration usually signals a county where jobs, affordability, or quality of life are pulling people in from elsewhere.