RANK #504 / 1001 NAT · #36 / 45 NY · POP 61,498
1YR FORECAST: +2.2%
5YR OUTLOOK: +28%
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.
Livingston County's data profile doesn't fit any single market profile cleanly — its housing, labor, and demographic signals pull in different directions (home prices +3.1% YoY, population -0.1%, wages +2.5%). About 414 U.S. counties show this kind of mixed-signal pattern.
See all 414 Idiosyncratic Markets counties →Overvalued relative to economy
Below-average climate & terrain
Above national median (15x)
Housing looks overvalued at 9.3x — home prices are high 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.
Bars show trailing 12-month growth. The dashed Forecast bars are the model's next-12-month projection; the whisker marks the ±1% range (cooling–accelerating).
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 1001 counties.
Livingston County scores 49/100 on the Boom Town Index, landing in the middle of the pack among 1001 U.S. counties (#504). Median household income is $74,001 and job growth is running at +0.9%. 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 $174,600, and the income-to-home-value ratio of 0.42 is well above the U.S. average — especially with median rent at just $931/month. Residents can generally buy a home without being cost-burdened.
Population and employment in Livingston County are both close to flat — population -0.1% YoY and jobs +0.9%. Home values shifted +3.1% over the past 12 months. A steady-state county, neither expanding quickly nor shrinking.
In significant numbers — 6.44% 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.