RANK #235 / 996 · POP 756,406 · NY
PROJECTED GROWTH: +1.9%
Monroe County, New York, is often recognized for its extensive park system, with Mendon Ponds Park standing out as a National Natural Landmark spanning over 2,500 acres of woodlands, ponds, and wetlands. Located in upstate New York, the county is home to the city of Rochester and 19 towns and villages, offering a blend of urban amenities and suburban comfort. Commutes within the county are generally short, averaging around 20 minutes. The Genesee River bisects the county, flowing through Rochester and into Lake Ontario, providing waterfront access and natural scenery.
Life in Monroe County is characterized by access to cultural amenities, recreational activities, and a range of educational opportunities. Public schools in towns like Pittsford and Fairport are highly rated. The economy is diverse, with a focus on technology, manufacturing, and higher education institutions such as the University of Rochester and Rochester Institute of Technology. Recent economic developments include investments in workforce development programs and support for businesses, aiming to create job opportunities and retain talent. The county also addresses housing needs through initiatives to increase inventory across various price points.
Above national median
Below-average climate & terrain
Housing looks undervalued at 2.7x — home prices are low relative to local economic output. The typical U.S. county is 4–6x.
Source: Redfin · Census BPS — Browse sales on Redfin →
| PROJECT | AMOUNT | STATUS |
|---|---|---|
|
Google Data Center Campus
Google
|
$1,100M | Planned |
|
Rochester-Monroe Transformation Initiative
New York State (with Monroe County and City of Rochester)
|
$300M | Proposed |
|
Eastwater Energy Storage
Undisclosed (Grid Connected Infrastructure likely)
|
$100M | Planned |
|
Applied Technology Center at Monroe Community College
Monroe Community College
|
$55M | Under Construction |
|
Community Solar Portfolio (Multiple Projects)
Various (AES Distributed Energy, Generate Capital, Avon Solar Farm LLC, etc.)
|
$50M | Operating |
Source: public records, news, corporate announcements. Amounts are estimates where noted.
Bars show percentile rank among all 996 counties.
Monroe County has a Boom Town Index score of 76/100, ranking #235 among 996 U.S. counties. With job growth at +1.2% and a median household income of $71,450, it's an above-average county on economic indicators.
The median home value in Monroe County is $182,700 with median rent at $1,085/month. The income-to-home-value ratio is 0.3911, which is more affordable than the national average.
Population growth: -0.1% year-over-year. Job growth: +1.2%. Home values changed +3.1% in the past 12 months.
Yes — 2.43% of Monroe County's population moved from another state, which is above the national average and indicates strong in-migration.