Rochester
RANK #493 / 996 NAT · #31 / 45 NY · POP 756,406
1YR FORECAST: +2.0%
5YR OUTLOOK: +24%
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.
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 →
Source: EPA Air Quality System (2021–2023). Grade based on 3-year average median AQI. Learn about AQI →
| 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 scores 50/100 on the Boom Town Index, landing in the middle of the pack among 996 U.S. counties (#493). Median household income is $71,450 and job growth is running at +1.2%. The data points to a county with mixed signals — some positive indicators alongside areas that lag faster-growing peers.
By national standards, Monroe County is quite affordable. Homes here have a median value of $182,700, and the income-to-home-value ratio of 0.39 is well above the U.S. average — especially with median rent at just $1,085/month. Residents can generally buy a home without being cost-burdened.
Employers in Monroe County are hiring — job growth of +1.2% — but the population is close to flat (-0.1% YoY). Home values moved +3.1% over the past year. Labor demand is outpacing local population growth, which tends to tighten wages and housing.
There's a moderate stream of newcomers. About 2.43% of residents moved from another state, which is above average and suggests Monroe County has appeal as a relocation destination — though it's not among the highest-inflow counties nationally.