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Oneida County, NY

RANK #37 / 996  ·  POP 231,055  ·  NY

PROJECTED GROWTH: +3.6%

Oneida County ranks among the top U.S. counties across nearly every economic indicator.

[01] Why Oneida County?

Oneida County, New York, distinguishes itself with a blend of historical significance and natural beauty, situated in the central part of the state, east of Syracuse and west of Albany. The county seat, Utica, offers a dynamic arts scene, while Rome is recognized for its military history, including Fort Stanwix National Monument. A portion of the Adirondack Park lies within the county's northeastern section, and Oneida Lake borders its northwestern corner, providing opportunities for boating, fishing, and other water sports. Commutes within the county are often short, allowing for more personal time.

Life in Oneida County offers a balance of community and access to nature. Families benefit from local schools, including top-ranked New Hartford Senior High School and Whitesboro High School. The economy is diverse, with ongoing investments in sectors like data centers and manufacturing. Tourism also plays a significant role, contributing to local businesses and generating tax revenue. Residents can access public transportation options, including bus services, connecting various communities within the county and to nearby cities.

[02] Market Snapshot

Housing Ratio
3.1x

Undervalued relative to economy

GDP Growth
+2.1%

Below national median

Home Prices
+7.4%

Outpacing national median

Climate & Terrain
-1.6

Below-average climate & terrain

Price/Rent
10x

Strong rental yield

Housing looks undervalued at 3.1x — home prices are low relative to local economic output. The typical U.S. county is 4–6x.

[03] Signal Profile

[04] Home Value Growth vs National

Oneida County U.S. National

The Numbers

DEMOGRAPHICS
Population
231,055
-0.42% YoY
Median Household Income
$66,402
Median Home Value
$157,600
+7.42% 12mo
Median Rent
$889
Average Annual Pay
$61,102
+3.8% YoY
Employment
102,542
+1.6% YoY
Income-to-Home-Value
0.4213
More affordable than average
Migration Inflow
3.1%
of pop. from another state

Market Activity

REAL ESTATE
Median Sale Price
$201,000
Days on Market
60
Slower market
Months of Supply
3.0
Balanced market
Sale-to-List Ratio
95.8%
Negotiation room for buyers
Sold Above List
22.9%
Listings w/ Price Drops
15.6%
Building Permits (2024)
221
Single-Family Permits
125

Source: Redfin · Census BPS — Browse sales on Redfin →

[05] Capital Investment

$1,199M
TOTAL
PROJECT AMOUNT STATUS
Wolfspeed Mohawk Valley Fab
Wolfspeed
$1,000M Operating
New York State Data Center (Utica Area)
New York State Legislature
$99M Proposed
Community Solar Portfolio (13 projects)
Various (e.g., DOCCS Midstate, Whaling Solar, Distributed Solar Development, Onsite Partners, LLC)
$50M Operating/Under Construction/Planned
Cornhill Revitalization Public Realm Improvement Plan & Impact Centers
Oneida County, City of Utica, Community Foundation of Herkimer and Oneida Counties
$50M Planned

Source: public records, news, corporate announcements. Amounts are estimates where noted.

[06] Score Breakdown

GDP Growth +2.1% 36 percentile
Population Growth -0.4% 12 percentile
Income Growth +7.6% 27 percentile
Vacancy Rate 1.2% 39 percentile
Home Price Change +7.4% 98 percentile
Rent Growth +4.9% 78 percentile
Price/Rent 10x 92 percentile

Bars show percentile rank among all 996 counties.

[07] Frequently Asked Questions

Is Oneida County, NY a good place to move to?

Oneida County has a Boom Town Index score of 96/100, ranking #37 among 996 U.S. counties. With job growth at +1.6% and a median household income of $66,402, it's an above-average county on economic indicators.

Is Oneida County affordable?

The median home value in Oneida County is $157,600 with median rent at $889/month. The income-to-home-value ratio is 0.4213, which is more affordable than the national average.

Is Oneida County growing or shrinking?

Population growth: -0.4% year-over-year. Job growth: +1.6%. Home values changed +7.4% in the past 12 months.

Are people moving to Oneida County?

Yes — 3.1% of Oneida County's population moved from another state, which is above the national average and indicates strong in-migration.

[08] Similar Metros

Winnebago County, IL 100 Madison County, NY 100 Oswego County, NY 100 Valencia County, NM 100 Taylor County, TX 100 Allen County, OH 100 Newton County, MO 99 Dodge County, WI 99