RANK #221 / 1001 NAT · #27 / 45 NY · POP 229,124
1YR FORECAST: +3.9%
5YR OUTLOOK: +21%
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.
Oneida County is one of 145 U.S. counties in this market profile — near the profile average on the BoomTown Index. Within this cohort, its recent home-price change of +6.6% runs above the profile's typical +4.9%.
See all 145 Heartland Steady Growth counties →Below national median (11.3x)
Below-average climate & terrain
Housing is fairly valued at 6.5x 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: Homicide rates from CDC/NCHS vital-statistics mortality data — a multi-year average that stabilizes counts in smaller counties — compiled in the County Health Rankings 2025 release. Rates per 100,000 population; U.S. average ≈ 6.5. Grade reflects homicide rate relative to the national average. Learn more →
See where Oneida County stands nationally: safest large counties in America · highest homicide-rate counties.
Source: EPA Air Quality System (2021–2023). Grade based on 3-year average median AQI. Learn about AQI →
| 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.
Bars show percentile rank among all 1001 counties.
With a Boom Town Index score of 78/100, Oneida County sits in the upper half of all 1001 ranked counties. and median household income stands at $70,154 — indicators that suggest solid fundamentals even if it's not among the fastest-growing counties in NY.
By national standards, Oneida County is quite affordable. Homes here have a median value of $182,600, and the income-to-home-value ratio of 0.38 is well above the U.S. average — especially with median rent at just $944/month. Residents can generally buy a home without being cost-burdened.
Oneida County's job market is contracting (-1.1% YoY) while population is roughly stable (-0.2% change). Home values are +6.6% over the past 12 months. Hiring headwinds without an offsetting exodus — residents are staying, but local employers are shedding payroll.
There's a moderate stream of newcomers. About 3.76% of residents moved from another state, which is above average and suggests Oneida County has appeal as a relocation destination — though it's not among the highest-inflow counties nationally.
Home values climbed +6.6% year-over-year, which is a solid pace of appreciation. The median home in Oneida County is now valued at $182,600. That kind of growth typically reflects sustained demand rather than speculative frenzy.