Victor
RANK #262 / 996 NAT · #13 / 45 NY · POP 112,288
1YR FORECAST: +2.2%
5YR OUTLOOK: +30%
Canandaigua, a historic city on the lake of the same name, stands out in Ontario County, New York, known for its scenic beauty and role as the county seat. Located about 30 minutes southeast of Rochester, the county offers a blend of small-city, suburban, village, and rural living. The region is characterized by its glacial Finger Lakes, providing extensive outdoor recreation opportunities like hiking, biking, swimming, and boating. Commute options include regional bus services, and major roadways like the New York State Thruway, Routes 5 & 20, and Route 96 offer access to neighboring communities.
Life in Ontario County appeals to families and those seeking a quieter pace, with public schools generally performing above average. The local economy, historically rooted in agriculture and tourism, particularly the Finger Lakes wine region, is experiencing shifts. Recent economic developments show a focus on attracting new residents and businesses, with major investments in energy infrastructure and high-tech industries. However, housing development faces challenges due to electrical grid capacity issues, impacting the growth of new residential projects.
Below-average climate & terrain
Housing looks undervalued at 3.1x — 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 →
| PROJECT | AMOUNT | STATUS |
|---|---|---|
|
Resilient New York Energy Storage
Undisclosed (Planned for Richmond, NY)
|
$349M | Planned |
|
Community Solar Portfolio (Multiple Projects)
Various (NY CDG Ontario 2, LLC, AEP Onsite Partners, Argos Solar LLC, Abundant Solar Power Inc., Forefront Power LLC, Environomics, etc.)
|
$50M | Operating/Planned |
|
Ontario County Freight Rail Corridor Development Plans
Genesee Transportation Council / Ontario County
|
$50M | Planned |
Source: public records, news, corporate announcements. Amounts are estimates where noted.
Bars show percentile rank among all 996 counties.
With a Boom Town Index score of 74/100, Ontario County sits in the upper half of all 996 ranked counties. Employment is expanding at +3.2%, and median household income stands at $76,603 — indicators that suggest solid fundamentals even if it's not among the fastest-growing counties in NY.
By national standards, Ontario County is quite affordable. Homes here have a median value of $192,800, and the income-to-home-value ratio of 0.40 is well above the U.S. average — especially with median rent at just $1,061/month. Residents can generally buy a home without being cost-burdened.
Employers in Ontario County are hiring — job growth of +3.2% — but the population is close to flat (+0.2% YoY). Home values moved +4.3% 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 4.26% of residents moved from another state, which is above average and suggests Ontario County has appeal as a relocation destination — though it's not among the highest-inflow counties nationally.