RANK #443 / 1001 NAT · #34 / 45 NY · POP 112,625
1YR FORECAST: +2.3%
5YR OUTLOOK: +29%
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.
Ontario County is one of 145 U.S. counties in this market profile — weaker than typical on the BoomTown Index. Within this cohort, its recent home-price change of +5.8% runs above the profile's typical +4.9%.
See all 145 Heartland Steady Growth counties →Overvalued relative to economy
Below-average climate & terrain
Housing looks overvalued at 7.0x — home prices are high 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: 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 1001 counties.
Ontario County scores 55/100 on the Boom Town Index, landing in the middle of the pack among 1001 U.S. counties (#443). Median household income is $82,324 and job growth is running at -0.4%. The data points to a county with mixed signals — some positive indicators alongside areas that lag faster-growing peers.
By national standards, Ontario County is quite affordable. Homes here have a median value of $222,900, and the income-to-home-value ratio of 0.37 is well above the U.S. average — especially with median rent at just $1,150/month. Residents can generally buy a home without being cost-burdened.
Population and employment in Ontario County are both close to flat — population +0.2% YoY and jobs -0.4%. Home values shifted +5.8% over the past 12 months. A steady-state county, neither expanding quickly nor shrinking.
There's a moderate stream of newcomers. About 3.88% 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.
Home values climbed +5.8% year-over-year, which is a solid pace of appreciation. The median home in Ontario County is now valued at $222,900. That kind of growth typically reflects sustained demand rather than speculative frenzy.