Bath
RANK #518 / 996 NAT · #33 / 45 NY · POP 93,584
1YR FORECAST: +0.4%
5YR OUTLOOK: +23%
Steuben County, New York, is perhaps best known for the world-renowned Corning Museum of Glass, a major cultural attraction in the city of Corning. Located in the Southern Tier region, bordering Pennsylvania, the county is about an hour and a half southeast of Rochester. It offers a blend of small towns, historic sites, and natural scenery, characterized by rolling hills and valleys. Public transportation options, including local bus services, are available within the county. Life in Steuben County is often described as peaceful and rural, appealing to those seeking a slower pace with access to nature. The economy is diverse, with manufacturing, healthcare, education, and agriculture playing significant roles. Corning Incorporated, a global leader in materials science, is headquartered in the city of Corning and is a major employer. Recent economic developments have focused on strengthening infrastructure and expanding energy and broadband services, alongside efforts to support workforce development and housing initiatives. The county also emphasizes career-connected learning opportunities through partnerships with educational institutions.
Well below national median
Well below national median
Below-average climate & terrain
Housing looks undervalued at 2.4x — 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 |
|---|---|---|
|
Canisteo Wind Energy Center
NextEra Energy Resources (affiliate)
|
$250M | Proposed |
|
Baron Winds Project (Phases I & II)
RWE
|
$245M | Operating/Under Construction |
|
Gemma Energy Storage
Unknown
|
$200M | Planned |
|
Prattsburgh Wind Project
Terra-Gen
|
$152M | Proposed |
|
Addison Solar Project
WEB Renewable Energy USA LCC
|
$105M | Planned |
|
Hornell Gateway Corridor Project
New York State Department of Transportation (NYSDOT)
|
$64M | Planned |
Source: public records, news, corporate announcements. Amounts are estimates where noted.
Bars show percentile rank among all 996 counties.
Steuben County scores 48/100 on the Boom Town Index, landing in the middle of the pack among 996 U.S. counties (#518). Median household income is $62,506 and job growth is running at -1.1%. The data points to a county with mixed signals — some positive indicators alongside areas that lag faster-growing peers.
By national standards, Steuben County is quite affordable. Homes here have a median value of $121,000, and the income-to-home-value ratio of 0.52 is well above the U.S. average — especially with median rent at just $832/month. Residents can generally buy a home without being cost-burdened.
Both population (-0.6% YoY) and employment (-1.1%) are contracting in Steuben County, though housing tells its own story with values moving +0.1% over the past 12 months. This is a county where the trend lines are pointing in the wrong direction.
There's a moderate stream of newcomers. About 2.45% of residents moved from another state, which is above average and suggests Steuben County has appeal as a relocation destination — though it's not among the highest-inflow counties nationally.