Cayuga County
NY · Pop. 75,464 · Mixed County
Cayuga County sits in New York across 692 square miles, home to 75,464 people at 109.1 per square mile. The agricultural economy is rated strong, built on corn, haylage, hay. The median home price is $164,000, with an effective property tax rate of 2.28%. The climate sits in USDA hardiness zone 6a with a 157-day growing season, average summer highs of 79.7°F and average winter lows of 16.9°F. Annual rainfall averages 42.3 inches, and with drought risk rated high, water storage and irrigation planning matter. Auburn Community Hospital is 4.7 miles away and includes an emergency room. Broadband reaches 94% of homes. On the hazard side, flood risk is very high, drought risk is high, so plan infrastructure and insurance accordingly.
Pros
- A median home price of $164,000 makes land and property relatively affordable.
- Broadband reaches 94% of homes, making remote work and online farm sales realistic.
- Auburn Community Hospital, with an emergency room, is just 4.7 miles away — strong local healthcare access.
- A strong agricultural economy built on corn, haylage, hay means local markets, equipment, and know-how are in place.
- A low unemployment rate of 3.7% reflects a stable local job base.
Cons
- Flood risk is very high, so careful parcel siting and flood insurance are essential.
- A 157-day growing season limits crop diversity and calls for season-extension tools.
- An effective property tax rate of 2.28% is on the higher side and adds to annual carrying costs.
At a glance
Cayuga County, NY is a mixed homesteading prospect — weigh the tradeoffs.
- Homestead score
- 47/100
- Median home price
- $164k
- Property tax
- 2.28%
- Growing season
- 157 days (zone 6a)
- Annual rainfall
- 42.3"
- Broadband
- 94%
- Nearest hospital
- Auburn Community Hospital, 4.7 mi
Taxes & Cost of Living
Land & Building
Climate & Growing
Natural Disaster Risk
Healthcare
Infrastructure & Community
Business & Employment
Homesteading in Cayuga County: FAQ
- What is the growing season like in Cayuga County?
- Cayuga County is in USDA hardiness zone 6a with a 157-day growing season, average summer highs of 79.7°F, and average winter lows of 16.9°F. The established crops are corn, haylage, hay.
- How affordable is land and property here?
- The median home price is $164,000 and the effective property tax rate is 2.28%. County-level per-acre prices aren't published, so compare current local listings for raw land.
- Is broadband internet available?
- Broadband reaches 94% of homes, strong coverage that supports remote work for most parcels.
- How close is healthcare?
- Auburn Community Hospital is 4.7 miles away and includes an emergency room; there is 1 hospital in the county.
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More counties in New York
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Data sources
Verified
Figures are sourced from public datasets: U.S. Census Bureau — ACS 5-year & Gazetteer, USDA NASS Census of Agriculture, USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map, NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals (1991–2020), FEMA National Risk Index, FCC Broadband Data Collection, BLS Local Area Unemployment Statistics, HIFLD Hospitals. Always confirm specifics locally before relying on them. See our methodology for how the homestead score is calculated.
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