Genesee County
NY · Pop. 57,943 · Mixed County
Genesee County is a mixed rural-suburban county in New York, spanning 493 square miles with 57,943 residents at a density of 117.5 people per square mile. The agricultural economy is rated strong, built on haylage, corn, hay. A median home price of $158,000 and an effective property tax rate of 2.51% set the cost of entry. The climate sits in USDA hardiness zone 6a with a 170-day growing season, average summer highs of 79.3°F and average winter lows of 19.4°F. Annual rainfall averages 35.3 inches, and with drought risk rated very high, water storage and irrigation planning matter. United Memorial Medical Center North Street Campus is 0.9 miles away and includes an emergency room. Broadband reaches 94.3% of homes. On the hazard side, flood risk is very high, drought risk is very high, so plan infrastructure and insurance accordingly.
Pros
- A median home price of $158,000 makes land and property relatively affordable.
- Broadband reaches 94.3% of homes, making remote work and online farm sales realistic.
- United Memorial Medical Center North Street Campus, with an emergency room, is just 0.9 miles away — strong local healthcare access.
- A strong agricultural economy built on haylage, corn, hay means local markets, equipment, and know-how are in place.
- A low unemployment rate of 3.4% reflects a stable local job base.
Cons
- Flood risk is very high, so careful parcel siting and flood insurance are essential.
- Drought risk is very high, making water storage and irrigation infrastructure essential rather than optional.
- An effective property tax rate of 2.51% is on the higher side and adds to annual carrying costs.
At a glance
Genesee County, NY is a mixed homesteading prospect — weigh the tradeoffs.
- Homestead score
- 50/100
- Median home price
- $158k
- Property tax
- 2.51%
- Growing season
- 170 days (zone 6a)
- Annual rainfall
- 35.3"
- Broadband
- 94.3%
- Nearest hospital
- United Memorial Medical Center North Street Campus, 0.9 mi
Taxes & Cost of Living
Land & Building
Climate & Growing
Natural Disaster Risk
Healthcare
Infrastructure & Community
Business & Employment
Homesteading in Genesee County: FAQ
- What is the growing season like in Genesee County?
- Genesee County is in USDA hardiness zone 6a with a 170-day growing season, average summer highs of 79.3°F, and average winter lows of 19.4°F. The established crops are haylage, corn, hay.
- How affordable is land and property here?
- The median home price is $158,000 and the effective property tax rate is 2.51%. County-level per-acre prices aren't published, so compare current local listings for raw land.
- Is broadband internet available?
- Broadband reaches 94.3% of homes, strong coverage that supports remote work for most parcels.
- How close is healthcare?
- United Memorial Medical Center North Street Campus is 0.9 miles away and includes an emergency room; there are 3 hospitals in the county.
Explore New York Resources
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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.