Monroe County
NY · Pop. 754,068 · Urban County
Monroe County is an urban county in New York, spanning 657 square miles with 754,068 residents at a density of 1147.7 people per square mile, a more developed setting where truly rural parcels are scarcer. The agricultural economy is rated moderate, built on corn, soybeans, hay. The median home price is $197,000, with an effective property tax rate of 2.79%. The climate sits in USDA hardiness zone 6b with a 171-day growing season, average summer highs of 78.9°F and average winter lows of 19.9°F. Annual rainfall averages 34.3 inches, and with drought risk rated high, water storage and irrigation planning matter. The Unity Hospital of Rochester is 4 miles away and includes an emergency room. Broadband reaches 97.8% of homes. On the hazard side, flood risk is very high, tornado risk is very high, wildfire risk is high, drought risk is high, so plan infrastructure and insurance accordingly.
Pros
- A median home price of $197,000 makes land and property relatively affordable.
- Broadband reaches 97.8% of homes, making remote work and online farm sales realistic.
- The Unity Hospital of Rochester, with an emergency room, is just 4 miles away — strong local healthcare access.
- A low unemployment rate of 3.8% reflects a stable local job base.
Cons
- Tornado risk is very high, so a storm shelter and wind-resistant structures are practical necessities.
- Flood risk is very high, so careful parcel siting and flood insurance are essential.
- An effective property tax rate of 2.79% is on the higher side and adds to annual carrying costs.
- At 1147.7 people per square mile, this is a developed area where finding truly rural acreage is harder and pricier.
At a glance
Monroe County, NY is a challenging place to homestead on the data.
- Homestead score
- 33/100
- Median home price
- $197k
- Property tax
- 2.79%
- Growing season
- 171 days (zone 6b)
- Annual rainfall
- 34.3"
- Broadband
- 97.8%
- Nearest hospital
- The Unity Hospital of Rochester, 4 mi
Taxes & Cost of Living
Land & Building
Climate & Growing
Natural Disaster Risk
Healthcare
Infrastructure & Community
Business & Employment
Homesteading in Monroe County: FAQ
- What is the growing season like in Monroe County?
- Monroe County is in USDA hardiness zone 6b with a 171-day growing season, average summer highs of 78.9°F, and average winter lows of 19.9°F. The established crops are corn, soybeans, hay.
- How affordable is land and property here?
- The median home price is $197,000 and the effective property tax rate is 2.79%. Per-acre raw-land prices vary widely by parcel here, so check active listings for current rates.
- Is broadband internet available?
- Broadband reaches 97.8% of homes, strong coverage that supports remote work for most parcels.
- How close is healthcare?
- The Unity Hospital of Rochester is 4 miles away and includes an emergency room; there are 8 hospitals in the county.
Explore New York Resources
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LandWatch
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Lands of America
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AcreTrader
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More counties in New York
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The closest counties to Monroe County by distance, including across state lines.
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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