Ontario County
NY · Pop. 112,405 · Mixed County
Ontario County, New York covers 644 square miles with a population of 112,405 and a density of 174.5 people per square mile. The agricultural economy is rated strong, built on corn, hay, haylage. A median home price of $203,000 and an effective property tax rate of 2.2% set the cost of entry. The climate sits in USDA hardiness zone 6b with a 175-day growing season, average summer highs of 79.1°F and average winter lows of 20.2°F. Annual rainfall averages 33.9 inches, and with drought risk rated very high, water storage and irrigation planning matter. F.F. Thompson Hospital is 1.5 miles away and includes an emergency room. Broadband reaches 97.3% of homes. On the hazard side, flood risk is very high, tornado risk is high, drought risk is very high, so plan infrastructure and insurance accordingly.
Pros
- Broadband reaches 97.3% of homes, making remote work and online farm sales realistic.
- F.F. Thompson Hospital, with an emergency room, is just 1.5 miles away — strong local healthcare access.
- A strong agricultural economy built on corn, hay, haylage means local markets, equipment, and know-how are in place.
- A low unemployment rate of 3.4% reflects a stable local job base.
- A low poverty rate of 9.2% signals a relatively stable local economy.
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 2.2% is on the higher side and adds to annual carrying costs.
At a glance
Ontario County, NY is a challenging place to homestead on the data.
- Homestead score
- 39/100
- Median home price
- $203k
- Property tax
- 2.2%
- Growing season
- 175 days (zone 6b)
- Annual rainfall
- 33.9"
- Broadband
- 97.3%
- Nearest hospital
- F.F. Thompson Hospital, 1.5 mi
Taxes & Cost of Living
Land & Building
Climate & Growing
Natural Disaster Risk
Healthcare
Infrastructure & Community
Business & Employment
Homesteading in Ontario County: FAQ
- What is the growing season like in Ontario County?
- Ontario County is in USDA hardiness zone 6b with a 175-day growing season, average summer highs of 79.1°F, and average winter lows of 20.2°F. The established crops are corn, hay, haylage.
- How affordable is land and property here?
- The median home price is $203,000 and the effective property tax rate is 2.2%. County-level per-acre prices aren't published, so compare current local listings for raw land.
- Is broadband internet available?
- Broadband reaches 97.3% of homes, strong coverage that supports remote work for most parcels.
- How close is healthcare?
- F.F. Thompson Hospital is 1.5 miles away and includes an emergency room; there are 4 hospitals in the county.
Explore New York Resources
Partner links — we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you
LandWatch
Browse rural land, farms, and ranches for sale across every state.
Lands of America
The largest listing site for rural property — farms, ranches, hunting land, and timberland.
AcreTrader
Invest in farmland online — vetted properties with passive income potential.
More counties in New York
All New York countiesNearby counties
The closest counties to Ontario 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.
Your brand here — Reach our audience of professional directory owners and boost your sales.