Located in the Genesee Valley and Finger Lakes areas of upstate New York, the greater Rochester community is rich in natural and human resources. Our legacy is one of social progress as illustrated by the struggles against slavery and for the rights of women. Our economic history has largely been one of innovation and prosperity.

Today, we face a great transition as manufacturing gives way to a less certain and more diverse economy. As this transition creates economic challenges, we are also faced with the test of providing for the physical and social well-being of our diverse community.

More than 1.1 million people live in the seven counties that make up this region (Genesee, Livingston, Monroe, Ontario, Orleans, Wayne and Wyoming).

The Regional Overview that follows provides a rich demographic summary of our area, including information on population and households, age, education, income and poverty and housing. Following the overview are summaries of each county. These summaries include general demographic information as well as an assessment of the county's status in those topic areas where meaningful county-level information is available.

 
Banner photo provided by Peter "Skippy" Bushnell