RANK #172 / 996 · POP 76,171 · NY
PROJECTED GROWTH: +2.3%
Cayuga County, New York, is distinguished by its connection to historical figures like Harriet Tubman, whose home is a National Historical Park in Auburn, the county seat. Located in the west-central part of New York within the Finger Lakes region, the county is about 25 miles southwest of Syracuse. Commuting options include public transportation via Centro, which serves Auburn, and ride-sharing services. The community offers a rural charm with access to several lakes, including Owasco and Cayuga, providing opportunities for outdoor recreation like hiking, biking, fishing, and boating.
Life in Cayuga County offers a blend of traditional values and access to natural resources. The county's economy is supported by manufacturing, agriculture, and tourism. Recent economic development efforts have focused on streamlining support for businesses and attracting investment. The area features public schools, including Union Springs High School and Auburn High School. Residents can enjoy outdoor activities at locations like Fillmore Glen State Park and Sterling Nature Center.
Above national median
Below-average climate & terrain
Above national median (13x)
Housing looks undervalued at 3.9x — home prices are low relative to local economic output. The typical U.S. county is 4–6x.
Source: Redfin · Census BPS — Browse sales on Redfin →
| PROJECT | AMOUNT | STATUS |
|---|---|---|
|
Cayuga Data Campus (Former Cayuga Power Plant site)
TeraWulf Inc.
|
$450M | Permitting Stage |
|
Cayuga Milk Ingredients Expansion
Cayuga Milk Ingredients
|
$270M | Under Construction |
|
Garnet Energy Center Solar PV Park
ConnectGen Cayuga County
|
$215M | Permitting Stage |
|
Agricola Wind Project
Agricola Wind LLC (Liberty Renewables)
|
$97M | Planned |
|
Bluebird Renewable Energy Biogas Project
Bluebird Renewable Energy, LLC
|
$50M | Approved |
Source: public records, news, corporate announcements. Amounts are estimates where noted.
Bars show percentile rank among all 996 counties.
Cayuga County has a Boom Town Index score of 83/100, ranking #172 among 996 U.S. counties. With job growth at -0.9% and a median household income of $63,227, it's an above-average county on economic indicators.
The median home value in Cayuga County is $158,900 with median rent at $868/month. The income-to-home-value ratio is 0.3979, which is more affordable than the national average.
Population growth: -0.6% year-over-year. Job growth: -0.9%. Home values changed +3.0% in the past 12 months.
Yes — 3.51% of Cayuga County's population moved from another state, which is above the national average and indicates strong in-migration.