RANK #139 / 996 · POP 127,440 · NY
PROJECTED GROWTH: +2.5%
Chautauqua County, located in the southwestern corner of New York, is perhaps best known for the Chautauqua Institution, a historic lakeside community offering a nine-week summer season of arts, education, religion, and recreation. The county borders Pennsylvania and is a drive of about 75 minutes from Buffalo, New York. Commuting within the county is primarily by personal vehicle, with Interstate 86 providing east-west access and State Route 60 running north-south. Public bus services, known as CHQ Transit, operate fixed routes in larger towns like Jamestown and Dunkirk, and offer rural and on-demand services. The landscape features rolling hills, forests, and several lakes, including Chautauqua Lake and a significant portion of Lake Erie shoreline, providing ample outdoor recreation opportunities like hiking, boating, fishing, and winter sports.
Life in Chautauqua County offers a mix of small-town living and access to natural amenities. The county has 16 public school districts, including Jamestown City School District and Fredonia Central School District. While many residents experience financial stability, a portion of the population faces economic challenges, with incomes generally below state and national averages. The economy has a manufacturing base, with contributions from retail, service, and tourism sectors. Agriculture, particularly grape farming and associated food processing, is also a significant industry. Recent economic developments include investments in housing and infrastructure, as well as support for local businesses and tourism initiatives. There has also been investment in modernizing manufacturing facilities, particularly in advanced manufacturing for industrial components used in sectors like energy.
Below-average climate & terrain
Housing looks undervalued at 2.9x — 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 |
|---|---|---|
|
Lighthouse Energy Storage (Dunkirk)
GCI Lighthouse Energy Storage, LLC
|
$500M | Planned |
|
South Ripley Solar Project with Battery Storage
ConnectGen Chautauqua County LLC
|
$270M | Under Construction |
|
Cassadaga Wind Farm
RWE Clean Energy
|
$200M | Operating |
|
Empire Solar Project (Westfield)
AES Corporation
|
$125M | Planned |
|
Ball Hill Wind Farm
Northland Power Inc.
|
$108M | Operating |
|
York Run Solar
Undisclosed
|
$90M | Approved |
Source: public records, news, corporate announcements. Amounts are estimates where noted.
Bars show percentile rank among all 996 counties.
Chautauqua County has a Boom Town Index score of 86/100, ranking #139 among 996 U.S. counties. With job growth at +1.1% and a median household income of $54,625, it's an above-average county on economic indicators.
The median home value in Chautauqua County is $110,900 with median rent at $759/month. The income-to-home-value ratio is 0.4926, which is more affordable than the national average.
Population growth: -0.5% year-over-year. Job growth: +1.1%. Home values changed +3.6% in the past 12 months.
Yes — 2.04% of Chautauqua County's population moved from another state, which is above the national average and indicates strong in-migration.