RANK #39 / 996 · POP 472,637 · NY
PROJECTED GROWTH: +3.6%
The presence of Skaneateles Lake, one of the cleanest lakes in the world, distinguishes Onondaga County, New York. The county is located in the central part of New York State, with Syracuse as its largest city and county seat. It sits west of Albany and Utica, and east of Rochester. Commutes within the county average around 20 minutes, and public transportation is available through the Centro bus system. The community offers a mix of suburban and rural settings, with access to over 70 parks and recreational areas, including Green Lakes State Park and the Old Erie Canal State Historic Park, providing opportunities for hiking, biking, and water activities.
Onondaga County offers a quality of life that attracts families and individuals, with highly rated public schools in areas like Fayetteville and Liverpool. The economy is experiencing growth, driven by investments in advanced manufacturing, particularly in the semiconductor industry. There are also ongoing initiatives to address housing needs and expand renewable energy infrastructure. The county's economic development efforts aim to create opportunities and strengthen the community for both current residents and those considering a move to the area.
Above national median
Below-average climate & terrain
Housing looks undervalued at 2.5x — 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 |
|---|---|---|
|
Micron Technology Semiconductor Facility
Micron Technology
|
$100,000M | Under Construction |
|
Maple Harvest Wind Energy Project
Palmer
|
$160M | Proposed |
|
Community Solar Portfolio (multiple projects)
Various (e.g., CVE US EI5 Manlius West LLC, Tesla Inc., AES Distributed Energy)
|
$50M | Operating |
|
Consolidated Jail Operations / Public Safety Campus
Onondaga County
|
$50M | Proposed |
|
Mixed Residential Complex (436 units)
Undisclosed Developer
|
$50M | Proposed |
Source: public records, news, corporate announcements. Amounts are estimates where noted.
Bars show percentile rank among all 996 counties.
Onondaga County has a Boom Town Index score of 96/100, ranking #39 among 996 U.S. counties. With job growth at +1.8% and a median household income of $71,479, it's an above-average county on economic indicators.
The median home value in Onondaga County is $172,800 with median rent at $1,002/month. The income-to-home-value ratio is 0.4137, which is more affordable than the national average.
Population growth: -0.4% year-over-year. Job growth: +1.8%. Home values changed +5.8% in the past 12 months.
Yes — 2.41% of Onondaga County's population moved from another state, which is above the national average and indicates strong in-migration.