RANK #161 / 996 · POP 108,670 · NY
PROJECTED GROWTH: +2.4%
St. Lawrence County, New York, stands out as the largest county by land area in New York State, excluding New York City, and is the fifth largest east of the Mississippi River. Located in the northern part of the state, it borders the St. Lawrence River and Canada, with its southeastern third extending into the Adirondack Park. Canton serves as the county seat, one of several notable towns alongside Potsdam, Ogdensburg, and Massena. The area offers extensive outdoor recreation, including fishing, hiking, biking, and snowmobiling, across its numerous rivers, lakes, and trails. Commutes within the county are typically under 20 minutes.
Life in St. Lawrence County offers a rural feel with access to higher education through institutions like Clarkson University, St. Lawrence University, SUNY Potsdam, and SUNY Canton. The cost of living is lower than the national average, and most residents own their homes. The economy is supported by a mix of sectors, including manufacturing, energy, and agriculture, particularly dairy farming. Recent economic developments include investments in renewable energy projects, such as solar facilities, and programs aimed at fostering local entrepreneurship and business development. Public sector employment, including the state prison system and educational institutions, also plays a significant role.
Above national median
Below-average climate & terrain
Below national median (13x)
Housing looks undervalued at 2.4x — 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 |
|---|---|---|
|
New York State Artificial Intelligence Data Center
Undisclosed Developer (likely hyperscaler)
|
$500M | Proposed |
|
St Lawrence Data and Agricultural Center
ZeroC Data Centers, LLC
|
$500M | Active In Queue |
|
Corning Canton Facility Expansion
Corning Incorporated
|
$315M | Planned |
|
Rich Road Solar Energy Center with Battery Storage
Rich Road Solar Energy Center, LLC
|
$260M | Planned |
|
Two Rivers Solar Project
Boralex LLC
|
$200M | Under Construction |
|
Gateway Solar Energy Center
Gateway Solar Energy Center, LLC
|
$180M | Proposed |
Source: public records, news, corporate announcements. Amounts are estimates where noted.
Bars show percentile rank among all 996 counties.
St. Lawrence County has a Boom Town Index score of 84/100, ranking #161 among 996 U.S. counties. With job growth at +0.4% and a median household income of $58,339, it's an above-average county on economic indicators.
The median home value in St. Lawrence County is $114,700 with median rent at $788/month. The income-to-home-value ratio is 0.5086, which is more affordable than the national average.
Population growth: -0.1% year-over-year. Job growth: +0.4%. Home values changed +2.4% in the past 12 months.
Yes — 3.59% of St. Lawrence County's population moved from another state, which is above the national average and indicates strong in-migration.