Yates County
NY · Pop. 24,637 · Suburban County
Yates County, New York covers 338 square miles with a population of 24,637 and a density of 72.9 people per square mile. The agricultural economy is rated moderate, built on hay, haylage, corn. The median home price is $178,000, with an effective property tax rate of 1.92%. The climate sits in USDA hardiness zone 6a with a 170-day growing season, average summer highs of 78.9°F and average winter lows of 19.7°F. Annual rainfall averages 32.2 inches, and with drought risk rated very high, water storage and irrigation planning matter. Soldiers and Sailors Memorial Hospital of Yates County is 3.2 miles away and includes an emergency room. Broadband reaches 93.4% of homes. On the hazard side, flood risk is very high, drought risk is very high, so plan infrastructure and insurance accordingly.
Pros
- A median home price of $178,000 makes land and property relatively affordable.
- Broadband reaches 93.4% of homes, making remote work and online farm sales realistic.
- Soldiers and Sailors Memorial Hospital of Yates County, with an emergency room, is just 3.2 miles away — strong local healthcare access.
- A low unemployment rate of 3.4% reflects a stable local job base.
Cons
- Flood risk is very high, so careful parcel siting and flood insurance are essential.
- Drought risk is very high, making water storage and irrigation infrastructure essential rather than optional.
- An effective property tax rate of 1.92% is on the higher side and adds to annual carrying costs.
At a glance
Yates County, NY is a solid homesteading option with some tradeoffs.
- Homestead score
- 55/100
- Median home price
- $178k
- Property tax
- 1.92%
- Growing season
- 170 days (zone 6a)
- Annual rainfall
- 32.2"
- Broadband
- 93.4%
- Nearest hospital
- Soldiers and Sailors Memorial Hospital of Yates County, 3.2 mi
Taxes & Cost of Living
Land & Building
Climate & Growing
Natural Disaster Risk
Healthcare
Infrastructure & Community
Business & Employment
Homesteading in Yates County: FAQ
- What is the growing season like in Yates County?
- Yates County is in USDA hardiness zone 6a with a 170-day growing season, average summer highs of 78.9°F, and average winter lows of 19.7°F. The established crops are hay, haylage, corn.
- How affordable is land and property here?
- The median home price is $178,000 and the effective property tax rate is 1.92%. Per-acre raw-land prices vary widely by parcel here, so check active listings for current rates.
- Is broadband internet available?
- Broadband reaches 93.4% of homes, strong coverage that supports remote work for most parcels.
- How close is healthcare?
- Soldiers and Sailors Memorial Hospital of Yates County is 3.2 miles away and includes an emergency room; there is 1 hospital in the county.
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Data sources
Verified
Figures are sourced from public datasets: U.S. Census Bureau — ACS 5-year & Gazetteer, USDA NASS Census of Agriculture, USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map, NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals (1991–2020), FEMA National Risk Index, FCC Broadband Data Collection, BLS Local Area Unemployment Statistics, HIFLD Hospitals. Always confirm specifics locally before relying on them. See our methodology for how the homestead score is calculated.
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