Genesee, Livingston, Monroe, Ontario, Orleans and Wayne Counties

Tables of selected demographics ››

Metropolitan Rochester is home to 1.1 million people, with roughly two-thirds residing in Monroe County, which includes the city of Rochester. The other five counties are predominantly rural and suburban and are much less densely populated. Population density is about ten times higher in Monroe County than in the rest of the metro area. During the 1990s, population growth ranged from 3 percent to 6 percent, except in Genesee County, where it was close to zero.

The educational profile of the population is more advanced than that of the nation: 27 percent of adults hold college degrees, matching the statewide figure but well above the national average. Within the metro area, though, only Monroe County's figure is above average (see table below).

Median household income is moderately above the national figure; Genesee and Orleans counties have noticeably lower incomes than the rest of the area. In terms of the area's demographic profile, Blacks make up roughly 10 percent of the population—somewhat below the national average. The figures for Hispanics (4 percent) and Asians (2 percent) are well below the respective national averages.

Historically, Rochester's key industry has been photographic equipment and related manufacturing. Largely as a result, Rochester has developed a well-educated, high-tech workforce. Its industry mix and the presence of a number of large multinational headquarters had enabled the local economy to weather recessions more than almost any other part of New York State.

However, in the latest business cycle (between early 2001 and late 2005), private-sector employment in the Rochester area fell by almost 6 percent—the steepest decline in more than half a century and much steeper than the statewide decline. There have been only faint signs of a job rebound in 2006. Despite the persistently weak job market, home prices have risen steadily at a roughly 5 percent rate in the past 3 years.