Rochester, located in upstate New York, is a medium-sized city with a rich history and a bright future With a population of around 210,000 people, Rochester provides an excellent quality of life without the high costs and congestion of larger metro areas
A Thriving Local Economy
Rochester has a diverse economic base, with major employers in technology, healthcare, education, manufacturing, and other industries. Some of the top companies headquartered in Rochester include the University of Rochester, Rochester General Hospital, Paychex, Carestream Health, and Wegmans Food Markets.
The downtown area has seen extensive revitalization efforts in recent years New retail, restaurants, offices, and residential developments are bringing fresh energy and activity Meanwhile, Rochester’s historic architecture and scenic Genesee River provide an attractive backdrop.
World-Class Education
Rochester is home to 31 colleges and universities including the prestigious University of Rochester. With around 100,000 students in the metro area Rochester has one of the largest concentrations of post-secondary students per capita in the United States.
The University of Rochester is especially acclaimed for its research programs and regularly ranks among the top research universities nationally. It attracts over $380 million in research funding annually.
For younger students, the Rochester City School District operates 65 schools with innovative magnet and career-focused programs. There are also many high-performing charter schools and private schools in the area.
Cutting-Edge Healthcare
As the third largest city in New York, Rochester is a center for advanced healthcare in the state. The University of Rochester Medical Center and Rochester General Hospital are cutting edge places to get medical care, do research, and learn about medicine.
Rochester is known for its strong skills in optics and imaging science. Ultrasound, digital x-rays, and MRI were all created by researchers at the University of Rochester. The university now runs the Rochester Center for Biomedical Ultrasound and works with other institutions on many medical advances.
Other major healthcare employers in Rochester include the Rochester Regional Health System, Unity Hospital, and Highland Hospital.
Dynamic Arts and Culture
Despite its small size, Rochester boasts a thriving arts and culture scene. The city is home to numerous museums, music and performance venues, galleries, independent theatres, and other dynamic institutions.
The Memorial Art Gallery exhibits works by renowned artists like Monet and Rembrandt. The George Eastman Museum chronicles the history of photography and film. The Rochester Philharmonic, the largest performing arts organization in town, stages 140+ concerts per year.
Every year, Rochester also holds a number of big festivals, such as the Lilac Festival, the Jazz Festival, and the Fringe Festival. The busy farmers’ market on the weekends at the Public Market is fun for foodies in the area.
Abundant Recreational Opportunities
Because Rochester is near Lake Ontario and the Genesee River, there are many opportunities to enjoy nature. There are many parks in the area, such as Durand Eastman Beach, the High Falls Gorge, and Seneca Park Zoo. The Genesee Riverway Trail goes through the middle of Rochester along the river.
In winter, skiers and snowboarders flock to nearby Bristol Mountain Resort. Golfers can play on any of Rochester’s 40+ public and private courses from spring through fall.
For indoor fun, Rochester has 20 recreation centers, 8 public pools, 4 public ice rinks, and much more. Professional sports fans can cheer on Rochester’s baseball, basketball, hockey, and lacrosse teams.
Neighborly Community Spirit
Despite growing into a bustling small city, Rochester retains a close-knit, community feel in its diverse neighborhoods. Residents are friendly, civic-minded, and eager to help their neighbors. Numerous grassroots groups and local non-profits further the community spirit.
Rochester prides itself on leadership in social justice as well. It was a hub of the abolitionist movement and women’s rights conventions in the 1800s. Today, Rochester continues working to promote equal opportunity and quality of life for all residents.
An Up-and-Coming City
While staying true to its roots, Rochester is focused on the future. Civic initiatives aim to attract young professionals, grow startups and innovation, revitalize downtown, and boost sustainability.
Major new developments in the works include the ROC City Skate Park, the Inner Loop North reconstruction, and High Falls Heritage Park. These projects will bring more green space, pedestrian access, mixed-use construction, and placemaking enhancements.
Between its economic strength, exceptional livability, and steady progress, Rochester is truly a city on the rise. Those looking for a dynamic, affordable place to live, work, and grow should take note of this emerging star in upstate New York.
Neighborhood of the Arts
NOTA is home to the Memorial Art Gallery, George Eastman Museum, and ARTWalk, a permanent urban art trail that connects the arts centers and public spaces within the neighborhood with sculpture, mosaics, and landscaping.
Visit the unique restaurants, shops, and nightlife that line this popular street. While you’re there, you may want to take the short trip to the Rochester Museum and Science Center (featuring the Strasenburgh Planetarium) or the beautiful Cobb’s Hill Reservoir.
One of the city’s fastest growing and most eclectic neighborhoods, the South Wedge features urban residential living and historic architecture alongside hip restaurants and cafes, one-of-a-kind shopping, and local farmers’ markets.
College Town is just a short walk or bike ride from the River Campus. In addition to the Barnes & Noble that houses the University bookstore, you’ll find restaurants, banking, and shopping. Visit the College Town directory for a complete list of businesses.
The University also offers shuttle service to College Town so students can enjoy the area and amenities even when they’re not up for the walk.
There are two parks within walking distance of the River Campus—Highland Park and Genesee Valley Park—as well as the historic Mount Hope Cemetery.
Home to the annual Lilac Festival in May, Highland Park is a beautiful, 150-acre park that’s a 30-minute walk or five-minute drive from campus. The park includes the Lamberton Conservatory, where visitors can see a beautiful collection of plants from around the world. It also has several memorials and gardens, as well as a natural skating rink in the winter.
Red Creek, the Genesee River, and the New York State Barge Canal all meet at GVP, which is right next to the River Campus. The park is 800 acres, with several trails, including some along the river and canal. The park also features softball diamonds, multi-use/soccer fields, a cricket pitch, and two 18-hole golf courses.
The University is located next to Mount Hope Cemetery. The cemetery prides itself on its landscaping and is the final resting place of Susan B. Anthony, Frederick Douglass, other famous people who lived in Rochester. The cemetery is open seven days a week and offers self-guided walking tours.
Explore life in the ‘Flower City’
Rochester is a high-tech hub with a thriving arts scene. It is in western New York, halfway between Buffalo and Syracuse. From festivals to sports, history to nature, culture to cuisine, there’s plenty to experience during each of our region’s four seasons. So take a closer look at the city we call home. We’re sure you’ll come to love it as much as we do.
The city of Rochester has several distinctive neighborhoods. We’ve highlighted a few here, but these and others are worth discovering for yourself. To learn more, check out the Experience Rochester guide.
Looking for arts, entertainment, or something yummy to eat? Downtown has you covered. Swing by the Blue Cross Arena for Rochester Americans hockey game or catch a show at Geva Theatre. During the winter, enjoy outdoor concerts or ice skating at Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Park at Manhattan Square.
In the city’s East End, you can find theaters, festivals, live music, coffee shops (like Java’s, which is a favorite among both locals and Eastman School students), and coffee shops. The Eastman Campus is located in this neighborhood, which is a quick shuttle ride from the River Campus.
Stroll along the city’s scenic riverwalk and see a majestic waterfall in the middle of downtown Rochester. The High Falls district is also where you can catch a Red Wings game at Frontier Field or visit the Genesee Brewery to try some local flavors.
City of Rochester Budget Q&A – What is City’s Budget and How Does It Work?
FAQ
Why is Rochester, Kent no longer a city?
Rochester used to be a city until Medway was formed in 1998. It lost its city status because it failed to protect its status as a city, making it the first city in UK history to do so. There have been ongoing campaigns to reinstate the city status for Rochester. In 2011 it had a population of 62,982.
How do I contact the city of Rochester?
Which city is near to Rochester?
Rochester borders the towns of Irondequoit to the north and northeast, Brighton to the southeast and south, Chili to the southwest, Gates to the west, and Greece to the northwest.
What time does the city of Rochester open?
Where can I find information about a property in Rochester?
We can only show information about properties located within the City of Rochester. For neighboring towns such as Brighton, Chili, Gates, Greece, Irondequoit or Penfield, check the Monroe County Real Property Portal My assessment or other tax information is wrong. My water bill is wrong. Please call 311 (or 585-428-5990 if you’re outside the city).
What is the city of Rochester’s Property Information application?
The City of Rochester’s Property Information Application provides public access to general information for properties within city boundaries, including assessment, property tax, and water billing information. For more advanced property information, check out our BuildingBlocks application.
How do I get the latest news about Rochester Hills?
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Why is Rochester a poor city?
The city experienced significant population decline due to deindustrialization in the late 20th century, although less severely than its Rust Belt peers. The Rochester metropolitan area is the third-largest regional economy in New York, after New York City and Buffalo-Niagara Falls. [ 11 ] 12.
Does Rochester have a public market?
Rochester’s City-run Public Market has served the community at its 280 The the Riverway program consolidates more than two dozen Our mission is to serve Rochester’s people and animals, to maintain Safety is among the most basic human needs.
What is the University of Rochester known for?
The University of Rochester is the oldest and most well-known college in the Rochester metropolitan area. It is also one of the best places in the country to do research. It includes a nursing school, the Simon School of Business, and the Eastman School of Music. It was founded and endowed by George Eastman in his years as a philanthropist. [ 196 ].
