Rochester metropolitan area, New York facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Rochester metropolitan area
Metropolitan Statistical Area
Rochester, NY Metropolitan Statistical Area
Skyline of Rochester in 2019
Country	United States
State	New York
Largest city	Rochester
Other cities	– Canandaigua  – Greece  – Batavia  – Seneca Falls
Area
• Total	2,930 sq mi (7,600 km2)
Population  (2020)
• Total	1,090,135
• Estimate  (2023)	1,052,087
• Rank	53rd in the U.S.
• Density	360/sq mi (139/km2)
Time zone	UTC-5 (EST)
• Summer (DST)	UTC-4 (DST)
Area codes	585, 315/680

The Rochester metropolitan area is a large region in Western New York. It includes six counties and has the city of Rochester, New York at its center. Many parts of this area are rural, with lots of farms. In 2020, over 1 million people lived here, making it the 4th largest metropolitan area in New York State.

Counties in the Rochester Area

This area is made up of different counties. Some are part of the main "Metropolitan Statistical Area" (MSA), which means they are closely connected to Rochester. Others are part of a "Micropolitan Statistical Area" (μSA), which are smaller urban areas that are still linked to the larger Rochester region.

Main Metropolitan Counties

• Livingston
• Monroe
• Ontario
• Orleans
• Wayne

Connected Micropolitan Counties

• Genesee
• Seneca

Communities and Cities

The Rochester area has many different cities, towns, and villages. Here are some of the largest ones:

Places with Over 100,000 People

• Rochester (This is the main city of the area.)

Places with 50,000 to 100,000 People

• Irondequoit (a suburb)
• Greece (a suburb)

Other Important Communities

Many other towns and villages are part of the Rochester metropolitan area. Some of these include:

• Brighton
• Canandaigua
• Farmington
• Webster
• Fairport
• Newark
• Victor

Population Changes Over Time

The population of the Rochester metropolitan area has grown a lot over the years. In 1900, about 217,000 people lived here. By 2020, that number had grown to over 1 million people! This shows how much the area has developed.

In 2000, the area was home to over 1 million people. Most residents were White, with a significant number of African American and other racial groups, making it a diverse place. The average income for families was around $50,000 per year.

Rochester's Economy

The Rochester metropolitan area has the third largest economy in New York State. Only New York City and the Buffalo area have bigger economies. Rochester is known for having many patents, which means people here create a lot of new inventions and ideas. This has helped the region become quite wealthy.

Major Employers in the Region

Many large companies and organizations provide jobs in the Rochester area. Here are some of the biggest employers as of 2016:

• University of Rochester (a major university)
• Rochester Regional Health (a healthcare system)
• Wegmans Food Markets Inc. (a popular grocery store chain)
• Xerox Corp. (a company known for printers and business services)
• Paychex (a company that helps businesses with payroll)
• Rochester Institute of Technology (another large university)

Shopping Centers

The Rochester area has many places to shop. Some of the main shopping centers include:

• Rochester Public Market
• Village Gate Square
• The Marketplace Mall (in Henrietta)
• The Mall at Greece Ridge (in Greece)
• Eastview Mall (in Victor)
• Pittsford Plaza (in Pittsford)

Colleges and Universities

Colgate Rochester Crozer Divinity School

The Rochester area is a great place for education, especially in Monroe County. It has many colleges and universities. In fact, education is one of the main reasons for Rochester's strong economy.

Here are some of the important colleges and universities in the region:

Livingston County

• SUNY Geneseo

Monroe County

• Monroe Community College
• Nazareth University
• Roberts Wesleyan College
• Rochester Institute of Technology
• St. John Fisher University
• SUNY Brockport
• University of Rochester

Ontario County

• Finger Lakes Community College
• Hobart and William Smith Colleges

These schools, along with others nearby, form a group called the Rochester Area Colleges consortium.

University of Rochester

River Campus of the University of Rochester

The University of Rochester (U of R) is a highly-ranked school. It's known for its excellent nursing program and its business school. The university also has the Laboratory for Laser Energetics (LLE), which is home to one of the most powerful lasers in the world!

The U of R is also home to the Eastman School of Music. This school was named the number one music school in America in 2004.

Rochester Institute of Technology

Institute Hall at RIT

The Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT) started in 1829. It is one of the largest private universities in the United States. RIT is famous for its programs in science, computers, engineering, and art. It also has the National Technical Institute for the Deaf, which is a top school for deaf education.

RIT's art programs are highly rated, especially photography, glass art, and industrial design. Its engineering programs are also considered among the best in the country.

Monroe Community College

Monroe Community College (MCC) is the largest community college in Upstate New York. It has been recognized for its strong sports programs and for helping many students earn their two-year associate's degrees. MCC has several campuses, including the main Brighton Campus.

Roberts Wesleyan College

Roberts Wesleyan College was ranked as a top-value private college in the U.S. in 2007. It is the only college in Rochester that is part of the Council for Christian Colleges and Universities.

Images for kids

• 

  Colgate Rochester Crozer Divinity School

• 

  River Campus of the University of Rochester

• 

  Institute Hall at RIT

See also

In Spanish: Área metropolitana de Rochester (Nueva York) para niños