Rochester

About Rochester

Rochester is a city in and the county seat of Monroe County, New York, United States. It is the fourth-most populous city in New York, with a population of 211,328 at the 2020 census (estimated at 206,108 as of 2025). The Rochester metropolitan area in Western New York has an estimated 1.05 million residents and is the 54th-largest metropolitan area in the U.S. Throughout its history, Rochester has acquired several nicknames based on local industries; it has been known as "the Flour City" and "the Flower City" for its dual role in flour production and floriculture, and as the "World's Image Center" for its association with film, optics, and photography.

The city was one of the United States' first boomtowns, initially due to the fertile Genesee River valley which gave rise to numerous flour mills, and then as a manufacturing center, which spurred further rapid population growth. Rochester has also played a key part in US history as a hub for social and political movements, especially abolitionism, and the women's rights movement.

Rochester is the birthplace or home of many notable companies including Eastman Kodak, Xerox, Bausch & Lomb, Wegmans, Constellation Brands, Gannett, Paychex, Western Union and Ray-Ban. In part due to their influence, the region became a global center for science, technology, and research and development. This has been aided by the presence of several internationally renowned universities, notably the University of Rochester and Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT), and their research programs; these schools, along with many other smaller colleges, have played an increasingly large role in its economy. 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 fourth-largest regional economy in New York, after New York City, Buffalo–Niagara Falls and the Capital District.

Rochester is also known for its culture; in particular, the Eastman School of Music, one of the most prestigious conservatories in the world, and the Rochester International Jazz Festival anchor a vibrant music industry. It is the site of several museums such as The Strong National Museum of Play and the George Eastman Museum, which houses the oldest photography collection in the world.

Text: Wikipedia · CC BY-SA 4.0

Rochester weather: 7-day forecast

Source: National Weather Service (NOAA).

Live webcams in Rochester

Webcams: Windy.com

Living in Rochester

Median household income

$47,213

Median home value

$139,600

Median rent

$1,081/mo

Median age

33.7

Map of Rochester

Tap any street on the map to see it in Street View below. Map: © OpenStreetMap contributors.

Rochester Street View

Drag the image to look around and tap the arrows on the ground to move. If it says there is no imagery, tap a nearby street on the map above.

Rochester, NY population

Rochester had 211,328 residents in the 2020 Census.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, Decennial Census.

Rochester at a glance

Sources: U.S. Census Bureau (Gazetteer, ZCTA), USGS GNIS, Wikidata.

Towns near Rochester

• Irondequoit3.6 mi NE
• Gates3.9 mi W
• Brighton4.0 mi SE
• North Gates4.5 mi W
• Greece5.1 mi NW
• Rochester Institute of Technology6.5 mi SW
• St. John Fisher College6.6 mi SE
• Nazareth College6.7 mi SE
• Pittsford7.5 mi SE
• East Rochester7.7 mi SE
• Spencerport9.8 mi W
• Fairport10.0 mi SE

Straight-line distance between town centers.

Frequently asked questions about Rochester