HOUSING IN ONTARIO COUNTY: Employment trends underscore need for housing near job centers | Business
With 62% of the Ontario County workforce holding jobs within the county, according to the U.S. Census Bureau’s American Community Survey, the region’s employment trends highlight a growing need for housing located close to job centers.
According to the Ontario County Housing Needs Assessment, many local workers are facing longer commutes and increased transportation costs as they struggle to find suitable housing near their places of employment. This situation is especially acute for healthcare, education, and retail workers, who often earn modest incomes and are disproportionately affected by rising housing and commuting costs.
As Ontario County’s population and economy grow, affordably priced, well-located housing will be crucial for sustaining economic development and quality of life.
Local employment landscape
Ontario County’s employment base is diverse. According to the Housing Needs Assessment, healthcare and social assistance represent the largest employment sector in the county, accounting for 16.4% of all jobs. Retail trade, which makes up 13.9% of the county’s workforce, is another major employment driver. Despite some decline in recent years, manufacturing continues to employ a significant portion of the workforce.
As of 2019, Ontario County had 53,542 jobs, a 17.9% increase since 2003. However, housing priced between $150,000 and $275,000 near job centers has not kept pace, forcing many workers to commute from other counties or distant parts of Ontario County.
The ACS shows that between 2016-2020, 38.3% of Ontario County residents in the workforce commute to jobs outside the county, with a significant number traveling to Monroe (25% of the County’s resident workforce). In 2020, 4,517 Wayne County residents worked in Ontario County — an increase of 1,665 (58.4%) since 2000 — while Monroe County residents held 8,667 jobs in Ontario County, up by 2,667 (44.5%) over the same period. This data highlights Ontario County’s growing role as a key regional employment hub and the increasing number of workers seeking housing outside the county.
While some of this out-migration is driven by higher wages available in neighboring counties, a key factor is the lack of suitably priced homes near Ontario County’s employment hubs. This results in longer commutes, increased transportation costs, traffic congestion, and, likely, reduced quality of life.
Challenges of commuting for Ontario County workers
For Ontario County residents who work locally, commuting trends paint a picture of increasing costs and logistical challenges. The Housing Needs Assessment reveals that average commuting distances and travel time have lengthened over the past two decades, with only 41% of employed residents traveling less than 10 miles to work in 2019, compared to 47% in 2003. Meanwhile, the proportion of residents commuting more than 50 miles to work increased from 11% to 13% over the same period.
Longer commutes result in higher transportation expenses and place additional stress on families and individuals who must spend more time traveling to and from work. For many workers in Ontario County, especially those in lower-wage sectors such as retail, education, and public service, the cost of commuting can consume a significant portion of their income, further straining household budgets already stretched by rising housing costs.
The data also shows that many workers in Ontario County commute from neighboring counties, particularly Monroe County. While this in-migration helps fill labor demand in Ontario County’s key industries, it highlights the mismatch between job locations and accessible housing. Many of these workers would prefer to live closer to their jobs but are priced out of the local housing market or unable to find suitable homes near employment centers.
Mark Prunoske, senior vice president of Finance and CFO at Thompson Health and a member of the Ontario County Housing Ad Hoc Committee, shared a recent conversation between a Thompson Health success coach and a newer associate. The employee, who works at the main campus in Canandaigua, commutes over an hour each way from Ithaca. Eager to relocate to Ontario County — ideally in the Canandaigua area — she has struggled to find housing that fits her budget
Impact on workforce retention and economic development
The lack of affordable, conveniently located housing poses a challenge for individual workers and for the broader economy. As Ontario County continues to grow, attracting and retaining workers will become increasingly important for sustaining economic development. The Housing Needs Assessment warns that if housing options do not align with the needs of the local workforce, employers face the risk of struggling to fill positions and Ontario County risks losing employees to neighboring areas with better housing options or shorter commutes.
The county’s economic growth and competitiveness in attracting new investment and industries also could be impacted negatively. Businesses looking to expand or relocate to Ontario County may be deterred if they perceive a lack of housing for their employees, particularly in areas close to job centers.
“Throughout my tenure, nearly every conversation with current and prospective employers has touched on the challenges of talent recruitment and retention,” said Ryan Davis, Ontario County’s director of Economic Development, It remains just as critical to business success as local and state incentives.”
Addressing the housing and commuting challenge
To address these challenges, the Housing Needs Assessment offers several recommendations aimed at aligning housing development with the needs of the local workforce:
- Develop workplace, starter home, and middle-class housing near job centers: Introduce zoning changes to allow for higher-density housing developments in areas close to major employment hubs, such as Canandaigua, Farmington, and Victor. Additionally, offer incentives for developers to build rental units and entry-level homes. More housing opportunities near job centers, could reduce the commuting burden on the workforce and ensure that employees have access to affordable housing.
- Encourage mixed-use developments: Mixed-use developments combining residential and commercial retail spaces could provide housing options for workers while also supporting local businesses and reducing the need for long commutes. Mixed-use projects located near public transportation hubs or major roadways could help alleviate traffic congestion and reduce transportation costs for residents.
- Incentivize employers to invest in workforce housing: By partnering with developers and local governments, employers could help finance affordable housing projects near their job sites, ensuring that their employees have access to safe homes they can afford within a short commute. This approach has been successfully implemented in other regions and could be a valuable tool for Ontario County as it seeks to attract and retain talent.
Employment and housing will rise or fall together
As Ontario County’s population and economy continue to grow, aligning housing development with employment trends will be essential for supporting both workers and local businesses. Reducing the gap between job centers and housing, can cut commute times, lower transportation costs, and improve the quality of life for residents.
The Housing Needs Assessment provides a clear roadmap for addressing these challenges, but coordinated efforts from local governments, employers, and developers will be essential to bring about meaningful change. Expanding housing options near job centers will create a more sustainable, inclusive community where Ontario County residents can live and work without the burden of long commutes and high housing costs.