Orleans
County, New
York sits along the southern bank of lovely Lake
Ontario, with Canada
on the opposite shore. Despite its location along the Erie
Canal and between Buffalo,
Rochester
and Niagara
Falls, Orleans County continues to maintain the
charming character of a small town.
Fourteen
towns and villages comprise Orleans County, with Albion
serving as the county seat. Orleans County sprawls
across 800 square miles, more than half of which is
water. According to the 2000
Census, Orleans County had a population of more
than 44,000 people.
Orleans
County supports a pro-business environment, with
highways, railways and waterways that complement its
centralized location. Orleans County is in close
proximity to the local markets of Buffalo,
Rochester and the international markets in Canada.
Orleans County offers numerous incentives to aid
current businesses and to assist with the start-up or
relocation of businesses new to the area. Additional
benefits include a state-of-the-art communications
infrastructure and reasonable cost of living prices.
Agriculture, fisheries, manufacturing and tourism play
significant roles in the thriving local economy, where
residents earn a median household income of nearly
$38,000 per year.
Orleans
County operates five top-notch school
districts, with impressive drop out rates that are
consistently below three percent. More than 70% of the
county's high school graduates go on to college to
further their education. Orleans County students have
access to nearly twenty higher learning facilities
within a 35-mile radius. Some of the larger colleges
include the University
of Buffalo, University
of Rochester, SUNY
Brockport and SUNY
Geneseo. In addition, Albion is home to a branch
of Genesee
Community College.
With
its proximity to the Erie
Canal, Oak
Orchard River and Lake
Ontario, Orleans
County affords the ideal setting for boating,
fishing and a wealth of water sports. In fact,
superior opportunities for salmon fishing are a major
attraction to Orleans County. A leisurely drive along
Ridge Road, the Seaway
Trail, or the Erie Canal reveals a wide variety of
charming farmers markets, gift shops and historic
sites. Museums also found along these routes include
the Cobblestone
Museum and Medina
Railroad Museum. Orleans County is home to several
golf
courses and a number of parks, such as the Iroquois
National Wildlife Refuge. Niagara
Falls, Letchworth
State Park and Six
Flags Darien Lake are popular destinations within
an hour's drive of Orleans County.
Orleans
County, New
York offers a respite from the crime, pollution,
and traffic of nearby cities, while situated close
enough to utilize the unique amenities of Buffalo
and Rochester.
Orleans County embodies the rich history and rural
culture of its small communities.
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