Penfield, New York, in Monroe County, is a suburb east of Rochester, NY. Daniel Penfield purchased the land in 1795 and the Town of Penfield was incorporated by 1810. Early settlers to Penfield were encouraged by Mr. Penfield's policy of accepting wheat and other farm products for his mills in place of cash for farm mortgage payments until the farmer had time to become established. During the years of 1800 to 1840, there was rapid settlement and growth in Penfield. Penfield history is reinforced with its Dayton's Corners School, the only rural schoolhouse in the area that has not been converted to another use.

The town, population 34,645 ( Census 2000), has an area of 37.9 square miles. The Town of Penfield maintains its own Penfield Town Court in the Community Center at 1985 Baird Road. The Town Court handles misdemeanors, traffic matters and provides jurisdiction over any felonies that occur within the town borders. Civil proceedings where claims amount to $15,000 or less are handled in the Town Court and small claims matters under $3,000 are litigated in Small Claims Court. The office of Town Clerk administers the court system.

The Monroe County Court system handles many of the family law issues in Penfield. Wills, estates, adoption, and guardianships are handled at the county level by the Monroe County Surrogate's Court in Rochester. Monroe County Court handles criminal prosecutions of felonies and misdemeanors committed within the county, although in practice most misdemeanor offenses are handled by lower town and village courts. County courts also have limited jurisdiction over personal injury and other civil lawsuits, generally involving claims of up to $25,000.

The statewide Supreme Court generally hears cases outside the authority of the lower courts such as civil matters and personal injury cases beyond the monetary limits of the lower courts’ jurisdiction. The Supreme Court is also the primary court for divorce, separation and annulment proceedings, and criminal prosecution of felonies. The Monroe County Court and the statewide Supreme Court come under the administration of The NY State 7th Judicial District Court. The court is located at the Monroe County Hall of Justice, 99 Exchange Blvd. in Rochester, New York.

Penfield Central School District consists of three elementary schools in Penfield and the administration of a fourth facility in the neighboring Town of Brighton, NY. These four schools funnel their students to the Bay Trail Middle School (which was recently added to 200 other schools nationwide as an Essential Elements School to Watch), and then on to Penfield High school. St. Joseph School, a Catholic elementary school of the Diocese of Rochester, provides pre-school through grade six Catholic educations. Two Christian schools, Southeast Christian Academy and Charles Finney School, round out the educational offerings in Penfield.

The Penfield community relies on the support of the Monroe County Sheriff for police patrol, traffic violation, and speed enforcement. Both the Penfield Fire Department and the Penfield Emergency Ambulance are volunteer organizations that proudly service their community.

Penfield Country Club is a full service, year-round, and family-oriented private club. The 18-hole championship private golf course has become a well known and highly respected course in Western New York. Tree-lined, wooded fairways, picturesque water hazards, challenging bunkers, and gently contoured yet fast greens have gained Penfield Country Club high praise by the members and their guests. The club also features an Olympic sized swimming pool, men's and women's locker rooms and full-service snack bar. For fun and fitness, there are three hard-surfaced and lighted tennis courts.