SENECA COUNTY

County Offices
1 DiPronio Drive
Waterloo 315-539-1771
www.co.seneca.ny.us

Chamber of Commerce
1 West Main Street
Seneca Falls 315-568-2906
http://senecachamber.org

Communities in Seneca County
Covert, Fayette, Interlaken, Junius, Lodi, Ovid, Romulus, Seneca Falls, Tyre, Varick, Waterloo

Seneca County is in the western part of New York in the Finger Lakes Region, bounded on the east by Cayuga Lake and on the west by Seneca Lake. It is home to more than 35,000 residents. The county seat is Waterloo. The name is from the Iroquois (Seneca) that occupied part of the region. The Finger Lakes National Forest is in the south part of the county.

Lifestyle
As one of the Gateways to the Finger Lakes, Seneca County is a central location for those wishing to enjoy the county’s rich tourism attractions, including the many award-winning estate wineries along the shores of Cayuga and Seneca Lakes. For those looking to settle into the county, nature becomes one of the dominant forces in the quality of life.  Seneca County is the perfect place to be for outdoor enthusiasts or those who just enjoy the sights of nature. The county is home to state parks, Finger Lakes National Forest, Montezuma National Wildlife Refuge, Cayuga-Seneca Canal, and the two largest of the Finger Lakes. All of them ideal for hiking, biking, swimming, camping and boating. Of the Finger lakes, Seneca is the largest lake entirely within New York and the second deepest lake in the nation. For the anglers who live in the community, it is considered the lake trout capital of the world, and is host of the National Lake Trout Derby. At the north end of Seneca Lake is the city of Geneva, home of Hobart and William Smith Colleges and the New York State Agricultural Experiment Station, a division of Cornell University. At the south end of the lake is the village of Watkins Glen, New York, famed for auto racing and waterfalls. Due to Seneca Lake’s unique microclimate it is home to over 40 wineries, many of them farm wineries and is the location of the Seneca Lake American Viticulture Area. Nestled between the two Lakes, Seneca County is home to 27 distinctive wineries. Many of the local wineries also feature distilled products, cafés and restaurants, live entertainment, special events throughout the year, and even microbreweries.

For the shoppers in the family, resident can select from a broad range of options from outlet stores to antique shops.  Waterloo Premium Outlets is home to more than 100 well known, brand-name stores. A regular pastime of residents and visitors alike is browsing the antique shops, craft nooks and specialty stores in the historic downtowns of the towns and villages throughout the county. In addition locals enjoy seasonal farm stands and shops with quality, handmade goods, produced locally on farms and in homes, including those of the Amish and Mennonite people who live in the county.

Services
Water played an important role in the development of this region. The rapids originally found in the Seneca River attracted businesses to the county that used the waterpower to develop mills, distilleries, tanneries, and factories of all types, such as the Seneca Knitting Mills, still in operation today. The economy of the county is very much tied to the tourism trade and to the local businesses that call the county home. Besides the agri-business developed around the wineries and area farms, many industrial businesses call the county home, taking full advantage of its central location and easily accessible transportation routes.

Education is very important in the county, represented by institutions of higher education and a strong network of public, private and parochial elementary and secondary schools. These schools offer educational programs to fit the needs of all students in all disciplines, including business, the arts and education. Neighborhood schools stress basic skills in reading, writing and math. Education is strengthened by a public library system and communities committed to supporting quality, affordable education for their young people.Several excellent school districts service Seneca County’s K-12th grade students, including the Romulus School District, Seneca Falls School District, South Seneca School District and the Waterloo School District. The schools in Seneca County are small but are packed with some of best teachers and administrators in the region. There are many programs designed to enhance learning and each school district strives to give their students the very best education possible, strictly adhering to state learning guidelines. The area also includes several outstanding institutes for higher learning, all within a short drive, including Cornell University, Ithaca College, Hobart and William Smith Colleges, Cornell’s Agricultural Experiment Station in Geneva, Elmira College, and Corning Community College. SUNY Binghamton and Alfred University are both accessible as well. The county is also home of the NY Chiropractic College (located on the campus of the former Eisenhower College.)

Health care is a priority in Seneca County and is well represented by excellent full-service hospitals, healthcare facilities and human service agencies that offer a continuum of care, resources and support to meet the physical, mental and developmental needs of the community. The county is served by FF Thompson Health System, Taylor Brown Memorial Hospital and Schuyler Hospital as well as several medical offices and clinics throughout the county.

This county while primarily rural, attracts new residents and visitors to its natural wonders, great choice of classic and modern homes, small town charms and quiet lifestyle.