Lancaster, NY

Census place 3641135 · pop 10,113

D59/ 100
😐 Meh
C
in NY
📍 New York ranks #48 of 50 states →
🏆 Uninsured5.2% · top 8%
🚽 Prop tax2.44% · bottom 4%
Taxes
2.44% property · US 0.99%8.54% sales · US 7.00%up to 10.90% income · US 4.63%

Sales & income are statewide.

The breakdown — worst first

Property-tax burden2.44%4

U.S. median 0.99% · worse than most cities

2.44% of home value paid in property tax · Median real-estate taxes paid as a share of home value.

Broadband access88.0%25

U.S. median 90.0% · worse than most cities

88.0% of homes have broadband · Share of households with a broadband internet subscription.

Population growth (5yr)-0.3%28

U.S. median +2.4% · worse than most cities

-0.3% population change (5yr) · 5-year population change — are people moving in, or fleeing?

Median household income$66,14838

U.S. median $67,857 · worse than most cities

$66,148 median household income · Median household income — a proxy for local economic health.

Bachelor's degree or higher26.6%41

U.S. median 24.3% · worse than most cities

26.6% have a bachelor's degree or higher · Share of adults 25+ with a bachelor's degree or higher.

Unemployment rateCounty-level3.8%43

U.S. median 3.6% · worse than most cities

3.8% unemployment · Share of the labor force out of work. Published by county, not city — every city in the county shares this figure.

Air quality (AQI)County-level43 AQI51

U.S. median 42 AQI · better than most cities

43 median AQI · Median air quality index — lower is cleaner air. Published by county, not city — every city in the county shares this figure.

Property crime rate1168/100k55

U.S. median 964/100k · better than most cities

1168 property crimes per 100k · Burglary, theft, motor-vehicle theft and arson per 100,000 residents.

Adult smoking12.7%55

U.S. median 14.6% · better than most cities

12.7% of adults · Share of adults who currently smoke.

Natural disaster riskCounty-level85/10056

U.S. median 77/100 · better than most cities

85/100 FEMA risk (higher = riskier) · FEMA National Risk Index — wildfire, flood, earthquake, heat and more. Published by county, not city — every city in the county shares this figure.

Poor mental health16.5%59

U.S. median 17.4% · better than most cities

16.5% of adults · Adults reporting frequent poor mental health (14+ days a month).

Unhealthy air daysCounty-level1 days62

U.S. median 1 days · better than most cities

1 unhealthy-air days per year · Days per year with unhealthy air (AQI above 100). Published by county, not city — every city in the county shares this figure.

Physical inactivity22.8%63

U.S. median 26.5% · better than most cities

22.8% of adults · Adults with no leisure-time physical activity.

Rent$1,582/mo63

U.S. median $1,756/mo · better than most cities

$1,582/mo typical rent · Typical monthly rent (Zillow Observed Rent Index, all home types).

Adult obesity31.5%69

U.S. median 36.5% · better than most cities

31.5% of adults · Share of adults with obesity (BMI ≥ 30).

Housing cost$202,20071

U.S. median $214,900 · better than most cities

$202,200 median home value · Median home value — how expensive it is to buy in. Higher = less affordable.

Homeownership73.7%75

U.S. median 67.2% · better than most cities

73.7% own their home · Share of occupied homes that are owner-occupied.

Income inequality0.4076

U.S. median 0.43 · better than most cities

Gini 0.40 (0 = equal, 1 = unequal) · Gini index of household income (0 = equal, 1 = unequal).

Poverty rate6.7%77

U.S. median 12.1% · better than most cities

6.7% live in poverty · Share of residents living below the federal poverty line.

Violent crime rate79/100k77

U.S. median 152/100k · better than most cities

79 violent crimes per 100k · Violent crimes (murder, rape, robbery, aggravated assault) per 100,000 residents.

Commute time19 min82

U.S. median 24 min · better than most cities

19 min average one-way commute · Average one-way commute to work, in minutes.

Uninsured adults5.2%92

U.S. median 9.3% · better than most cities

5.2% of adults · Adults 18–64 without health insurance.

Frequently asked

Is Lancaster, NY a good place to live?
By the numbers, Lancaster scores 59/100 — a D (Meh) on Shcity, which ranks U.S. cities on public data across 22 metrics like crime, cost, jobs and health. Its strongest area is uninsured adults and its weakest is property-tax burden. New York overall ranks #48 of 50 states. Whether it's "good" depends on what you value — re-weight the factors to score it your way.
How safe is Lancaster, NY?
Lancaster reports 79 violent crimes per 100k and 1168 property crimes per 100k — better than most U.S. cities on violent crime.
Is Lancaster, NY expensive to live in?
Lancaster has a median home value of $202,200 and typical rent around $1,582/mo — more affordable than most U.S. cities.
What's the biggest downside of living in Lancaster, NY?
Its weakest measured area is property-tax burden (2.44%) — 4/100, worse than most U.S. cities.
What is Lancaster, NY best at?
Its strongest measured area is uninsured adults (5.2%) — 92/100, better than most U.S. cities.

Sources: U.S. Census (ACS), CDC PLACES, FBI Crime Data Explorer, BLS, EPA AirData, FEMA National Risk Index, and Zillow.