Latest census data show pockets of growth in Rochester region

Bennett J. Loudon
Staff writer

Webster, Henrietta and Victor are among the fastest growing communities in the state, according to new federal data.

But the new population estimates from the U.S. Census Bureau show that the region as a whole has lost thousands of residents since 2002.

While Webster gained almost 2,300 residents — an increase of 6 percent — Henrietta added about 1,500 (3 percent), and Victor, Ontario County, grew by 1,491 (14 percent), the populations of most area towns, cities and villages are stagnant or dropping.

County-level data released separately by the Census Bureau earlier this year showed that Ontario is the only one of six regional counties with a gain in population since 2002. Monroe County's population declined by 6,766 people since 2002, according to the data.

The city of Rochester's population declined by more than 1,000 residents between July 2006 to 2007, and by more than 8,500 since 2002, according to the Census Bureau. And Irondequoit has lost 1,729 residents since 2002.

Officials in towns with solid growth credit good schools, low property taxes, easy access to shopping and family-friendly recreation opportunities. Experts attribute the overall decline to high taxes and a lack of good-paying jobs.

Family-friendly

Wanting to be closer to family and tired of the bustle of living near Route 104 in Greece, Richard and Gail Cunliffe moved to Webster last November. Their daughter and their first grandchild, who was born two months ago, live two miles away from the Cunliffes' new home on Waterbrook Crossing. "We like the pace of life here as opposed to living near Ridge Road in Greece," Richard Cunliffe said Wednesday as he trimmed hedges outside his one-story house.

Directly across the street, a contractor worked on building a 1,600-square-foot home, the newest addition to Belvedere, an 80-home development for owners 55 and older off Route 250 just north of the village of Webster.

Many Belvedere residents are retired couples who have moved from other areas of greater Rochester or from out of state to be closer to their children, like the Cunliffes, said developer Steve Philippone of Brannon Homes.

Webster Supervisor Ronald Nesbitt said the growth of Webster, which now has a population of 41,290, validates the town's motto: Where life is worth living.

"We have everything here," Nesbitt said. "We have a great school system. We have open space."

Henrietta town Supervisor Michael Yudelson said his town is attracting new residents because it has a good mix of residential and commercial property that offers residents convenience and keeps property taxes low.

"In tough economic times, every penny counts and taxes are even more important," he said.

Victor Supervisor Leslie Bamann said her town is an attractive choice because of good schools, shopping at Eastview Mall, low taxes and proximity to Interstate 490 and the New York state Thruway.

She said town officials are in the process of developing a new comprehensive plan that will guide future development.

"The ideal is to have what you want where you want it," Bamann said.

Declines questioned

Rochester led the list of area communities with the largest declines in population between July 2002 and 2007 with a loss of 8,522 residents. In New York state, only the town of Hempstead, Nassau County, and Buffalo, had larger drops.

Since 2002, Irondequoit lost 1,729 residents, according to the Census Bureau. But Irondequoit officials said the annual estimates are inaccurate.

"Generally, we take these estimates with a large grain of salt mainly because they're almost always wrong," said Tony Favro, assistant to Irondequoit Supervisor Mary Ellen Heyman.

"There's no way to know for sure until the census is done (in 2010), but we don't see any large shift up or down, at least no obvious evidence of any shift," he said.

But Rochester Mayor Robert Duffy acknowledged that the population decline must be addressed. He pointed out that, while the annual decline in the city's population has averaged about 1,600, the drop from 2006 to 2007 was only about 1,000.

Duffy said public safety, schools and economic development are the biggest deterrents to attracting new residents. He said local and state officials must create incentives to attract new city residents, and he wants state law changed so the city can require city workers to live in the city.

Today, the city pays $177 million in wages to city workers who live outside the city.

"I see vacant storefronts and houses in the city. I see vacant strip malls in the suburbs. There is population decline and a lot of it is cost. We have to make this an affordable community and state to live in," Duffy said.

BLOUDON@DemocratandChronicle.com

Includes reporting by staff writers James Hawver and Kate Perry.