Is Hornell Safe, Pros and cons of living in Hornell

Hornell, New York, offers a glimpse into small-city living with a blend of affordability and community spirit. Nestled in Steuben County, this city presents a unique proposition for those seeking a quieter pace of life away from the hustle of larger metropolitan areas. Its character is shaped by its history, its natural surroundings, and the daily lives of its residents.

The city’s appeal often lies in its cost-effectiveness, particularly concerning housing, which stands in contrast to the higher expenses found in many other parts of New York and the nation. This financial advantage, combined with a commitment to community, forms the bedrock of Hornell’s identity for many who choose to call it home.

Is it Safe to Live in Hornell?

Hornell’s overall crime rate is considered to be near the average for all cities and towns in America, with a rate of 6 per 1,000 residents (according to NeighborhoodScout). Your chance of becoming a victim of crime in Hornell is approximately 1 in 165 (according to NeighborhoodScout). While the city’s overall crime rate is average, violent crimes in Hornell are 43% higher than the national average (according to AreaVibes). However, NeighborhoodScout’s analysis indicates that the violent crime rate is well below the national average for all communities of all population sizes, with a rate of 1 per 1,000 inhabitants. Property crime in Hornell is about average for all cities and towns in America, with a rate of 5 per 1,000 residents.

Within Hornell, crime rates can vary by neighborhood. Residents generally consider the northeast part of the city to be the safest, with a lower chance of being a victim of crime compared to central neighborhoods. The overall crime rate in Hornell is 28.18 per 1,000 residents in a typical year (according to CrimeGrade.org), and the city ranks in the 38th percentile for safety, meaning it is safer than 38% of U.S. cities. The cost of crime per resident in Hornell is approximately $454 per year (according to CrimeGrade.org), which is slightly less than the national average.

Housing Costs and Market Trends

Hornell presents a compelling housing market for those seeking affordability. The median home value in Hornell is approximately $79,900 (according to Kurby AI), and it has seen a significant year-over-year decrease of 46.7%, with a median sale price of $80,000 in March 2026 (according to Redfin). This makes Hornell’s housing some of the most affordable in New York State and across the nation (according to NeighborhoodScout).

For renters, the market also offers relatively affordable options. The average rent in Hornell, NY, is around $1,200 per month (according to Zillow). This is considerably lower than the national average rent of $1,642 per month (according to Apartments.com). The median rent is reported as $1.5K per month, indicating steady demand across neighborhoods (according to Realtor.com).

The housing market in Hornell shows signs of activity, with homes selling relatively quickly. On average, homes in Hornell sell after 26 days on the market, a significant decrease from 121 days last year (according to Redfin). Year-over-year, home price growth stands at 13.10%, signaling appreciation that benefits sellers (according to Realtor.com). However, month-over-month data shows a median sale price drop of -27.77% and a price per square foot decline of -9.09% (according to Realtor.com).

Cost of Living and Economic Factors

Hornell’s cost of living is generally considered lower than both the national and state averages. The cost of living in Hornell is approximately 10% lower than the national average and 25% lower than the New York average (according to AreaVibes). For singles, the estimated monthly cost of living is $2,571, and for a family of four, it is $5,661 (according to Salary.com). This is 4% higher than the U.S. national average and 86% lower than New York’s state average, reflecting a 2% increase from the previous year (according to Salary.com).

Housing costs are a significant factor in Hornell’s affordability, being 55% lower than the national average (according to AreaVibes). Food costs are also more affordable than the U.S. average. Transportation costs, however, are less affordable than the national average. The median household income in Hornell was $47,385 in 2024, with a poverty rate of 23.34% (according to US Census Bureau data cited by Data USA and Census Reporter). The median income for renters in Hornell was $31,667 according to 2022 Census data (according to Data USA).

The unemployment rate in Hornell stands at 11.4% (according to Point2Homes). Employment in Hornell declined slightly by -0.655% from 2023 to 2024, with 3,340 employees (according to Data USA). The most common employment sectors include Retail Trade, Educational Services, and Health Care & Social Assistance (according to Data USA).

Job Market and Major Employers

The job market in Hornell is characterized by a mix of local businesses and service-oriented roles. The employment rate in Hornell, NY, is currently 92.03% (according to an unemployment map). Major employment sectors for residents include Retail Trade, Educational Services, and Health Care & Social Assistance (according to Data USA).

Specific employers in Hornell include AVI Foodsystems, Inc., Oak Orchard Community Health Center, Inc., Elderwood, and Jones Memorial Hospital (according to Indeed.com). Alstom USA Inc. is also noted as a company providing engineering services in the area (according to Zippia). For a comprehensive list of major employers and their contact information, the Hornell Area Chamber of Commerce is a valuable resource (as indicated by the Hornell NY Chamber of Commerce).

The average salary in Hornell, NY, is approximately $46,000 per year, or $22.00 per hour (according to Zippia). The median wage is around $46K per year, with the 75th percentile earning $64.1K (according to ZipRecruiter). Some popular job titles with active markets include Customer Service, Warehouse, and Administrative Assistant roles (according to ZipRecruiter).

Climate and Weather Patterns

Hornell experiences a climate with distinct seasonal variations. Temperatures typically range from 17°F to 79°F throughout the year and are rarely below 1°F or above 87°F (according to WeatherSpark.com). The summers are warm and partly cloudy, while the winters are freezing, snowy, and mostly cloudy (according to WeatherSpark.com).

Average annual precipitation in Hornell is about 37 inches (935 mm), with June being the wettest month and February the driest (according to myPerfectWeather and WeatherSpark.com). Snowfall averages around 65 inches annually (according to myPerfectWeather). The hottest month is July, with average highs around 81°F and lows of 55°F, while January sees the coldest temperatures, with average highs of 31°F and lows of 13°F (according to myPerfectWeather).

The best times to visit Hornell for comfortable weather are typically from mid-May to September, when daily high temperatures are between 65°F and 86°F and humidity levels are comfortable (according to myPerfectWeather). The period from late June to early September is also recommended for warm-weather activities based on a tourism score (according to WeatherSpark.com).

Education and School Ratings

Hornell is served by the Hornell City School District, which includes three schools. Hornell Junior-Senior High School is a public school for grades 7-12 with a student-teacher ratio of 12 to 1 (according to Niche). This high school ranks 352nd out of 1,242 New York high schools for 2023-2024 and holds a 4-star rating from SchoolDigger, showing strong performance in Regents exam pass rates (according to Niche). However, it also faces challenges such as lower proficiency in certain subjects and a high chronic absenteeism rate of 31.5% (according to Niche).

Hornell Intermediate School serves students in grades 2-6 and has a student-teacher ratio of 15 to 1 (according to Niche). This elementary school has consistently ranked in the bottom half of New York elementary schools, with a 1-star rating from SchoolDigger and performance below state and district averages on assessments (according to Niche). North Hornell School serves younger students in pre-kindergarten through first grade (according to Niche).

The Hornell City School District as a whole receives a B-minus overall grade (according to Niche). Reviews suggest that while the district has a strong sense of community and good sports programs, there are areas for improvement, such as teacher training on cultural diversity and more independence for students in preparation for life after high school (according to Niche).

Demographics and Population

Hornell has an estimated population of 8,152 as of 2024, which is a slight decrease from the 8,263 recorded in the 2020 Census (according to Data USA and Census Reporter). The population is predominantly White, accounting for approximately 89.3% of residents, followed by Black or African American at 3.6%, and smaller percentages for Multiracial, Asian, Hispanic, and Native American/Other populations (according to Census Dots). This demographic makeup is less diverse than New York State overall (according to Census Dots).

The median age in Hornell is 40.8 years, with a slightly higher proportion of males to females (103.9 males for every 100 females) (according to Census Reporter). Approximately 23.3% of residents are under the age of 18, and 17.1% are 65 years of age or older (according to Wikipedia). The majority of the population, 97.8%, are citizens (according to Data USA).

Household data indicates there are 3,813 households in Hornell, with an average of 2 members per household. Of these, 52.7% are families, while 47.3% are individuals living alone or with non-relatives (according to Data USA). The poverty rate in Hornell is 23.3%, which is higher than the national average of 12.5% (according to Data USA).