Elba is the Onion Capital of the World
Six miles north of Batavia, Elba is a rural town with a peaceful village center and single-family homes priced below the national median of $420,000. "That's 'the Onion Capital of the World,' says Andrea Walton, a real estate agent at Gerace Realty, and a Genesee County local. "It's known for its muckland, which is real deep, black, nutrient-rich. That's where all the onions are grown." The town is primarily farmland, but the village is developed with closely set homes and a handful of businesses. "It's a quaint little town," Walton says. "People like the quietness of it."
Single-family homes with acreage and historic character
The majority of Elba's single-family homes were built from the mid-19th century through the late 20th-century. "They're older homes, but they're well-maintained," Walton says. Historic homes are typically farmhouses or Colonial Revivals with features like covered porches, wood siding and the occasional detached garage. Newer builds are often bungalows, ranch-style or split-level with modern touches, like attached garages and mixed-material exteriors. In the village, homes are packed along residential streets lined with sidewalks and manicured lawns dotted by mailboxes and mature trees. Homes on the town's outskirts often include acreage, providing privacy and space for outbuildings, like barns or workshops.
Depending on size and features, prices range from $150,000 to $420,000, though fixer-uppers can fall below that range. "We are low on inventory," Walton says. "Therefore, things have been moving pretty quickly."
Elba's recreation programs and Oak Orchard's wildlife
Elba's parks and recreation scene is modest, but active with community involvement. Veterans Memorial Park is the central gathering place for events and family-friendly outings, like picnics and playground trips. The park's also a sports hub, offering fields for Little League and courts for basketball, tennis and sand volleyball. In the summer, there's a packed recreation calendar for children in kindergarten through sixth grade, with activities like bowling and kickball.
Seven miles away, the Oak Orchard Wildlife Management Area offers miles of dirt-packed trails through dense woodland and marshy wetland. The sprawling, 2,500-acre preserve is home to dozens of bird species, such as green-winged teals and northern pintails, which can be spotted from the Oak Orchard Bird Observation Tower. Oak Orchard Creek flows through the area, too — a popular rainbow trout and chinook salmon fishing spot. Walton recommends Letchworth State Park, 30 miles away, for a day out. "[It] is the Grand Canyon of the East," Walton says. "It's absolutely gorgeous, especially in the fall — a lot of colors in the trees down there."
Coffee, pizza and ice cream on Main Street
Main Street is dotted with locally owned shops and restaurants. Chap's is the morning go-to for hot coffee and classic brunch plates, with specials like the Muck Omelet, which is loaded with onions, peppers, mushrooms and three kinds of meat. Andy's Pizza is a fast-casual spot to carry out an extra large pie with finger food favorites, like garlic parmesan wings and Cajun fries. Across the street, the Sweet Life Country Store carries artisanal items, such as candles, soaps and jellies, and specialty desserts, like ribbon candy, chocolates and ice cream. "They have sponge candy ice cream, and it's awesome," Walton says. A handful of farmstands are in the area, too, such as Torrey's Farm Market with fresh-cut flowers and seasonal veggies. Batavia offers additional shopping and dining, including dozens of shops, restaurants and grocery chains, like Aldi.
The annual Onion Festival
Since 1937, the annual Onion Festival has been a beloved tradition celebrating the namesake crop and the community of Elba. The Elba Fire Department sponsors the two-day event, which features all the typical festival fare, including a parade down Main Street, a chicken barbecue and live music. However, the crowning of the Onion Queen is the best-known tradition, where winners receive a scholarship award.
Extracurricular opportunities at Elba Junior/Senior High
Elba is part of the Elba Central School District, which Niche rates as a B-minus overall. Kids in kindergarten through sixth grade can start at the C-plus-rated Elba Elementary before moving to the B-minus-rated Elba Junior/Senior High. At the latter, students can explore their interests in extracurriculars, like yearbook and Future Farmers of America.
Pedestrian-friendly village, car-dependent town
The village is sidewalk-lined and bike-friendly, but Elba is otherwise considered car-dependent. "Most people are going to be using cars," Walton says. State Route 98 provides a direct route to Batavia. United Memorial Medical Center is 6 miles away, and Frederick Douglass Greater Rochester International Airport is a 32-mile drive.
