The Village of Endicott is one of the three communities comprising the Southern Tier's Triple Cities along the Susquehanna River's banks. About 10 miles west of Binghamton, Endicott was founded as a worker's village for Endicott Johnson (E.J.) Shoe Co. in the early 1900s. Its quick development from rural farmland to a flourishing village keyed the nickname "Magic City." Around the same time, The Bundy Company & International Time Recording Company, later known as IBM, was born.
IBM was a leading employer in the region for decades. While the community has felt the effects of IBM's recent departure, manufacturing is still a large county employer. "BAE Systems is planning to expand the former IBM factory and implement a new production line to make batteries," says Melissa Hackford, a licensed real estate salesperson at Warren Real Estate, who has been in the industry since 2016. "They say it will bring around 134 new jobs, but I'm unsure where anyone would live. Our housing stock is so low; it's never a bad time to sell."
Other major employers in this Binghamton suburb include healthcare, social assistance, education and the service industry. However, one of Endicott's greatest draws is its location. "We're close to New York City, Philadelphia, Syracuse and Toronto," Hackford says. "We have a rich industrial history; the great outdoors surrounds us and we have access to everything you need."
The Village of Endicott is one of the three communities comprising the Southern Tier's Triple Cities.
BAE Systems is planning to expand the former IBM factory in Endicott and implement a new production line to make batteries.
1/2
19th- and 20th-century homes
Urban residential streets feature an eclectic mix of 19th- and 20th-century single- and multi-family homes. "A lot of the homes around here are called EJ homes," Hackford says, noting the mass-produced American Foursquare-style properties for factory workers. Farther north, flat streets give way to steep roads that lead past late 20th-century designs. On the west side of Endicott, Skye Island Drive sits at the village's highest point and features some of the community's most prominent homes. Median prices hover around $200,000, ranging from the $100,000s to the $400,000s. "People that live here tend to stay here their whole life," Hackford says. "They might move a few blocks away but rarely leave their neighborhood. We also don't have any nearby nursing homes or one-level homes for older residents, which contributes to our lack of housing options."
A lot of homes in Endicott were mass-produced American Foursquare-style properties for factory workers.
Median home prices in Endicott hover around $200,000, ranging from the $100,000s to the $400,000s.
1/2
Village parks and the Susquehanna River
Endicott residents enjoy all four seasons. However, cold winters often result in heavy snowstorms, with an average yearly total of around 46 inches. Mercereau Park is one of the village's numerous green spaces with open fields, a playground, and a community garden tucked along a tree-lined area that borders the park from the Susquehanna River.
Down the road, Roundtop Picnic Area's elevated terrain offers tranquil afternoons with scenic riverfront views. Grippen Park is one of the only community parks that offers a boat ramp directly on the river. The park borders En-Joie Golf Club, a public golf club with an 18-hole course and an indoor golf simulator, while a local driving range is down the street.
Other nearby green spaces include George W. Johnson Park's community pool and carousel and the Chugnut Riverwalk, about a 1-mile-long paved pathway. Across the river, the Vestal Rail Trail spans 4 miles along the region's old railroad tracks.
Six miles away, Binghamton University's Nature Preserve features rugged wooded trails and a beaver pond on nearly 200 acres. Tucked within the Appalachian Mountain foothills, Endicott residents are surrounded by many state forests that are open to the public for hunting, hiking, biking, camping, cross-country skiing, fishing and boating. The Finger Lakes are also less than 60 miles north.
Mercereau Park in Endicott is one of the village's numerous green spaces with open fields, a playground, and a community garden.
Roundtop Picnic Area's elevated terrain in Endicott offers tranquil afternoons with scenic riverfront views.
1/2
Dining and entertainment in Little Italy
Endicott's Main Street is scattered with local and chain establishments; however, Washington Avenue is the community's "true" commercial corridor. About two blocks of storefronts, some vacant, some renovated, feature local eateries, smoke shops, convenience stores and other local businesses. Down the road, Endicott Performing Arts Center features classes and workshops for kids and adults interested in music, dance, and acting, as well as annual performances of The Nutcracker and Shakespeare in the Park.
Little Italy is home to most of Endicott's established family-owned restaurants on the north side of town. "People have standing reservations at Oaks Inn every Friday night," Hackford says. "But typically, people don't opt to go out in Endicott." Oak Hill Avenue Improvement Corporation, or Little Italy's neighborhood association, hosts some of the city's largest events. Festivities include winter holiday markets, annual Easter egg hunts, a summer concert series, farmers markets and Italian street festivals. Some of the Triple Cities' most popular events include the annual Spiedie Fest and Balloon Rally, which features large hot air balloons, live music and spiedies, a regional delicacy.
The village has one grocery store and one pharmacy, while over a dozen big-box stores and chain grocers are about a 3-mile drive across the river in Vestal. Oakdale Commons is the region's central indoor shopping mall, 4 miles from Endicott.
Endicott Performing Arts Center features classes and workshops for kids and adults interested in music, dance, and acting, as well as annual performances of The Nutcracker and Shakespeare in the Park.
Oakdale Commons in Johnson City features big-box stores like Dick's and BJ's Wholesale Club.
1/2
Union-Endicott Central School District
The Union-Endicott Central School District earns an overall B grade from Niche. The district enrolls around 3,900 students across four elementary schools, one middle school and two high schools. About 5 miles away, Binghamton University has repeatedly been named one of the top 100 public universities in the nation by U.S. News & World Report and the best-value college in the state.
The Union-Endicott Central School District earns an overall B grade from Niche.
About 5 miles away from Endicott, Binghamton University has repeatedly been named one of the top 100 public universities in the nation.
1/2
Commutes around county
Broome County, or BC Transit, offers public transportation around the Triple Cities and neighboring towns like Vestal. Johnson City's UHS Wilson Medical Center is the nearest hospital, about 5 miles away. Downtown Binghamton is about 10 miles east via New York State Route 17, while other nearby highways include Interstates 88, 86 and 81. Greater Binghamton Airport is about 10 miles north. However, "We have maybe two-to-three flights a week," Hackford says. Most residents fly out of Syracuse," about 85 miles north. "We have smaller nearby airports in Ithaca, Elmira and Scranton, but personally, I like flying out of Philadelphia because they have direct and international flights," Hackford says.
IBM's long-lasting impacts
IBM's improper disposal of hazardous materials and numerous spills have impacted Endicott's groundwater. Residents settled with IBM in 2015, and a decade later, the Village of Endicott filed another lawsuit in hopes that IBM would cover the cost of new water treatment systems. Due to widespread contamination, the community still relies on one single water well.
Endicott's crime rates
According to the FBI Crime Data Explorer, Endicott's violent crime rates decreased by 22% between 2022 and 2023, while property crime rates increased by 11%.
I have over 30 years experience in customer service and sales. I grew up in the Walton (Trout Creek) New York area. After living in Deposit, NY and Hillcrest, I currently reside in the Chenango Forks area. I enjoy hiking, working on my home and spending time with family and friends.
Disclaimer: Certain information contained herein is derived from information provided by parties other than Homes.com. Our sources include: Accuweather, Public Records and Neustar. All information provided is deemed reliable, but is not guaranteed to be accurate and should be independently verified.
