Hornell is a small town in the forested west end of Steuben County, nicknamed “Maple City” for the tall red and sugar maple trees that surround it. Hornell benefits from its proximity to expansive natural parklands at home while being a short drive away from New York’s Finger Lakes region, a hub for fishing, boating and an established variety of local wineries. “Hornell is a place where neighbors look out for each other,” says Valorie Whitehill, executive director of Hornell Partners for Growth Inc. “Community events like the Thursdays at the Square, Fourth of July and St. Patrick’s Day Parades, Fall and Holiday celebrations bring people together, reinforcing its small-town warmth.”
According to the U.S. Census, Hornell’s population in 2020 was 8,263 residents, a 3.5% decline from 2010. From the 1850s through much of the 1960s, Hornell’s driving economic hub was the New York & Erie Railroad Company, which ran through the center of town. Though this old line no longer runs passenger trains in town, Hornell has a factory for Alstom Transport, a rail contractor that assembles Amtrak’s fleet of high-speed Acela trains. As of 2024, close to 700 local employees were working at Alstom. Health care is another prominent industry in Hornell, with between 500 and 1,000 working at the Saint James Mercy Hospital, an affiliate of the University of Rochester Medical Center.
Hornell is a small town in the forested west end of Steuben County, nicknamed “Maple City” for the tall red and sugar maple trees that surround it.
The Hornell Deopt Museum is a carefully restored train depot, where visitors can learn about the city’s railway history.
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Several city parks to enjoy, and within an hour of the Finger Lakes
Kanakadea Park offers hiking trails, baseball fields, basketball courts, rental cabins and campsites. The park also features Almond Pond, a 125-acre fishing lake stocked with black crappie and largemouth bass. “One of the most well-used parks in Hornell is Veterans Memorial Park at James Street,” says Whitehill. “This park features playgrounds, picnic areas, walking trails and sports fields. It also hosts community events like the Fourth of July celebration and fireworks.” Along Loder Street is the Hornell Erie Depot Museum, open on Fridays and Saturdays. The museum is a carefully restored train depot, where visitors can learn about the city’s railway history. Locals are a 30-mile drive from Keuka Lake and about 25 miles from Canandaigua Lake for fishing or kayaking in New York’s Finger Lakes area. Hornell experiences four distinct seasons and receives around 68 inches of average annual snowfall, well above the national average.
Kanakadea Park offers hiking trails, baseball fields, basketball courts, rental cabins and campsites.
Veterans Memorial Park at James Street has playgrounds, picnic areas, walking trails and sports fields.
Kanakadea Park near Hornell offers hiking trails, baseball fields, basketball courts, rental cabins and campsites.
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Civil War era homes with Post World War II options available
Single-family homes in Hornell range from $50,000 for smaller fixer-uppers to $250,000 for three- to five-bedroom Craftsman and American Foursquare homes. Multifamily Queen Anne properties, varying by age and square footage, are also on the market, ranging from $80,000 to $170,000. Most of the development around the center of town was built from the Civil War through the early 1910s, while farther on the city’s northern outskirts are postwar homes that might require less TLC. Recent crime statistics for Hornell are not readily available.
Multifamily Queen Anne properties in Hornell, varying by age and square footage, range in price from $80,000 to $170,000.
American Foursquare homes in Hornell range in price from $50,000 to $250,000 depending on their size.
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Over 300 businesses line Main Street
Most of Hornell’s local businesses line Main Street. Residents can browse antique stores, boutiques and salons or grab drinks and dinner at small, community-loved taverns. There’s also the Spotlight Hornell movie theater to catch the latest hit movies on a snowy day. “Hornell boasts a diverse array of over 300 local businesses that contribute to its vibrant community,” says Whitehill. “With organizations like the Hornell Industrial Development Agency and Hornell Partners for Growth supporting local businesses, the Hornell community and downtown area is seeing growth with new shops, restaurants, and revitalization efforts.” The nearby Finger Lakes region is considered New York’s Wine Country, so locals are less than an hour from established wineries, including Keuka Lake Vineyards and Arbor Hill Grapery and Winery, closer to Canandaigua Lake.
Recently, downtown Hornell has seen growth with new shops, restaurants, and revitalization efforts.
Hornell residents enjoy access to a diverse array of over 300 local businesses that contribute to its vibrant downtown community.
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Served by Hornell City School District
Hornell City School District serves the area and gets a C-plus from Niche. Several programs encourage academic excellence in several disciplines. The Drop Everything and Read, or DEAR Program, is a weeklong initiative in which guest readers come into participating schools and read to students.
Hornell City School District has a C-plus grade from Niche.
The student to teacher ratio at Hornell Senior High School is 12 to 1, which is higher than the New York state level of 11 to 1.
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Hornell is rich in community events
Thursdays at the Square is a summer concert series at Steuben Square featuring regional bands and food vendors and is hosted by the Hornell Partners for Growth. For the Fourth of July, there is a parade in downtown Hornell at midday, and once the sun sets, neighbors can come out to Veterans Memorial Park to watch fireworks. The Maple City Fall Festival, which takes place in mid-October, features live music, arts and crafts, food vendors and an area for kids’ activities. The festival has been a city staple for more than five years and is an opportunity to support local businesses and interact with the community. Community Bike Ride is hosted by Hornell Public Library and sponsored by the Hornell Police Department and other municipal groups to give residents of all ages a chance to enjoy cycling in the summertime.
I-390 leads to Rochester
Commuters can take Interstate 390 just 68 miles north to reach Rochester, taking a little over an hour. Due to Hornell’s secluded nature, residents rely on having a car to get around.
Written By
Maxwell Olarinde
Photography Contributed By
Brandon Vick
Video By
Lucas Dyke
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Two tax map numbers are included in the sale. Taxes listed above are on the parcel with the house only. Vacant land parcel assessment value is $20,200; taxes and assessment are $20,200; 2025-2026 Tax Rates: T/C 7.332748 per $1,000; City 13.450090 per $1,000; School 16.419746 per $1,000.Situated on a corner lot at Cedar and Daune Streets, this beautiful home offers plenty of space and
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A 2-unit residential building offering a 2-bedroom, 1-full bathroom unit for 900 / month and a 1-bedroom, 1-bathroom unit for $800 / month. Municipal water and sewer included in rent. Each tenant pays for his or her own electricity. Owner pays for natural gas. Separate laundry for tenants’ use. Gas fired, hot air, heating system. Note: Listing agent is a relative of the seller. Note: The property
Build Your Dream Home — Prime City Lot for Sale! Don’t miss this rare opportunity to own a spacious corner building lot located within city limits! Access to all city utilities. This approximately 3/4 acre parcel offers the perfect balance of convenience and room to grow. This are 2 lots being combined. 81 wood Street & 79 Wood Street, (tx map #'s 460600-166-005-0001-021-000 &
Very nice up to date 2-bedroom, 2 full bath home with all modern features. Perched on the higher end of Gifford St. in North Hornell, this vinyl-sided beauty has a large deck on the front of the Cape Cod style home, with a main floor open concept. Formal dining and living room area with French doors out to that front deck. Granite kitchen counter & appliances. Check out the bathroom with a hot
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Welcome to luxury living at Fairlawn Hills. Ideally located in the heart of Hornell, NY, we put our personal touch on resort-style living. Choose the finest one, two, or three-bedroom floor plans in the area with bright, airy kitchens with quartz countertops and rich maple cabinets, luxurious bathrooms with walk-in showers, attached garages, and covered patios or porches that are perfect for
Welcome to your new cozy retreat at 11 Spencer Ave in the charming neighborhood of Hornell! This delightful 2-bedroom house offers a perfect blend of comfort and convenience, making it an ideal choice for those seeking a peaceful yet vibrant community. Step inside to discover a spacious layout with 1 full bathroom, perfect for your everyday needs. The kitchen is equipped with essential
Property Id: 1769773 Introducing the Ultimate Rental Opportunity! We're thrilled to present a stunning getting floor 1 bedroom apartment for rent! Features: - 1 spacious bedroom - 1 full bathroom - Beautiful hardwood flooring - Brand new granite kitchen countertops - Prime location near Main Street shopping Make this incredible property your dream
Fully furnished 2 bedroom apartment available for rent in the City of Hornell. Unit has laundry, off street parking, and furniture / bedding. Available for rent immediately.
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