Small-town living and Letchworth State Park define Leicester
Leicester is a town in western New York’s Livingston County. At its heart lies a small village with a few businesses and parks, and farmland stretches outward from there. Despite its relatively calm, pastoral setting, Leicester offers access to Letchworth State Park and proximity to the Finger Lakes. With Rochester about 35 miles north, residents also stay connected to city amenities and employment opportunities.
A blend of salt miner homes and larger houses on multiacre lots
In the village of Leicester, sidewalks line some streets, and yards are often separated by tall hardwood trees or private driveways. Most lots in the surrounding town are an acre or larger. Buyers might find a mix of Cape Cods, Colonial Revivals and ranch-style houses. Many of the residences from the early 1900s were originally constructed for railroad workers and salt mine employees, says Anthony Scorsone, broker and owner of Re/Max Plus, who has lived in Leicester for about 50 years. “The salt mine was building a lot of homes, which today are deemed small… they make good starter homes.”
Residences with less than 2,000 square feet of living space usually sell for $120,000 to $180,000, while larger houses may range from $390,000 to $490,000. Manufactured homes tend to sell for $30,000 to $80,000. The village provides water service to about 300 properties, but many locals rely on private wells. Heavy rains can cause flooding in parts of the community, and lenders may require flood insurance. The area's CAP Index Crime Score is 1 out of 10, well below the national average of 4.
Community and state parks, plus access to the Genesee Valley Greenway
The village has a couple of small recreation areas, including Village Park, a green space with a gazebo and a war memorial. The York-Leicester Kiwanis group maintains Starr Park, which features a large field, a basketball court and a playground. At the southern edge of town is Letchworth State Park, which spans the steep Genesee River gorge. “It’s called the Grand Canyon of the East,” Scorsone says. The park sees around one million visitors each year, and popular activities include rafting down the Genesee River, hiking along the falls and taking hot air balloon rides over the gorge. During the winter, some of the trails are open to cross-country skiing and snowmobiling. Cyclists and hikers can also follow the Genesee Valley Greenway, a 90-mile rail trail that runs from Alleghany County to Rochester. About 10 miles east is Conesus Lake, one of the Finger Lakes. Silver Lake is a similar distance west, and it has a public beach.
Many kids attend the York Central School District
The town falls under three school districts, including Mount Morris Central School District, which earns a C on Niche, and Perry Central School District, rated a C-plus. The majority of Leicester is zoned for the B-minus-rated York Central School District. YCSD boasts a strong performing arts program, and students can participate in band, chorus and theater. York Elementary School gets a B-minus, and York Middle/High School holds a C-plus. In addition to the arts, the high school also offers extracurricular sports such as soccer, football and volleyball.
Some businesses in town, but nearby Geneseo offers more
There’s a small downtown area in the center of the village, with 2nd Time Around Consignment, a hair salon and government offices. Just across the tracks is Gatherings at the Depot, a locally owned, casual restaurant in the old train station. Brian’s USA Diner, located along state Route 36 in the southern end of town, is a convenient stop for travelers. “It’s a very busy place,” Scorsone says. For additional shopping and dining options, locals often drive into Geneseo , less than 10 miles away, which has a Walmart Supercenter, Wegmans and a variety of restaurants.
Seasonal events at Village Park, and Empire Dragway hosts races
A few community gatherings take place in the village each year. From late June through August, there are weeknight concerts at the gazebo in Village Park. In December, locals contribute to the seasonal cheer by decorating trees and displaying them in the park. There’s also an annual Memorial Day parade down Main Street, followed by a short service at the war memorial. In addition to village events, the Empire Dragway along New Road hosts weekend drag races during the warmer months.
Around a 35-mile drive to Rochester
Over the years, transportation patterns in Leicester have changed. Community members used to be able to catch a passenger train from the depot in the center of the village. Today, the tracks stay relatively quiet, except for occasional salt trains, which “run through at low speeds,” Scorsone says. State Route 36 was once the main road to Letchworth State Park. Now, tourists often take Interstate 390, so “the through traffic isn’t quite the same, but the park is still the same,” Scorsone says.
While Regional Transit Service Livingston offers limited weekday service to Leicester residents, the community is largely car dependent. Commuters can take U.S. Route 20A and state roads to link up with larger roads, including I-390. The Wyoming County Community Hospital is within a 15-mile drive. Downtown Rochester and Frederick Douglass Greater Rochester International Airport are both around 35 miles away.
