$140,710Average Value$100Average Price per Sq Ft41Homes For Sale
A small city that hosts two famous institutions but flies under the national radar
Olean, New York, is home to just under 14,000 residents. It sits on the banks of the Alleghany River and is the largest city in Western New York’s Southern Tier region. “We’re not a county seat, but we do serve many bedroom communities,” says Realtor Patricia Collier with RE/MAX On Point, who has lived in Olean for 12 years. “We host a prestigious university, St. Bonaventure, and we’re the home of Cutco, the kitchen knife brand. We have a vibrant chamber of commerce that has invested a lot of money into Main Street.” Despite all this, and its thriving business districts and entertainment scenes, Olean tends to be an unfamiliar name on the national stage. “Nobody pronounces it right,” she laughs. “But that’s because it feels very much like a small town. When I moved here from Maine, I researched extensively, and it became home. Today, I never know who to thank when I get up in the morning and my driveway has been shoveled. It could have been any one of my neighbors.”
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Historic homes on well-organized streets
Homes in Olean sit on well-ordered gridlock streets, crisscrossed by sidewalks and shaded by tall leafy trees. “There are a lot of historic homes in town,” Collier says. “Some new builds have gone up, but mostly what you’ll find is older stock.” The median price in the city is around $115,000, and nearly every home is within walking distance of the Alleghany River. Like most of Western New York, snow is a regular occurrence, but residents see less than might be expected. “Because we’re sort of nestled in the valley, we tend not to see as much snow as nearby towns with higher elevation,” Collier says.
Homes like this Victorian can be found mostly in the west part of Olean while more modern builds are typical for the northeast.
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Public schools, private options and St. Bonaventure University
Students are zoned to attend the Olean City School District, which scores an overall C from Niche. Private options include Southern Tier Catholic School, which earns an A. On the national stage, the city is known for its proximity to St. Bonaventure University. “It really draws a lot of people to the area,” Collier says. “You can hardly go anywhere without seeing someone in a Bonnie sweatshirt.” On U.S. News and World Report’s list of Best Regional University Values in the North, St. Bonaventure placed 6th.
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North Union Street is the de facto Main Street of Olean
Grocery stores and big-box retailers are scattered throughout the city, accessible via West State Street and North Union Street, the two major thoroughfares. Most of Olean’s restaurants sit on either side of Union Street, from casual eateries to locally owned draws. “We’re really well-known for Beef 'N' Barrel,” Collier says. “There’s plenty of shopping on Main Street, and a lot of investment went in to putting in roundabouts all along it, which made it very walkable.”
Beef-N-Barrel is a family owned steakhouse in Olean that has been open for over 40 years.
North Union Street is the de facto main street of Olean with many shops and restaurants.
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Green spaces along the Alleghany River
Proximity to the river informs most of Olean’s outdoor recreation. “The Alleghany River has a paved trail that loops around the St. Bonaventure campus,” Collier says. “There’s a bunch of parks along it, too, with gazebos for picnics and even a dog park.” Baseball diamonds at Forness Park and Franchot Park draw crowds for pickup games, and boating or fishing the river is a common pastime.
Franchot Park in Olean has a baseball diamond, a playground and a splashpad.
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Crime statistics
Crime data for Olean is not readily available.
Two major thoroughfares connect Olean to Buffalo
While most of Olean is walkable, residents will likely rely on cars to get to other parts of the state. North Union Street is the main north-south thoroughfare, connecting the community to Interstate 86 and Buffalo.
March Madness and the Ellicottville ski resort
Outside of March Madness, when support for qualifying St. Bonaventure teams grips the town, Olean’s events are driven by local churches and the community. “St. Mary of the Angels is a church that gained basilica status,” Collier says. “They have a huge festival for four days every year that always draws a crowd.” The local farmer’s market takes place every Saturday when in season and the nearby Ellicottville ski resort hosts Oktoberfest celebrations and other festivals throughout the year.
Written By
Hugh Taylor
Photography Contributed By
Stefan Ludwig
Video By
EB Fox
Interested in learning more about homes in this area?
Reach out to
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GreatSchools:
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On average, homes in Olean, NY sell after 57 days on the market compared to the national average of 55 days. The median sale price for homes in Olean, NY over the last 12 months is $144,500, up 23% from the median home sale price over the previous 12 months.
This inviting 4-bedroom, 2-bathroom home offers comfort, convenience, and plenty of room to spread out. The first floor features a bright living room, an updated kitchen, a cozy family room, a formal dining room, a first-floor bedroom, convenient laundry area, and an enclosed porch perfect for year-round enjoyment. Brand-new carpeting has been installed on the main level, adding a fresh touch
Welcome to this beautifully updated 3-bedroom, 1.5-bath home located in West Olean. Fully remodeled from top to bottom, this property offers modern finishes, functional space, and true move-in-ready convenience. The first floor features a spacious living room and an additional family room, providing ample space for both relaxation and entertaining. The bright eat-in kitchen has been completely
Welcome to this charming 2-bedroom, 1-bath ranch located in the Town of Olean, offering the perfect blend of convenience and privacy on 1.89 acres. Tucked away in a quiet, natural setting yet just minutes from downtown, this property provides a peaceful country feel while remaining close to shopping, dining, and everyday amenities. Inside, the home features approximately 1,064 square feet of
Beautifully renovated upper/lower duplex located in a prime Olean neighborhood, offering an excellent investment opportunity or ideal owner-occupied setup. This spacious property features a total of 2,570 square feet, with each unit offering 3 bedrooms and 1 full bath. Numerous updates have been completed, including new windows, vinyl siding, updated kitchens and bathrooms, new flooring, fresh
TWO FOR ONE!!! This rare find offers two homes on over an acre in a peaceful setting within a sought-after school district, making it ideal for multi-generational living or investment. The property includes a newer-construction three-bedroom, two-bathroom doublewide featuring central A/C, an eat-in kitchen with a breakfast bar, multiple upgrades throughout, and a relaxing deck overlooking the
Welcome to 1605 Gemini Drive in Olean, NY, a beautifully maintained colonial-style home set on over half an acre in the highly sought-after Stardust Lane area, offering space, privacy, and timeless appeal in a peaceful residential setting. This four-bedroom, two-and-a-half-bath home features a first floor thoughtfully designed for entertaining and everyday living, including a spacious living
This well-maintained two-family property offers a great opportunity for owner-occupants or investors alike. Recent updates include a brand-new roof and fresh interior and exterior paint, making this property truly move-in ready. One unit features 3 bedrooms and 1 full bath, while the second unit offers 2 bedrooms and 1 full bath, providing flexible living or rental options. Both units are fully
This Duplex is an Upper & Lower and practically identical! Both with 2 bedrooms, a small bonus room that could be used as an office and are very spacious! They have off-street parking & Separate Utilities. Roof was completely torn off and replaced 10 years ago. The foundation is solid. Part of a package deal w 4 duplexes, 2 single family and a vacant lot for parking. 2 Edwards Ct (R1635038), 1
The property is a mix of former open pasture land (5-8 acres) with the balance in various stages of wooded property and brushy areas. Along the road front is a 10-stall horse barn with electric. The sellers formerly had horses here and with a little maintenance on the fields they could flourish here again. The forested property is a mix of younger transition areas and some older hardwoods. There
This charming Old-Style home sits on a quiet cul-de-sac in Olean’s desirable Seneca Heights neighborhood. Step inside to a welcoming foyer that opens into a spacious living room featuring hardwood floors, a large bay window, a gas fireplace, and a built-in bookcase. The formal dining room leads to an expansive family room accented by exposed wood beams, modern white wood walls, and pegged
Opportunity awaits with this 2-bedroom, 1-bath home—perfect for investors, flippers, or buyers looking for their home. Spacious living room, eat- in kitchen make this home comfortable and easy to entertain. Full bath upstairs offers a walk in tile shower with a nice jetted tub for relaxing after a long day. This property offers a solid layout and a nice size yard with potential for outdoor
This property at 121 N 8th St features 2 bedrooms and 1 bathroom within a total of 992 square feet. The living room provides ample space for relaxation and entertainment. The bathroom is equipped with standard fixtures and offers functional amenities. Each bedroom is designed for comfort, suitable for various living arrangements. Additional amenities include a washer/dryer hookup for convenience,
This 1-bedroom, 1-bathroom apartment at 125 S 7th St offers 700 square feet of living space. The living room provides ample room for relaxation and features straightforward access to the kitchen. The bedroom is designed for comfort and includes sufficient closet space. The bathroom is equipped with standard fixtures and provides necessary amenities. On-site laundry facilities are available for
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