Rural living with access to highly ranked schools in Pompey
Many Central New York towns offer quiet country living, but top-notch schools give Pompey an edge. The town brushes the border of Manlius, a Syracuse suburb that shares a highly ranked school district with neighboring Fayetteville. “The draw is that you can live in Pompey, but you’re in Fayetteville-Manlius schools, and they’re some of the top-rated schools in the country,” says Pompey resident Stacey Kelso-O’Connor, a licensed associate real estate broker with Howard Hanna Real Estate. “You’re still in Fayetteville-Manlius schools without paying Manlius taxes.” Located about 15 miles south of Syracuse, Pompey was established in 1794 as one of the original founding towns of Onondaga County, and its natural beauty has endured. The town’s 7,000 current residents are scattered throughout the countryside, with some residing in hamlets like Berwyn, Atwell Corners and Delphi Falls.
Fayetteville-Manlius school district receives an A-plus from Niche
Most students attend schools in the Fayetteville-Manlius Central School District, which receives the coveted Niche grade of A-plus. Several of the district’s schools have earned the National Blue Ribbon School of Excellence Award from the U.S. Department of Education, and Fayetteville-Manlius High School has a state-of-the-art observatory and planetarium. Some students might instead attend the Fabius-Pompey Central School District, rated B-minus. Fabius-Pompey’s STEAM Academy emphasizes creativity, career readiness and real-world experience.
Luxury properties with scenic views drive a hot real estate market
Homes in Pompey are spaced widely apart on rural roads with views of the surrounding hills and valleys. “Pompey has the highest point in Onondaga County, so the views are outstanding,” Kelso-O’Connor says. “On a clear day, you can see three lakes and the foothills of the Adirondacks.” Most properties measure at least a third of an acre, and some span more than 10 acres. Attached and detached garages protect vehicles during winter’s frequent snow and ice storms. Near the Manlius town line, HOAs like Pompey Pines and The Preserve feature large luxury homes, many with manicured lawns, wooded areas and paved driveways with basketball hoops. Average home values are about $485,000, roughly $200,000 higher than the average for the Syracuse metro, and properties are usually snapped up within 5 days of entering the market — a fraction of the national average of 53. Some ranch-style and small colonial homes sell for $160,000 to $340,000, but most larger builds cost $385,000 to $600,000. Luxury homes with over 3,000 square feet of living space and amenities like private pools sell for $630,000 to $1.2 million. Pompey has a CAP Index Crime Score of 1 out of 10, well below the national average of 4.
Nature lovers enjoy hiking, fishing, boating and swimming
Jamesville Beach Park has a swimming beach with lifeguards on duty and an inflatable raft zone, along with a playground and picnic shelters. The Jamesville Reservoir also offers fishing, canoeing, and kayaking opportunities. Hiking trails lead to picnic spots and cascading waterfalls at Pratts Falls and Delphi Falls County Parks. Golfers hit the links on the private 18-hole course at The Pompey Club, which features a driving range, putting green, pro shop and restaurant.
Pompey Mall and Chicken Ranch offer unique regional finds
The Chicken Ranch Country Store is the place to pick up feed and grain for farm animals, local meat and produce and handcrafted souvenirs. Its toy tractor collection is popular with kids of all ages. The Pompey Mall gas station and convenience store, open since 1977, sells regional honey and maple products, craft beer, candles, eggs and books by area authors. Residents can choose between grocery options like Tops and Aldi in Cazenovia or Wegmans in Fayetteville, all within 10 miles. “Tops is in all the small towns — Caz, Fayetteville, Manlius — but most people shop at the Wegmans,” Kelso-O’Connor says. Cazenovia offers fine dining at inns like The Brae Loch and Brewster, both popular with locals.
Country festivals bring neighbors together in nearby LaFayette
The Pompey Country Festival takes place over a weekend in late July, with live country music, truck and tractor pulls, a rodeo and a fireworks show. The festivities are held in LaFayette, a town about 7 miles away that’s best known for October’s LaFayette Apple Festival. Visitors come from miles around for the hayrides, hot apple pie, craft booths and carnival, set against a backdrop of vibrant fall foliage. “The Apple Festival? Everybody goes,” says Kelso-O’Connor. “They get thousands of people.”
Route 20 connects to Cazenovia, LaFayette and Syracuse
U.S. Route 20 is the main thoroughfare leading to Cazenovia and LaFayette, where travelers can connect to Interstate 81 for the 17-mile drive to central Syracuse. Upstate Community Hospital is about 15 miles away for medical care, and it’s a 20-mile drive to Syracuse Hancock International Airport.
Gathering places and preschool classes at Pompey churches
Church of the Nativity at Immaculate Conception, Oran Community Church and Delphi Falls United Church provide gathering spaces for Pompey’s Christian residents. Country Critters preschool at Pompey Community Church admits 12 children each year and follows the Fabius-Pompey district calendar for vacations and other closings.
