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Upper Falls

Upper Falls

Neighborhood Reviews
3.0
$88,966 Average Value
$166 Average Price per Sq Ft
1 Home For Sale

Near High Falls, Rochester's tallest waterfall

Next to the tallest waterfall in Rochester is Upper Falls, a residential part of downtown full of investment properties from the first half of the 20th century. The view of the falls is spectacular. Water cascades over a 96-ft. drop underneath a footbridge where people can stand and listen to the roar. But despite its majestic natural setting, Upper Falls has a reputation for crime, including rates of violent crime exceeding the national average.

High Falls as seen from High Falls Terrace Park along the multi-use Genesee Riverway Trail.
High Falls as seen from High Falls Terrace Park along the multi-use Genesee Riverway Trail.
Pont de Rennes bridge is in the Upper Falls neighborhood, in Rochester NY.
Pont de Rennes bridge is in the Upper Falls neighborhood, in Rochester NY.
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Future New York state park with waterfall access

Efforts are underway to increase access to the area’s natural beauty. In 2022, Governor Kathy Hochul announced $6 million in funding to create a state park that would give people access to the Genesee River gorge. The proposed park would have dozens of acres of open space near the waterfall so people can relax and soak up the landscape. “Currently, there’s no access to the base of the falls, and there hasn’t been for 100 years,” says Helen Dumas, director of urban engagement for the Genesee Land Trust. “It’s going to reclaim the river for the people who live in Rochester and the surrounding area, to give us access to an ecological recreation area we haven’t had for years and to promote the beauty of it.” The complete project is currently in the design phase. Today, people can enjoy waterfall views at the overlook at High Falls Terrace Park, a green space on the multi-use Genesee Riverway Trail.

High CAP Index score

Crime is an ongoing issue in Upper Falls. Its overall crime score on the CAP Index is 9 out of 10, more than double the national score of 4. This includes high rates of violent crime, including 10 out of 10 scores for homicide and assault with a weapon and a 10 out of 10 score for robbery.

Upper Falls has CAP Index is 9 out of 10, more than double the national average.
Upper Falls has CAP Index is 9 out of 10, more than double the national average.
Upper Falls is a residential neighborhood in downtown Rochester, NY.
Upper Falls is a residential neighborhood in downtown Rochester, NY.
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The Brew House is a local favorite of Upper Falls residents.
The Brew House is a local favorite of Upper Falls residents.

Genessee Brew House has views of Rochester waterfall

Overlooking the falls is the Genesee Brew House, a restaurant and brew pub known nationally for its no-frills flagship beer, colloquially called just Genesee. The cozy bar, with its brick walls, chalkboard beer menu and comfort foods like meatball and ricotta pizza, has an upstairs patio overlooking the waterfall and the downtown skyline. McDonald’s has a restaurant in Upper Falls. Bobo’s Chicken Shack serves fajitas, wings and collard greens. Neighbors can grab groceries at Tops Friendly Markets, a supermarket selling food and household supplies. Nearby Pane Vino on the River serves Italian cuisine and espresso martinis and Water Street Music Hall hosts live bands. The Central Library of Rochester & Monroe County has a huge book collection, community meeting rooms and story time for kids.

Church and masjid in the neighborhood

Catholic mass is held at St. Michael’s Church, a 220-foot-tall 19th-century Gothic Revival-style building that is the 10th tallest structure in Rochester. According to the city of Rochester, St. Michael’s is a spiritual home to the Rochester Fire Department and hosts a Firefighter’s Mass every year. Muslim neighbors can attend Masjid Tawfeeq of Rochester, which sits in Upper Falls.

St. Michael’s Church holds Catholic Mass in a 19th-century Gothic Revival-style building.
St. Michael’s Church holds Catholic Mass in a 19th-century Gothic Revival-style building.
Masjid Tawfeeq Mosque serves Muslims in Upper Falls.
Masjid Tawfeeq Mosque serves Muslims in Upper Falls.
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Mostly renters in this Rochester neighborhood

Most people living in Upper Falls rent their homes. Houses sit next to each other on packed, urban streets behind chain-link fences and sidewalks. Single-family homes include early 1900s colonials and ranch-style houses, and the neighborhood also has multifamily homes like duplexes. Home prices start at around $35,000 and go up to about $126,000.

Prices for single and multi-family homes in Upper Falls range from $35,000 to $126,000.
Prices for single and multi-family homes in Upper Falls range from $35,000 to $126,000.
Most of the people in Upper Falls rent their homes.
Most of the people in Upper Falls rent their homes.
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Rochester school district offers school choice

Kids in Upper Falls attend school through the Rochester City School District, which offers a school choice program. Schools are divided into zones based on geography, but the district also has options citywide. Upper Falls is in the northeast zone. Some kids attend Abraham Lincoln School No. 22 for prekindergarten through sixth grade, Northwest Junior High School and World of Inquiry School No. 58 for high school. Lincoln and Northwest are rated C-minus by Niche and World of Inquiry is rated C-plus. World of Inquiry, which serves kindergarten through 12th grade, was named a National Blue Ribbon school in 2010.

Abraham Lincoln School 22 is a public school in the Rochester City School District.
Abraham Lincoln School 22 is a public school in the Rochester City School District.
Northwest Junior High School has an overall grade of C- on Niche.
Northwest Junior High School has an overall grade of C- on Niche.
World Of Inquiry School 58 has 951 students in grades PK, K-12.
World Of Inquiry School 58 has 951 students in grades PK, K-12.
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Access to I-490 and Amtrak station

Upper Falls is close to the rest of downtown Rochester. It’s directly north of the Inner Loop roadway, which connects to Interstate 490. Louise M. Slaughter Station, which offers Amtrak service, is located on the south side of the neighborhood.

The Louise M. Slaughter Rochester Station offers passenger rail service to Upper Falls residents
The Louise M. Slaughter Rochester Station offers passenger rail service to Upper Falls residents
Upper Falls is very close to downtown Rochester transportation hubs.
Upper Falls is very close to downtown Rochester transportation hubs.
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Laura Finaldi
Written By
Laura Finaldi
Brandon Vick
Photography Contributed By
Brandon Vick
Britt Lyle
Video By
Britt Lyle

Agents Specializing in this Area

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Schools

Source:
GreatSchools: The GreatSchools Rating helps parents compare schools within a state based on a variety of school quality indicators and provides a helpful picture of how effectively each school serves all of its students. Ratings are on a scale of 1 (below average) to 10 (above average) and can include test scores, college readiness, academic progress, advanced courses, equity, discipline and attendance data. We also advise parents to visit schools, consider other information on school performance and programs, and consider family needs as part of the school selection process. View GreatSchools Rating Methodology

Interested in learning more about homes in this area? Reach out to Andrew Hannan, an experienced agent in this neighborhood.

Parks in this Area

Transit

Airport

Frederick Douglass/Greater Rochester International

10 min drive

Bus

St Paul & Dowling

Bus

Hudson & Mark

Bus

St Paul & Evergreen

Bus

Joseph & Ward

Bus

Hudson & Holland

Bus

Hudson & North

Bus

Joseph & Baden

Reviews

Niche Reviews
3.0 2 Reviews
3.0 Niche User
6/30/2015 Niche Review
i see no problems its in the city so not as quiet as the suburbs, so i wouldnt complain
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Crime and Safety

1 - Low Crime, 10 - High Crime Upper Falls US
Homicide 10 4
Sexual Assault 8 4
Assault with Weapon 10 4
Robbery 10 4
Burglary 6 4
Motor Vehicle Theft 6 4
Larceny 5 4
Crime Score 8 4

Source: WhatIsMyCrimeRisk.com

Upper Falls Demographics and Home Trends

Housing Trends

Median List Price
$391,990
Median Sale Price
$391,990
Median Single Family Sale Price
$391,990
Median Townhouse Sale Price
$436,915
Median Change From 1st List Price
2%
Last 12 months Home Sales
15
Median Home Sale Price YoY Change
43%
Average Price Per Sq Ft
$166

Neighborhood Facts

Number of Homes in Neighborhood
501
Number of Homes for Sale
1
Median Year Built
1900
Months of Supply
0.80
Average Single Family Home Size Sq Ft
1,347
Significantly below the national average
1,924
Average Townhouse Size Sq Ft
2,195
Median Lot Size Sq Ft
3,920

Distribution of Home Values

Source: Public Records

Homes for Sale

Interested in learning more about homes in this area? Reach out to Andrew Hannan, an experienced agent in this neighborhood.

Average Home Value





Source: Public Records

Property Mix - Square Feet

This Neighborhood Has More Renters

Demographics

Total Population
6,883
Median Age
33
Population Density
12 ppl/acre
Population under 18
32.6%
Above the national average
23.8%
Population over 65
12.9%
Below the national average
19.1%

Finances

Median Household Income
$21,697
Significantly below the national average
$71,702
Average Household Income
$38,872

Education and Workforce

High School Graduates
67.4%
Below the national average
89.1%
College Graduates
7.4%
Significantly below the national average
34.1%
Advanced Degrees
1.5%
% Population in Labor Force
50.4%

Weather

Annual Precipitation
35''
Average Winter Low Temperature
19°F
Average Summer High Temperature
82°F
Annual Snowfall
65''

Area Factors

Bikeable

Bike Score®

51 / 100

Very Walkable

Walk Score®

76 / 100

Good Transit

Transit Score®

59 / 100
Source: Walk Score
Source: Walk Score

Sound Score® measures the noise level of any address. Transit Score® measures access to public transit. Bike Score® measures the bikeability of any address.

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.
NEIGHBORHOOD
Upper Falls