In terms of land area, Rome is the second-largest city in New York. Situated in the central part of the state, it’s bounded to the south by part of the Erie Canal’s 351-mile expanse, which boosted the city’s economy during its heyday. With over 32,000 residents, the city offers a wide blend of cultures and, with it, an expansive selection of local outlets. “The biggest thing in this area is the pride in your community,” says Kate Despins, a Realtor with Coldwell Banker Sexton Real Estate who grew up in the area. “The people that have lived here forever love where they live. We’re close to everything in the Mohawk Valley. There’s all four seasons and you’ve got golf, skiing, farmers markets, parades and fireworks.”
The Rome area has undergone multiple evolutions throughout its history, first taking its name from a small canal in the late 18th century. Industries that followed included cheese and metal production. The site of a former air force base has evolved into where much of the city’s industry, as well as a golf course, school and other buildings, are located. “We’ve got the history of copper, which is a really big deal here," Despins says. "It was known as the ‘Copper City.’ The Erie Canal started here, and there are houses that are actually right on the canal. People will go out there and watch the ships go up and down the canal.” The city still has locations noted on the National Register of Historic Places.
Rome’s close-knit community comes together throughout the year for a variety of events, and also provided one another with support when the city was struck by a tornado in 2024. “People in Rome were just out there helping,” Despins says. “Everybody was handing out blankets and were so supportive of each other The biggest thing is the focus on community and how the community steps up and are there for each other. They have pride for where they live, community involvement and togetherness.”
The city of Rome, New York, has undergone multiple evolutions throughout its history.
Rome's business park area used to be an air force base called Griffiss Air Force Base, and you can still see aircraft today.
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Homes around the city and lake
Properties in Rome have a median sale price of about $180,000 and average 22 days on the market. Many homes date to the middle of the 20th century. Early-20th century farmhouses, along with mid-century ranch-style designs, split-levels and more architecture, populate the area. Most single-family homes in the Rome area cost between $150,000 and $300,000 and are concentrated around the city, while others have views of the water. “You’ve got everything from properties that are 200 years old to a brand-new, $700,000 property on the lake,” Despins says. “It’s considered a very affordable place to live. The majority of homes that we sell are under $200,000.” Homes sit on the Delta Reservoir on the north side of the city, some with docks extending out into the water.
Residents often experience cold winters, with temperatures that drop well below freezing, and moderate summers. The snowy stretch of the year lasts for about five months and Rome often receives significant snowfall, with the potential for a foot or more of snow several months out of the year. Rome Memorial Hospital, and Rome Health as a whole, are among the area’s major employers.
Cape Cod style homes are very popular in the city limits of Rome.
On the north side of Rome, some homes sit on the Delta Reservoir, many with docks extending out into the water.
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An array of international restaurants in Rome
Restaurants in the Rome area are dispersed throughout the city, with many along Rome-Westernville Road and Black River Boulevard. “Rome is highly populated with restaurants,” says Paul Sacco, a Realtor with Howard Hanna Real Estate Services. “We have anything from five-star restaurants to mom-and-pop diners. There is every kind of nationality restaurant available in the Utica-Rome area, which makes it such a melting pot.” Options include a number of pizzerias, as well as breweries, Italian food, Dominican dishes and local diners. “You can go out to dinner and not hit the same spot three weeks in a row,” Sacco says. “We have an amazing amount of restaurants in the Utica-Rome area.” Grocery shoppers can head to a Market 32 or Hannaford in the city, or drive down Rome-Taberg Road to a Walmart Supercenter.
Food options in Rome include pizzerias, such as American Pie on Black River Boulevard.
One of the more popular grocery stores in Rome is Hannaford.
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No Colosseum, but recreation abounds in Rome
Small parks sit within Rome, including several along or near the Mohawk River, and Rome also features golf courses on either side of the city. Rome Sand Plains Unique Area’s pine barrens and Rome Wildlife Management Area’s over 850 acres sit on the west and south sides, respectively. “One of the things people love here is that we have all four seasons,” Despins says. “There are hiking trails everywhere. Delta Lake is absolutely gorgeous. You’ve got the dam right next to Delta Lake Inn and the fish hatchery up the road.” The lake accommodates boats, water-skiing and more during the summer. Both Rome and nearby Utica have ski slopes for winter activities. The Erie Canalway Trail, part of the Empire State Trail, winds along the water south of the city. Oneida Lake is about 30 miles west.
The Rome Sand Plains Unique Area is home to thousands of tall evergreen trees.
The Erie Canalway Trail, part of the Empire State Trail, winds along the water south of Rome.
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Local venues for music, movies and more
Residents can head to the Capitol Theatre, which shows classic films, stages theatrical plays and hosts concerts. The John F. Kennedy Civic Arena, which formerly hosted various semi-professional and professional hockey teams, is used for youth hockey teams and figure skating while also offering a pool. Annual events include fall festivals and a Renaissance fair.
Locals can even visit with animals at Fort Rickey Discovery Zoo. “It’s very hands-on, where you can see the deer and play with the goats,” Despins says. “They had goat yoga over the summer, which was really cool.” The importance of community to Rome residents pervades into many of the city’s recurring events. “Farmers markets are really big here,” Despins says. “Anything that gets people out and moving and talking to each other.”
Those in search of a little culture can head to the Capitol Theatre in Rome, which shows classic films, stages theatrical plays and hosts concerts.
The John F. Kennedy Civic Arena in Rome is today used for youth hockey teams and figure skating.
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Specialty schools and a primary educational district
Education in Rome is provided by the Rome City School District, which scores a B-minus with Niche. The district is comprised of six elementary schools, all spanning kindergarten through sixth grade, and those are followed by one middle school and one high school. The New York State School for the Deaf is located in the city as well, encompassing all grades and providing a student-to-teacher ratio of 3 to 1. Nearby private schools include Notre Dame Elementary School in Utica, which runs through sixth grade, and the subsequent Notre Dame Junior/Senior High School, which gets an A-minus from Niche. Mohawk Valley Community College operates a branch of its campus in Rome, as well.
Education in Rome is provided by the Rome City School District, which scores a B-minus with Niche.
Rome is home to The New York State School for the Deaf, encompassing all grades and providing a student-to-teacher ratio of 3 to 1.
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Nearby interstates and state routes
Interstate 90 is the closest highway to the city, running east-to-west and accessible over 10 miles south of Rome. Utica sits less than 20 miles southeast, and drivers typically use Route 49 to get there. The section between the cities is known as the Utica-Rome Expressway. ““It’s easy. We might have rush minute, where you might have to sit and wait for the cars in front of you, but we don’t have bumper-to-bumper traffic,” Despins says. “The majority of our roads are probably 30 miles per hour.” Syracuse is over 40 miles west of Rome, while New York City sits over 250 miles away.
Increasing property crime rates in Rome
According to the FBI crime database, Rome recorded a slight decrease in violent crimes between 2022 and 2023. However, property offenses increased significantly.
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.
