Get to know Utica, NY

The city of Utica lies in the Mohawk Valley roughly 45 miles east of Syracuse.  Utica was built on the site of Old Fort Schuyler, a defense for English colonists during the French and Indian War and Seven Years’ War.  The city honors early settlers and land owners who developed Utica with street names downtown.  The development of the Seneca Turnpike was pivotal to the city’s development.  It made the village a rest stop along the Mohawk River as people moved through Western New York and the Great Lakes.  The area grew after the Erie Canal was finished in 1825, and it was granted a city charter in 1832.  Its location on canals and the railroads supported industry as well, leading to prosperity in the 19th century.  World War I saw even more prosperity with the manufacturing of the Lewis Gun by the Savage Arms company.  The city saw political corruption and organized crime activity in the 20th century, peaking in the 1950’s, leading to the monikers “Sin City” and “the city that God forgot”.  Utica has experienced decline due to deindustrialization and suburbanization.  Today logistics, industrial processes, and machinery form the base of the economy.  The city’s largest employers include ConMed Corporation and Faxton St. Luke’s Healthcare.  The low cost of living in the city has made it a haven for immigrants and refugees from around the world.  Popular attractions include the Stanley Theater and the annual Boilermaker Road Race.

Quick Facts

Population: 61,628

Median Household Income: $30,504

Median Property Value: $89,200