Life Between the Lakes
Life Between the Lakes
Tucked between three glacial lakes and miles of rolling farmland, Yates County has long been a place where opportunity grows alongside tradition.
Settlement began in the 1790s, when followers of Jemima Wilkinson were drawn to the region’s fertile land and abundant water. Since its founding in 1823, those same advantages have continued to shape the community.
Early entrepreneurs harnessed lake-fed waterways to power local industry—at one point, more than 40 mills lined the outlet of Keuka Lake—while the Crooked Lake Canal connected the region to broader markets and new opportunity. What began with homesteads, mills, and dairy farms has evolved into today’s thriving landscape of organic agriculture, award-winning wineries, innovative small businesses, and modern manufacturing.
Through every era, Yates County has remained anchored by the richness of its land and the strength of its people.
Opportunities in Yates County
MAKE YATES COUNTY YOUR NEXT HOME
What makes Yates County remarkable isn’t just the scenery - though the trillions of gallons of fresh, spring-fed water and hillsides certainly help. It’s the day-to-day life that feels both grounded and full of possibility. Here, it’s completely normal to see families who’ve lived here for generations alongside newcomers who instantly feel at home.
Despite its peaceful, rural charm, Yates County is far from remote. 750,000 people live within an hour’s drive, offering access to broader resources without losing small-town warmth. And nearly one million visitors each year discover what locals love most, the 100+ craft beverage makers, outdoor recreation, and wide-open spaces.
Whether you're growing a career, raising a family, working remotely, or simply looking for a place where life feels more intentional, Yates County offers the best of both worlds: room to breathe and room to belong.
Education & Schools
SMALL CLASSES, BIG OPPORTUNITIES
In Yates County, education is rooted in community. From the earliest days in the classroom to higher education, small class sizes and personal attention create an environment where students are truly known, supported, and inspired.
With two exceptional public school districts—Penn Yan Central School District and Dundee Central School District—students benefit from a culture that encourages them to explore their full potential. Whether in athletics, the arts, music, theatre, or academic clubs, opportunities are abundant and accessible.
That same personalized approach continues at Keuka College, where hands-on learning and close faculty connections prepare students for what comes next. Together, these institutions create a seamless educational experience—one that starts in kindergarten and carries through to career-ready graduates.
Yates County schools have a strong track record of preparing students for life after graduation, whether that means college, skilled trades, agriculture, the military, or entering the workforce.
College Programming
HANDS-ON LEARNING AT PENN YAN ACADEMY
Project Lead the Way is a hands-on learning experience in computer science, engineering, and biomedical sciences that empowers students to solve real-world challenges and inspires them to reimagine how they see themselves.
Penn Yan Academy (PYA) has partnered with Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT) and the Missouri University of Science and Technology, whereby PYA students are able to earn credits at these universities through the successful completion of the courses and enter college as sophomores or even juniors.
Engineering
As part of Project Lead the Way, PYA partnered with the Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT), where PYA students can earn credit from RIT in various engineering courses, including:
Design and Drawing for Production
Digital Electronics
Principles of Engineering
Computer-Integrated Manufacturing
Civil Engineering and Architecture
Bio-Medical Science
Students have the opportunity to earn college credit from the Missouri University of Science and Technology by completing the following courses:
Principles of Bio Medicine
Human Body Systems
Medical Interventions
Gemini Program
Offered in partnership with Finger Lakes Community College (FLCC), PYA students have the opportunity to earn college credit in over two dozen courses while still in high school. All courses are transferable to all SUNY colleges and many private institutions. PYA Gemini courses include, but are not limited to:
College Psychology / College Health
AP U.S. History / College Government / College Economics
Pre-Calculus / AP Calculus / College Physics / AP Statistics / Accounting
Business Organization / Mathematics of Money
French 4 & 5 / Spanish 4 & 5 / English 101 & 102 / COM 110: Speech /
Discover Yates
Discover Yates is a program created by the FLEDC in connection with the local school districts, where high school students get out of the classroom and experience hands-on learning from local manufacturing and trades-related businesses.
Students have learned about Geothermal installations, advanced machining, tool and die making, automobile manufacturing, and heavy equipment operations, among many other industries.
Keuka College Path
That early momentum from PYA continues at Keuka College, where experiential learning and close faculty mentorship help students turn classroom knowledge into career-ready skills—right in the heart of Yates County.
Higher Education
COLLEGES IN & AROUND YATES COUNTY
Yates County is surrounded by 33 colleges and universities representing 187,000 students—creating a strong pipeline of emerging, educated talent. These institutions include Keuka College, located on Keuka Lake just outside of Penn Yan. Keuka College is a four-year residential college focused on liberal arts with an emphasis on experiential learning.
This regional network provides employers with direct access to a skilled, career-ready workforce, particularly in high-demand STEM, healthcare, and business fields, with many students graduating with hands-on experience. Other world-class universities within a one-hour drive include Cornell University, Syracuse University, Rochester Institute of Technology, and University of Rochester, further strengthening the region’s access to top-tier, innovation-driven talent.
Healthcare in Yates County
ACCESSIBLE, HIGH-QUALITY CARE CLOSE TO HOME
In Yates County, accessible, high-quality healthcare is more than just a service; it’s part of our commitment to supporting families, seniors, and working professionals in this community we call home. Whether you're looking for primary care, behavioral health support, or hospital services, you’ll find institutions here that combine the personalized touch of small-town care with the advanced capabilities of a regional health system.
Thanks to the partnership between Finger Lakes Health and UR Medicine, residents benefit from locally based medical expertise, emergency care, skilled recovery options, and long-term services, all without traveling far. And for younger residents and families, integrated school-based care ensures health happens where life happens: right in the classroom.
Soldiers & Sailors Memorial Hospital
Soldiers & Sailors Memorial Hospital in Penn Yan is a 25-bed critical access hospital offering a comprehensive array of services, including emergency care, cardiology, diagnostic imaging, inpatient services, and rehabilitation.
As part of the UR Medicine Finger Lakes Health system, the hospital combines its small-community feel with the reach and expertise of a major medical network. It also operates a “swing bed” program, allowing patients to receive ongoing skilled care after acute treatment — all without leaving their home community.
In recognition of its commitment to rural care, Soldiers & Sailors was named one of Becker’s 100 Great Community Hospitals.
Most recently, UR Medicine added a new internal medicine office in Penn Yan, offering primary care and telemedicine options to ensure residents have consistent access to their doctors locally. Learn more about Soldiers & Sailors Memorial Hospital here.
Finger Lakes Community Health
Finger Lakes Community Health provides comprehensive primary care, dental, and behavioral health services to residents throughout Yates County. With a focus on accessibility and affordability, their local clinics help remove common barriers to care, ensuring individuals and families can receive the services they need close to home.
Through a patient-centered approach, FLCH delivers coordinated care for patients of all ages and backgrounds. Their services support long-term health and wellness, offering a reliable, community-based healthcare option that complements the region’s broader healthcare system. Learn more about Finger Lakes Community Health here.
Penn Yan School-Based Healthcare
Finger Lakes Community Health operates a School-Based Health Center in Penn Yan, bringing vital medical, dental, and behavioral care directly onto school campuses.
Open during school hours (and even over summer), this center removes traditional barriers, like transportation and scheduling, for families who might otherwise delay needed care.
The organization also offers broader community health services through its Penn Yan clinic, providing comprehensive primary care, dental treatment, case management, and culturally sensitive care for patients of all ages and backgrounds. Learn more about the Penn Yan School-Based Healthcare here.
Yates Community Center
WELLNESS, ACTIVITY & COMMUNITY
The Yates Community Center is a welcoming space where residents of all ages stay active, connect, and thrive. With a fully equipped Fitness Center, outdoor walking trails, basketball and pickleball courts, and year-round wellness programs, the YCC makes healthy living accessible to everyone.
Families enjoy a wide range of youth activities, adult fitness classes, and special events that strengthen community ties. The YCC is also expanding with a new 35,000-square-foot facility, creating even more room for recreation, fitness, and gathering spaces.
The YCC plays a vital role in supporting local health, wellness, and social connection - making it an invaluable resource for those relocating to Yates County.
Make Yates Your Home
RELOCATE TO YATES COUNTY
Yates County offers a wide range of housing options for every lifestyle and budget — from modern lofts and cozy apartments to classic farmhouses and stunning lakefront homes. With tree-lined streets, generous yards, strong school districts, and quick access to both outdoor recreation and city-like amenities, small-town living has never been more appealing.
Housing Options Include:
Apartments & Lofts: Find character-filled apartments carved from historic homes or modern lofts tucked along main streets — some even offering lake views or boat docks.
Farmhouses & Country Living: Choose from spacious farm properties, beautifully restored homes surrounded by fields, forests, and wide-open land, or charming fixer-uppers.
Lake Homes: With miles of shoreline on Keuka, Canandaigua, and Seneca Lakes, Yates County offers abundant opportunities to live right on the water and enjoy lakeside living year-round.
Whether you’re seeking space, convenience, affordability, or a peaceful place to put down roots, Yates County has a home that fits your lifestyle. Find your next home between the lakes here.