Rochester gained population from 2010 to 2020, but not enough to hold onto its position as New York’s 3rd largest city.
According to the 2020 Census data released on Thursday, Rochester fell by fewer than 300 people to 4th place behind Utica. New York and Buffalo remain 1st and 2nd in the state.
Monroe County also gained population; more than 15,000 people since 2010. But the entire Greater Rochester Region lost population, dropping by more than 24,000. There are still more than 1.9 million people calling the Rochester Region home.
Apart from Ontario County, all the other counties across the region lost population.
The primary purpose of the census is to guide voter redistricting every ten years. In Monroe County, the legislature must appoint a commission to draw up a new plan for the 29 legislature seats.