Moving to Wayland, New York

by btobers · Published June 24, 2019 · Updated November 18, 2024

Wayland, New York is a small town with a population of around 1,200 people. It is located in Steuben County and is bordered by the Canisteo River. The climate in Wayland is generally mild and comfortable with temperatures ranging from the mid-30s to mid-80s throughout the year. The area receives an average of 28 inches of rain annually.

The history of Wayland dates back to 1792 when it was first settled by William Wayland and his family. Since then, it has become an agricultural and commercial hub in the region. In recent years, Wayland has experienced growth due to its proximity to larger cities like Rochester and Buffalo.

Politically, Wayland is part of New York’s 23rd congressional district which is represented by Tom Reed in the House of Representatives. On the local level, it falls within Steuben County’s Town Council District 6 which elects representatives every two years.

The economy in Wayland is largely driven by agriculture as well as tourism due to its proximity to many recreational activities such as fishing, hunting, hiking, camping etc. There are also several businesses that cater to visitors such as restaurants, lodging facilities and retail stores.

Education in Wayland is provided by the Wayland Central School District which operates 3 elementary schools and 1 high school for students grades K-12 . The district also offers a variety of extracurricular activities such as sports teams and clubs for students’ participation .

One of the most popular landmarks in Wayland includes the historic William Wayland House built in 1820 which serves as a museum for visitors to explore . Other notable sites include Lakeview Park with its scenic views , the Canisteo River Walkway , and various local farms that offer pick-your-own fruits or vegetables throughout the year .

Population: 4,314. Estimated population in July 2024: 4,258 (-1.3% change)
Males: 2,120 (49.1%), Females: 2,194 (50.9%)

Steuben County

Zip code: 14572

Demographics

Median resident age: 38.0 years
Median household income: $42,575
Median house value: $65,700

Population by Race

Races in Wayland:

White Non-Hispanic (96.7%)
American Indian (1.0%)
Black (0.9%)
Hispanic (0.9%)
Two or more races (0.7%)

Ancestries: German (38.3%), English (22.3%), Irish (15.2%), United States (6.7%), Italian (6.3%), French (5.4%).

Elevation: 1372 feet

Land area: 1.0 square miles

Population by Education

Wayland, New York is a small town of about 1,500 people located in the Finger Lakes region of western New York. It is a rural area with plenty of open space and beautiful views of the lake. The population is mostly white with a few African American and Hispanic residents. The median household income is around $50,000 and the median home value is around $135,000.

Living costs in Wayland are relatively low compared to larger cities, making it an attractive option for those looking to settle down in an affordable area. There are several housing options available ranging from single-family homes to apartment complexes. Groceries and other essentials are also generally reasonably priced in town, although there is a lack of variety when it comes to shopping options outside of basic necessities. Property taxes are lower than average for the state, making them more manageable for homeowners on a budget. Utilities are also generally cheaper than most other places due to the rural nature of the area, although internet access can be spotty at times due to its remote location.

For population 25 years and over in Wayland

High school or higher: 82.6%
Bachelor’s degree or higher: 10.6%
Graduate or professional degree: 4.0%
Unemployed: 5.6%
Mean travel time to work: 25.1 minutes

For population 15 years and over in Wayland town

Never married: 22.4%
Now married: 56.2%
Separated: 3.2%
Widowed: 6.4%
Divorced: 11.7%

0.6% Foreign born

Hospitals

Hospitals/medical centers near Wayland:

NICHOLAS NOYES MEMORIAL HOSPITAL (about 9 miles; DANSVILLE, NY)
ST JAMES MERCY HOSPITAL (about 17 miles; HORNELL, NY)
IRA DAVENPORT MEMORIAL HOSPITAL (about 24 miles; BATH, NY)

Airports

Airports certified for carrier operations nearest to Wayland:

GREATER ROCHESTER INTERNATIONAL (about 39 miles; ROCHESTER, NY; Abbreviation: ROC)
ELMIRA/CORNING REGIONAL (about 57 miles; ELMIRA/CORNING, NY; Abbreviation: ELM)
ITHACA TOMPKINS REGIONAL (about 80 miles; ITHACA, NY; Abbreviation: ITH)

Other public-use airports nearest to Wayland:

DANSVILLE MUNI (about 8 miles; DANSVILLE, NY; Abbreviation: DSV)
HORNELL MUNI (about 15 miles; HORNELL, NY; Abbreviation: 4G6)
GENESEO (about 23 miles; GENESEO, NY; Abbreviation: D52)

Colleges and Universities

Colleges/universities with over 2000 students nearest to Wayland:

SUNY COLLEGE AT GENESEO (about 21 miles; GENESEO, NY; Full-time enrollment: 5,246)
SUNY COLLEGE OF TECHNOLOGY AT ALFRED (about 26 miles; ALFRED, NY; Full-time enrollment: 2,588)
FINGER LAKES COMMUNITY COLLEGE (about 29 miles; CANANDAIGUA, NY; Full-time enrollment: 3,021)
ROCHESTER INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY (about 36 miles; ROCHESTER, NY; Full-time enrollment: 11,426)
MONROE COMMUNITY COLLEGE (about 36 miles; ROCHESTER, NY; Full-time enrollment: 10,019)
NAZARETH COLLEGE OF ROCHESTER (about 38 miles; ROCHESTER, NY; Full-time enrollment: 2,351)
SAINT JOHN FISHER COLLEGE (about 38 miles; ROCHESTER, NY; Full-time enrollment: 2,136)

Schools

Public high school in Wayland:

WAYLAND-COHOCTON HS (Students: 594; Location: 2350 RT 63; Grades: 09 – 12)

Public primary/middle schools in Wayland:

WAYLAND-COHOCTON MS (Students: 599; Location: 2350 RT 63; Grades: 05 – 08)
WAYLAND ES (Students: 417; Location: 2350 RT 63; Grades: PK – 04)

Private primary/middle school in Wayland:

ST JOSEPH SCHOOL-WAYLAND (Students: 108; Location: 209 FREMONT STREET; Grades: PK – 6)

Libraries

Library in Wayland:

WAYLAND FREE LIBRARY (Operating income: $186,557; Location: 101 WEST NAPLES STREET; 24,458 books; 938 audio materials; 1,026 video materials; 55 serial subscriptions)