Ontario County

Ontario County is an administrative region in the Finger Lakes area spanning roughly 1,700 square kilometers with lakes, parks, and different communities. It stretches from Canandaigua outward to surrounding towns and creates a mix of urban and rural spaces across the landscape.

This region was established in 1789 as one of New York State's original twelve counties, created when Montgomery County was divided up. That early founding shaped the development of the entire Finger Lakes area and made it historically important.

The region preserves stories of the Seneca and other nations who lived here for centuries through museums and memorial sites that visitors can explore today. These places show how earlier inhabitants lived and what mattered to them in ways that feel real and personal when you walk through them.

Visitors can find central information and services in Canandaigua, which serves as the main administrative hub for the region. It helps to explore the different communities throughout the area to understand how the region spreads out, since it covers several separate towns.

The region sits at a major crossroads where several main highways connect urban centers with rural areas throughout the land. This strategic location has drawn people for over two centuries and shaped how communities developed here.

Location: New York

Inception: 1789

Capital city: Canandaigua

Shares border with: Wayne County, Yates County, Seneca County, Steuben County, Livingston County, Monroe County

Website: http://co.ontario.ny.us

GPS coordinates: 42.85000,-77.29000

Latest update: December 17, 2025 10:21