Yates County is a county in New York, United States, in the Finger Lakes region between Seneca Lake and Keuka Lake. It had a population of 24,774 at the 2020 census, making it one of New York’s least-populous counties, and covers 376 square miles (970 km2) centred near 42°38′N 77°06′W.
Penn Yan is the county seat, and its postal code is 14527. The county has 4 incorporated villages, 9 towns, and one census-designated place, and sits in the Eastern time zone (FIPS code 36123). Yates County is part of the Rochester, New York metropolitan statistical area.
Towns & Villages in Yates County
Penn Yan anchors the county on the northern tip of Keuka Lake, while Dundee sits at Seneca Lake’s southern end. Most of the county’s smaller places are unincorporated hamlets inside one of the nine towns.
| Place | Type | Township | Pop. | ZIP |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Penn Yan | Village · seat | Milo | 5,056 | 14527 |
| Dundee | Village | Starkey | 1,725 | 14837 |
| Keuka Park | CDP | Jerusalem | 1,137 | 14478 |
| Rushville | Village | Middlesex | 655 | 14544 |
| Dresden | Village | Torrey | 308 | 14441 |
| Branchport | Unincorp. | Jerusalem | — | — |
| Himrod | Unincorp. | Starkey | — | — |
| Bellona | Unincorp. | Benton | — | — |
| Middlesex | Unincorp. | Middlesex | — | — |
| Rock Stream | Unincorp. | Starkey | — | — |
| Lakemont | Unincorp. | Starkey | — | — |
| Potter Center | Unincorp. | Potter | — | — |
| Glenora | Unincorp. | Torrey | — | — |
Townships
| Township | Pop. (2020) | Main settlements |
|---|---|---|
| Milo | — | Penn Yan |
| Starkey | — | Dundee, Himrod, Rock Stream, Lakemont |
| Jerusalem | — | Keuka Park, Branchport |
| Benton | — | Bellona |
| Middlesex | — | Middlesex |
| Torrey | — | Dresden, Glenora |
| Potter | — | Potter Center |
| Barrington | — | rural, no named centre |
| Italy | — | Italy Hill |
Per-town 2020 census counts were not confirmed for this rewrite and are marked — rather than estimated; only county-level and named-place figures verified via Wikipedia are published above.
ZIP Codes
- 14527 — Penn Yan post office (also serves Milo and Jerusalem town addresses)
- 14837 — Dundee post office (also serves Starkey town addresses)
- 14478 — Keuka Park post office
- 14544 — Rushville post office (shared with neighboring Ontario County addresses)
- 14441 — Dresden post office
Smaller hamlets such as Branchport, Himrod, Bellona, Middlesex, Rock Stream, Lakemont, Potter Center, and Glenora are served by one of the ZIP codes above rather than having their own; this rewrite omits an exact code for each rather than guess.
Geography
Yates County lies in the glacially carved Finger Lakes region, wedged between Seneca Lake on its eastern edge and Keuka Lake, which forks through the county’s middle. The terrain is a mix of steep lake-bluff vineyard slopes and rolling upland farmland; roughly a tenth of the county’s area is water. Bordering counties are Ontario County to the northwest, Seneca County to the east, Schuyler County to the south, and Steuben County to the southwest.
Demographics
Yates County had 24,774 residents at the 2020 census, with a 2025 estimate of 24,547. Penn Yan (5,056) and Dundee (1,725) are the two largest communities. The county is about 93 percent non-Hispanic white with a growing Old Order Mennonite population settled since 1974. The New York state median household income was $82,095 in the 2023 American Community Survey; Yates County, a largely rural county, typically runs below that state figure. Population density works out to roughly 73 people per square mile of land area.
Economy & Local Life
Agriculture and tourism drive the county’s economy. The Birkett Mills in Penn Yan, one of the oldest operating mills in the country, has anchored the town’s “Buckwheat Capital of America” identity for generations. Finger Lakes vineyards and wineries along the Keuka and Seneca lakeshores draw summer visitors, supported by craft breweries and Mennonite-run farm and craft markets. Keuka College, a private four-year school in Keuka Park, is a year-round employer. The Finger Lakes Wine Festival, held each July at Watkins Glen International just south of the county line, draws heavy regional traffic through Yates County each summer.
History
Yates County was created February 5, 1823, from Ontario County territory, and named for Joseph C. Yates, the sitting Governor of New York who signed the act establishing it. The town of Jerusalem, organized in 1789, predates the county itself and was home to the Public Universal Friend, an 18th-century religious leader who founded a settlement on Keuka Lake’s bluffs. Penn Yan’s name is a blend of “Pennsylvania” and “Yankee,” reflecting the mixed origin of its early settlers.
Getting There
New York state routes 14, 14A, 21, 54, 54A, 230, 245, and 247 cross the county, linking Penn Yan to the lakeshores and neighboring county seats.
- Geneva — 20 miles northeast
- Canandaigua — 22 miles north
- Ithaca — 40 miles southeast
- Rochester — 50 miles northwest
Penn Yan Airport handles general aviation; the nearest commercial airport is Greater Rochester International Airport. Amtrak service is not available within the county — the closest station is in Rochester.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Yates County, New York?
It sits in the Finger Lakes region of central New York, between Seneca Lake and Keuka Lake, northwest of Ithaca and southeast of Rochester.
What is the Penn Yan postcode?
14527.
What is the population of Yates County?
24,774 at the 2020 census, with a 2025 estimate of 24,547.
Is Penn Yan the county seat?
Yes. Penn Yan is the county seat.
How did Yates County get its name?
It was named for Joseph C. Yates, the Governor of New York who signed the 1823 act creating the county.
What lakes touch Yates County?
Seneca Lake on the east and Keuka Lake, which forks through the middle of the county.
What is Yates County known for?
Finger Lakes wineries, the Birkett Mills buckwheat operation in Penn Yan, and one of New York’s largest Old Order Mennonite communities.
More counties in this state: Towns and villages in New York.