Local governments across New York State received more than $24.4 billion in sales tax distributions in 2025, a 4.5% increase (about $1 billion) from 2024.
For the Finger Lakes and Central New York, the picture was mixed: The Finger Lakes region outperformed the state overall, while Central New York came in below the statewide average.
Finger Lakes: Stronger-than-statewide growth, led by Yates and Ontario
The Finger Lakes region grew local sales tax collections from $1.024 billion in 2024 to $1.075 billion in 2025, a 5.0% increase—faster than the statewide 4.5% pace.
Among Finger Lakes counties, the biggest year-over-year gains were concentrated in smaller and mid-sized counties:
- Yates County: +11.0% (from $19.94M to $22.13M)
- Ontario County: +9.8% (from $115.6M to $127.0M)
- Orleans County: +9.3% (from $23.42M to $25.59M)
- Wayne County: +8.0% (from $65.41M to $70.64M)
- Genesee County: +7.4% (from $55.81M to $59.91M)
- Seneca County: +7.3% (from $32.87M to $35.27M)
The region’s largest county, Monroe, posted +3.8% growth to $660.1M, which is solid but below both the regional and statewide averages.
Two Finger Lakes counties slipped slightly in 2025:
- Livingston County: -0.3% (to $47.99M)
- Wyoming County: -0.2% (to $26.77M)
Quarterly data also show the Finger Lakes finished the year particularly strong: regional fourth-quarter collections rose 9.4% year-over-year. Notably, Ontario County reported a sharp 29.1% jump in Q4.
Central New York: Growth, but below the state average
In Central New York, local sales tax collections rose from $722.7M in 2024 to $745.6M in 2025, a 3.2% increase—well below the statewide 4.5% growth rate.
County-by-county, Central New York’s 2025 results ranged from strong gains in Madison and Oswego counties to more modest growth in Onondaga and Cayuga:
- Madison County: +7.8% (to $44.68M)
- Oswego County: +7.2% (to $66.79M)
- Cortland County: +4.0% (to $41.86M)
- Cayuga County: +2.6% (to $49.56M)
- Onondaga County: +2.5% (to $501.4M)
Central New York also includes cities that levy their own local sales tax rather than taking a share of county collections. In 2025, Auburn rose 3.5% (to $11.82M) and Oswego was essentially flat at +0.1% (to $23.00M), while Oneida fell 4.7% (to $6.48M).
How the Finger Lakes and Central New York compared to the rest of the state
Statewide, every economic development region grew in 2025, with annual gains ranging from 1.7% to 5.3%. The Finger Lakes’ 5.0% growth put it near the top tier of regions, while Central New York’s 3.2% growth landed closer to the middle-to-lower end.
The report also underscores how dominant New York City remains in the statewide picture: NYC collected $10.94 billion in 2025, up 5.0% year-over-year. Outside of New York City, aggregate growth was 3.9%—meaning the Finger Lakes beat the “rest of state” average, while Central New York trailed it.
A key caveat: “Technical adjustments” can distort local trends
The Comptroller’s office notes that county and city results can be significantly affected by “technical adjustments” made by the state Tax Department—corrections, late filings, refunds, and other administrative changes that can swing year-over-year comparisons, especially in smaller jurisdictions. That’s one reason the report cautions that annual totals usually provide a clearer view than month-to-month volatility.
What it means locally
For Finger Lakes counties and municipalities, 2025’s sales tax performance generally points to stronger local consumer activity than in much of upstate—particularly in Ontario, Yates, Wayne, Orleans, and Seneca counties—while the region’s largest revenue engine, Monroe County, grew at a steadier pace.
In Central New York, Madison and Oswego counties stood out for stronger growth, but Onondaga County’s more modest increase, along with uneven city results, helped keep the region’s overall growth below the state average.
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