Utica Ranks Second for Young Adults Building Local Careers
A Resume.io survey of 3,000 young adults ranked Utica second among New York locations where 18- to 35-year-olds build careers.
Updated on Nov. 12, 2026 in Regional Economics
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Would you build your career in your hometown rather than a big city?
Career site Resume.io surveyed 3,000 young adults and ranked Utica second among New York locations where 18- to 35-year-olds build careers locally. Jamestown ranked first and Elmira third in the same survey.
Why it matters
The survey points to emotional and financial factors, such as proximity to family and lower living costs, as drivers behind young adults choosing to stay in or return to a community. For Utica, the ranking suggests its appeal to residents in this age group for building careers at home.
The survey of 3,000 young adults found 20% cited proximity to family and about 16% cited a lower cost of living as primary motivations for building careers locally. The full ranking methodology and sampling details were not included in the source data.
The players
Resume.io
Resume.io is an online career platform that provides resume-building tools and career resources to job seekers.
The details
Respondents' primary goals include patronizing local small businesses, working for area employers, or starting new ventures. Over 60% said their primary goal is to help their community thrive, and 79% said it matters that their work benefits the place where they grew up.
Timeline
November 12, 2026: Resume.io survey ranking published
Regional Economics
The Resume.io survey's focus on whether young adults build careers in their hometowns reflects a broader question of whether smaller New York cities can retain workers in this age group. Utica's second-place ranking places it among the state's locations where this retention appears strongest in the survey's results.
For young adults in Utica, the survey suggests that family proximity and a lower cost of living may make staying or returning a financially practical choice. Those weighing where to start a career may find these factors relevant to their own budgets and plans.
The takeaway
Young adults weighing where to build a career often consider family ties and living costs alongside job prospects. The survey indicates these factors can matter as much as the job itself when deciding to stay in or return to a hometown.
Further reading
Explore more on Regional Economics to see how local job markets shape where young workers settle.
Source note: This article includes information reported by CNY News.
Live Poll
Would you build your career in your hometown rather than a big city?
