Redwood, New York is a small hamlet and census-designated place in the Thousand Islands region of Northern New York, offering a tranquil rural lifestyle. With a population of only about 493 (2020 Census), Redwood is a tight-knit community surrounded by scenic lakes and forests. Located in the town of Alexandria, Redwood sits at the junction of State Route 37 and County Roads 3 & 192, roughly 24 miles from Watertown (the county seat) and just 7 miles from Alexandria Bay on the St. Lawrence River. Despite its modest size, Redwood provides residents a unique blend of affordability, natural beauty, and small-town charm.
Demographics
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College friendliness: 40.81
Family friendliness: 74.76
Young singles appeal: 33.30
Retirement friendliness: 55.19
First-time homebuyer friendliness: 0.00
Vacation home appeal: 94.60
Redwood, NY presents itself as a hidden gem for families and vacationers alike. With very high appeal for vacation homes and a strong family-friendly score, it’s ideal for seasonal living or raising children in a peaceful setting. On the flip side, it offers little to entice young singles or first-time buyers, making it less suitable for those looking to establish long-term roots early in their housing journey.
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Lifestyle
Luxury living: 45.76
Hip & trendy factor: 20.12
Quietness: 79.74
Nautical/boating lifestyle: 0.00
Urban sophistication: 61.17
Walkability: 23.83
Car friendliness: 79.97
Cycling friendliness: 0.00
Vibrancy/liveliness: 15.91
Public transit friendliness: 0.00
Redwood, NY scores well on car accessibility and quietness, reinforcing its appeal as a tranquil, vehicle-dependent community. The lack of vibrancy, trendiness, and public transit options points to a more laid-back and remote lifestyle. It’s an ideal place for those who prioritize peace and autonomy over social or urban connectivity.
Housing Market
Redwood, NY’s housing market shows a mix of slow climbs and modest setbacks between 2010 and 2018, followed by a more pronounced upward trend beginning in 2019. The double-digit gains in 2021 and 2022 indicate strong momentum, likely reflecting increased demand or broader market pressures. Despite occasional dips, the long-term trajectory is clearly positive.
Property Types and Ownership
Redwood’s housing market is characterized by rural single-family homes and cottages, many with generous plots of land. You won’t find large subdivisions or new developments here; instead, housing ranges from historic farmhouses and lakeside cabins to ranch-style homes built mid-20th-century. About 85% of residents are homeowners, reflecting the prevalence of owner-occupied houses. Many properties are near one of the area’s lakes or wooded areas, giving homeowners privacy and scenic views.
Market Trends and Affordability
The median home value in Redwood is roughly $170,000–$180,000, which is dramatically lower than state and national medians. Prices have appreciated in recent years, however. Home values rose about 47% over the last decade, and recent market reports show an uptick likely driven by out-of-town buyers seeking vacation homes or remote-workers moving in. In practical terms, you can still find livable houses in Redwood well under $200K – often needing a bit of updating – while turnkey lakefront properties or larger farmhouses might fetch $250K and up.
Rental Market
Rentals are a smaller part of the picture (only ~15% of residents rent), and the market is not formally organized with large complexes. The average rent for a 2-bedroom unit is about $750–$1,000, which aligns with the $1,042 median rent reported by Niche. These rents are considerably lower than the U.S. average ($1,348). Rental availability can be sporadic – often, the few rentals in town get occupied long-term by locals.
Cost of Living
One of Redwood’s biggest draws is its affordable cost of living. The cost index for Redwood is 91.2, meaning about 9% below the U.S. average (100). In fact, the cost of living here is 11% lower than New York’s statewide average. Everyday expenses like groceries and healthcare in Redwood are around national norms, while some categories are slightly higher – for example, goods and services cost about 15% above the U.S. average, likely due to the rural location.
Other Living Expenses
Utilities and transportation costs run slightly above average – about 7–9% higher than the national benchmark – reflecting the cold winters (and heating costs) and the necessity of vehicle use in a rural area. Meanwhile, grocery prices are about on par with the U.S. (just 1% below average). New York State’s sales tax (8% combined state and county in Jefferson County) is moderate, which helps keep retail purchases affordable. However, New York’s state income tax is on the higher side (progressive rates up to ~8%).
Safety and Crime
Redwood is a quiet rural hamlet with relatively low crime, especially when compared to urban areas. There is no local police department; law enforcement is provided by state police and the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office. The small population means that crime statistics can fluctuate, but overall violent crime is rare in Redwood. According to one analysis, Redwood’s violent crime rate scores 8.4 (on a standardized index where the U.S. average is 22.7) – in other words, serious violent offenses are well below national norms.
Property Crime
Property-related crimes (thefts, break-ins, etc.) are somewhat more common than violent crime here, but still below national averages. Redwood’s property crime score is 21.1 vs. a U.S. average of 35.4, indicating fewer incidents of burglary or larceny than seen nationally. Nonetheless, it’s wise to take normal precautions – lock your doors, secure valuables – as even small communities are not entirely crime-free.
Emergency Services
Emergency response is handled at the county and volunteer level. The Redwood Volunteer Fire Department serves the hamlet and surrounding area for fire protection and first response. For policing, residents rely on patrols from the state police and sheriff – response times are generally reasonable given the low call volume, but certainly not as fast as in a city. Neighbors tend to look out for one another, which contributes to the sense of security.
Recreation and Local Amenities
As a small hamlet, Redwood offers only a limited selection of shops and services directly in town – part of its rural charm. On the “main drag” through Redwood (Route 37) you’ll find a few essentials: a convenience store or two, a gas station, a building supply store, and a local bar/eatery. For groceries, most people head to Alexandria Bay (7 miles away) or Theresa (~6 miles) which have supermarkets and more dining options. Watertown (about a 30-minute drive) offers full-service shopping centers, big-box retailers, restaurants, and entertainment like cinemas and malls.
Outdoor Paradise
If you love the outdoors, Redwood is a gem. The hamlet is nestled in the Indian River Lakes region, surrounded by bodies of water and preserved lands. Within the CDP itself are parts of Butterfield Lake and Mud Lake, offering opportunities for fishing, boating, and kayaking right at your doorstep. Many homes in Redwood are near the water, and residents enjoy peaceful lake views and activities like ice-fishing in winter.
The Indian River Wildlife Management Area (just south of town) provides public access to trails, wildlife viewing, and hunting areas. In addition, Redwood is home to Redwood Hill Preserve, a local nature preserve with walking trails overlooking Butterfield Lake, managed by the Indian River Lakes Conservancy.
For more adventurous recreation, the expansive Adirondack Park foothills begin not far to the east, and the St. Lawrence River is minutes north – meaning camping, hiking, and water sports are all within easy reach. In winter, the region’s heavy snowfall invites snowmobiling, snowshoeing, and cross-country skiing.
Cultural Attractions
While rustic in nature, Redwood has a couple of unique attractions. The Redwood Historical Society Museum operates seasonally in a 19th-century building on Route 37, showcasing artifacts from the hamlet’s heyday. Perhaps most notable is Better Farm, a 65-acre sustainability education center and artists’ colony right in Redwood. Better Farm is an organic farm, artists’ retreat, and eco-education campus that hosts workshops, art residencies, and even a low-power community radio station.
Transportation
In Redwood, as in most rural communities, a personal vehicle is essential. The hamlet is located along NY State Route 37, a two-lane highway that connects to larger routes. The roads in and around Redwood are well-maintained by state and county crews, but expect typical rural conditions – no streetlights in many areas and the occasional slow-moving farm vehicle. Commutes are generally free of traffic congestion. For example, driving ~24 miles to Watertown usually takes about 30–35 minutes, almost entirely on open roads.
Public Transit Limitations
Public transit is very limited. There is no local bus or transit system serving Redwood, and effectively 0% of residents use public transportation to commute. Jefferson County has recently explored expanding rural transit (e.g. dial-a-ride services or shuttle vans), but as of now, do not expect any regular bus lines through Redwood. The nearest bus hub is in Watertown, which has some regional bus connections.
Regional Connectivity
A benefit of Redwood’s location is relatively quick access to Interstate 81, the major north-south highway in the region. From Redwood, you can drive about 10 minutes west to I-81 (Thousand Islands Bridge area) which leads south to Watertown (and onward to Syracuse and Pennsylvania) or north across the St. Lawrence River into Canada. This makes longer-distance travel convenient: you can reach Syracuse’s larger metro area and airport in about 1.5 hours via I-81. Heading north, Ottawa, Ontario is roughly 1.5–2 hours by car.
For flights, residents typically use Watertown International Airport (ART), a small regional airport about 25 miles away that offers daily connections. For more flight options, Syracuse Hancock International Airport is the go-to, about 100 miles south (approximately a 2-hour drive).
Taxes
Property Taxes
New York State is known for relatively high property taxes, and Jefferson County is no exception. Homeowners in Redwood pay property taxes to several entities: Jefferson County, the Town of Alexandria, the Alexandria Central School District, and special districts. The combined property tax rate for a home in Redwood typically works out to around $24–$26 per $1,000 of assessed value (before any exemptions). For a median $175,000 home, that’s roughly $4,000–$4,500 in annual property tax.
On the bright side, New York offers the STAR exemption for owner-occupied primary residences, which can reduce the school tax portion for eligible homeowners. Additionally, seniors and veterans have access to other exemptions that lower property taxes.
Other Taxes and Fees
Jefferson County has a 4% county sales tax, which combined with New York’s 4% state sales tax makes an 8% total sales tax on most purchases. Income tax in New York is statewide; there is no additional city/county income tax in Redwood. The state’s income tax is progressive – most working families in Redwood likely fall in the 4–6% bracket range, though higher earners pay up to 8.82%.
Local Economy and Employment
Redwood’s economy is quintessentially small-town rural. There are only a handful of businesses within the hamlet. Instead, Redwood functions partly as a bedroom community, with many residents working in nearby towns or at larger employers in the region. The local employment base is primarily in blue-collar and service occupations: construction, landscaping, retail, and hospitality are common lines of work.
The broader Jefferson County economy significantly influences Redwood. The largest employer by far is the U.S. Army’s Fort Drum, located about 20 miles southeast of Redwood. Fort Drum employs around 15,000 soldiers and civilians, and many military families live throughout the county. Tourism is another key sector: the Thousand Islands tourism industry creates jobs in restaurants, hotels, marinas, and tour services.
The unemployment rate in Jefferson County has been trending lower in recent years, hitting around 3.5% in Redwood by one estimate – that’s on par with national levels, indicating a fairly healthy job market locally.
Healthcare
There is no hospital in Redwood itself, but the nearest hospital is just a quick drive away in Alexandria Bay. River Hospital in Alexandria Bay (about 7 miles from Redwood) is a 22-bed critical access hospital that provides an emergency room, inpatient care, and basic surgical and diagnostic services.
For comprehensive medical services, residents rely on Samaritan Medical Center in Watertown, roughly a 30-minute drive from Redwood. Samaritan is a full-service regional hospital (290+ beds) with a wide range of specialties: emergency department, surgery, maternity ward, intensive care, and so on.
Local Services
Redwood doesn’t have its own doctor’s office or pharmacy, but nearby towns do. Alexandria Bay has a few family practice clinics and a dental office, as well as a pharmacy. Theresa (about 6 miles) has a health center that offers family medicine and pediatric care. For dentistry, optometry, and routine medical appointments, residents typically schedule visits in these neighboring communities or in Watertown.
Education
Redwood is served by the Alexandria Central School District, a small but well-regarded public school system. All grades (Pre-K through 12) in this district attend school on a single campus located in Alexandria Bay, about 8 miles from Redwood. Alexandria Central School includes an elementary school and a junior-senior high school. The district enrolls around 450 students total (K-12), making class sizes quite small and giving a very personal, community feel to education.
Academic Performance
Academically, Alexandria Central’s test scores and graduation rates are strong. In recent years, around 90-95% of students graduate high school on time, which is above the NY state average. Class sizes hover in the mid-teens (for example, average elementary class size ~15 students), so teachers can focus on each child’s progress. The district prides itself on offering individualized support, and students who need extra help receive it through small-group interventions and close teacher-parent communication.
Extracurricular Activities
Despite its size, Alexandria Central offers a breadth of programs. The core curriculum meets all New York State requirements, and students can take Regents exams as in any NY high school. There are some Advanced Placement (AP) or college-credit courses available for high schoolers seeking more rigorous coursework. High school students also have access to vocational programs through the Jefferson-Lewis BOCES, with transportation provided to the tech center.
Extracurricular activities are a strong point for school life. Sports teams, known as the “Purple Ghosts” (Alexandria Central’s mascot), are popular – students can join soccer, basketball, baseball/softball, and other sports. There are also clubs and organizations like drama club, student council, yearbook, National Honor Society, and FFA (Future Farmers of America).
Climate and Natural Environment
Redwood experiences a humid continental climate with four distinct seasons – a hallmark of upstate New York’s North Country. Residents enjoy warm, pleasant summers; spectacularly colorful autumns; cold, snowy winters; and mild springs. Because of its northern location and proximity to the Great Lakes, Redwood’s climate trends a bit cooler and snowier than much of New York State.
Winter Challenges and Beauty
Winters in Redwood are cold and snowy. From late November through March, snow is a regular occurrence. Jefferson County lies in a “lake-effect” snowbelt, where cold winds over Lake Ontario create narrow bands of intense snowfall. Annual snowfall in the Redwood area is roughly 90–100 inches on average. Temperatures in winter are cold: daytime highs are often in the 20s °F (-6 to -2 °C) and nights in the teens or single digits (-10 to -15 °C).
Beautiful Summer and Fall
Summers in Redwood are warm, comfortable, and not too humid. Average highs in July (the warmest month) are around 79°F (26°C), and nighttime lows in the upper 50s°F (14–15°C). There are usually only a few days each summer that exceed 90°F (32°C). The moderating influence of the St. Lawrence River and nearby Lake Ontario keep extreme heat at bay.
Autumn (fall) is a glorious season in Redwood. Fall foliage in late September and October is stunning, with the many hardwood forests turning brilliant shades of red, orange, and gold. Many residents say autumn is their favorite time, with harvest festivals, comfortable weather, and scenery that attracts “leaf peepers” to the region.
Natural Surroundings
Redwood’s setting is one of its greatest assets. The hamlet is part of the Indian River Lakes system – a chain of pristine lakes formed by glaciers, scattered across the landscape. Butterfield Lake, which borders Redwood, is a gorgeous 1,070-acre lake known for fishing and recreation. Much of the area is forested with mixed woodlands – maple, birch, pine, and oak forests cover the rolling hills.
Wildlife is abundant. Residents regularly see white-tailed deer in their yards, wild turkeys crossing rural roads, and hear the call of loons on the lakes in summer. Birdwatchers enjoy eagles and osprey (especially near water), migratory ducks and geese, and songbirds.
Moving to Redwood, New York means embracing a rural North Country lifestyle with its affordable living, friendly community, and abundant natural beauty. You’ll trade the conveniences of a city for star-filled skies and the call of loons on a quiet morning. The hamlet’s low cost of living – especially housing – is a big advantage, even as you budget for snowy winters and car travel. Crime is low, schools are personal and effective, and while jobs aren’t on your doorstep, opportunities abound in the wider region for those willing to commute a bit. For families and individuals seeking a peaceful, community-oriented place with a slower pace, Redwood can be a wonderful place to call home.
References
- Redwood, New York (NY 13679) profile – City-Data.com: Demographics, income, housing and cost of living statistics.
- Redwood, NY ZIP Code, Map and Demographics – Zip-Codes.com: U.S. Census 2020 population and area details.
- Cost Of Living in Redwood, NY – AreaVibes: Cost of living index comparing Redwood to NY and national averages.
- Redwood, NY Crime – BestPlaces: Crime rates versus U.S. averages.
- Redwood, NY Area Guide – AreaVibes: Community metrics and livability scores.
- Redwood, NY – Niche – Niche: Community report with school ratings and resident reviews.
- Jefferson County, New York Property Taxes – Ownwell: Property tax rates analysis.
- City & County Information – Greater Watertown Chamber of Commerce: Climate and economic data.
- Better Farm – Information about the sustainability education center in Redwood.
- Alexandria Central School District – U.S. News Education: School performance metrics.
- ALEXANDRIA CSD Data Profile – New York State Education Department: Enrollment and class size data.
- Redwood, New York – Wikipedia – Location information and geography.
- Watertown, NY Climate – BestPlaces: Regional climate data.
- Redwood, New York Housing Market Report – Rocket Homes: Housing prices and market trends.
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