Schuyler County Leads New York in Cancer Rates
Residents in Schuyler, Oswego, and Cortland counties face higher reported cancer case rates than the state average.
Updated on Nov. 2, 2026 in Cancer
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New York State's Health Department released county-level cancer case rate data for 2019 through 2023, ranking counties by cases per 100,000 people. Schuyler County ranked highest statewide, and the data is relevant to residents across New York who want to understand cancer patterns in their region.
Why it matters
County-level cancer rates show that case burden varies considerably across New York, with some counties well above the state average of 472.1 per 100,000 people. Understanding local patterns can help residents and clinicians think about screening priorities and where prevention efforts may be most needed.
The figures come from New York State Health Department county-level data covering 2019 through 2023, with each county's rate expressed as cases per 100,000 people. The available extraction does not describe the specific cancer types included or explain how rates were adjusted for population differences.
The players
New York State Department of Health
The state agency responsible for public health surveillance, disease reporting, and health policy across New York.
The details
County rates were calculated by dividing cancer cases by population and expressing the result per 100,000 people, which allows counties of different sizes to be compared directly. The state's rankings place Schuyler, Oswego, and Cortland counties among the highest in New York, while Onondaga County falls near the middle of the statewide ranking. A full table of rates for every New York county is included in the release.
Timeline
2019-2023: The five-year period covered by the cancer case rate data.
November 2, 2026: The date the Health Department's county data was released.
Health Landscape
State-level county rate reports like this one allow health officials to track where cancer burden concentrates within New York rather than relying only on statewide averages. Comparing counties against the state benchmark of 472.1 per 100,000 gives a population-level view of which regions may warrant closer attention.
If you live in a county with a higher reported rate, it is worth discussing age-appropriate cancer screenings with your doctor and asking whether any local risk factors apply to you. Residents across the state can use county-level data to better understand regional patterns in their health.
The takeaway
Cancer case rates vary widely across New York counties, with Schuyler, Oswego, and Cortland ranking among the highest. Ask your doctor which cancer screenings are appropriate for your age and risk profile, especially if your county has a higher reported rate.
Further reading
For more on how cancer burden is tracked across the state, see our Cancer coverage.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Syracuse.
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