Chili, NY, pronounced “chai-lai,” is a small community located about 20 minutes from downtown Rochester. With a population of around 30,000, Chili offers a mix of suburban and rural living, featuring homes spread across farmland and developing subdivisions. Housing options include Colonial-style homes, early 19th-century Nationals, Cape Cods, midcentury split-levels, ranch-style homes, and New Traditional homes built within the last decade. The Gates Chili Central School District serves local students and has undergone several capital improvement projects, while private education is available at St. Pius Tenth School. For higher education, the University of Rochester and Rochester Institute of Technology are less than 10 miles away, with Roberts Wesleyan University located in North Chili.
Chili boasts six city parks and several recreational facilities, including Black Creek Park, which offers hiking, biking, horseback riding, and winter activities like sledding and cross-country skiing. The community also features ADA-accessible kayak launches onto Black Creek and the Genesee River. Golf enthusiasts can enjoy Mill Creek Golf Club, Morgan’s Crossing, and the private Brook-Lea Country Club. Casual dining options and grocery stores line Chili Avenue, with local favorites such as The Original Steve’s Diner and Ferrari Pizza Bar. Residents have convenient access to Interstate 490, and Rochester and Frederick Douglass Greater Rochester International Airport are about 10 miles away, though flyover noise from planes may be noticeable.
Chili hosts year-round events, including the annual Chili Summerfest, a summer concert series at the senior center, and holiday festivities in December. However, the area is prone to flash flooding, particularly around Black Creek.
