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CITY

Cortland

New York · 17,394 residents (2025 est.) · 3.894 sq mi
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Notable rankings
#221Fastest shrinkingof 6,642-8.6%#229Youngest by median ageof 6,82627.4
The short version

Cortland has notably lower household income than the US average, with a median household income of $59,482. Population has declined 7% since 2000. Median home value has more than doubled since 2000, reaching $152,600. At a median age of 27.4, residents skew younger than the country as a whole. The poverty rate of 20.8% is well above the national figure. Households here earn about 31% less than the New York median.

At a glance
Lower income
below the US median
US median: $82,259
Younger
median age 27.4
US median: 38.9
Less educated
27% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 36%
Stable housing
home values roughly flat, inflation adjusted
US median home: $376,019
Section 01

Population & growth

Total population
17,450
−7%since 2000
from 18,740 in 2000
1990 – 2025
Population density
4,481 / sq mi
−7%since 2000
from 4,813 / sq mi in 2000
US average: 281
Median age
27.4
−1%since 2000
from 27.8 in 2000
US average: 38.9

PEP 2025 EST:17,394 residents (Census Bureau Vintage 2025, released March 2026)

Population, 1990 – 2024
17K18K19K19K20K1990201020202024Cortland
202417K
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$59,482
+23%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $26,478 in 2000
US average: $82,259
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$28,083
+97%since 2000
from $14,267 in 2000
US average: $44,673
Households earning $100K+
40.4%
+21.4 ptssince 2009
from 19.0% in 2009
US average: 53.3%
Poverty rate
20.8%
−3.9 ptssince 2000
from 24.7% in 2000
US average: 12.5%
Income inequality (Gini)
0.427
−8%since 2010
from 0.464 in 2010
US average: 0.476
Workforce by industry, 2024
Information11.7%
US avg: 10.8%
Retail trade9.4%
US avg: 9.9%
Wholesale trade5%
US avg: 6.9%
Other services3.9%
US avg: 6.7%
Finance & insurance3.7%
US avg: 5.9%
Professional, scientific, technical3.2%
US avg: 5.1%
Public administration3%
US avg: 4.8%
Transportation & warehousing1.7%
US avg: 2.2%
Agriculture, forestry, fishing0.8%
US avg: 1.6%
Construction0.8%
US avg: 1.2%
Arts, entertainment, food0.7%
US avg: 1.9%
Education & health services0.4%
US avg: 0.9%
Manufacturing0%
US avg: 0.4%
BARS: THIS PLACE · TICKS: US AVERAGE
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$152,600
+18%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $71,100 in 2000
US average: $376,019
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$975
+19%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $449 in 2000
US average: $1,442
Owner-occupied
45.9%
+2.2 ptssince 2000
from 43.7% in 2000
54.1% rent
Vacancy rate
9.1%
−3.4 ptssince 2009
from 12.5% in 2009
US average: 10.0%
Owner cost-burdened
20.1%
−6.3 ptssince 2009
from 26.4% in 2009
US average: 22.9%
Renter cost-burdened
50.6%
+5.3 ptssince 2009
from 45.3% in 2009
US average: 47.4%
Afford Score
2.6
−4%since 2000
from 2.7 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Gentrification Score
49
RELATED:See current rent listings in Cortland on RentDataNow
Section 04

Race & ethnicity

2000
White, non-Hispanic94.6%(17,737)
Black1.5%(278)
Hispanic / Latino1.7%(322)
Asian0.6%(106)
Other0%
Diversity Score9.3%(1,746)
2024
White, non-Hispanic85.5%(14,922)
Black2.9%(504)
Hispanic / Latino5.5%(968)
Asian1.7%(304)
Other4.3%(752)
Diversity Score32.8%(5,730)
Diversity Score
33
+252%since 2000
from 9 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
27.2%
+8.2 ptssince 2000
from 19.0% in 2000
US average: 35.6%
High school or higher
90.7%
+11.1 ptssince 2000
from 79.6% in 2000
US average: 89.6%
Graduate degree
13.9%
+6.1 ptssince 2000
from 7.9% in 2000
US average: 14.0%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
16.8 min
+39%since 2000
from 12.1 min in 2000
US average: 26.5
Drive alone to work
65.6%
−4.1 ptssince 2009
from 69.6% in 2009
US average: 68.9%
Carpooled to work
14.1%
+3.7 ptssince 2009
from 10.4% in 2009
US average: 8.5%
Public transit
1.4%
−0.1 ptssince 2009
from 1.5% in 2009
US average: 3.2%
Worked from home
6.9%
+1.7 ptssince 2009
from 5.2% in 2009
US average: 15.0%
Walked to work
10.3%
−0.5 ptssince 2009
from 10.9% in 2009
US average: 2.4%
Biked to work
0.7%
Unchangedsince 2009
from 0.7% in 2009
US average: 0.4%
No vehicle available
19.7%
−0.1 ptssince 2009
from 19.8% in 2009
US average: 8.3%
Section 07

Work & employment

Unemployment rate
4.2%
−4.2 ptssince 2011
from 8.3% in 2011
US average: 5.2%
Labor force participation
59.9%
+7.4 ptssince 2011
from 52.5% in 2011
US average: 63.5%
Self-employed
19.4%
−1.6 ptssince 2009
from 21.0% in 2009
US average: 13.1%
Management & professional
34.6%
−34.9 ptssince 2009
from 69.5% in 2009
US average: 42.5%
Section 08

People & community

Male
48.1%
+2.6 ptssince 2009
from 45.6% in 2009
Female
51.9%
−2.6 ptssince 2009
from 54.4% in 2009
Foreign born
3.3%
+1.3 ptssince 2009
from 2.0% in 2009
US average: 14.1%
Veterans
4.0%
−40.2 ptssince 2009
from 44.2% in 2009
US average: 6.2%
With a disability
15.8%
+4.7 ptssince 2012
from 11.1% in 2012
US average: 13.3%
Uninsured
4.7%
−88.1 ptssince 2013
from 92.8% in 2013
US average: 8.4%
Broadband at home
86.9%
+18.6 ptssince 2017
from 68.3% in 2017
US average: 91.0%
English only at home
93.8%
−1.3 ptssince 2016
from 95.1% in 2016
US average: 77.7%
Spanish at home
1.3%
−1.1 ptssince 2016
from 2.4% in 2016
US average: 13.6%
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Compare Cortland to nearby cities

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CORTLAND VS
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CORTLAND VS
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Home value$152,800same
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CORTLAND VS
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Home value$138,400−9%
Population144,896+733%
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Frequently asked

How many people live in Cortland, New York?

Cortland, New York has about 17,450 residents according to the 2024 American Community Survey.

What is the median household income in Cortland, New York?

The typical household in Cortland, New York earns about $59,482 a year. Half of households make more than that, and half make less.

Is Cortland, New York expensive?

In Cortland, New York, the median home is worth about $152,600, and the typical rent is about $975 a month.

How educated are people in Cortland, New York?

About 27.2% of adults age 25 and over in Cortland, New York hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

What is the poverty rate in Cortland, New York?

About 20.8% of people in Cortland, New York live below the federal poverty line.

Has Cortland, New York grown since 1990?

Yes, Cortland, New York has shrunk since 1990. The population has lost about 2,351 residents, a change of about -12 percent over that period.

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DATA: US CENSUS BUREAU ACS 5-YEAR + DECENNIAL CENSUS · UPDATED 2024

How we source and harmonize this data →