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CITY · 2010 ACS

Cortland

New York · 19,204 residents · 3.894 sq mi
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The short version

Cortland has notably lower household income than the US average, with a median household income of $36,980. Population has held roughly steady since 2000. Median home value is $89,800. At a median age of 26.0, residents skew younger than the country as a whole. Households here earn about 33% less than the New York median.

At a glance
Lower income
below the US median
US median: $52,703
Younger
median age 26.0
US median: 37.2
Average education
27% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 28%
Stable housing
home values roughly flat, inflation adjusted
US median home: $225,659
Section 01

Population & growth

Total population
19,204
+2%since 2000
from 18,740 in 2000
1990 – 2025
Population density
4,932 / sq mi
+2%since 2000
from 4,813 / sq mi in 2000
US average: 261
Median age
26.0
−6%since 2000
from 27.8 in 2000
US average: 37.2
Population, 1990 – 2024
17K18K19K19K20K1990201020202024Cortland
202417K
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$36,980
+10%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $26,478 in 2000
US average: $52,703
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$19,111
+34%since 2000
from $14,267 in 2000
US average: $27,286
Households earning $100K+
20.4%
+1.4 ptssince 2009
from 19.0% in 2009
US average: 33.3%
Poverty rate
21.1%
−3.6 ptssince 2000
from 24.7% in 2000
US average: 13.8%
Income inequality (Gini)
0.464
US average: 0.461
Workforce by industry, 2010
Information15.4%
US avg: 11.5%
Retail trade8.6%
US avg: 10.9%
Other services4.2%
US avg: 7%
Wholesale trade3%
US avg: 7.2%
Public administration2.8%
US avg: 4.9%
Finance & insurance2.5%
US avg: 5.1%
Professional, scientific, technical2.1%
US avg: 4.2%
Agriculture, forestry, fishing1.9%
US avg: 1.9%
Construction1.4%
US avg: 1.4%
Transportation & warehousing1%
US avg: 3.1%
Arts, entertainment, food0.7%
US avg: 2.4%
Manufacturing0.5%
US avg: 0.5%
Education & health services0.5%
US avg: 0.9%
BARS: THIS PLACE · TICKS: US AVERAGE
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$89,800
Unchangedinflation adjusted, since 2000
from $71,100 in 2000
US average: $225,659
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$622
+9%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $449 in 2000
US average: $853
Owner-occupied
29.9%
−13.8 ptssince 2000
from 43.7% in 2000
56.2% rent
Vacancy rate
12.4%
−0.1 ptssince 2009
from 12.5% in 2009
US average: 12.1%
Owner cost-burdened
25.0%
−1.4 ptssince 2009
from 26.4% in 2009
US average: 30.9%
Renter cost-burdened
45.1%
−0.2 ptssince 2009
from 45.3% in 2009
US average: 46.8%
Afford Score
2.4
−10%since 2000
from 2.7 in 2000
1990 – 2024
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)
2010
White, non-Hispanic91%(17,479)
Black2.6%(503)
Hispanic / Latino3.2%(623)
Asian0.9%(178)
Other2%(376)
Diversity Score20.7%(3,972)
Diversity Score
21
+122%since 2000
from 9 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
26.9%
+7.9 ptssince 2000
from 19.0% in 2000
US average: 27.9%
High school or higher
87.6%
+8.0 ptssince 2000
from 79.6% in 2000
US average: 84.9%
Graduate degree
10.8%
+3.0 ptssince 2000
from 7.9% in 2000
US average: 10.2%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
17.6 min
+45%since 2000
from 12.1 min in 2000
US average: 25.2
Drive alone to work
70.2%
+0.5 ptssince 2009
from 69.6% in 2009
US average: 76.2%
Carpooled to work
9.7%
−0.8 ptssince 2009
from 10.4% in 2009
US average: 10.4%
Public transit
1.2%
−0.3 ptssince 2009
from 1.5% in 2009
US average: 4.7%
Worked from home
5.0%
−0.2 ptssince 2009
from 5.2% in 2009
US average: 4.1%
Walked to work
11.7%
+0.8 ptssince 2009
from 10.9% in 2009
US average: 2.8%
Biked to work
0.9%
+0.2 ptssince 2009
from 0.7% in 2009
US average: 0.5%
No vehicle available
21.0%
+1.1 ptssince 2009
from 19.8% in 2009
US average: 8.7%
Section 07

Work & employment

Self-employed
18.5%
−2.5 ptssince 2009
from 21.0% in 2009
US average: 12.9%
Management & professional
34.6%
−34.9 ptssince 2009
from 69.5% in 2009
US average: 35.2%
Section 08

People & community

Male
47.0%
+1.4 ptssince 2009
from 45.6% in 2009
Female
53.0%
−1.4 ptssince 2009
from 54.4% in 2009
Foreign born
2.0%
Unchangedsince 2009
from 2.0% in 2009
US average: 12.8%
Veterans
8.4%
−35.7 ptssince 2009
from 44.2% in 2009
US average: 9.9%
Drill deeper

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Compare Cortland to nearby cities

CORTLAND VS
Ithaca
Income$48,784+32%
Home value$342,700+282%
Population33,632+93%
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CORTLAND VS
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Income$123,864+235%
Home value$297,600+231%
Population11,060−36%
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CORTLAND VS
Auburn
Income$51,052+38%
Home value$152,800+70%
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CORTLAND VS
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Income$47,819+29%
Home value$138,400+54%
Population144,896+733%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
Frequently asked

How many people live in Cortland, New York?

Cortland, New York has about 19,204 residents according to the 2010 American Community Survey.

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

The typical household in Cortland, New York earns about $36,980 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 $89,800, and the typical rent is about $622 a month.

How educated are people in Cortland, New York?

About 26.9% 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 21.1% 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 597 residents, a change of about -3 percent over that period.

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

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