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CITY · 2020 ACS

Cortland

New York · 17,556 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 $48,859. Population has declined 6% since 2000. Median home value has risen by half since 2000, reaching $112,500. At a median age of 32.0, residents skew younger than the country as a whole. The poverty rate of 23.2% 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: $66,278
Younger
median age 32.0
US median: 38.8
Less educated
27% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 33%
Stable housing
home values roughly flat, inflation adjusted
US median home: $265,253
Section 01

Population & growth

Total population
17,556
−6%since 2000
from 18,740 in 2000
1990 – 2025
Population density
4,508 / sq mi
−6%since 2000
from 4,813 / sq mi in 2000
US average: 280
Median age
32.0
+15%since 2000
from 27.8 in 2000
US average: 38.8
Population, 1990 – 2024
17K18K19K19K20K1990201020202024Cortland
202417K
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$48,859
+23%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $26,478 in 2000
US average: $66,278
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$22,598
+58%since 2000
from $14,267 in 2000
US average: $35,364
Households earning $100K+
31.5%
+12.5 ptssince 2009
from 19.0% in 2009
US average: 43.9%
Poverty rate
23.2%
−1.5 ptssince 2000
from 24.7% in 2000
US average: 12.8%
Workforce by industry, 2020
Information12.1%
US avg: 11.1%
Retail trade10.3%
US avg: 10%
Wholesale trade4.2%
US avg: 6.7%
Other services3.8%
US avg: 6.6%
Public administration2.7%
US avg: 4.7%
Finance & insurance2.3%
US avg: 5.5%
Arts, entertainment, food1.9%
US avg: 2%
Professional, scientific, technical1.8%
US avg: 4.7%
Agriculture, forestry, fishing0.5%
US avg: 1.7%
Construction0.5%
US avg: 1.2%
Education & health services0.4%
US avg: 0.8%
Transportation & warehousing0.2%
US avg: 2.5%
Manufacturing0%
US avg: 0.5%
BARS: THIS PLACE · TICKS: US AVERAGE
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$112,500
+5%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $71,100 in 2000
US average: $265,253
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$765
+13%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $449 in 2000
US average: $1,124
Owner-occupied
42.7%
−1.0 ptssince 2000
from 43.7% in 2000
57.3% rent
Afford Score
2.3
−14%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)
2020
White, non-Hispanic81.6%(14,326)
Black3.4%(593)
Hispanic / Latino5.3%(929)
Asian4%(698)
Other2.3%(406)
Diversity Score34.9%(6,130)
Diversity Score
35
+275%since 2000
from 9 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
26.8%
+7.8 ptssince 2000
from 19.0% in 2000
US average: 32.9%
High school or higher
89.9%
+10.3 ptssince 2000
from 79.6% in 2000
US average: 88.5%
Graduate degree
12.7%
+4.8 ptssince 2000
from 7.9% in 2000
US average: 12.7%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
17.2 min
+42%since 2000
from 12.1 min in 2000
US average: 26.9
Drive alone to work
68.8%
−0.8 ptssince 2009
from 69.6% in 2009
US average: 75.1%
No vehicle available
12.4%
−7.5 ptssince 2009
from 19.8% in 2009
US average: 8.4%
Section 07

Work & employment

Unemployment rate
6.3%
−2.0 ptssince 2011
from 8.3% in 2011
US average: 5.4%
Labor force participation
60.2%
+7.7 ptssince 2011
from 52.5% in 2011
US average: 63.4%
Management & professional
31.4%
−38.1 ptssince 2009
from 69.5% in 2009
US average: 39.3%
Section 08

People & community

Male
47.2%
+1.7 ptssince 2009
from 45.6% in 2009
Female
52.8%
−1.7 ptssince 2009
from 54.4% in 2009
Foreign born
2.6%
+0.6 ptssince 2009
from 2.0% in 2009
US average: 13.5%
Uninsured
3.1%
−89.7 ptssince 2013
from 92.8% in 2013
US average: 8.8%
Drill deeper

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Compare Cortland to nearby cities

CORTLAND VS
Ithaca
Income$48,784same
Home value$342,700+205%
Population33,632+93%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
CORTLAND VS
De Witt
Income$123,864+154%
Home value$297,600+165%
Population11,060−36%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
CORTLAND VS
Auburn
Income$51,052+4%
Home value$152,800+36%
Population25,947+49%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
CORTLAND VS
Syracuse
Income$47,819−2%
Home value$138,400+23%
Population144,896+733%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
Frequently asked

How many people live in Cortland, New York?

Cortland, New York has about 17,556 residents according to the 2020 American Community Survey.

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

The typical household in Cortland, New York earns about $48,859 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 $112,500, and the typical rent is about $765 a month.

How educated are people in Cortland, New York?

About 26.8% 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 23.2% 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 2,245 residents, a change of about -11 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 →