CensusEasy
MICROPOLITAN AREA · 2020 ACS

Cortland Micro

Cortland, NY · 1 counties · 46,809 residents · 498.774 sq mi
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The short version

Cortland has lower-than-average household income, with a median household income of $59,194. Population has declined 4% since 2000. Median home value has risen by half since 2000, reaching $126,700.

At a glance
Lower income
below the US median
US median: $66,278
Mid-age
median age 39.0
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
46,809
−4%since 2000
from 48,599 in 2000
1990 – 2025
Population density
94 / sq mi
−4%since 2000
from 97 / sq mi in 2000
US average: 280
Median age
39.0
+14%since 2000
from 34.2 in 2000
US average: 38.8
Population, 1990 – 2024
46K47K48K49K50K1990201020202024Cortland
202446K
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$59,194
+15%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $34,364 in 2000
US average: $66,278
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$28,407
+71%since 2000
from $16,622 in 2000
US average: $35,364
Households earning $100K+
38.4%
+14.0 ptssince 2009
from 24.4% in 2009
US average: 43.9%
Poverty rate
14.4%
−1.0 ptssince 2000
from 15.5% in 2000
US average: 12.8%
Workforce by industry, 2020
Information11.7%
US avg: 11.1%
Retail trade10.3%
US avg: 10%
Wholesale trade6%
US avg: 6.7%
Other services3.9%
US avg: 6.6%
Finance & insurance2.9%
US avg: 5.5%
Public administration2.5%
US avg: 4.7%
Agriculture, forestry, fishing2.2%
US avg: 1.7%
Professional, scientific, technical2.2%
US avg: 4.7%
Construction2%
US avg: 1.2%
Arts, entertainment, food1.4%
US avg: 2%
Transportation & warehousing1.4%
US avg: 2.5%
Education & health services0.7%
US avg: 0.8%
Manufacturing0.2%
US avg: 0.5%
BARS: THIS PLACE · TICKS: US AVERAGE
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$126,700
+15%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $73,600 in 2000
US average: $265,253
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$787
+11%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $471 in 2000
US average: $1,124
Owner-occupied
64.9%
+0.6 ptssince 2000
from 64.3% in 2000
35.1% rent
Afford Score
2.1
Unchangedsince 2000
from 2.1 in 2000
1990 – 2024
RELATED:See current rent listings in Cortland on RentDataNow
Section 04

Race & ethnicity

2000
White, non-Hispanic96.2%(46,748)
Black0.8%(399)
Hispanic / Latino1.2%(565)
Asian0.4%(198)
Other0%
Diversity Score6%(2,897)
Segregation Score0%
2020
White, non-Hispanic87.2%(40,801)
Black1.8%(829)
Hispanic / Latino3.5%(1,658)
Asian2.2%(1,018)
Other2.1%(978)
Diversity Score23.2%(10,857)
Segregation Score17.6%(8,232)
Diversity Score
23
+289%since 2000
from 6 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Segregation Score
18
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
26.9%
+8.1 ptssince 2000
from 18.8% in 2000
US average: 32.9%
High school or higher
90.7%
+7.9 ptssince 2000
from 82.8% in 2000
US average: 88.5%
Graduate degree
12.2%
+4.1 ptssince 2000
from 8.1% in 2000
US average: 12.7%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
21.3 min
+44%since 2000
from 14.8 min in 2000
US average: 26.9
Drive alone to work
76.6%
−1.1 ptssince 2009
from 77.7% in 2009
US average: 75.1%
No vehicle available
7.3%
−3.2 ptssince 2009
from 10.5% in 2009
US average: 8.4%
Section 07

Work & employment

Unemployment rate
5.6%
−2.0 ptssince 2011
from 7.6% in 2011
US average: 5.4%
Labor force participation
63.2%
+2.2 ptssince 2011
from 61.0% in 2011
US average: 63.4%
Management & professional
36.5%
−28.4 ptssince 2009
from 64.9% in 2009
US average: 39.3%
Section 08

People & community

Male
49.2%
+0.9 ptssince 2009
from 48.2% in 2009
Female
50.8%
−0.9 ptssince 2009
from 51.8% in 2009
Foreign born
2.5%
+0.5 ptssince 2009
from 2.0% in 2009
US average: 13.5%
Uninsured
3.4%
−88.7 ptssince 2013
from 92.1% in 2013
US average: 8.8%
In this metro

Principal cities

CortlandCENTRAL17,394
What's inside

1 component county

Cortland CountyCENTRAL45,850
Drill deeper

Metros similar to Cortland

Bellefontaine
Pop 46,302
Grand Rapids
Pop 45,404
Brattleboro
Pop 45,204
Bemidji
Pop 47,055
Places similar to Cortland
Head to head

Compare Cortland side by side

CORTLAND VS
Bellefontaine
Income$71,551+21%
Home value$203,200+60%
Population46,302+1%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
CORTLAND VS
Grand Rapids
Income$68,603+16%
Home value$225,200+78%
Population45,404−1%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
CORTLAND VS
Brattleboro
Income$72,217+22%
Home value$279,600+121%
Population45,204−1%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
CORTLAND VS
Bemidji
Income$68,975+17%
Home value$237,500+87%
Population47,055+3%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
Frequently asked

How many people live in Cortland, NY?

Cortland, NY has about 46,809 residents according to the 2020 American Community Survey.

What is the median household income in Cortland, NY?

The typical household in Cortland, NY earns about $59,194 a year. Half of households make more than that, and half make less.

Is Cortland, NY expensive?

In Cortland, NY, the median home is worth about $126,700, and the typical rent is about $787 a month.

How educated are people in Cortland, NY?

About 26.9% of adults age 25 and over in Cortland, NY hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

What is the poverty rate in Cortland, NY?

About 14.4% of people in Cortland, NY live below the federal poverty line.

Has Cortland, NY grown since 1990?

Yes, Cortland, NY has shrunk since 1990. The population has lost about 2,154 residents, a change of about -4 percent over that period.

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DATA: US CENSUS BUREAU ACS 5-YEAR + DECENNIAL CENSUS · METRO ROLLUP OF COMPONENT COUNTIES · UPDATED 2024

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