Cortland, New York Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Cortland, New York had a total population of 17,450, the 109th largest city in New York, with a median household income of $59,482, which is 31% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 20.8%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 31% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
Cortland Quick Facts
How Cortland Changed
Change from the 2019–2023 ACS period to 2020–2024. These are rolling five-year estimates, not year-over-year measurements.
| Metric | 2019–2023 | 2020–2024 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 17,465 | 17,450 | -0.1% |
| Median household income | $55,368 | $59,482 | +7.4% |
| Median home value | $143,800 | $152,600 | +6.1% |
How Cortland Compares
Median Household Income
Median Home Value
Economy & Housing
Household Income Distribution
Detailed income brackets
Employment
Housing Overview
People & Demographics
Age Distribution
Race & Ethnicity
Diversity Index
A less diverse community where one racial or ethnic group represents a large majority.
State average: 65 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Cortland Rankings in New York
Explore New York Rankings
Other Cities in Cortland County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Homer | 3,114 | $72,472 | 6.2% | $165,200 |
| Munsons Corners | 2,662 | $56,069 | 14.9% | $135,700 |
| Cortland West | 1,020 | $127,019 | 5.0% | $275,500 |
| McGraw | 974 | $64,185 | 6.9% | $109,600 |
| Marathon | 952 | $52,198 | 13.2% | $124,800 |
| Virgil | 220 | $67,813 | 2.3% | $251,800 |
| Blodgett Mills | 212 | N/A | 11.3% | $135,000 |
Cities Similar to Cortland
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cohoes | 18,159 | $61,145 | $223,400 | 27.7% | 25.9% |
| Amsterdam | 18,166 | $56,178 | $137,900 | 22.5% | 20.2% |
| Oswego | 17,033 | $53,172 | $120,600 | 26.1% | 20.6% |
| Fort Drum | 16,065 | $62,291 | N/A | 34.8% | 11.7% |
| Plattsburgh | 19,830 | $57,630 | $195,900 | 40.5% | 22.7% |
Population Overview
Cortland is a small city located in New York, within Cortland County. The total population is 17,450. It ranks as the 109th most populous out of 1,289 Census-designated places in New York.
Age Demographics
The median age in Cortland is 27.4 years. This is 31% lower than the state median of 39.8 years. Only 14.8% of residents are under 18, indicating fewer families with children.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Cortland is $59,482. This is 31% lower than the state median of $85,974. It is also 26% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 20.8%. This is 48% higher than the state poverty rate of 14.0%. With more than one in five residents living below the poverty line, economic hardship is a significant challenge for the community. The unemployment rate is 4.2%. This is 34% lower than the state rate of 6.4%. The median home value is $152,600. Housing costs are 64% lower than the state median of $423,800. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.6x, Cortland is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 45.9% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 16% lower than the state average of 54.4%.
Race & Ethnicity
Cortland has a predominantly White (non-Hispanic) population, comprising 85.5% of all residents. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 5.5%. The White (non-Hispanic) population is significantly higher than the state average (85.5% vs 52.8%). The Black or African American population (2.9%) is well below the state average of 13.4%. The Hispanic or Latino population (5.5%) is well below the state average of 19.8%. The Asian population (1.7%) is well below the state average of 9.0%.
Education
27.2% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 33% lower than the state rate of 40.2%. Nationally, 35.7% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 90.7%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Cortland, New York is sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS) 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates. The ACS collects data from approximately 3.5 million households annually and pools five years of responses so that even small communities can be measured, though the margin of error widens as the population falls. Comparisons are made against New York state averages and national averages calculated from the same dataset. Rankings reflect the city's position among all 1,289 Census-designated places in New York. Read more about how these figures are produced on our methodology page, or visit data.census.gov for official data.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the population of Cortland, New York?
Cortland, New York has a population of 17,450 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Cortland, NY?
The median household income in Cortland is $59,482, which is 26% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Cortland, NY?
The poverty rate in Cortland is 20.8%. This means approximately 2,995 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Cortland, New York?
Cortland's population is 85.5% White, 2.9% Black, 5.5% Hispanic/Latino, and 1.7% Asian.
What is the median home value in Cortland, NY?
The median home value in Cortland is $152,600. The home-value-to-income ratio is 2.6x.
How educated is Cortland, New York?
27.2% of adults (25+) in Cortland hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 13.9% hold a graduate or professional degree.