East Ithaca, New York Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, East Ithaca, New York had a total population of 1,918, the 645th largest community in New York, with a median household income of $116,410, which is 35% higher than the state average. The poverty rate is 7.3%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 35% above the state average — one of the wealthiest communities in New York.
- 74.3% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher — top 10% in New York.
- Near full employment with an unemployment rate of just 2.3%.
East Ithaca Quick Facts
How East Ithaca 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 | 2,372 | 1,918 | -19.1% |
| Median household income | $108,839 | $116,410 | +7.0% |
| Median home value | $320,900 | $332,700 | +3.7% |
How East Ithaca 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+)
East Ithaca Rankings in New York
Explore New York Rankings
Other Cities in Tompkins County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ithaca | 32,814 | $48,784 | 30.4% | $342,700 |
| South Hill | 6,951 | $104,211 | 12.7% | $353,800 |
| Cayuga Heights | 4,000 | $166,526 | 11.2% | $433,000 |
| Lansing | 3,876 | $72,364 | 23.6% | $516,900 |
| Northeast Ithaca | 2,661 | $95,250 | 3.1% | $402,000 |
| Northwest Ithaca | 2,225 | $56,753 | 17.8% | $312,900 |
| Groton | 1,834 | $60,114 | 8.2% | $156,700 |
| Dryden | 1,671 | $50,435 | 18.2% | $230,900 |
| Trumansburg | 1,665 | $68,967 | 9.3% | $287,000 |
| South Lansing | 1,496 | N/A | 19.6% | $350,400 |
Cities Similar to East Ithaca
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| St. Bonaventure | 1,976 | N/A | $125,300 | 30.4% | 19.3% |
| Cold Spring | 1,863 | $117,292 | $600,100 | 69.3% | 4.5% |
| Altamont | 1,855 | $112,159 | $318,900 | 50.9% | 6.4% |
| Stone Ridge | 1,884 | $127,601 | $501,400 | 75.9% | 12.8% |
| Hamilton College | 2,058 | N/A | N/A | 66.7% | 0.0% |
Population Overview
East Ithaca is a small community located in New York, within Tompkins County. The total population is 1,918. It ranks as the 645th most populous out of 1,289 Census-designated places in New York.
Age Demographics
The median age in East Ithaca is 43.6 years. This is 10% higher than the state median of 39.8 years. Only 11.1% of residents are under 18, indicating fewer families with children. 16.3% of residents are 75 or older, suggesting a significant retirement-age population with implications for healthcare services and senior housing.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in East Ithaca is $116,410. This is 35% higher than the state median of $85,974. It is also 44% higher than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 7.3%. This is 48% lower than the state poverty rate of 14.0%. The unemployment rate is 2.3%. This is 64% lower than the state rate of 6.4%. The median home value is $332,700. Housing costs are 21% lower than the state median of $423,800. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.9x, East Ithaca is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 59.9% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 10% higher than the state average of 54.4%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in East Ithaca is White (non-Hispanic), making up 79.3% of the population. Asian residents account for 10.4%. The White (non-Hispanic) population is significantly higher than the state average (79.3% vs 52.8%). The Black or African American population (0.2%) is well below the state average of 13.4%. The Hispanic or Latino population (6.4%) is well below the state average of 19.8%.
Education
74.3% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This places East Ithaca in the top 10% of all cities in the state for educational attainment. This is 85% higher 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 96.0%. Notably, 41.9% of adults hold a graduate or professional degree, indicating a highly educated workforce.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for East Ithaca, 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.
Free data download: Get all New York city and county demographics as CSV. Download Cities CSV | Download Counties CSV
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the population of East Ithaca, New York?
East Ithaca, New York has a population of 1,918 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in East Ithaca, NY?
The median household income in East Ithaca is $116,410, which is 44% higher than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in East Ithaca, NY?
The poverty rate in East Ithaca is 7.3%. This means approximately 141 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of East Ithaca, New York?
East Ithaca's population is 79.3% White, 0.2% Black, 6.4% Hispanic/Latino, and 10.4% Asian.
What is the median home value in East Ithaca, NY?
The median home value in East Ithaca is $332,700. The home-value-to-income ratio is 2.9x.
How educated is East Ithaca, New York?
74.3% of adults (25+) in East Ithaca hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 41.9% hold a graduate or professional degree.