Ithaca city, New York Demographics & Population 2026

Population Overview

Ithaca city is a mid-sized community located in New York, within Tompkins County. The total population is 31,792. It ranks as the 40th most populous out of 1,287 cities and towns in New York.

Age Demographics

The median age in Ithaca city is 23.6 years. This is 40% lower than the state median of 39.6 years. Only 7.7% of residents are under 18, indicating fewer families with children.

Economy, Income & Housing

The median household income in Ithaca city is $48,617. This is 43% lower than the state median of $84,578. Compared to the national median of $78,538, household income here is 38% lower. The poverty rate stands at 28.4%. This is 107% higher than the state poverty rate of 13.7%. 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 7.1%. This is 15% higher than the state rate of 6.2%. The median home value is $330,100. Housing costs are 18% lower than the state median of $403,000. The home-value-to-income ratio of 6.8x suggests that housing affordability is a significant concern for many residents. 28.9% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 47% lower than the state average of 54.3%.

Race & Ethnicity

The largest racial or ethnic group in Ithaca city is White (non-Hispanic), making up 62.8% of the population. Asian residents account for 15.0%. The Black or African American population (5.1%) is well below the state average of 13.6%. The Hispanic or Latino population (9.2%) is well below the state average of 19.6%. The Asian population is significantly higher than the state average (15.0% vs 8.8%).

Education

70.2% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This places Ithaca city in the top 10% of all cities in the state for educational attainment. This is 77% higher than the state rate of 39.6%. Nationally, 35.0% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 95.4%. Notably, 43.5% of adults hold a graduate or professional degree, indicating a highly educated workforce.

Data Sources & Methodology

All demographic data for Ithaca city, New York is sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS) 5-Year Estimates (2019-2023). The ACS collects data from approximately 3.5 million households annually, providing reliable estimates for communities of all sizes. Comparisons are made against New York state averages and national averages calculated from the same dataset. Rankings reflect the city's position among all 1,287 Census-designated places in New York. For official data, visit data.census.gov.