Ithaca, New York Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Ithaca, New York had a total population of 32,814, the 37th largest city in New York, with a median household income of $48,784, which is 43% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 30.4%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 43% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
- More than 1 in 4 residents live below the poverty line (30.4%), well above the national average of 12.4%.
- 67.7% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher — top 10% in New York.
- Housing affordability is a challenge — homes cost 7.0x the median household income.
Ithaca Quick Facts
How 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 | 31,792 | 32,814 | +3.2% |
| Median household income | $48,617 | $48,784 | +0.3% |
| Median home value | $330,100 | $342,700 | +3.8% |
How 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 diverse community with significant representation from multiple racial and ethnic groups.
State average: 65 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Ithaca Rankings in New York
Explore New York Rankings
Other Cities in Tompkins County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 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 |
| East Ithaca | 1,918 | $116,410 | 7.3% | $332,700 |
| 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 Ithaca
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Spring Valley | 33,192 | $57,196 | $381,800 | 17.3% | 27.6% |
| Rome | 31,795 | $59,925 | $154,400 | 20.8% | 18.1% |
| Poughkeepsie | 31,958 | $60,741 | $283,700 | 31.9% | 17.6% |
| Monsey | 28,160 | $47,629 | $921,000 | 15.2% | 49.1% |
| Kiryas Joel | 38,916 | $50,032 | $758,800 | 5.7% | 37.6% |
Population Overview
Ithaca is a mid-sized community located in New York, within Tompkins County. The total population is 32,814. It ranks as the 37th most populous out of 1,289 Census-designated places in New York.
Age Demographics
The median age in Ithaca is 23.3 years. This is 41% lower than the state median of 39.8 years. Only 7.1% of residents are under 18, indicating fewer families with children.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Ithaca is $48,784. This is 43% lower than the state median of $85,974. It is also 40% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 30.4%. This is 117% 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 7.3%. This is 15% higher than the state rate of 6.4%. The median home value is $342,700. Housing costs are 19% lower than the state median of $423,800. The home-value-to-income ratio of 7.0x suggests that housing affordability is a significant concern for many residents. 29.6% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 46% lower than the state average of 54.4%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Ithaca is White (non-Hispanic), making up 62.6% of the population. Asian residents account for 16.5%. The Black or African American population (5.4%) is well below the state average of 13.4%. The Hispanic or Latino population (8.8%) is well below the state average of 19.8%. The Asian population is significantly higher than the state average (16.5% vs 9.0%).
Education
67.7% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This places Ithaca in the top 10% of all cities in the state for educational attainment. This is 68% 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 94.5%. Notably, 43.7% of adults hold a graduate or professional degree, indicating a highly educated workforce.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for 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.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the population of Ithaca, New York?
Ithaca, New York has a population of 32,814 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Ithaca, NY?
The median household income in Ithaca is $48,784, which is 40% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Ithaca, NY?
The poverty rate in Ithaca is 30.4%. This means approximately 7,452 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Ithaca, New York?
Ithaca's population is 62.6% White, 5.4% Black, 8.8% Hispanic/Latino, and 16.5% Asian.
What is the median home value in Ithaca, NY?
The median home value in Ithaca is $342,700. The home-value-to-income ratio is 7.0x.
How educated is Ithaca, New York?
67.7% of adults (25+) in Ithaca hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 43.7% hold a graduate or professional degree.