Marathon, New York Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Marathon, New York had a total population of 952, the 873rd largest village in New York, with a median household income of $52,198, which is 39% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 13.2%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 39% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
- Housing is very affordable with a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.4x.
Marathon Quick Facts
How Marathon 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 | 1,011 | 952 | -5.8% |
| Median household income | $62,984 | $52,198 | -17.1% |
| Median home value | $119,700 | $124,800 | +4.3% |
How Marathon 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+)
Marathon Rankings in New York
Explore New York Rankings
Other Cities in Cortland County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cortland | 17,450 | $59,482 | 20.8% | $152,600 |
| 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 |
| Virgil | 220 | $67,813 | 2.3% | $251,800 |
| Blodgett Mills | 212 | N/A | 11.3% | $135,000 |
Cities Similar to Marathon
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Great Bend | 938 | N/A | $172,600 | 17.3% | 31.3% |
| Tivoli | 945 | $53,177 | $354,300 | 54.9% | 30.0% |
| Spencer | 932 | $51,765 | $154,300 | 28.2% | 31.0% |
| Ripley | 920 | $52,614 | $112,000 | 28.7% | 6.5% |
| Theresa | 945 | $58,583 | $164,900 | 6.5% | 14.3% |
A note before these figures: with a population of 952, Marathon's ACS estimates come from a small number of survey responses and carry wide margins of error. Individual percentages below — particularly rates that round to 0% or 100% — are approximations, not precise measurements. See data.census.gov for the published margins of error.
Population Overview
Marathon is a small community located in New York, within Cortland County. The total population is 952. It ranks as the 873rd most populous out of 1,289 Census-designated places in New York.
Age Demographics
The median age in Marathon is 30.8 years. This is 23% lower than the state median of 39.8 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Marathon is $52,198. This is 39% lower than the state median of $85,974. It is also 35% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 13.2%. This is 5% lower than the state poverty rate of 14.0%. The unemployment rate is 5.8%. This is 10% lower than the state rate of 6.4%. The median home value is $124,800. Housing costs are 71% lower than the state median of $423,800. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.4x, Marathon is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 56.7% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 4% higher than the state average of 54.4%.
Race & Ethnicity
Marathon has a predominantly White (non-Hispanic) population, comprising 98.5% of all residents. The White (non-Hispanic) population is significantly higher than the state average (98.5% vs 52.8%).
Education
12.6% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is among the lowest rates in the state, which may correlate with employment and income patterns. This is 69% 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 90.0%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Marathon, 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 Marathon, New York?
Marathon, New York has a population of 952 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Marathon, NY?
The median household income in Marathon is $52,198, which is 35% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Marathon, NY?
The poverty rate in Marathon is 13.2%. This means approximately 126 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Marathon, New York?
Marathon's population is 98.5% White, 0.0% Black, 0.0% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in Marathon, NY?
The median home value in Marathon is $124,800. The home-value-to-income ratio is 2.4x.
How educated is Marathon, New York?
12.6% of adults (25+) in Marathon hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 9.3% hold a graduate or professional degree.