Northwest Ithaca, New York Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Northwest Ithaca, New York had a total population of 2,225, the 596th largest community in New York, with a median household income of $56,753, which is 34% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 17.8%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 34% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
- Near full employment with an unemployment rate of just 2.2%.
Northwest Ithaca Quick Facts
How Northwest 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 | 1,813 | 2,225 | +22.7% |
| Median household income | $49,044 | $56,753 | +15.7% |
| Median home value | $309,800 | $312,900 | +1.0% |
How Northwest 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
Moderate diversity with one or two groups making up the majority.
State average: 65 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Northwest 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 |
| 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 Northwest Ithaca
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Glasco | 2,210 | $61,321 | $301,400 | 26.1% | 18.8% |
| Woodstock | 2,239 | $52,091 | $675,600 | 74.5% | 10.3% |
| Falconer | 2,149 | $60,056 | $98,400 | 15.6% | 10.9% |
| Phoenix | 2,329 | $59,327 | $157,000 | 31.3% | 16.1% |
| Hamilton College | 2,058 | N/A | N/A | 66.7% | 0.0% |
Population Overview
Northwest Ithaca is a small community located in New York, within Tompkins County. The total population is 2,225. It ranks as the 596th most populous out of 1,289 Census-designated places in New York.
Age Demographics
The median age in Northwest Ithaca is 49.1 years. This is 23% higher than the state median of 39.8 years. 16.9% 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 Northwest Ithaca is $56,753. This is 34% lower than the state median of $85,974. It is also 30% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 17.8%. This is 27% higher than the state poverty rate of 14.0%. The unemployment rate is 2.2%. This is 65% lower than the state rate of 6.4%. The median home value is $312,900. Housing costs are 26% lower than the state median of $423,800. The home-value-to-income ratio is 5.5x. 50.2% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 8% lower than the state average of 54.4%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Northwest Ithaca is White (non-Hispanic), making up 72.1% of the population. Black or African American residents account for 12.5%. The Hispanic or Latino population (6.2%) is well below the state average of 19.8%. The Asian population (2.6%) is well below the state average of 9.0%.
Education
56.3% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 40% 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 90.3%. Notably, 32.7% of adults hold a graduate or professional degree, indicating a highly educated workforce.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Northwest 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 Northwest Ithaca, New York?
Northwest Ithaca, New York has a population of 2,225 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Northwest Ithaca, NY?
The median household income in Northwest Ithaca is $56,753, which is 30% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Northwest Ithaca, NY?
The poverty rate in Northwest Ithaca is 17.8%. This means approximately 368 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Northwest Ithaca, New York?
Northwest Ithaca's population is 72.1% White, 12.5% Black, 6.2% Hispanic/Latino, and 2.6% Asian.
What is the median home value in Northwest Ithaca, NY?
The median home value in Northwest Ithaca is $312,900. The home-value-to-income ratio is 5.5x.
How educated is Northwest Ithaca, New York?
56.3% of adults (25+) in Northwest Ithaca hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 32.7% hold a graduate or professional degree.