South Lansing, New York Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, South Lansing, New York had a total population of 1,496, the 731st largest community in New York. The poverty rate is 19.6%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Unemployment rate of 17.2% is notably above the national average.
South Lansing Quick Facts
How South Lansing 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 | 1,233 | 1,496 | +21.3% |
| Median home value | $361,000 | $350,400 | -2.9% |
How South Lansing 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+)
South Lansing 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 |
| 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 |
Cities Similar to South Lansing
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Great Neck Gardens | 1,492 | $136,092 | $1,289,200 | 66.6% | 8.8% |
| Sackets Harbor | 1,490 | $77,043 | $234,900 | 44.1% | 14.0% |
| Sparkill | 1,483 | $250,000+ | $653,900 | 68.8% | 0.0% |
| Bay Park | 1,510 | $101,875 | $440,500 | 23.1% | 1.4% |
| Oxford | 1,514 | $56,250 | $118,400 | 17.6% | 14.6% |
Population Overview
South Lansing is a small community located in New York, within Tompkins County. The total population is 1,496. It ranks as the 731st most populous out of 1,289 Census-designated places in New York.
Age Demographics
The median age in South Lansing is 30.5 years. This is 23% lower than the state median of 39.8 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The poverty rate stands at 19.6%. This is 40% higher than the state poverty rate of 14.0%. The unemployment rate is 17.2%. This is 170% higher than the state rate of 6.4%. The median home value is $350,400. Housing costs are 17% lower than the state median of $423,800. 59.8% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 10% higher than the state average of 54.4%.
Race & Ethnicity
South Lansing has a predominantly White (non-Hispanic) population, comprising 85.7% of all residents. Black or African American residents account for 5.3%. The White (non-Hispanic) population is significantly higher than the state average (85.7% vs 52.8%). The Black or African American population (5.3%) is well below the state average of 13.4%. The Hispanic or Latino population (2.9%) is well below the state average of 19.8%. The Asian population (0.6%) is well below the state average of 9.0%.
Education
45.8% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 14% 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 97.3%. Notably, 16.1% of adults hold a graduate or professional degree, indicating a highly educated workforce.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for South Lansing, 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 South Lansing, New York?
South Lansing, New York has a population of 1,496 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in South Lansing, NY?
The Census Bureau does not publish a reliable median household income estimate for South Lansing — the community is too small for the ACS sample. The national median is $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in South Lansing, NY?
The poverty rate in South Lansing is 19.6%. This means approximately 285 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of South Lansing, New York?
South Lansing's population is 85.7% White, 5.3% Black, 2.9% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.6% Asian.
What is the median home value in South Lansing, NY?
The median home value in South Lansing is $350,400.
How educated is South Lansing, New York?
45.8% of adults (25+) in South Lansing hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 16.1% hold a graduate or professional degree.