County · New York
Tompkins County, New York
Tompkins County, New York. Tompkins County had 104,047 residents in 2025 by the Census Bureau's estimate, down 1.6% since 2020, a steeper fall than New York's (−1.0%). It holds 30 places (7 cities, villages and boroughs, 9 towns and townships and 14 census-designated) and 26 census tracts. GEOID 36109.
Tompkins County is the county of the Ithaca, NY metropolitan statistical area (the Census Bureau's July 2023 delineation).
Residents, July 2025 estimate
104,047
Census Bureau estimate (no margin published)
2020 Census count: 105,740 · ACS 2020-2024: 104,537
Median household income
$74,024
±$4,332 (90% margin)
New York: $85,974
Median home value
$290,900
±$12,898 (90% margin)
New York: $423,800
Median gross rent
$1,411
±$42 (90% margin)
New York: $1,621
How many people live in Tompkins County, and is it growing?
The 2020 Census counted 105,740 residents in Tompkins County. The Census Bureau estimates 104,047 for July 1, 2025, down 1.6% since 2020, a steeper fall than New York's (−1.0%). The 2020-2024 American Community Survey puts the population at 104,537 over 475 square miles of land.
| Measure | Tompkins County | New York | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total population | 104,537 | 19,852,366 | +1,895 |
| Households | 43,263±611 | 7,722,646 | +3,645 |
| Average household size | 2.06±0.03 | 2.49 | −0.19 |
| Housing units | 47,804±131 | 8,585,241 | +4,333 |
Tompkins County's population since 2000
From 96,501 in 2000 to 104,047 in 2025: up 7.8%. The 2000, 2010 and 2020 figures are census counts. The 2005 figure is the Census Bureau's intercensal estimate, revised to fit the 2000 and 2010 counts and drawn on 2010 boundaries; 2015 and 2025 are July 1 estimates made from the census before them.
Source: The 2000, 2010 and 2020 Census counts and the Census Bureau's population estimates (intercensal 2000-2010, Vintage 2020, Vintage 2025) · Census population estimates
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026); PEP Vintage 2025 (CO-EST2025); 2020 Census · Check it at data.census.gov
What cities and towns are in Tompkins County?
Tompkins County holds 30 places: 7 cities, villages and boroughs (incorporated places), 9 towns and townships (county subdivisions with their own government) and 14 census-designated places. The largest is Ithaca with 33,632 residents (2025 estimate). Places that cross a county line are listed with the share of their 2020 residents who live in this county.
| Ithaca | 32,108 | $48,784 |
|---|---|---|
| Ithaca (town) | 22,283 | $105,978 |
| Dryden (town) | 13,905 | $81,127 |
| Lansing (town) | 11,565 | $86,342 |
| South Hill | 7,245 | $104,211 |
| Groton (town) | 5,746 | $69,113 |
| Newfield (town) | 5,126 | $74,333 |
| Ulysses (town) | 4,890 | $71,400 |
| Cayuga Heights | 4,114 | $166,526 |
| Lansing | 3,648 | $72,364 |
| Danby (town) | 3,421 | $99,886 |
| Enfield (town) | 3,362 | $94,750 |
| Caroline (town) | 3,334 | $80,855 |
| East Ithaca | 3,175 | $116,410 |
| Northeast Ithaca | 2,701 | $95,250 |
| Northwest Ithaca | 2,231 | $56,753 |
| Groton | 2,145 | $60,114 |
| Dryden | 1,887 | $50,435 |
| Trumansburg | 1,714 | $68,967 |
| Forest Home | 1,168 | $59,018 |
| South LansingGEOID 3669342 | 1,078 | not published |
| VarnaGEOID 3676969 | 767 | $70,227 |
| NewfieldGEOID 3650243 | 725 | $96,875 |
| Jacksonville | 516 | $72,361 |
| DanbyGEOID 3619609 | 506 | $145,781 |
| Freeville | 498 | $77,426 |
| McLeanGEOID 3644358 | 378 | $75,962 |
| BrooktondaleGEOID 3610077 | 261 | not published |
| West DanbyGEOID 3679697 | 211 | not published |
| Slaterville SpringsGEOID 3667631 | 208 | $63,281 |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026); 2020 place-by-county parts · Check it at data.census.gov
Who lives in Tompkins County?
The median resident of Tompkins County is 32.3 years old; 14.1% are under 18 and 16.3% are 65 or older. The largest group is non-Hispanic white residents at 73.7%, then non-Hispanic Asian residents at 10.1%. 12.9% of residents were born outside the United States.
| Measure | Tompkins County | New York | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 32.3±0.3 | 39.8 | +1.2 |
| Under 18 years | 14.1%±0.1 pts | 20.5% | – |
| 65 years and over | 16.3%±0.1 pts | 17.9% | – |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 6.6% | 19.8% | +1.4 pts |
| White alone, not Hispanic | 73.7%±0.5 pts | 52.8% | −3.4 pts |
| Black or African American alone, not Hispanic | 3.6%±0.3 pts | 13.4% | no clear change |
| Asian alone, not Hispanic | 10.1%±0.4 pts | 9.0% | no clear change |
| American Indian and Alaska Native alone, not Hispanic | 0.1%±0.1 pts | 0.2% | – |
| Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander alone, not Hispanic | 0.1%±0.1 pts | 0.0% | – |
| Two or more races, not Hispanic | 4.7%±0.5 pts | 3.8% | – |
| Some other race alone, not Hispanic | 1.1%±0.4 pts | 1.0% | – |
| Born outside the United States | 12.9%±0.8 pts | 22.8% | no clear change |
| Speak a language other than English at home (age 5+) | 17.4%±1.0 pts | 30.9% | – |
| Civilian veterans (age 18+) | 3.6%±0.4 pts | 3.7% | – |
| With a disability | 12.0%±0.7 pts | 12.6% | – |
| No health insurance coverage | 4.4%±0.5 pts | 5.1% | +1.0 pts |
| High school graduate or higher (age 25+) | 95.6%±0.7 pts | 88.0% | – |
| Bachelor's degree or higher (age 25+) | 58.8%±1.7 pts | 40.2% | +5.3 pts |
| Graduate or professional degree (age 25+) | 34.8%±1.7 pts | 17.9% | – |
| Moved from another state in the past year | 10.7%±1.2 pts | 1.5% | – |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profiles DP02, DP05) · Check it at data.census.gov
What do households in Tompkins County earn?
Half of Tompkins County's 43,263 households earn less than $74,024 a year (±$4,332), against $85,974 in New York. In 2015-2019 it was $74,137 in 2024 dollars; the margins of error cannot tell the two periods apart. 16.4% of residents live below the poverty line.
| Measure | Tompkins County | New York | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median household income | $74,024±$4,332 | $85,974 | no clear change |
| Mean household income | $102,718±$3,654 | $128,247 | – |
| Per capita income | $41,808±$1,340 | $50,712 | no clear change |
| People below the poverty line | 16.4%±1.4 pts | 14.0% | −2.5 pts |
| Children under 18 below the poverty line | 11.0%±2.3 pts | 18.3% | no clear change |
| Households receiving SNAP | 8.9%±1.1 pts | 15.6% | – |
| Households with a broadband subscription | 90.6%±1.2 pts | 90.8% | – |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profile DP03) · Check it at data.census.gov
What does housing cost in Tompkins County?
Owners occupy 54.1% of Tompkins County's occupied homes and renters 45.9%. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $290,900 by its owner (±$12,898). The median renter pays $1,411 a month including utilities, and 49.0% of renters pay 35% or more of their income on rent.
| Measure | Tompkins County | New York | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median home value (owner-occupied) | $290,900±$12,898 | $423,800 | +$39,100 |
| Median gross rent | $1,411±$42 | $1,621 | no clear change |
| Renters paying 35% or more of income on rent | 49.0%±3.5 pts | 43.1% | no clear change |
| Median monthly owner costs, with a mortgage | $2,042±$84 | $2,555 | – |
| Owner-occupied homes | 54.1%±1.5 pts | 54.3% | no clear change |
| Housing units | 47,804±131 | 8,585,241 | +4,333 |
| Homeowner vacancy rate | 0.9%±0.7 pts | 1.1% | – |
| Rental vacancy rate | 2.8%±1.1 pts | 3.8% | – |
| Single-family detached homes | 50.1%±1.6 pts | 41.2% | – |
| Mobile homes | 7.6%±0.9 pts | 2.1% | – |
| Built 2020 or later | 1.1%±0.5 pts | 0.8% | – |
| Built 1939 or earlier | 25.9%±1.8 pts | 30.3% | – |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profile DP04) · Check it at data.census.gov
How many new homes is Tompkins County building?
Builders took permits for 471 new housing units across Tompkins County in 2025 (146 single-family), 4.5 per 1,000 residents.
Source: Building Permits Survey, annual county files 2019-2025, U.S. Census Bureau · Census Building Permits Survey
How do people in Tompkins County get to work?
51.7% of Tompkins County's workers drive alone and 20.0% work from home. The average trip to work takes 20.1 minutes. The unemployment rate in 2020-2024 averaged 5.5%.
| Measure | Tompkins County | New York | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| In the labor force (age 16+) | 58.4%±1.3 pts | 62.7% | – |
| Unemployment rate | 5.5%±0.9 pts | 6.4% | +1.7 pts |
| Drove alone to work | 51.7%±2.7 pts | 48.8% | – |
| Carpooled | 9.3%±1.2 pts | 6.3% | – |
| Public transportation | 4.6%±0.9 pts | 21.6% | – |
| Walked | 11.4%±1.3 pts | 5.6% | – |
| Worked from home | 20.0%±1.9 pts | 14.9% | +12.7 pts |
| Mean travel time to work | 20.1 min±1.0 | 32.6 min | no clear change |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profile DP03) · Check it at data.census.gov
What are Tompkins County's census tracts?
Tompkins County is divided into 26 census tracts. Among those with a reliable estimate, median household income runs from $40,988 (Tract 1) to $132,853 (Tract 6).
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) · Check it at data.census.gov
How does Tompkins County compare with New York's other counties?
| Measure | Rank |
|---|---|
| Population | 28th of 62 |
| Growth 2020-2025 | 35th of 62 |
| Residents per square mile | 22nd of 62 |
| Median household income | 25th of 62 |
| Median home value | 17th of 62 |
| Median gross rent | 14th of 62 |
| Poverty rate | 9th of 62 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 2nd of 62 |
| Median age | 62nd of 62 |
Source: PlainCities ranks from the American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) and PEP Vintage 2025 · How ranks are computed
How these figures are made: methodology and release checks · reading a margin of error · every state · corrections
Not on this page: crime, weather and schools for Tompkins County are other agencies' records. Crime: the FBI's Crime Data Explorer · climate: NOAA's U.S. Climate Normals · schools: the National Center for Education Statistics' school search.