Ithaca
RANK #698 / 996 NAT · #43 / 45 NY · POP 102,555
1YR FORECAST: +1.3%
5YR OUTLOOK: +19%
Tompkins County, New York, is often recognized for its dramatic gorges and over 150 waterfalls, including Taughannock Falls, which stands taller than Niagara Falls. Located in the Finger Lakes Region of central New York, the county seat, Ithaca, sits at the southern tip of Cayuga Lake. This area, roughly four hours from New York City, blends rural landscapes with the cultural amenities of a college town, largely influenced by Cornell University and Ithaca College. Residents and visitors enjoy extensive outdoor recreation, from hiking and biking trails to water activities on Cayuga Lake.
Life in Tompkins County is shaped by its academic institutions, which draw a diverse population of students, faculty, and professionals. Public schools in the Ithaca City School District and other districts like Dryden and Lansing are highly rated. The economy is significantly driven by higher education, with Cornell University being the largest employer. Beyond academia, there's a growing focus on technology-oriented companies, particularly in areas like biotechnology, and a strong tourism sector that benefits from the region's natural beauty and culinary offerings. Local initiatives are also addressing quality of life concerns, such as the cost of living and access to childcare.
Below national median (4.7x)
Above national median
Below-average climate & terrain
Housing is fairly valued at 4.2x relative to local economic output. The typical U.S. county is 4–6x.
Estimated local headcount ranges. Larger employers shown as floor + "+"; smaller employers show exact counts where reported.
Source: Redfin · Census BPS — Browse sales on Redfin →
Source: CDC/NCHS vital statistics via County Health Rankings (2020–2022 avg). Rates per 100,000 population. Grade based on homicide rate relative to national average (~6.3). Learn more →
Source: EPA Air Quality System (2021–2023). Grade based on 3-year average median AQI. Learn about AQI →
| PROJECT | AMOUNT | STATUS |
|---|---|---|
|
TeraWulf Data Center Campus
TeraWulf
|
$500M | Proposed |
|
Yellow Barn Solar PV Park
Yellow Barn Solar LLC (subsidiary of CS Energy), Lydian Energy
|
$200M | Planned |
|
Cayuga Solar Project
AES Corporation
|
$60M | Planned |
|
Emergency Shelter Construction Project
Tompkins County, Volunteers of America
|
$50M | Planned |
|
SouthWorks Redevelopment Project
City of Ithaca, Tompkins County
|
$50M | Proposed |
|
Troy Heights Energy Storage
Cleanview (developer not specified)
|
$40M | Planned |
Source: public records, news, corporate announcements. Amounts are estimates where noted.
Bars show percentile rank among all 996 counties.
At 29/100, Tompkins County faces headwinds that place it in the lower third of the 996 counties we track. Median income of $69,995 combined with job growth of +1.6% suggests the local economy is struggling to keep pace with national trends.
Housing in Tompkins County is roughly in line with national affordability norms. The median home costs $264,300 and the income-to-home-value ratio sits at 0.26, with rents averaging $1,320/month. Not a bargain, but not a stretch for most local earners either.
It's a mixed picture in Tompkins County. The population is declining (-2.9% YoY), but employers are actually hiring — job growth is at +1.6%. Home values moved +2.3% in the last year. That tension between shrinking population and expanding employment often signals a county in transition.
In significant numbers — 7.31% of Tompkins County's current population relocated from another state, well above the national norm. That level of in-migration usually signals a county where jobs, affordability, or quality of life are pulling people in from elsewhere.