Live Here
Welcome to Ithaca and Tompkins County
Where businesses and
people live and thrive.
Our area has abundant business opportunities, access to a remarkable pool of resources, arts and cultural experiences, Cayuga Lake and its famous gorges and trails. Whether you’re already living here or just thinking about it, there’s always something to do in this vibrant community. Take a look at why Ithaca and Tompkins County are a great place to live, work, and play!
Population
Who We Are
Tompkins County is one of the only counties in Upstate NY experiencing steady population growth. In Ithaca, a major university and two colleges support a more youthful, culturally diverse and highly educated population on average.
Our Numbers
are Growing
Total Population
Median Age
% Population
by Age
- 18-24 year olds (Tompkins County) 27%
- 9.5%
- 25-34 year olds (Tompkins County) 12.7%
- 14.6%
- 35-44 year olds (Tompkins County) 10.2%
- 12.5%
Who wouldn’t want to live here?
Housing
Where We Live
Ithaca and Tompkins County offer housing of all types for all income levels, with a model commitment to sustainability. Here, its just as easy to know your neighbor as it is to access your work and world-class amenities, often within walking distance.
Households
Households
Median Home Price ($)
Housing Economy
Median Mortgage ($)
Median Rent ($)
Find your calling
Employment
Where We Work
Sure, employers in Ithaca and Tompkins County are looking for smart, skilled staff. What they really want is your passion and problem-solving, your creativity and your commitment. Find a great place to work, bring your enthusiasm, and discover that a healthy work-life balance isn’t just a myth.
Live in Ithaca
Live in Ithaca is the place to go for links to local employers’ job listings, stories of living and working here, and information on all things Ithaca and Tompkins County.
Tompkins Workforce NY
Tompkins Workforce NY One Stop Career Center provides employment-related services for businesses, workers, and jobseekers in Tompkins County.
Check out this view
Education
Where We Learn
Area schools are among the best in the state, with a variety of traditional and contemporary options to suit your unique educational needs. We’re also home to a major university and two colleges that play an important role in local culture.
Primary & Secondary Schools
Primary Schools
High Schools
Our Education is Our Future
- High School Graduate or Higher (Age 25+) 94.24%
- Bachelor’s Degree or Higher (Age 25+) 50.83%
Connect with us
Keep in Touch
How We Connect
High-speed technology isn’t just infrastructure, its imperative. Tompkins County is by far the best connected in our region and beats state and national averages. And when you’re here, getting around is easy. Livable, walkable communities, low-flow traffic patterns, and public transit make the grocery store as accessible as the rest of the globe.
Remote Control
%
Households with Broadband
Available in County
Easy In, Easy Out
Average Commute (Minutes)
Live the life you love
Culture and Entertainment
How We Unwind
Ithaca and Tompkins County are host to a vibrant arts and culture scene, with a diverse array of bars, breweries and restaurants, theaters, festivals, music and more. If it’s worth hearing, seeing, or tasting, you’ll find it here.
Things to Do
Annual Festivals
Theatres
Farmer's Markets
Take a look at our backyard
Parks & Natural Areas
How We Stay Busy
“Ithaca is Gorges” isn’t just a catch phrase, it describes perfectly our surroundings. Dramatic elevation changes create scenic vistas and spectacular waterfalls that frame the crystal clear waters of Cayuga Lake, the longest of the 11 Finger Lakes.
Wander Our Wonders
Waterfalls
State Parks
Trails
Plan Your Escape
Ready to see for yourself?
Plan your stay
How to Join In
Come to Ithaca and Tompkins County and experience for yourself the beauty, culture, and fun and games available here in spades. We’ve got everything you need to stay as long as you like!
Visitor Resources
We Make It Easy
Best Kept Secret
Ithaca
Area
#2
Best Cities to Live – New York – ChamberofCommerce.org
#5
Best Small Places for Business & Careers – Forbes
#13
25 Most Innovative Cities in the US – USA Today
#1
Best County to Live in – New York – Niche.com
#10
Best New York Art Hot Spot not in NYC – Huffington Post
#1
Best Farmers Market in Upstate NY – Yelp.com
Cornell University
#18
Best National Universities
#2
Biological / Agricultural Engineering Programs
#5
Best Undergraduate Computer Science Programs
#4
Best Colleges for Veterans
US News & World Report 2021
Ithaca
College
#4
Best in Undergraduate Teaching (Regional Universities North)
#9
Best Regional Universities North (Regional Universities North)
#12
Best Value Schools
(Regional Universities North)
#12
Most Innovative Schools (Regional Universities North)
US News & World Report 2021