Metro area profile · New York
Ithaca, NY metro area market data
How the Ithaca metro area compares with other metro areas for 56 business types: competitors, household spending, official counts and growth.
- Population, 2025
- 104,047
- −1.4% since 2020
- Households
- 43,263
- Median household income
- $74,024
- +22.9% vs. 2015–2019, before inflation
- Median home value
- $290,900
- Jobs located here
- 46,926
- Highest market score
- 78
- Home repair trades, #9 of 387 scored metro areas
A site report maps the competitors on map listings around any address in the Ithaca metro area by name and distance, and the households and spending within reach. Or open the report at the center of the Ithaca metro area. Signed out, you see a blurred preview; on an account, each report is one action.
Free10 actions over 3 days, no cardSurvey estimates 2020–2024 · population estimates 2025 · official business counts 2023 · map listings September 2026 · Data credits · How we measure
What this means
The Ithaca metro area has an estimated 104,047 people and 43,263 households. Population estimates show the Ithaca metro area declined 1.4% from 2020 to 2025, against +3.1% for the U.S. Median household income in the Ithaca metro area is $74,024, 8% below the U.S. median of $80,734. Against the 2015–2019 survey, the median rose 22.9%, before inflation.
Relative to the U.S., household spending in the Ithaca metro area runs highest on clothing, shoes and related services (an index of 109, where 100 is the U.S. average) and lowest on gasoline and other fuels (69).
Of the business types scored in the Ithaca metro area, home repair companies (78), HVAC and plumbing companies (77) and clothing and shoe stores (77) have the highest Groundwork market scores. For home repair companies, that ranks #9 of 387 scored metro areas.
The Ithaca metro area is made up of one county, Tompkins County. Against the U.S., map listings per household run highest for veterinarians (97% above the U.S. rate) and lowest for nail salons (58% below the U.S. rate).
All 56 business types in the Ithaca metro area
Highest Groundwork market score first. Each score compares the Ithaca metro area with other metro areas for that business type, from 0 to 100. Spending per listing divides a whole spending line (all vehicle repairs, all eating out) by one type’s listings: the demand for each competitor, not a business’s revenue. Compare it across markets with its index, where 100 is the U.S. figure for the same type; the real estate types, whose line is all housing costs, show the index only. How the score works.
| Business type | Score | Rank among metro areas | Listings | Per 10k households | Spending per listing | Spending per listing vs. U.S. (100) | Official establishments |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Home repair trades | 78 | #9 of 387 | 29 | 6.7 | $4.6M | 191 | 36 |
| HVAC and plumbing | 77 | #13 of 387 | 17 | 3.9 | $7.9M | 167 | 22 |
| Clothing and shoe stores | 77 | #25 of 387 | 44 | 10.2 | $2.2M | 174 | 14 |
| Clothing, shoes and laundry | 77 | #26 of 387 | 68 | 15.7 | $1.4M | 162 | 18 |
| Electricians | 75 | #20 of 383 | 8 | 1.8 | $16.8M | 140 | 14 |
| Fast food and sandwich shops | 73 | #51 of 387 | 38 | 8.8 | $4.5M | 146 | 64 |
| Salons, barbers and spas | 72 | #14 of 387 | 130 | 30.0 | $329K | 155 | 26 |
| Hair salons | 71 | #24 of 387 | 63 | 14.6 | $679K | 158 | 13 |
| Real estate | 71 | #33 of 387 | 103 | 23.8 | Index only | 173 | 45 |
| Real estate agents and brokers | 70 | #38 of 387 | 85 | 19.6 | Index only | 167 | 21 |
| Nail salons | 64 | #72 of 387 | 11 | 2.5 | $3.9M | 233 | 7 |
| Spas and skin care | 62 | #78 of 387 | 37 | 8.6 | $1.2M | 132 | 6 |
| Convenience stores | 61 | #119 of 387 | 31 | 7.2 | $9.3M | 118 | 9 |
| Auto repair and car care | 60 | #120 of 387 | 95 | 22.0 | $352K | 131 | 44 |
| Auto repair shops | 59 | #112 of 387 | 53 | 12.3 | $630K | 142 | 33 |
| Car washes and detailing | 58 | #129 of 387 | 10 | 2.3 | $3.3M | 133 | 3 |
| Grocery and convenience stores | 57 | #148 of 387 | 74 | 17.1 | $3.9M | 115 | 29 |
| Dentists and orthodontists | 56 | #135 of 387 | 42 | 9.7 | $1.2M | 125 | 30 |
| Barbershops | 55 | #148 of 387 | 17 | 3.9 | $2.5M | 133 | Under 3 |
| Laundromats | 54 | #156 of 364 | 7 | 1.6 | $13.9M | 111 | Under 3 |
| Pizza | 52 | #178 of 387 | 37 | 8.6 | $4.6M | 90 | 64 |
| Gas stations | 52 | #178 of 387 | 24 | 5.5 | $3.2M | 135 | 27 |
| Lawn, cleaning and pest control | 50 | #177 of 387 | 33 | 7.6 | $1.7M | 99 | 58 |
| Property management | 50 | #185 of 374 | 13 | 3.0 | Index only | 107 | 19 |
| Insurance agencies | 49 | #188 of 387 | 41 | 9.5 | $1.5M | 117 | 19 |
| House cleaning | 48 | #202 of 375 | 8 | 1.8 | $6.9M | 107 | 18 |
| Doctors, dentists and clinics | 43 | #245 of 387 | 342 | 79.1 | $151K | 99 | 133 |
| Optometrists and eye care | 43 | #263 of 386 | 17 | 3.9 | $3M | 97 | 6 |
| Child care and preschools | 42 | #252 of 387 | 24 | 5.5 | $1.1M | 105 | 46 |
| Landscaping and lawn care | 41 | #242 of 385 | 21 | 4.9 | $2.6M | 89 | 40 |
| Primary care and pediatrics | 41 | #261 of 387 | 26 | 6.0 | $2M | 111 | 68 |
| Grocery stores | 40 | #260 of 387 | 31 | 7.2 | $9.3M | 100 | 20 |
| Physical therapy | 40 | #262 of 386 | 24 | 5.5 | $2.1M | 89 | 14 |
| Tire shops | 38 | #273 of 386 | 13 | 3.0 | $2.6M | 103 | 6 |
| Martial arts and dance studios | 37 | #310 of 387 | 21 | 4.9 | $1.9M | 93 | 14 |
| Funeral homes | 35 | #279 of 377 | 9 | 2.1 | $581K | 86 | 4 |
| Restaurants and cafes | 35 | #297 of 387 | 496 | 114.6 | $342K | 92 | 192 |
| Sit-down restaurants | 29 | #350 of 387 | 270 | 62.4 | $628K | 95 | 90 |
| Chiropractors | 27 | #354 of 386 | 27 | 6.2 | $1.9M | 80 | 15 |
| Gyms | 27 | #364 of 387 | 45 | 10.4 | $876K | 67 | 15 |
| Bakeries and dessert shops | 26 | #363 of 387 | 49 | 11.3 | $3.5M | 84 | 40 |
| Gyms, studios and classes | 26 | #374 of 387 | 81 | 18.7 | $487K | 73 | 29 |
| Yoga, Pilates and fitness studios | 24 | #338 of 347 | 15 | 3.5 | $2.6M | 65 | 15 |
| Pet stores | 21 | #364 of 382 | 7 | 1.6 | $3.9M | 87 | Under 3 |
| Coffee shops and cafes | 21 | #379 of 387 | 68 | 15.7 | $2.5M | 67 | 37 |
| Pet grooming and boarding | 19 | #371 of 386 | 15 | 3.5 | $1.8M | 72 | 10 |
| Pet businesses | 6 | #387 of 387 | 54 | 12.5 | $510K | 58 | 32 |
| Veterinarians | 4 | #384 of 384 | 28 | 6.5 | $984K | 36 | 22 |
| Home inspectors | Not scored | Not scored | 4 | 0.9 | Index only | 74 | Under 3 |
| Pest control | Not scored | Not scored | 4 | 0.9 | $13.7M | 134 | Under 3 |
| Roofing and gutters | Not scored | Not scored | 4 | 0.9 | $33.7M | 398 | Under 3 |
| Collision repair and body shops | Not scored | Not scored | 3 | 0.7 | $11.1M | 361 | 3 |
| Dry cleaners | Not scored | Not scored | 3 | 0.7 | $32.4M | 207 | 4 |
| Oil change and quick lube | Not scored | Not scored | 3 | 0.7 | $11.1M | 81 | Under 3 |
| Urgent care and walk-in clinics | Not scored | Not scored | 3 | 0.7 | $17.2M | 70 | Under 3 |
| Mortgage brokers and lenders | Not scored | Not scored | 1 | 0.2 | Index only | Too few | Under 3 |
Household spending in the Ithaca metro area
What households here spend in a year on each line, in total and per household, with the index against the U.S. average (100).
| Spending line | A year, all households | Per household | Index vs. U.S. (100) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Vehicle maintenance and repairs | $33.4M | $772 | 81 |
| Gasoline and other fuels | $77.3M | $1,787 | 69 |
| Food away from home | $169.6M | $3,919 | 96 |
| Groceries | $287.7M | $6,650 | 105 |
| Personal care products and services | $42.8M | $988 | 98 |
| Child care and other personal services | $25.3M | $585 | 101 |
| Memberships, classes and admissions | $39.4M | $911 | 93 |
| Medical and dental services | $51.5M | $1,191 | 92 |
| Pets | $27.6M | $637 | 70 |
| Clothing, shoes and related services | $97.2M | $2,247 | 109 |
| Vehicle insurance | $60.4M | $1,396 | 71 |
| Home repairs, maintenance and insurance | $134.8M | $3,116 | 103 |
| Lawn care, cleaning and other household services | $54.9M | $1,268 | 90 |
| Rent and homeowner costs | $772.5M | $17,857 | 107 |
Household spending is estimated from the incomes of the households in each neighborhood, using what households at each income spent nationally in 2024, adjusted for the region. It counts what residents spend, wherever they spend it.
Population and households in the Ithaca metro area
- Population, 2025 estimate
- 104,047−1.4% since 2020
- Households
- 43,263
- Median age
- 36.4
- Homes lived in by their owners
- 54%
- Vehicles per household
- 1.6
- Land area
- 475 sq. mi.
- People per square mile
- 220
- Median household income
- $74,024+22.9% vs. 2015–2019, before inflation
- Average household income
- $102,718
- Median home value
- $290,900
- Jobs located here
- 46,926
- Daytime population
- 111,478Residents who don’t work, plus everyone whose job is here
Looking at a specific site in the Ithaca metro area?
These figures cover the whole metro area. A site report draws rings around one address and counts what’s inside them: households, spending, jobs, and the competitors on map listings by name and distance, for any of the 56 business types.
Or open the report at the center of the Ithaca metro area. Signed out, you see a blurred preview; on an account, each report is one action.
Free10 actions over 3 days, no cardRelated markets
Counties in the Ithaca metro area 1
- Tompkins County, NY104,537 people
Other markets based in New York 12
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- Binghamton, NY metro area245,242 people
- Kingston, NY metro area182,601 people
- Glens Falls, NY metro area126,039 people
- Watertown-Fort Drum, NY metro area115,040 people
- Elmira, NY metro area82,147 people
Questions
How fast is the Ithaca, NY metro area growing?
Population estimates put the Ithaca metro area at 104,047 people in 2025, down 1.4% since 2020, against +3.1% for the U.S. It has 43,263 households. Median household income rose 22.9% from the 2015–2019 survey, before inflation.
How much do households in the Ithaca, NY metro area spend?
Households in the Ithaca metro area spend about $772.5M a year on rent and homeowner costs, $287.7M on groceries and $169.6M on food away from home. Set against the U.S., households in the Ithaca metro area spend the most on clothing, shoes and related services (an index of 109, where 100 is the U.S. average) and the least on gasoline and other fuels (69).
Which business types have the highest market scores in the Ithaca, NY metro area?
The highest Groundwork market scores in the Ithaca metro area are for home repair companies (78), HVAC and plumbing companies (77) and clothing and shoe stores (77). The Ithaca metro area ranks #9 of 387 scored metro areas for home repair companies.
How does the Ithaca, NY metro area compare with the U.S.?
The median household income in the Ithaca metro area is $74,024 a year, 8% below the U.S. median of $80,734. The population fell 1.4% from 2020 to 2025, against +3.1% for the U.S. The median home value is $290,900, against $332,700 for the U.S. For its number of households, the Ithaca metro area has the most map listings, relative to the U.S., for veterinarians (97% above the U.S. rate) and the fewest for nail salons (58% below the U.S. rate).
What is the Groundwork market score?
The Groundwork market score runs from 0 to 100 and compares a market with others of its kind for one business type: states with states, metro areas with metro areas, small-town markets and counties with their own. It weighs household spending per competitor (35%), households per business with payroll (25%), population growth (20%) and spending power (20%), each ranked against those peers. A higher score means that, taken together, the market has more household spending and more households for each business already there, faster population growth and more spending per household than similar markets. It describes a market, not any one site or deal. 48 of the 56 business types have a score in the Ithaca metro area, each ranked against other metro areas.
How can I see the market around a specific site?
Run a Groundwork site report on an address in the Ithaca metro area. It maps the competitors on map listings near the site and sizes the households and spending within the distance you choose. New accounts get 10 actions over 3 days, no card.
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Screening a site or an acquisition in the Ithaca metro area?
A site report maps the competitors on map listings near an address and sizes the households and spending around it.
The button opens the report at the center of the Ithaca metro area. Signed out, you see a blurred preview; on an account, each report is one action.
This product uses the Census Bureau Data API but is not endorsed or certified by the Census Bureau.
Figures are estimates for research only. Not investment or real estate advice.