Cayuga
New York

What stands out

Three things set Cayuga County apart from the other 3,142 counties: the property tax rate is in the top 2% of American counties (2.35%), winter sunshine is in the bottom 6% of American counties (-1.5 on the USDA scale), and the uninsured rate is in the bottom 7% of American counties (5.6%). Within New York it ranks 26th of 62 counties for the property tax rate.

Where you are

You live in Cayuga County, New York. 76,171 people live here with you. The population held steady at 0.3% last year, and more Americans moved out than in (net -13).

New York's top income-tax rate is 10.9%, and New York City residents add a city income tax of up to 3.876% on top. The state estate tax has a cliff: estates just over the exemption can owe tax on the whole amount. Social Security is not taxed and up to $20,000 of pension income is excluded. Upstate home prices and taxes look nothing like the downstate market.

Money

The typical household here brings in $63,227 a year, higher than 58% of American counties. Employers pay an average wage of $62,623. Unemployment runs 3.4%, higher than 50% of American counties. 6% of workers work from home; for the rest the average commute is 22 minutes each way.

New York takes 5.1% of that median income in state income tax, about $3,249 a year.

Home

The median home costs $231K, cheaper than 51% of American counties, about 1.9 years of the median household's income. A two-bedroom rents for around $892 a month. Property tax is 2.35% of home value, roughly $3,727 a year on that median home, higher than 98% of American counties. 70% of households own rather than rent.

Safety and health

Violent crime here is 3.9 per 1,000 residents, higher than 52% of American counties. Drug overdoses killed 18 people per 100,000 in 2024.

A child born here can expect to live 78.4 years, longer than 79% of American counties. There are 73 active physicians in the county, about 9.6 per 10,000 people. Medicare rates the local hospitals 2.0 of 5 stars. 5.6% of people under 65 have no health insurance.

School

88% of adults finished high school.

Neighbors and politics

In 2024 your neighbors voted Republican by 7 points. 60% of eligible voters turned out. Under New York law you need local approval to carry a concealed handgun, abortion is protected by state law, and marijuana is legal for adults.

Weather and risk

The year averages 47°F, highs near 56 and lows near 39, colder than 83% of American counties. About 38 inches of rain and snow fall a year. FEMA puts natural-hazard risk at 31 out of 100, safer than 69% of American counties; the county has had 19 federal disaster declarations since 1953.

Getting around, going out

Home internet averages 244 Mbps down, faster than 71% of American counties. There are 6 airports in the county, counting general aviation. For a night or a weekend out: 0.7 full-service restaurants per 1,000 people, 2 breweries, 4 museums, 1 National Park Service site.