Tompkins
New York

What stands out

If you had to describe Tompkins County in numbers, start here: the property tax rate is in the top 2% of American counties (2.36%), the uninsured rate is in the bottom 3% of American counties (4.8%), and homeownership is in the bottom 3% of American counties (54%). Within New York it ranks 25th of 62 counties for the property tax rate.

Where you are

You live in Tompkins County, New York. 102,555 people live here with you. The population shrank 0.7% last year, and more Americans moved out than in (net -1,263).

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 $69,995 a year, higher than 74% of American counties. Employers pay an average wage of $69,770. Unemployment runs 2.8%, lower than 73% of American counties. 16% of workers work from home; for the rest the average commute is 17 minutes each way.

New York takes 5.2% of that median income in state income tax, about $3,615 a year.

Home

The median home costs $353K, pricier than 79% of American counties, about 2.5 years of the median household's income. A two-bedroom rents for around $1,399 a month. Property tax is 2.36% of home value, roughly $6,229 a year on that median home, higher than 98% of American counties. 54% of households own rather than rent.

Safety and health

Violent crime here is 3.1 per 1,000 residents, lower than 90% of American counties. Drug overdoses killed 18 people per 100,000 in 2024.

A child born here can expect to live 80.9 years, longer than 95% of American counties. There are 283 active physicians in the county, about 27.6 per 10,000 people. Medicare rates the local hospitals 3.0 of 5 stars. 4.8% of people under 65 have no health insurance.

School

96% of adults finished high school.

Neighbors and politics

In 2024 your neighbors voted Democratic by 50 points, among the most lopsided counties in the country. 57% 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 57 and lows near 37, colder than 85% of American counties. About 36 inches of rain and snow fall a year. FEMA puts natural-hazard risk at 47 out of 100, safer than 53% of American counties; the county has had 20 federal disaster declarations since 1953.

Getting around, going out

Home internet averages 225 Mbps down, faster than 61% of American counties. There are 5 airports in the county, counting general aviation. For a night or a weekend out: 1.0 full-service restaurants per 1,000 people, 4 breweries, 4 museums.