Cortland, NY Demographics

A map of Cortland's Population by Race

Cortland, New York has an estimated population of 17,450, a less than 1% change from the 17,556 recorded in the 2020 Census. The population is 85.5% White, 5.5% Hispanic, 4.2% Multiracial, 2.9% Black, 1.7% Asian, and 0.1% Native American/Other. This demographic dot map shows the population of Cortland, with one dot drawn for each person counted by the Census, color-coded by race.

Cortland has become considerably less racially diverse since the 2020 Census. It is considerably less diverse than New York overall. Demographers use a diversity index to measure the probability that two randomly selected individuals belong to different racial or ethnic groups. In Cortland, that probability was 32.6% in 2020 and 26.3% in the most recent ACS estimates.

Cortland is ranked the 109th most populous place in New York, out of 1,291 places. This ranking is based on the Census definition of a place, which includes incorporated places like cities, towns, and villages, as well as unincorporated census-designated places (CDPs). Cortland was ranked the 110th most populous place in the 2020 Census.

Cortland's White Population

14,922 residents of Cortland, or 85.5% of the population, identify as White. The share of White residents in Cortland is significantly higher than in New York overall, where 52.8% of the population is White. Cortland ranks 781st statewide in terms of White residents as a share of the population, out of 1,291 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Cortland's White population has grown by an estimated 4.2%. White residents' share of Cortland's population has increased from 81.6% to 85.5%.

Cortland is more White than neighboring Munsons Corners (80.3% White), and Blodgett Mills (81.1% White). Cortland is less White than neighboring Homer (92.9% White), Cortland West (91.9% White), and McGraw (93.3% White).

Cortland's Black Population

504 residents of Cortland, or 2.9% of the population, identify as Black. The share of Black residents in Cortland is considerably lower than in New York overall, where 13.4% of the population is Black. Cortland ranks 349th statewide in terms of Black residents as a share of the population, out of 1,291 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Cortland's Black population has declined by an estimated 15.0%. Black residents' share of Cortland's population has decreased from 3.4% to 2.9%.

Cortland is more Black than neighboring Homer (0.5% Black), Cortland West (0% Black), Blodgett Mills (0% Black), and McGraw (0% Black). Cortland is less Black than neighboring Munsons Corners (4.1% Black).

Cortland's Asian Population

304 residents of Cortland, or 1.7% of the population, identify as Asian. The share of Asian residents in Cortland is lower than in New York overall, where 9% of the population is Asian. Cortland ranks 299th statewide in terms of Asian residents as a share of the population, out of 1,291 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Cortland's Asian population has declined by an estimated 56.4%. Asian residents' share of Cortland's population has decreased from 4.0% to 1.7%.

Cortland is more Asian than neighboring Cortland West (0% Asian), Blodgett Mills (0% Asian), and McGraw (0% Asian). Cortland is less Asian than neighboring Munsons Corners (2% Asian), and Homer (4.4% Asian).

Cortland's Hispanic Population

968 residents of Cortland, or 5.5% of the population, identify as Hispanic. The share of Hispanic residents in Cortland is considerably lower than in New York overall, where 19.8% of the population is Hispanic. Cortland ranks 605th statewide in terms of Hispanic residents as a share of the population, out of 1,291 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Cortland's Hispanic population has grown by an estimated 4.2%. Hispanic residents' share of Cortland's population has remained roughly unchanged at 5.5%.

Cortland is more Hispanic than neighboring Munsons Corners (5% Hispanic), Homer (0.2% Hispanic), Cortland West (3.9% Hispanic), Blodgett Mills (0% Hispanic), and McGraw (1.3% Hispanic).

Cortland's Native American/Other Population

12 residents of Cortland, or 0.1% of the population, identify as American Indian/Alaska Native/Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander/Other. The share of Native American/Other residents in Cortland is comparable to the share in New York overall, where 1.2% of the population is Native American/Other. Cortland ranks 424th statewide in terms of Native American/Other residents as a share of the population, out of 1,291 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Cortland's Native American/Other population has declined by an estimated 91.5%. Native American/Other residents' share of Cortland's population has decreased from 0.8% to 0.1%.

Cortland is more Native American/Other than neighboring Cortland West (0% Native American/Other), and Blodgett Mills (0% Native American/Other). Cortland is less Native American/Other than neighboring Munsons Corners (4.9% Native American/Other), Homer (0.3% Native American/Other), and McGraw (0.8% Native American/Other).

Cortland's Multiracial Population

740 residents of Cortland, or 4.2% of the population, identify as Multiracial. The share of Multiracial residents in Cortland is comparable to the share in New York overall, where 3.8% of the population is Multiracial. Cortland ranks 235th statewide in terms of Multiracial residents as a share of the population, out of 1,291 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Cortland's Multiracial population has declined by an estimated 14.8%. Multiracial residents' share of Cortland's population has decreased from 4.9% to 4.2%.

Cortland is more Multiracial than neighboring Munsons Corners (3.8% Multiracial), and Homer (1.7% Multiracial). Cortland is less Multiracial than neighboring Blodgett Mills (18.9% Multiracial), and McGraw (4.5% Multiracial).

Sources: Most recent population estimates are from the 2020-2024 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates. 2020 population counts and map data are from 2020 Census State Redistricting Data. Geographic data are from Census TIGER/Line Shapefiles.