Ithaca, NY Demographics

A map of Ithaca's Population by Race

Ithaca, New York has an estimated population of 32,814, a slight increase from the 32,108 recorded in the 2020 Census. The population is 62.6% White, 16.5% Asian, 8.8% Hispanic, 5.4% Black, 4.3% Multiracial, and 2.4% Native American/Other. This demographic dot map shows the population of Ithaca, with one dot drawn for each person counted by the Census, color-coded by race.

Ithaca has become 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 Ithaca, that probability was 58.4% in 2020 and 56.8% in the most recent ACS estimates.

Ithaca is ranked the 37th 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). Ithaca was ranked the 41st most populous place in the 2020 Census.

Ithaca's White Population

20,549 residents of Ithaca, or 62.6% of the population, identify as White. The share of White residents in Ithaca is higher than in New York overall, where 52.8% of the population is White. Ithaca ranks 1124th statewide in terms of White residents as a share of the population, out of 1,291 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Ithaca's White population has grown by an estimated 5.0%. White residents' share of Ithaca's population has increased from 61.0% to 62.6%.

Ithaca is more White than neighboring Forest Home (30.2% White), and South Hill (50.5% White). Ithaca is less White than neighboring Cayuga Heights (64.9% White), Northwest Ithaca (72.1% White), and East Ithaca (79.2% White).

Ithaca's Black Population

1,773 residents of Ithaca, or 5.4% of the population, identify as Black. The share of Black residents in Ithaca is lower than in New York overall, where 13.4% of the population is Black. Ithaca ranks 217th statewide in terms of Black residents as a share of the population, out of 1,291 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Ithaca's Black population has declined by an estimated 8.0%. Black residents' share of Ithaca's population has decreased from 6.0% to 5.4%.

Ithaca is more Black than neighboring Cayuga Heights (3.8% Black), and East Ithaca (0.2% Black). Ithaca is less Black than neighboring Forest Home (13.3% Black), South Hill (7% Black), and Northwest Ithaca (12.5% Black).

Ithaca's Asian Population

5,423 residents of Ithaca, or 16.5% of the population, identify as Asian. The share of Asian residents in Ithaca is higher than in New York overall, where 9% of the population is Asian. Ithaca ranks 54th statewide in terms of Asian residents as a share of the population, out of 1,291 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Ithaca's Asian population has grown by an estimated 2.0%. Asian residents' share of Ithaca's population has remained roughly unchanged at 16.5%.

Ithaca is more Asian than neighboring Northwest Ithaca (2.7% Asian), and East Ithaca (10.4% Asian). Ithaca is less Asian than neighboring Cayuga Heights (20.5% Asian), Forest Home (42.4% Asian), and South Hill (21.1% Asian).

Ithaca's Hispanic Population

2,888 residents of Ithaca, or 8.8% of the population, identify as Hispanic. The share of Hispanic residents in Ithaca is considerably lower than in New York overall, where 19.8% of the population is Hispanic. Ithaca ranks 366th statewide in terms of Hispanic residents as a share of the population, out of 1,291 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Ithaca's Hispanic population has declined by an estimated 9.9%. Hispanic residents' share of Ithaca's population has decreased from 10.0% to 8.8%.

Ithaca is more Hispanic than neighboring Cayuga Heights (7.2% Hispanic), Northwest Ithaca (6.2% Hispanic), and East Ithaca (6.4% Hispanic). Ithaca is less Hispanic than neighboring Forest Home (9.7% Hispanic), and South Hill (11.3% Hispanic).

Ithaca's Native American/Other Population

773 residents of Ithaca, or 2.4% of the population, identify as American Indian/Alaska Native/Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander/Other. The share of Native American/Other residents in Ithaca is comparable to the share in New York overall, where 1.2% of the population is Native American/Other. Ithaca ranks 366th statewide in terms of Native American/Other residents as a share of the population, out of 1,291 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Ithaca's Native American/Other population has grown by an estimated 176.1%. Native American/Other residents' share of Ithaca's population has increased from 0.9% to 2.4%.

Ithaca is more Native American/Other than neighboring Cayuga Heights (1.6% Native American/Other), Forest Home (0.8% Native American/Other), Northwest Ithaca (0.6% Native American/Other), and East Ithaca (0% Native American/Other). Ithaca is less Native American/Other than neighboring South Hill (5.2% Native American/Other).

Ithaca's Multiracial Population

1,408 residents of Ithaca, or 4.3% of the population, identify as Multiracial. The share of Multiracial residents in Ithaca is comparable to the share in New York overall, where 3.8% of the population is Multiracial. Ithaca ranks 133rd statewide in terms of Multiracial residents as a share of the population, out of 1,291 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Ithaca's Multiracial population has declined by an estimated 22.0%. Multiracial residents' share of Ithaca's population has decreased from 5.6% to 4.3%.

Ithaca is more Multiracial than neighboring Cayuga Heights (2.1% Multiracial), Forest Home (3.6% Multiracial), and East Ithaca (3.8% Multiracial). Ithaca is less Multiracial than neighboring South Hill (4.9% Multiracial), and Northwest Ithaca (5.9% 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.