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Cortland

Cortland

$188,012 Average Value
$140 Average Price per Sq Ft
37 Homes For Sale

Chances to grow careers and knowledge

Cortland earned the nickname “Crown City” for being the highest-elevated city in New York. This area in Cortland County was settled in 1791 and has since become a destination for learning and working in the education industry. Anita Bryan is an associate broker on the Jamie Jensen Team at Howard Hanna Real Estate Services who says Cortland’s colleges are major draws to the city. “The colleges bring in many jobs,” Bryan says. “Most of our college employees live in our county, and there’s been more activity with people who work in Syracuse moving here. There’s a new Micron plant in Syracuse that’s really eaten up the market there.” Cortland isn’t all work and no play tho since residents live close to the Finger Lakes and Greek Peak Mountain Resort.

Cortland earned the nickname “Crown City” for being the highest-elevated city in New York.
Cortland earned the nickname “Crown City” for being the highest-elevated city in New York.
Cortland isn’t all work and no play  since residents live close to the Finger Lakes, with beautiful Cayuga Lake being the closest.
Cortland isn’t all work and no play since residents live close to the Finger Lakes, with beautiful Cayuga Lake being the closest.
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Learning and working at SUNY Cortland and TC3

Cortland City School District gets a C-plus from Niche and has five schools, all within city limits. Tompkins Cortland Community College, often called TC3, gets a C-minus, while SUNY Cortland earns a B-minus. “SUNY Cortland is known for sports,” Bryan says. “The Jets even trained here.”

Cortland City School District gets a C-plus from Niche and has five schools, all within city limits.
Cortland City School District gets a C-plus from Niche and has five schools, all within city limits.
SUNY Cortland is known for sports, the Jets even trained here.
SUNY Cortland is known for sports, the Jets even trained here.
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Low median price and renting options

The median home price in Cortland is $179,000, which is much lower than the national median. Bryan says renters, investors and primary homeowners can find properties here and in more rural areas just outside Cortland. There are houses with ranch-style, Colonial Revival and even Queen Anne designs. Students looking for rental options can find homes or individual units close to SUNY Cortland.

The median home price in Cortland is $179,000, which is much lower than the national median.
The median home price in Cortland is $179,000, which is much lower than the national median.
Students looking for rental options can find homes or individual units close to SUNY Cortland.
Students looking for rental options can find homes or individual units close to SUNY Cortland.
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Events at Courthouse Park and skiing at Greek Peak Mountain Resort

Some residents walk along the paved paths that border Courthouse Park, the grassy space in front of the historic courthouse with statues honoring heroes who fought for the Union during the Civil War and victims of the 9/11 tragedy. Events like the Great Cortland Pumpkinfest are held at the park and include pumpkin painting, hayrides and vendor shopping.

While some cities dread snow, Cortland residents see it as a chance to ski at popular destinations like Greek Peak Mountain Resort. Hot and humid summers make the nearby Finger Lakes a busy spot for relaxing.

Some residents walk along the paved paths that border Courthouse Park, the grassy space in front of the historic courthouse with statues honoring heroes who fought for the Union during the Civil War and victims of the 9/11 tragedy.
Some residents walk along the paved paths that border Courthouse Park, the grassy space in front of the historic courthouse with statues honoring heroes who fought for the Union during the Civil War and victims of the 9/11 tragedy.
While some cities dread snow, Cortland residents see it as a chance to ski at popular destinations like Greek Peak Mountain Resort.
While some cities dread snow, Cortland residents see it as a chance to ski at popular destinations like Greek Peak Mountain Resort.
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Paying homage to Wickwire Bros. and Brockway Motors

Cortland was home to the Wickwire Bros. Factory, one of the largest area employers until the late 1950s. The 1890 House Museum preserves the story of the influential Wickwire family and acts as a meeting place for SUNY Cortland alumni. Brockway Motor Company was another important company here, and the Brockway Truck Preservation Association organizes the Brockway Trucks Car Show parade every year. The parade starts at the CNY Living History Center and circles the Cortland Country Club.
According to FBI data, the Cortland Police Department reported a roughly 24% increase in nonviolent crimes and an over 28% increase in violent crimes in 2023.

The 1890 House Museum preserves the story of the influential Wickwire family and acts as a meeting place for SUNY Cortland alumni.
The 1890 House Museum preserves the story of the influential Wickwire family and acts as a meeting place for SUNY Cortland alumni.
The Brockway Trucks Car Show parade circles the Cortland Country Club every year.
The Brockway Trucks Car Show parade circles the Cortland Country Club every year.
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Dining at locally owned restaurants on Main Street

Diners, pubs and coffee shops line Main Street, and The Local Food Market & Cafe sells organic groceries and pre-made meals. More popular restaurants are off U.S. Route 11, like Coffee Mania and AJ’s Family Diner. “There are a lot of local vendors and events between Cortland and Homer,” Bryan says. “There’s also a variety of restaurants, so there’s plenty of things to do.” Bryan also points out the Cortland City Farmer’s Market as a popular event. Vendors sell locally sourced produce and treats every Tuesday and Saturday on Court Street.

Cortland has churches and a few synagogues, but the oldest is the Unitarian Universalist Church of Cortland, also known as "The Old Cobblestone Church.” The church is one of the last surviving cobblestone churches in New York, and the Morey & Barnes organ is one of the last of its kind.

The Local Food Market & Cafe in Cortland sells organic groceries and pre-made meals.
The Local Food Market & Cafe in Cortland sells organic groceries and pre-made meals.
More popular restaurants and coffee shops are off U.S. Route 11 in Cortland, like Coffee Mania.
More popular restaurants and coffee shops are off U.S. Route 11 in Cortland, like Coffee Mania.
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Driving to Syracuse or Binghamton

Interstate 81 runs along Cortland's eastern border and guides commuters 40 miles north to Syracuse and 40 miles south to Binghamton. “Traffic isn’t backed up like in Ithaca,” Bryan says. “You don’t have a lot of people walking around.” Ithaca Thompkins International Airport is about 20 miles from the city, about a 30-minute drive down state Route 13. Guthrie Cortland Medical Center has been in the community for over 125 years, and its campus is off Homer Avenue. The hospital also features a specialized cancer center.

Paul Spencer
Written By
Paul Spencer
Greg Dunbar
Photography Contributed By
Greg Dunbar
Mark Tilley
Video By
Mark Tilley

Interested in learning more about homes in this area? Reach out to Chip Hodgkins, an experienced agent in this area.

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Cortland Housing Trends

Housing Trends

Median List Price
$199,000
Median Sale Price
$189,835
Median Single Family Sale Price
$190,000
Median Townhouse Sale Price
$195,450
Median 2 Bedroom Sale Price
$171,250
Median Change From 1st List Price
2%
Last 12 months Home Sales
154
Median Home Sale Price YoY Change
-2%
Average Price Per Sq Ft
$140

Area Facts

Number of Homes
6,216
Number of Homes for Sale
37
Median Year Built
1949
Months of Supply
2.90
Average Single Family Home Size Sq Ft
1,611
Below the national average
1,929
Average Townhouse Size Sq Ft
2,041
Average 2 Bedroom Size Sq Ft
1,184
Average 1 Bedroom Size Sq Ft
710
Average Studio Size Sq Ft
395
Median Lot Size Sq Ft
10,890

Open Houses

  • Saturday, Nov 1
    Open Sat 10AM - 11:30AM

    3752 Lyncourt Dr, Cortland, NY 13045

    $259,000

    • 5 Beds
    • 1.5 Baths
    • 1,456 Sq Ft
    • 3752 Lyncourt Dr
    • New 1 day ago

    Charming 4-5 bedroom Cape Cod on large lot is waiting for you to make it your own. New siding, windows, septic and well in 2025, and a newer roof will give you piece of mind with this 1.5 bath home. Enjoy the convenience of a first floor laundry. Full basement gives you options for additional space. Backyard has a shed for extra storage while 1 car garage is available for your car! Welcoming

    Susan Sherman Broyles Yaman Real Estate

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  • Saturday, Nov 1
    Open Sat 11AM - 12:30PM

    100 Clinton Ave, Cortland, NY 13045

    $239,000

    • 3 Beds
    • 2 Baths
    • 2,040 Sq Ft
    • 100 Clinton Ave
    • New 27 days ago

    Welcome to this unique 2 story home centrally located in the City of Cortland. Close to all amenities! Shopping, groceries, restaurants, hospitals, parks and so much more. Beautiful front porch for relaxing or watching cars go by. The front porch enters into the dining room, hardwood floors, old wood door trimming, cute kitchen, large living room, one bedroom and bath down. Currently the upstairs

    Pamela Williams Yaman Real Estate

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Homes for Sale

Homes for Rent

Distribution of Home Values

Source: Public Records

Average Home Value





Source: Public Records

Property Mix - Square Feet

Cortland Has More Renters

Demographics

Total Population
17,209
Median Age
33
Population under 18
25.3%
On par with the national average
23.8%
Population over 65
15.8%
On par with the national average
19.1%

Finances

Median Household Income
$54,890
Significantly below the national average
$71,702
Average Household Income
$70,311

Education and Workforce

High School Graduates
89.3%
College Graduates
31.3%
On par with the national average
34.1%
Advanced Degrees
13.2%
% Population in Labor Force
64%
On par with the national average
65.1%

Weather

Annual Precipitation
40''
Average Winter Low Temperature
15°F
Average Summer High Temperature
81°F
Annual Snowfall
65''

Area Factors

Bikeable

Bike Score®®

58 / 100

Very Walkable

Walk Score®®

81 / 100
Source: Walk Score
Source: Walk Score

Walk Score® measures the walkability of any address. Transit Score® measures access to public transit. Bike Score® measures the bikeability of any address. CAP Index provides objective, accurate, and consistent data to help measure, compare, and mitigate crime risks.

Disclaimer: Certain information contained herein is derived from information provided by parties other than Homes.com. Our sources include: Accuweather, Public Records and Neustar. All information provided is deemed reliable, but is not guaranteed to be accurate and should be independently verified.
Cortland