A bedroom community of Ithaca with a vibrant, active community
Once a major stop between Ithaca and Owego along Route 96B, Danby now serves as a quiet bedroom community of Ithaca – but its residents are far from idle. Centered around a highly active Town Hall and the Danby Community Church, the established town maintains a vibrant and robust events calendar that fosters a distinct sense of community. “We’re just one of those quiet suburbs where the community bands together,” says longtime resident and the church’s Pastor Ed Enstine. Only 6 miles south of Ithaca, Danby offers a rural feel amidst the mosaic of central New York’s verdant farmlands. “Danby is very scattered – we don’t have a stop light, post office, or even our own zip code,” Enstine says. “It has a population of around 3,000, but I'm not sure they divide it up by species; we have coyotes and foxes just as much as we have people.” Town Supervisor Joel Gagnon says Danby’s rustic charm is part of the town’s appeal: “Danby has tried harder than most to retain its rural character, and the community is dedicated to enhancing and protecting the viability of our hamlet.”
Humble homes offer simple living
Homes are spread out on modest lots with plenty of privacy, within arm’s reach of the area’s vast forests and recreational spaces. Humble ranch styles, some raised with garages, are most common, scattered between split-level homes and small Cape Cods. Most houses have simple facades, including front-gabled and side-gabled roofs and Colonial Revival influences. Prices may range between $135,000 and $288,000 for single-family styles. Land may also be for sale, from 2 acres for $55,000 to up to 50 acres for $217,000.
Home options in Danby typically have secluded lawns, and many have ponds on the property.
Home prices in Danby may range between $135,000 and $288,000 for single-family styles.
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A community park, a nearby pond and a state forest
With its entrance across the street from Town Hall, the Dotson Community Park is a centrally located recreational asset to the Danby community. The park spans 92 acres of woods, meadows and wetlands. Residents walk the 1-mile loop trail or try their hand at Frisbee at the 9-hole disc golf course. On the southern end of the hamlet, the Jennings Pond Park attracts locals to its 38-acre grounds for various activities. Anglers stand alongside the towering cattail on the pond’s banks, hoping to catch bass and bluegill, while kayakers and canoers prefer paddling the serene waters for a different point of view. Swimming opens to the public every Wednesday through Sunday during July and August, with lifeguard supervision from 12 to 6 p.m. “Danby State Forest is a prominent part of our landscape,” Gagnon says of the 7,700-acre tract. “People will take their hobby horses up to the trails, which are abundantly available in Danby.” The forest has three popular trails for hiking and snowshoeing. Part of the larger 70-mile Finger Lakes Trail, the Abbott Loop Trail is a moderately challenging hike that passes through the forest’s collection of white pine, hemlock and hickory-oak trees. Hikers climb steeply uphill, cross creeks and follow the trail to Thatcher’s Pinnacles, a 1,700-foot summit that offers panoramic views of West Danby, the hamlet next door to Danby.
The Sue Beeners Pavilion is a public pavilion located near the Danby Volunteer Fire Department.
Residents of Danby can go to Jennings Pond Park for some of the best fishing in the area.
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Ithaca City School District serves Danby
Danby children are part of the Ithaca City School District and attend schools like South Hill Elementary and Boynton Middle. Both schools earn an A-minus overall score from Niche. Kids may then advance to Ithaca Senior High School, receiving an A with top marks for teachers and academics. Exemplary high schoolers who pursue and maintain bilingual programs are awarded the New York State Seal of Biliteracy. Danby students seeking postsecondary education are only minutes from Ithaca College and Cornell University.
Students enjoy outdoor activities all summer at South Hill School near Danby.
Ithaca Senior High school received an A rating from Niche in 2024.
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A full calendar of Danby community events
The Danby Community Church has historically been a fundamental venue for the general community, says Enstine. “It’s the social center of town and continues to be a welcoming gathering spot for the community.” The church hosts an extensive list of events, from regularly scheduled Monday coffee chats and sundae socials to the Ithaca Band’s annual summer performance out on the church’s lawn. “Our events draw in people from all over,” Enstine says. “Most are free to the public because we want everyone to participate.” The Danby Community Council is another significant catalyst for the town’s activities. Made up of volunteers, the non-profit organization presents various events for all ages, including the Annual Harvest Festival at Dotson Park in October. Additional happenings include ongoing youth programs, a Halloween trunk-or-treat, and a Veteran’s Day parade. Gagnon says the council has also received grant funding for most of its events, including concerts. One of the community’s most popular events takes place at the Danby Volunteer Fire Company. Farmers, crafters and musicians gather at the Danby Summer Market every third Friday from June to September. Neighbors participate in the community yard sale. “The vendor event has live music and showcases an opportunity for people to sell their extra wares,” Gagnon says.
The Danby Community Church has historically been a fundamental venue for the general community.
Many local events and gatherings take place at the Danby Volunteer Fire Department every month.
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Route 96B and beyond
Route 96B, or Danby Road, is the town’s main thoroughfare. Commuters can get to Downtown Ithaca in 11 minutes – “just watch out for the speed trap by the fire station,” Enstine says. The Tompkins Consolidated Area Transit services the town’s bus stops at Danby Town Hall and Dotson Park with line 65, which takes riders to Downtown Ithaca and neighboring communities. Ithaca Tompkins International Airport is 11 miles away, usually 20 minutes by car.
Convenient shopping in Ithaca and nearby small-town locales
Danby residents head towards Ithaca to do their grocery shopping and run errands. Convenient supermarkets like Walmart and Trader Joe’s sit beside casual franchise dining options such as Panera Bread at the South Meadow Marketplace, just over 6 miles from Danby. The shopping center also homes Barnes & Noble, Dick’s Sporting Goods and Lowe’s. Across the street, shoppers can grab a bite at eateries in the Ithaca Shopping Plaza, such as DiBella’s Subs, which serves stacked sandwiches on house-made rolls. The Magic Flavor of the Tacos runs out of an unassuming food stand next to the Ithaca ReUse Center thrift store. Though the menu may be simple, the tacos burst with flavor – regulars enjoy the Al Pastor loaded with guacamole and pineapple salsa and top off their feast with homemade horchata. Closer to home, Goldenrod Depot offers passersby a sense of the town’s rustic charm. The gift shop overflows with handmade and artisanal goods, such as craft soaps, unique clothing items, and knick-knacks. The newly opened Danby Food & Drink focuses on providing a stocked selection of grocery retail items, coffee drinks and treats from local vendors. The café is ramping up its services to become a full-scale, small-town market with plans to include craft beer, baked goods, and full menu offerings.
Residents of Danby looking for fine dining will travel north to the Boatyard Grill in Ithaca.
For a quick bite to eat and some groceries, residents will stop into Danby Food & Drink.
GreatSchools:
The GreatSchools Rating helps parents compare schools within a state based on a variety of school quality indicators and provides a helpful picture of how effectively each school serves all of its students. Ratings are on a scale of 1 (below average) to 10 (above average) and can include test scores, college readiness, academic progress, advanced courses, equity, discipline and attendance data. We also advise parents to visit schools, consider other information on school performance and programs, and consider family needs as part of the school selection process.
View GreatSchools Rating Methodology
Interested in learning more about homes in this area?
Reach out to
Jolene Rightmyer-Macolini,
an experienced agent in this neighborhood.
Parks in this Area
Dotson Community Park
Hillvue Park
Houghton Land Preserve
Transit
Airport
Ithaca Tompkins International
21 min drive
Bus
Danby Rd & Bald Hill
Bus
Danby Rd & Steam Mill
Bus
Danby Town Hall Park And Ride
Bus
Danby Rd & Michigan Hollow
Bus
Danby Fire Station
Crime and Safety
1 - Low Crime, 10 - High Crime
Danby
US
Homicide
1
4
Sexual Assault
1
4
Assault with Weapon
1
4
Robbery
1
4
Burglary
1
4
Motor Vehicle Theft
1
4
Larceny
1
4
Crime Score
1
4
Source: WhatIsMyCrimeRisk.com
Danby Demographics and Home Trends
On average, homes in Danby, Ithaca sell after 27 days on the market compared to the national average of 50 days. The median sale price for homes in Danby, Ithaca over the last 12 months is $318,000, up 50% from the median home sale price over the previous 12 months.
Vacant wooded acreage ready for you to explore your vision. Close to Ithaca College, Ithaca and Dotson Community Park. The buyer is responsible to obtain Health department permits for septic and well. The buyer needs to contact NYSEG for electric to connect. Please note the taxes are for the whole property. 50+- acres to be surveyed from a larger parcel.
Interested in learning more about homes in this area?
Reach out to
Jolene Rightmyer-Macolini,
an experienced agent in this neighborhood.
Average Home Value
Source: Public Records
Property Mix - Square Feet
This Neighborhood Has More Owners
Demographics
Total Population
446
Median Age
47
Population under 18
20.9%
On par with the national average
23.8%
Population over 65
24.9%
Above the national average
19.1%
Finances
Median Household Income
$88,281
Above the national average
$71,702
Average Household Income
$122,000
Education and Workforce
High School Graduates
96.9%
College Graduates
66.8%
Significantly above the national average
34.1%
Advanced Degrees
40.3%
Significantly above the national average
13.3%
% Population in Labor Force
74.2%
Weather
Annual Precipitation
38''
Average Winter Low Temperature
15°F
Average Summer High Temperature
80°F
Annual Snowfall
41''
Area Factors
Somewhat Bikeable
Bike Score®
27/ 100
Car-Dependent
Walk Score®
5/ 100
Source: Walk Score
Source: Walk Score
Sound Score® measures the noise level of any address. Transit Score® measures access to public transit. Bike Score® measures the bikeability of any address.
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.
