$400,588Average Value$212Average Price per Sq Ft2Homes For Sale
A vibrant community of engaged residents
Fall Creek is an Ithaca neighborhood just north of downtown that captures both the vibes of an established community and the energy of a hip college town. Since the late 18th century, the area has been the site of paper mills, foundries and factories. When those industries left in the second half of the 19th century, Fall Creek began to grow as a residential community. Early residents included small business owners, tradesmen and skilled laborers who worked together to build a school, a firehouse and create involved civic organizations. Fall Creek is still known for its neighborliness and sense of community today. “It’s such a nice neighborhood,” says Eva Bleakley, owner of Business is Blooming Floral Design, a neighborhood business. “It is mostly families and longtime residents. There are a lot of gardens, and it is just a pleasant place to stroll around.” The neighborhood is adjacent to the Cornell University campus, Downtown Ithaca and Washington Park. “Fall Creek is within walking distance of many things—the bus station, shopping and restaurants. If you don’t want a car, you don’t need a car,” says Johan Dulfer, an associate broker with Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Heritage, who has sold homes in Ithaca for five years.
Inviting porches and curbside gardens
Homes in Fallo Creek sit on wide, tree-lined streets. Porches are a common feature, and neighbors enjoy sitting out on them. Most homes have very small front yards, and as a result, many homeowners have planted flower gardens in the easements between sidewalks and streets. “People take a lot of pride in those flowerbeds,” says Dulfer. “That helps create a close community as gardeners tend to their plots and chat with the neighbors.” Home styles include Victorian, Queen Anne, Italianate, colonial-style and craftsman. As most homes are well over 100 years old, many have been upgraded and remodeled. Prospective home buyers can expect to pay between $300, the 000 and $520,000 for a Victorian home. Craftsman style homes average between $285,000 and $450,000.
The average home value in Fall Creek is $386,000.
Almost half of the property mix in Fall Creek are homes and another quarter are townhouses.
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Waterfalls and walking trails
Ithaca’s biggest parks are in Fall Creek. Ithaca Falls Natural Area has the area’s largest waterfall. The wide, cascading waters are powerful and impressive as they plunge more than 150 feet. The plunge pool that the waters fall into is a favorite spot for local anglers hoping to catch trout or salmon. With picnic tables and walking paths, it’s a perfect place to bring a lunch or a good book. Cascadilla Gorge Trail is also in the neighborhood. This scenic ¾-mile trail leads past eight waterfalls on its way to the Cornell University campus. Fall Creek residents are within a mile of the Newman Municipal Golf Course, a challenging 9-hole course on the banks of Cayuga Lake.
The Sciencenter is a nationally recognized museum in the neighborhood that helps kids and adults explore the world around them. The Animal Room lets visitors engage with fish and reptiles and the Changing Skies exhibit teaches all about weather patterns. In the Mobilab, kids can don a lab coat and invent their own toy vehicles. The ¾-mile Carl Sagan Planet Walk is a one-billionth scale model of our solar system that begins at Ithaca Commons and follows Cascadilla Creek to the Sciencenter.
Ithaca Falls near Fall Creek has been used to power plaster, oil and woolen mills in the 1800s.
Cascadilla Gorge Trail near Fall Creek features eight waterfalls and ends at Cornell University.
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Walk to malls, markets and menus
Fall Creek residents have a wide range of shopping options. The neighborhood is a mile from DeWitt Mall, a multi-use facility with shops, restaurants and office space. Mall shops include Buffalo Street Books, which sells a variety of titles and subjects and features book signings and story hours and Fibers, a women’s apparel store specializing in handcrafted women’s jackets. Grocery shoppers can check off their lists at GreenStar Food Co-op in the mall or make the 2-mile drive to Wegmans. In summer, the Ithaca Farmers Market is just a mile away and features local produce and artwork from area farmers and artisans. Locals may begin their mornings at Gimme! Coffee, a local shop that features roasted coffees and espressos. Northstar Public House is a cozy bistro with an American menu, an inviting interior and covered outdoor patio. The Lincoln Street Diner is a welcoming daytime café that specializes in American comfort food.
Ithaca Guitar Works in Fall Creek was opened in 1969.
Ithaca Farmers Market near Fall Creek is open on weekends and has local appearances also.
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Festivals and fall fun in Fall Creek
The Fall Creek community gets together regularly to celebrate. In spring, Streets Alive! is a simple, one-day affair when the streets are closed to traffic and open for the people. Attendees are free to dance, jump rope, open a lemonade stand or whatever else they want to do. Many Ithacans head to Fall Creek in September to enjoy Porchfest. Since 2007, local musicians have been performing on the front porches of their own homes or the porches of friends and neighbors. Attendees can listen to music and check out the food trucks parked throughout the area. The Apple Harvest Festival returns every fall to Downtown Ithaca with crisp fall weather, introducing delicious new apple dishes and freshly pressed apple cider.
DeWitt Park in Fall Creek is popular for eating during lunch hour.
Fall Creek is a former industrial part of Ithaca that has been converted to a residential area.
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Ithaca High's high SATs scores
Fall Creek Elementary School has a B-plus rating from Niche and an 11-1 student-teacher ratio, while Boynton Middle School holds an A-minus rating and has a 9-1 student-teacher ratio. Ithaca High School has an A rating and a 13-1 student-teacher ratio. The school boasts an average SAT score of 1350.
Boynton Middle School in Ithaca has an overall A- grade on Niche.
Ithaca High School ranks first in best public High Schools in Tompkins County on Niche.
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Getting around the town
This walkable community is bordered by NY 13 to the west, Fall Creek to the north and Cascadilla Creek to the south. The neighborhood is a half-mile from Cornell University by car, even less by foot if one walks up the Cascadilla Gorge trail to the college. Ithaca Tompkins International Airport is 4 miles away and the Cayuga Medical Center is 4.5 miles from the neighborhood. TCAT buses run throughout Fall Creel and serve the greater Ithaca area.
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
Kathleen Seaman,
an experienced agent in this neighborhood.
Parks in this Area
Taughannock Falls State Park
Thompson Park
Ithaca Falls Natural Area
Auburn Park
Transit
Airport
Ithaca Tompkins International
8 min drive
Bus
Cayuga & Lincoln
Bus
Lake & Lincoln
Bus
Falls & Lake
Bus
Tompkins & Cayuga
Bus
Cayuga & Tompkins
Bus
Cayuga & Cascadilla
Bus
Lincoln & Dey
Crime and Safety
1 - Low Crime, 10 - High Crime
Fall Creek
US
Homicide
4
4
Sexual Assault
4
4
Assault with Weapon
4
4
Robbery
5
4
Burglary
6
4
Motor Vehicle Theft
5
4
Larceny
6
4
Crime Score
5
4
Source: WhatIsMyCrimeRisk.com
Demographics and Home Trends
On average, homes in Fall Creek, Ithaca sell after 97 days on the market compared to the national average of 48 days. The average sale price for homes in Fall Creek, Ithaca over the last 12 months is $398,333, up 3% from the average home sale price over the previous 12 months.
Marvelous 2500 square foot home in the heart of Fall Creek on a tree-lined street. Ideal location that’s only half a mile to Cornell, 1 block to Fall Creek elementary, less than 1 mi to high school, the heart of downtown and the farmer’s market. Great flat area for bike rides. 3 bedrooms plus 3 full bathrooms. Beautiful hardwood floors, laundry on the main floor, family room with door to a deep
This 8,432-square-foot property in the heart of downtown Ithaca presents a rare opportunity to acquire a mixed-use site with reliable income and extensive redevelopment potential. The first floor of the building is home to a well-established neighborhood pharmacy. The second floor houses 4 one-bedroom apartments, all currently occupied providing steady income. The property also features an 11-car
All utilities and Wi-Fi included - Available June 16th 2025!This 3 BR, 1 bath apartment was newly furnished and updated in 2024. It has a large kitchen, dining room, and living room. It is minutes to the Commons, Cornell, shops, and restaurants.WiFi and utilities are included, living room TV, free in-building laundry, free storage space, a fully equipped kitchen, and free street
Interested in learning more about homes in this area?
Reach out to
Kathleen Seaman,
an experienced agent in this neighborhood.
Average Home Value
Source: Public Records
Property Mix - Square Feet
This Neighborhood Has More Renters
Demographics
Total Population
2,185
Median Age
38
Population under 18
19%
On par with the national average
23.8%
Population over 65
16%
On par with the national average
19.1%
Finances
Median Household Income
$72,421
On par with the national average
$71,702
Average Household Income
$98,662
Education and Workforce
High School Graduates
97.4%
College Graduates
68.8%
Significantly above the national average
34.1%
Advanced Degrees
37.5%
Above the national average
13.3%
% Population in Labor Force
68.4%
Weather
Annual Precipitation
38''
Average Winter Low Temperature
15°F
Average Summer High Temperature
80°F
Annual Snowfall
41''
Area Factors
Biker's Paradise
Bike Score®
95/ 100
Very Walkable
Walk Score®
81/ 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.
