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Cortland, NY

Full City Profile · New York · Cortland County County

3.1 /5.0
B Good
17,465 Population 4,490/sq mi density
$55,368 Median Income $27,328 per capita
$143,800 Home Value $194,617 Zillow
$893 Median Rent 30.5% income on rent
45°F Avg Temperature 260 sunny days/yr
295 Violent Crime/100K 1,742 property/100K
B
Overall
3.1 / 5.0
Good overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
B+
Economy
3.5 / 5.0
$55,368 median income, 4.4% unemployment
A+
Affordability
5.0 / 5.0
$143,800 home value, $893/mo rent
F
Safety
1.0 / 5.0
295 violent crimes/100K
B
Education
3.1 / 5.0
26.1% bachelor's degree or higher
Cortland has a cool climate with an average annual temperature of 45°F (7°C). Winters average 21°F in January while summers reach 68°F in July. The area gets 260 sunny days per year. Annual precipitation totals 39.5 inches. The area receives 64.4 inches of snow annually. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 36.

Temperature

21°F Jan (-6°C) 68°F Jul (20°C)
Annual Average45.2°F
16% below US avg
January Average21°F (-6°C)
July Average68°F (20°C)
Sunny Days260 days/yr

Geography

Elevation1,122 ft (342 m)
Area3.9 sq mi (10.1 km²)
Population Density4,490/sq mi
Coordinates42.6009°N, 76.1791°W
TimezoneAmerica/New_York
CountyCortland County County
Nearest AirportIthaca Tompkins International (ITH)
16 miles away

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall 39.5"
4% above US avg
Snowfall 64.4"
Wettest Month (Sep) 4.09"
Driest Month (Feb) 2.44"

Air Quality

AQI Median36.0
RatingGood

Natural Hazard Risk

Overall RiskRelatively Low
Risk Score51.2 / 100
Social Vulnerability37.2 / 100
Community Resilience86.7 / 100

Hazard Breakdown

Tornado Relatively Low
Hurricane Relatively Low
Earthquake Very Low
Wildfire Very Low
Flood Relatively Low
Hail Very Low
Strong Wind Relatively Low
Heat Wave Very Low
Winter Weather Relatively Low
Lightning Relatively Low
Ice Storm Relatively Low
Drought No Rating
Cold Wave Relatively Low
Landslide Relatively Low
Avalanche Very Low
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)

Earthquake History

10 earthquakes (M2.5+) within 150 km since 1990. Strongest: M4.0. Most recent: M2.8 on Jun 10, 2025.

Jun 17, 1991 7 km NE of Worcester, New York M4.0 123 km
Apr 23, 2023 New York M3.6 141 km
Jun 29, 2024 14 km W of Ellisburg, New York M3.3 125 km
Feb 3, 2001 6 km W of Bath, New York M3.2 104 km
Jul 31, 1997 0 km WSW of Lyons Falls, New York M3.2 131 km
Jun 10, 2025 10 km NW of Forksville, Pennsylvania M2.8 122 km
Feb 27, 2008 2 km SW of Central Bridge, New York M2.7 149 km
Apr 14, 2023 1 km W of Adams Center, New York M2.6 141 km
Apr 11, 2007 6 km NNE of Sodus Point, New York M2.6 103 km
Jan 25, 1999 New York M2.5 137 km
Source: USGS (M2.5+, 1990–2025)

Hurricane History

1 hurricane (Cat 1+) within 500 km since 1980. Strongest: Category 1. Most recent: Gloria (1985, Cat 1).

Year Name Category Closest
1985 Gloria Category 1 289 km
Source: NOAA IBTrACS (Cat 1+, 1980–2026)

Tornado History

160 tornadoes (EF0+) within 100 km since 1950. Strongest: EF3. Total: 10 fatalities, 57 injuries.

Date Rating Distance Fatalities
May 31, 1998 EF3 59 km 0
May 31, 1998 EF3 89 km 0
May 2, 1983 EF3 73 km 0
May 2, 1983 EF3 71 km 0
May 2, 1983 EF3 76 km 0
May 2, 1983 EF3 73 km 1
Jun 2, 1969 EF3 61 km 0
Aug 30, 1955 EF3 68 km 0
Jul 16, 2024 EF2 88 km 0
Jul 8, 2014 EF2 62 km 4
Aug 21, 2011 EF2 72 km 0
Apr 28, 2011 EF2 34 km 0
Apr 27, 2011 EF2 63 km 0
May 16, 2009 EF2 25 km 0
May 31, 1998 EF2 47 km 0
Aug 28, 1990 EF2 58 km 0
Jul 23, 1990 EF2 77 km 0
Oct 14, 1989 EF2 35 km 2
Sep 18, 1977 EF2 47 km 0
Jun 16, 1976 EF2 95 km 0
Source: NOAA SPC (EF0+, 1950–2024)

Wildfire History

1 wildfire (100+ acres) within 100 km. Largest: DRY MARSH (1,018 ac, 2010).

Year Name Acres Distance
2010 DRY MARSH 1,018 63 km
Source: NIFC/IRWIN (100+ acres)

Monthly Weather

Month Avg Temperature Precipitation Summary
January 21°F (-6°C) 2.6 in Coldest
February 22°F (-5°C) 2.4 in Driest
March 32°F (-0°C) 2.9 in
April 43°F (6°C) 3.3 in
May 55°F (13°C) 3.4 in
June 63°F (17°C) 4.1 in
July 68°F (20°C) 3.6 in Warmest
August 66°F (19°C) 3.3 in
September 59°F (15°C) 4.1 in Wettest
October 48°F (9°C) 3.3 in
November 38°F (3°C) 3.5 in
December 27°F (-3°C) 3.3 in

Cortland has a seasonal temperature swing of 48°F / from 21°F in January to 68°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 39.9 inches, with September being the wettest month (4.1") and February the driest (2.4").

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