Tompkins County
NY · Pop. 102,879 · Mixed County
Tompkins County is a mixed rural-suburban county in New York, spanning 475 square miles with 102,879 residents at a density of 216.6 people per square mile, a more developed setting where truly rural parcels are scarcer. The agricultural economy is rated moderate, built on hay, haylage, corn. The median home price is $272,000, with an effective property tax rate of 2.35%. The climate sits in USDA hardiness zone 6a with a 141-day growing season, average summer highs of 78.2°F and average winter lows of 17.8°F. Annual rainfall averages 37.3 inches, and with drought risk rated very high, water storage and irrigation planning matter. Cayuga Medical Center at Ithaca is 3.4 miles away and includes an emergency room. Broadband reaches 96.1% of homes. On the hazard side, flood risk is very high, tornado risk is high, drought risk is very high, so plan infrastructure and insurance accordingly.
Pros
- Broadband reaches 96.1% of homes, making remote work and online farm sales realistic.
- Cayuga Medical Center at Ithaca, with an emergency room, is just 3.4 miles away — strong local healthcare access.
- A low unemployment rate of 3.5% reflects a stable local job base.
Cons
- Flood risk is very high, so careful parcel siting and flood insurance are essential.
- Drought risk is very high, making water storage and irrigation infrastructure essential rather than optional.
- A 141-day growing season limits crop diversity and calls for season-extension tools.
- An effective property tax rate of 2.35% is on the higher side and adds to annual carrying costs.
- At 216.6 people per square mile, this is a developed area where finding truly rural acreage is harder and pricier.
At a glance
Tompkins County, NY is a challenging place to homestead on the data.
- Homestead score
- 28/100
- Median home price
- $272k
- Property tax
- 2.35%
- Growing season
- 141 days (zone 6a)
- Annual rainfall
- 37.3"
- Broadband
- 96.1%
- Nearest hospital
- Cayuga Medical Center at Ithaca, 3.4 mi
Taxes & Cost of Living
Land & Building
Climate & Growing
Natural Disaster Risk
Healthcare
Infrastructure & Community
Business & Employment
Homesteading in Tompkins County: FAQ
- What is the growing season like in Tompkins County?
- Tompkins County is in USDA hardiness zone 6a with a 141-day growing season, average summer highs of 78.2°F, and average winter lows of 17.8°F. The established crops are hay, haylage, corn.
- How affordable is land and property here?
- The median home price is $272,000 and the effective property tax rate is 2.35%. County-level per-acre prices aren't published, so compare current local listings for raw land.
- Is broadband internet available?
- Broadband reaches 96.1% of homes, strong coverage that supports remote work for most parcels.
- How close is healthcare?
- Cayuga Medical Center at Ithaca is 3.4 miles away and includes an emergency room; there is 1 hospital in the county.
Explore New York Resources
Partner links — we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you
LandWatch
Browse rural land, farms, and ranches for sale across every state.
Lands of America
The largest listing site for rural property — farms, ranches, hunting land, and timberland.
AcreTrader
Invest in farmland online — vetted properties with passive income potential.
More counties in New York
All New York countiesNearby counties
The closest counties to Tompkins County by distance, including across state lines.
Data sources
Verified
Figures are sourced from public datasets: U.S. Census Bureau — ACS 5-year & Gazetteer, USDA NASS Census of Agriculture, USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map, NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals (1991–2020), FEMA National Risk Index, FCC Broadband Data Collection, BLS Local Area Unemployment Statistics, HIFLD Hospitals. Always confirm specifics locally before relying on them. See our methodology for how the homestead score is calculated.
Your brand here — Reach our audience of professional directory owners and boost your sales.