Cortland, New York
Cortland is a city of 17,450 people in Cortland County, New York, founded in 1791.
Why visit Cortland
Townapedia lists 14 museums and landmarks, 13 parks and trails, 55 places to eat, 13 places to stay and 3 attractions in and around town.
Highlights include Plaza 6 Cinemas, State University of New York at Cortland, Cortland Free Library and 1890 House.
July is the warmest month, with average highs of 79°F; January lows average 12°F, and about 64 inches of snow fall in a normal year.
Weather in Cortland
Forecast from the National Weather Service. Full forecast
About Cortland
Cortland is a city and the county seat of Cortland County, New York, United States. Known as the Crown City, Cortland is in New York's Southern Tier region. As of 2024, the estimated population of Cortland, New York, is 17,196, reflecting a decline of approximately 1.82% since the 2020 census, which recorded 17,515 residents.
From the Wikipedia article Cortland, New York (this version), under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Things to do3
State University of New York at Cortland
School · 0.6 mi
Public university in Cortland, New York, USA
Museums and landmarks14
Cortland Free Library
Monument and historic site · National Register of Historic Places
Library in Cortland, New York, United States
32 Church Street, Cortland
Mo-Th 09:30-20:00; Fr 09:30-17:00; Sa 09:30-15:00
Cortland County Courthouse
Monument and historic site · National Register of Historic Places
County courthouse in New York, United States of America
Cortland Fire Headquarters
Monument and historic site · National Register of Historic Places
Fire station in New York, United States of America
Old Homer Village Historic District
Monument and historic site · National Register of Historic Places · 2.5 mi
Historic district in Homer, New York
Randall Farm
Monument and historic site · National Register of Historic Places · 1.1 mi
Historic farm and national historic district in Cortland, New York, United States
Tompkins Street–Main Street Historic District
Monument and historic site · National Register of Historic Places · 0.5 mi
Historic district in Cortland, New York
United States Post Office
Monument and historic site · National Register of Historic Places
Historic post office building located at Cortland in Cortland County, New York
United States Post Office
Monument and historic site · National Register of Historic Places · 3.1 mi
Government building in Homer, New York
Water, Wall, and Pine Streets Lenticular Truss Bridges
Monument and historic site · National Register of Historic Places · 2.5 mi
Historic district in New York, United States of America
William J. Greenman House
Monument and historic site · National Register of Historic Places
Historic home located at Cortland in Cortland County, New York
Cortland County Poor Farm
Monument and historic site · National Register of Historic Places · 2.8 mi
2 more on the map.
Parks, trails and playgrounds13
1 more on the map.
Restaurants and cafes55
Starbucks
Cafe · Coffee Shop · 0.7 mi
145 Clinton Avenue, Cortland
Mo-Fr 05:30-21:00; Sa,Su 06:00-21:00
Hilltop
Cafe · Pizza, Burger, Sandwich, Sushi, Wrap, Snack, Tacos · 0.4 mi
49 Graham Avenue, Cortland
Mo-Fr 09:00-14:45
Red Jug Pub
Bar and pub
Red Jug Pub is a locally own bar located on Central Avenue, serving the coldest, yet most refreshing beverages in all of Cortland.
31 Central Avenue, Cortland
12:00-02:00
The Dragon's Den
Cafe · Sandwich, Snack · 0.5 mi
Gerhart Drive, Cortland
Mo-Fr 07:30-15:00
43 more on the map.
History
The city is within the former Central New York Military Tract. It is named after Pierre Van Cortlandt, the first lieutenant governor of New York.
Cortland, settled in 1791, was made a village in 1853 (rechartered in 1864), and incorporated in 1900 as New York's 41st city. When the county was formed in 1808, Cortland vied with other villages to become the county seat. Known as the "Crown City" because of its location on a plain formed by the convergence of seven valleys, Cortland is 1,130 feet (340 m) above sea level. Forty stars representing the 40 cities incorporated before Cortland circle the State of New York and Crown on the city's official seal. The seven points of the crown represent the seven valleys surrounding Cortland. The 41st star in the center of the crown illustrates Cortland as the incorporated city closest to New York's geographic center.
From the History section of Cortland, New York on Wikipedia, under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Where to stay13
Churches and places of worship20
First Presbyterian Church Complex
Church · National Register of Historic Places
Unitarian Universalist Church
Church · National Register of Historic Places
Shopping7
Gas and EV charging8
Schools, colleges and libraries24
Healthcare18
Map of Cortland
175 places. The map loads OpenStreetMap tiles when you open it.
Climate by month
Monthly table
| Month | High | Low | Rain | Snow |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 30°F | 12°F | 2.2 in | 16.1 in |
| Feb | 32°F | 12°F | 2.0 in | 14.5 in |
| Mar | 40°F | 20°F | 2.7 in | 13.0 in |
| Apr | 53°F | 33°F | 3.2 in | 2.4 in |
| May | 66°F | 44°F | 3.5 in | 0.0 in |
| Jun | 74°F | 53°F | 4.2 in | 0.0 in |
| Jul | 79°F | 58°F | 4.1 in | 0.0 in |
| Aug | 78°F | 55°F | 4.1 in | 0.0 in |
| Sep | 70°F | 49°F | 4.1 in | 0.0 in |
| Oct | 58°F | 38°F | 3.9 in | 0.1 in |
| Nov | 46°F | 29°F | 2.8 in | 5.6 in |
| Dec | 35°F | 21°F | 2.7 in | 12.7 in |
U.S. Climate Normals 1991-2020 for Freeville 1 Ne (10 mi away), NOAA NCEI.
People and cost of living
American Community Survey 5-year estimates, 2020-2024, U.S. Census Bureau. Estimates have margins of error, larger for small towns.
Disaster history
Cortland County has had 16 federal disaster declarations since 2000, most often for severe storms.
- 2024-08-29: Severe Storm, Tornadoes, And Flooding (Flood)
- 2021-10-08: Remnants Of Tropical Storm Fred (Hurricane)
- 2020-03-20: Covid-19 Pandemic (Biological)
- 2020-03-13: Covid-19 (Biological)
- 2019-12-19: Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, And Flooding (Severe Storm)
- 2017-07-12: Severe Winter Storm And Snowstorm (Snowstorm)
OpenFEMA disaster declarations summaries.
Getting there and nearby towns
Cortland County Airport-Chase Field (CTX) is the nearest airport with scheduled flights listed in OpenStreetMap, 2 miles away.
- Munsons Corners 2 mi southwest, about 4 min by car
- Cortland West 2 mi west, about 4 min by car
- Homer 3 mi north, about 4 min by car
- McGraw 4 mi east, about 7 min by car
- McLean 7 mi southwest, about 11 min by car
- Groton 9 mi west, about 15 min by car
- Dryden 10 mi southwest, about 16 min by car
- Syracuse 30 mi north, about 49 min by car
- Auburn 30 mi northwest, about 49 min by car
- Binghamton 37 mi south, about 1 h by car
Drive times are estimates from straight-line distance, not routes.
Local news
Headlines from INDB, the NEMICO news database.
Reviews, tips and questions
Loading what members have shared...
Sources and licences
- NCES EDGE (Public domain): public schools
- NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991-2020 (Public domain): climate by month
- OpenFEMA (Public domain): disaster declarations
- OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL 1.0): places, airports, map data
- U.S. Census Bureau (Public domain): population, income, housing, education, commute
- Wikidata (CC0 1.0): elevation, founding date, time zone, website, landmarks and historic places
- Wikimedia Commons (see each image): photos
- Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0): overview and history text
Photo credits
- Downtown Cortland, Publicganda, CC BY-SA 3.0
- Unitarian Universalist Church Cortland NY Aug 09, Doug Kerr from Albany, NY, United States, CC BY-SA 2.0
- Cortland Fire Headquarters Aug 09, Doug Kerr from Albany, NY, United States, CC BY-SA 2.0
- Cortland Free Library Aug 09, Doug Kerr from Albany, NY, United States, CC BY-SA 2.0
- Cortland center shopping - panoramio, johnaac, CC BY 3.0
- Main Street, Cortland, New York - 20200903, Andre Carrotflower, CC BY-SA 4.0
- Schermerhorn Block aka Newberry Building, Cortland, New York - 20200903, Andre Carrotflower, CC BY-SA 4.0
- Central Fire Station, Cortland, New York - 20200903, Andre Carrotflower, CC BY-SA 4.0
- Union Soldier Monument and fountain, Courthouse Park, Cortland, New York - 20200903, Andre Carrotflower, CC BY-SA 4.0
- County Courthouse and Courthouse Park, Cortland, New York - 20200903, Andre Carrotflower, CC BY-SA 4.0
- Greetings from Cortland, New York - Large Letter Postcard (10378063495), Steve Shook from Moscow, Idaho, USA, CC BY 2.0
- SUNY Cortland sidewalk entrance, J. Passepartout, CC BY-SA 4.0
- Moffet Center, SUNY Cortland, J. Passepartout, CC BY-SA 4.0
- Side of Cortland admissions building, J. Passepartout, CC BY-SA 4.0
- SUNY Cortland Admissions building, J. Passepartout, CC BY-SA 4.0
- Interfaith Center near Cortland campus, J. Passepartout, CC BY-SA 4.0
- SUNY Cortland Old Main, J. Passepartout, CC BY-SA 4.0
- SUNY Cortland Newman House, J. Passepartout, CC BY-SA 4.0
- SUNY Cortland greenhouses, J. Passepartout, CC BY-SA 4.0
- Bowers Hall at SUNY Cortland, J. Passepartout, CC BY-SA 4.0
- SUNY Cortland water tank, J. Passepartout, CC BY-SA 4.0
- Memorial Library, Cortland, J. Passepartout, CC BY-SA 4.0
- Memorial Library at SUNY Cortland, J. Passepartout, CC BY-SA 4.0
- Cortland, New York (224032657), Jayu from Harrisburg, PA, U.S.A., CC BY-SA 2.0
- Cortland, New York (224032658), Jayu from Harrisburg, PA, U.S.A., CC BY-SA 2.0
- Cortland, New York (175588249), Jayu from Harrisburg, PA, U.S.A., CC BY-SA 2.0
- RANDALL FARM; CORTLAND COUNTY, Jerrye & Roy Klotz, MD, CC BY-SA 4.0
- UNITED STATES POST OFFICE CORTLAND, CORTLAND COUNTY, Jerrye & Roy Klotz, MD, CC BY-SA 4.0
- TOMPKINS STREET-MAIN STREET HISTORIC DISTRICT - CORTLAND COUNTY, Jerrye & Roy Klotz, MD, CC BY-SA 4.0
- WATER, WALL, AND PINE STREET LENTICULAR TRUSS BRIDGES, CORTLAND CTY, Jerrye & Roy Klotz, MD, CC BY-SA 4.0
- First Presbyterian Church Cortland Aug 09, Doug Kerr from now in Binghamton, NY, CC BY-SA 2.0
- WILLIAM J. GREENMAN HOUSE, CORTLAND COUNTY, Jerrye & Roy Klotz, MD, CC BY-SA 4.0
- Homer, NY, Post Office IMG 1502, Billy Hathorn ( talk ), CC BY-SA 3.0
- Jebediah Barber building Old Homer Village Historic District Aug 09, Doug Kerr from Albany, NY, United States, CC BY-SA 2.0
- CORTLAND COUNTY POOR FARM, CORTLAND COUNTY, Jerrye & Roy Klotz, MD, CC BY-SA 4.0
- The 1890 House Museum, the 1890 House Museum, CC BY-SA 4.0
- View of Dowd Fine Arts Building, J. Passepartout, CC BY-SA 4.0
- Crescent Corset Company 03 29 45 500000, Doncram, CC BY-SA 4.0
- Crescent Corset Company 03 30 29 156000, Doncram, CC BY-SA 4.0
- Dowd Fine Arts Center view, J. Passepartout, CC BY-SA 4.0
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