Tompkins County

The data provides annual population figures from 2020 to 2023 for children and adolescents segmented into four age groups: 0–4 years, 5–9 years, 10–14 years, and 15–17 years. The 0–4 age group shows a gradual decline over the years, dropping from 3,972 in 2020 to 3,712 in 2023. The 5–9 age group remains relatively stable, with a slight increase from 4,219 in 2020 to 4,275 in 2023. The 10–14 age group experiences consistent growth, rising from 4,058 in 2020 to 4,211 in 2022 before a slight decline to 4,161 in 2023. Meanwhile, the 15–17 age group fluctuates slightly, starting at 2,820 in 2020, peaking at 2,927 in 2021, and then stabilizing around 2,840 in 2023. Overall, the data reflects minor variations across these age groups over the four-year period.

The data presents the annual population distribution from 2020 to 2023 across various racial and ethnic groups. "White" consistently represents the largest population group, with figures peaking in 2021 at 81,263 before declining to 77,169 in 2023. The "Black or African American" population shows a slight decrease over the years, dropping from 3,764 in 2020 to 3,358 in 2023. The "American Indian and Alaska Native" group remains the smallest, with slight fluctuations between 44 and 122 individuals. The "Asian" population remains relatively stable, hovering around 9,500 annually. The "Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander" group is consistently small, with numbers ranging from 20 to 40. The "Hispanic or Latino" population shows an upward trend, increasing significantly from 5,343 in 2020 to 6,683 in 2023. The "Other" and "Two or more races" categories exhibit growth, with the "Two or more races" group rising from 4,489 in 2020 to 4,869 in 2023. Overall, the data reflects slight shifts in population distribution among these groups over the four-year period.

Our Community (Tompkins County) will provide children, youth and families with healthy, safe, and thriving environments.

The data outlines household statistics from 2020 to 2023, including the total number of households, occupied households, and those with children under 18. The total number of households steadily increases each year, rising from 44,019 in 2020 to 47,362 in 2023. Similarly, the number of occupied households follows this trend, growing from 40,817 in 2020 to 43,269 in 2023. Households with children under 18 show slight fluctuations, peaking at 8,797 in 2021 before decreasing to 8,304 in 2023. This data highlights consistent growth in total and occupied households, with a relatively stable but slightly declining trend in households with children under 18.

The data showcases the median home values from 2020 to 2023, reflecting a steady increase over the four-year period. In 2020, the median home value was $228,500, rising to $235,500 in 2021. A significant jump occurred in 2022, with the median value reaching $271,800, followed by a more modest increase to $279,300 in 2023. This trend indicates a consistent appreciation in home values over the years.

The data presents the median rent values from 2020 to 2023, showing a consistent upward trend. In 2020, the median rent was $1,144, which increased to $1,218 in 2021. The value continued to rise, reaching $1,320 in 2022 and $1,374 in 2023. This steady growth indicates a gradual increase in rental costs over the four-year period.

The data illustrates the percentage of individuals living below the poverty level from 2020 to 2023, showing a gradual decline over the four-year period. In 2020, 17.5% of individuals were below the poverty level, decreasing to 16.8% in 2021. This downward trend continued, with 16.0% in 2022 and 15.3% in 2023. The data reflects a steady improvement in poverty status during this time frame.

Youth will be prepared for their eventual self-sufficiency.

The data highlights unemployment rates among individuals with their own children under 18 years of age from 2020 to 2023, showing a rising trend over the four-year period. In 2020, the unemployment rate was 2.3%, increasing to 2.9% in 2021. The upward trajectory continued, reaching 3.8% in 2022 and 4.0% in 2023. This trend indicates growing unemployment challenges for this demographic during the observed timeframe.

The data showcases the employment rate among youth aged 16–19 from 2020 to 2023, revealing a fluctuating downward trend. In 2020, the employment rate was 27.8%, dropping to 25.0% in 2021. The decline continued more sharply in 2022, reaching a low of 16.9%, followed by a slight recovery to 19.5% in 2023. This data reflects varying employment challenges for this age group over the four-year period.

The data highlights graduation and dropout rates for Tompkins County compared to New York State (NYS) from 2021 to 2023. In 2021, Tompkins County had a graduation rate of 87%, slightly above the NYS average of 86%, with a dropout rate of 4%, equal to the state average. In 2022, the county's graduation rate decreased to 85%, falling below the NYS rate of 87%, while the dropout rate rose to 6%, compared to the state average of 5%. By 2023, the graduation rate in Tompkins County rebounded to 87%, matching the 2021 level, though still slightly below the NYS average of 86%. The dropout rate remained at 6%, higher than the NYS rate of 5%. This data indicates that Tompkins County's graduation performance aligns closely with state trends but shows a slightly higher dropout rate in recent years.

Youth will leave school prepared to live, learn, and work in their community.

Between 2019 and 2023, student enrollment and support needs in Tompkins County schools showed notable changes. Dryden’s enrollment declined from 1,359 in 2019-20 to 1,236 in 2022-23, while Ithaca remained the largest district, with enrollment fluctuating from 5,026 to 4,841 during the same period. Students with disabilities increased countywide, rising from 1,649 in 2019-20 to 1,668 in 2022-23, with Dryden's count increasing from 253 to 242. English Learner students also grew, particularly in Ithaca, where numbers increased from 191 in 2019-20 to 206 in 2022-23, contributing to the countywide rise from 253 to 248. Homeless student numbers surged significantly, especially in Dryden, rising from 11 in 2019-20 to 34 in 2022-23, driving the county total from 75 to 226. These trends highlight shifts in enrollment and increasing support needs across districts.

The data presents Grade 3 performance in ELA (English Language Arts) and Math for select school districts in Tompkins County—Dryden, Groton, Ithaca, Lansing, Newfield, and Trumansburg—alongside New York Public Schools as a benchmark. Over the three school years (2020-21 to 2022-23), student performance in both ELA and Math varies across districts.

For ELA, performance trends show fluctuations. In the 2022-23 school year, scores ranged from 38% (Trumansburg) to 52% (Lansing), with the state average at 45%.

For Math, performance generally improved in 2022-23 compared to previous years. Lansing led with 59%, while Newfield recorded the lowest score at 38%, compared to the state average of 54%.

It is important to note that data for the entire Tompkins County is not available, and the figures provided reflect only individual school districts within the county.

In Grade 8 standardized tests, student performance across districts in ELA and Math varied significantly over the years. In 2020-21, Dryden had 55% meeting state standards in ELA and 13% in Math, while NY Public Schools recorded 58% and 20%, respectively. By 2021-22, Dryden’s performance dropped to 25% in ELA and 22% in Math, compared to NY Public Schools’ 50% in ELA and 24% in Math. In 2022-23, Dryden improved slightly to 30% in ELA and 34% in Math, but still lagged behind the NY Public Schools averages of 55% in ELA and 41% in Math. Notably, performance varied across neighboring districts like Groton, Lansing, and Trumansburg, but Tompkins County-wide data was unavailable for comparison.

In Tompkins County, 46% of students in grades 7-12 reported feeling welcomed and appreciated by school adults, while 51% said they have a trusted adult at school who can help with problems. Additionally, 79% of students felt safe at school, and 35% believed school rules are fairly enforced. However, only 29% said students treat each other with respect. On the negative side, 25% of students reported that someone said something hurtful to them in the past 30 days, and 4% experienced physical bullying during that time.

Families will provide children safe, stable and nurturing environments

This data is for Tompkins County households with own children under 18. The total number of families decreased from 8,364 in 2020 to 7,767 in 2023. The number of married families remained relatively stable, with 5,302 in 2020 and 5,166 in 2023. The number of single father households decreased from 741 in 2020 to 500 in 2023, while the number of single mother households also declined from 2,321 in 2020 to 2,101 in 2023.

Children and youth will have optimal physical and emotional health.

In Tompkins County, health insurance coverage for youth under the age of 19 varied across different types of coverage from 2020 to 2023. The number of youths with direct purchase health insurance remained relatively stable, increasing slightly from 210 in 2020 to 212 in 2023. Employer-based coverage saw a steady increase, from 1,307 in 2020 to 1,419 in 2023. However, Medicaid coverage decreased from 1,237 in 2020 to 884 in 2023.

From 2014 to 2018, there were noticeable trends in the mental health of youth in Tompkins County. The percentage of students who sometimes thought life was not worth it increased from 21% in 2014 and 2016 to 27% in 2018. Similarly, the percentage of students who at times felt they were no good at all grew from 31% in both 2014 and 2016 to 38% in 2018. The feeling of being a failure also rose from 18% in 2014 and 2016 to 25% in 2018. Additionally, the percentage of students who felt sad or depressed most days in the past year increased from 30% in 2014 to 33% in 2018.

For high school students in Tompkins County, the data from 2014 to 2018 shows an increase in mental health challenges. The percentage of students who sometimes thought life was not worth it rose from 27% in 2014 and 2016 to 32% in 2018. Similarly, those who at times felt they were no good at all increased from 35% in 2014 to 43% in 2018. The percentage who thought they were a failure grew from 20% in 2014 to 27% in 2018. Additionally, the proportion of students who felt sad or depressed most days in the past year increased from 32% in 2014 to 37% in 2018.

1) Child Development Council (Detailed report not available online)

2) Food Bank of the Southern Finger Lakes  

3) Monitoring the Future  

4) NYS Council on Children & Families Kids Well-being Indicator Checklist  

5) NYS Dept. of Education School Report Cards  

6) NYS Dept. of Health Student Weight Status Category Reporting System  

7) NYS Department of Health Vital Statistics  

8) NYS Division of Criminal Justice Services, Juvenile Arrest Record System  

9) Tompkins County Communities that Care Youth Survey  

10) Tompkins County Probation Department (Detailed reports not available online)

11) Tompkins County Sheriff (Detailed reports not available online)

12) U.S. Housing and Urban Development Comprehensive Housing Affordability Strategy Data  

13) U.S. Census Decennial Census & American Community Survey