About our Town

Town of Ithaca at a glance 

Founded March 16, 1821 with the first Town meeting held on April 3, 1821.  

• Approximately  30.3 square miles (total), 29.1 square miles (land only)  
• There are approximately 9,000 households with 22,000 residents. 
• The Town’s annual budget is around $26 million.
• Currently there are 61 employees in two locations, historic Town Hall at the corner of N. Tioga and Buffalo Streets which was the former Post Office built in 1909, and our Public Works Facility located at 114 Seven Mile Dr.
• Visit the Town Demographics & Facts page for additional information.

A Little More information

The Town of Ithaca is a mosaic of rural, suburban, and urban landscapes  that surrounds the City of Ithaca. It is a college town, a farm town, a Finger  Lakes community, and a tourist destination renowned for its scenic vistas,  forested hillsides, gorges, waterfalls and Cayuga Lake. The Town is  fortunate to have three State Parks nearby and many small Town parks and  trails. It is a town where institutions of higher learning flourish, where  comparatively stable employment centers reside, and where there is easy  access to outdoor recreational opportunities, cultural events, shopping,  eclectic restaurants, and a thriving arts and music scene. This mix of rural  and small town charm with a cultural vibrancy and a nearby city vibe is  what makes the Town distinctive. It’s what residents value about living here  and what attracts newcomers to visit and stay.  
Ithaca’s reputation for a high quality of life and for being one of the few  expanding economies in upstate New York draw people here. This growth  brings new businesses, new employers, and new ideas. An expanding  population means a broader base to support the arts, culture, and our many  non-profit organizations. The attractiveness of Ithaca has brought many  positive changes but it also brings the challenge of accommodating more  people well and in a sustainable fashion—preserving valuable farmland and  open space, and ensuring that the quality of life that brought people here in  the first place is not jeopardized.

Town Historian

Gary Stewart has been appointed as our Town Historian. Historian@townithacany.gov

The Town Historian answers questions from the public, staff and board members regarding our history and locations of historical significance and highlights our history through our newsletter, website, displays and an occasional talk.

Gary led Cornell University’s Office of Community Relations for 22 years. During that time, he launched several key initiatives that forged new connections between Cornell, surrounding communities and campuses. A sampling of programs Gary created with community and campus leaders includes: Cornell’s annual Town-Gown Awards; “All Things Equal,” a local weekly radio show; and “East Hill Notes,” a column in a local weekly newspaper.

After graduating from Emerson College, Gary served as an editor at several newspapers throughout the United States, including in Ithaca, New York, home of Cornell. Gary was also the first managing editor of The Moscow Times when the paper was launched in 1992, shortly after the fall of the Soviet Union.

Special Bits and Pieces

Spirit of Tompkins – A Celebration in Portraits

This project was a collaboration of the Discovery Trail, the town of Ithaca (celebrating our bicentennial in 2021) and photographer Robyn Wishna. The images and stories aim to remind us of the connections between people and their places and the stories about what this shared place means to them personally. Link

Ithaca Welcomes Students – An introduction to the area by former student Stella Frank

The Town of Ithaca as a P.L.A.C.E. – Presentation – People Land Architecture Culture Enterprises