What does this measure?

The total change in the number of people living in a geographic area since 2000.

Why is this important?

Changes in total population can indicate the overall health of a community and its ability to attract and retain residents.

How are Cayuga and Seneca counties performing?

In 2010, the population in Cayuga County was just over 80,000, down 2.4% from the population in 2000. In Seneca, the 2010 population was 35,250, up 5.7% from 2000, though the gain of about 2,000 people came largely from the construction of a state prison. Seneca grew faster than the state (excluding NYC), which increased by 2.1% over the decade, but slower than the nation, which grew by 9.7% during that same time. Ontario County grew the most of the comparison counties, increasing by 7.7%, followed by Onondaga (1.9%). Wayne had no growth and Oswego declined less than 1%.

In Cayuga, the City of Auburn shrank by 3.1% over the decade, to a population of 27,700 in 2010. Three of the five largest towns, Brutus, Moravia and Sterling, also shrank. Sennett and Owasco were the largest towns that grew, by 11.5% and 1% respectively. All the villages in Cayuga had population declines over the decade, with the exceptions of Cayuga and Union Springs.

In Seneca, the two largest towns, Seneca Falls and Waterloo, declined in population by 3.3% and 2.8% respectively. However, Romulus, the location of Five Points Correctional Facility, more than doubled in size to 4,300 and Fayette grew 7.9% to 3,900. All the villages in Seneca County had population declines over the decade.

Notes about the data

None.