Tompkins County, NY Property Records
Property records in Tompkins, New York provide essential information about real estate ownership, parcel boundaries, assessed values, property classifications, exemptions, sales history, and tax-related details. These records are useful for buyers, sellers, homeowners, researchers, attorneys, and real estate professionals who need to verify ownership, estimate property taxes, review assessment data, or understand a parcel’s history.
Official Tompkins property information is typically maintained by local government offices, including the Tompkins County Department of Assessment for assessment and parcel data, and the County Clerk for recorded deeds, mortgages, and other land records. Users can begin their search through the county’s official property records resources, which provide access to assessment information and guidance on obtaining related documents. For certified copies or recorded legal instruments, contacting the appropriate county office directly is recommended.
Tompkins County, NY Property Records & Statistics
Tompkins County has a median rent of $1,113, well above the New York median of $928.25 and the national median of $840.25. Renter-occupied housing makes up 26.76% of occupied homes, higher than the state figure of 20.16% and the national figure of 21.81%, which reflects a larger rental market than most counties, including many renters in and around Ithaca.
The median home value is $213,900, above both the state median of $169,000 and the national median of $173,750. The median property tax rate of 2.33% is higher than the state rate of 2.11% and about three times the national rate of 0.74%. Combined, higher values and higher rates give homeowners a notable annual tax cost.
The median household income is $78,125, ahead of the state figure of $70,656.50 and the national figure of $65,108, which helps offset the higher housing costs. The unemployment rate of 3.05% is slightly above the state rate of 2.91% and the national rate of 2.87%, so the job market is close to average.
Overall, the figures describe a county with above-average rents and home values, a large share of renters, strong incomes, high property taxes, and unemployment that tracks state and national levels.
Median Rent
Median Property Tax Rate
Median Home Value
Median Income
Unemployment Rate
Renter Occupied Housing
Property Records, Assessments, and Valuations in Tompkins
Tompkins County property records cover tax assessments, recorded deeds and mortgages, property valuations, and foreclosure filings. The county has 35,811 total parcels, including 30,731 residential and 1,910 commercial parcels, with the 2024 assessment year as the latest. The Recorder holds 41,342 deed records and 8,951 mortgage records, and valuation data is available for 20,157 properties.
| Key Data | Details |
|---|---|
| Total Parcels | 35,811 |
| Residential Parcels | 30,731 |
| Commercial Parcels | 1,910 |
| Tax Record Coverage | 39.66% |
| Assessment Year | 2024 |
| Deed Records | 41,342 |
| Mortgage Records | 8,951 |
| Properties with Valuation Data | 20,157 |
| Latest Valuation Update | August 19, 2025 |
| Lis Pendens Records | 899 |
Assignment and Release Records
Assignment and release records show what happens to a mortgage after it is recorded. An assignment documents the transfer of a mortgage from one lender or loan holder to another, while a release shows that the loan was satisfied and the lien removed from the property.
Tompkins County has 58,126 assignment and release records. They include 5,172 assignment documents recorded from January 4, 2005, to August 13, 2025, and 52,954 release documents recorded from January 4, 2001, to August 15, 2025.
For property research, these records help show who holds a mortgage, whether earlier loans were paid off, and how a loan moved between lenders. Buyers, owners, and title researchers can use them to confirm that past liens were cleared and to identify mortgages that may remain open before a sale or refinance.
How to Search Tompkins County, NY Property Records
Tompkins County property records are recorded by the Tompkins County Clerk in Ithaca, which keeps deeds, mortgages, and related land records. Assessment data covers the county's 35,811 parcels and includes ownership, assessed values, and tax details.
To search recorded documents, use the Tompkins County Clerk records search, the online portal for deeds, mortgages, and other land records. The Clerk's Land Records page explains available services, and the eRecording page covers electronic filing.
The County Clerk is at 320 N. Tioga St., Ithaca, NY 14850, open Monday through Friday from 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM, and can be reached at 607-274-5431.
To search, have a party name, property details, or document type ready. Enter the most complete information you have, narrow results by date range, and open the document that matches your property. For assessed values and tax bills, contact the assessor or tax collector for the town or city where the property is located.
Tompkins Registrar of Deeds
The Tompkins County Probate Office is located at 320 N. Tioga St., Ithaca, NY, 14850 and can be reached at 607-274-5431. Office hours are Monday - Friday: 8:30 AM - 4:30 PM. Records can be accessed through countyfusion3.kofiletech.us or the official website tompkinscountyny.gov.
Tompkins County Clerk
Tompkins County Property Records FAQ
How can I search Tompkins County property records by address?
Recorded documents are searched through the Tompkins County Clerk records search, which works best with names and document details. For assessment information by address, contact the assessor for the town or city where the property sits, or call the County Clerk at 607-274-5431.
How can I find property owners in Tompkins County?
Owners are named on recorded deeds. Use the Clerk's records search to look up deeds by name or document type. Deeds in the county's system date back to January 6, 1994. For older records, contact the Land Records office in Ithaca.
How can I check a property's assessed value in Tompkins County?
Assessments in New York are set by local assessors, and the county's tax records reflect the 2024 assessment year. Contact the assessor for the town or city where the property is located to check its value. The Tompkins County website lists county offices, and the Clerk at 607-274-5431 can help.
Where can I find Tompkins County property tax bills and payment records?
Property tax bills are issued by towns and cities, and the county handles delinquent taxes. Contact the tax collector for your property's municipality to view or pay a bill. The Tompkins County website has county tax information, and the Clerk's office can direct you if you are unsure where to go.
How can I find deeds and other recorded documents in Tompkins County?
Deeds, mortgages, assignments, and releases are recorded by the Tompkins County Clerk. Search them in the records search portal or visit 320 N. Tioga St., Ithaca, Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM. Electronic filing is explained on the eRecording page.
Where can I access Tompkins County parcel maps and GIS information?
The county's 35,811 parcels are mapped through county planning and real property resources. Start at the Tompkins County website to find GIS and tax map information. Parcel maps are for reference only and are not a legal survey, so use a licensed surveyor for boundary questions, or call the Clerk at 607-274-5431 for direction.
How can I check permits and zoning information in Tompkins County?
Building permits and zoning are generally handled by the town, village, or city where the property is located. Contact that municipality's code enforcement or building office for requirements. The Tompkins County website can help you identify the right county department or municipality for permit and planning questions.
How can I create a list of property owners in Tompkins County?
The county's online tools are built for individual lookups. Use the Clerk's records search to find owners through recorded deeds one property at a time. For larger or bulk requests, call the Tompkins County Clerk at 607-274-5431 to ask what data is available.