Moving to Owego, New York

by btobers · Published June 30, 2019 · Updated November 18, 2024

Owego, New York is a small village located in Tioga County on the banks of the Susquehanna River. It has a population of around 3,500 people and is situated on the southern edge of the Finger Lakes region. The village was founded in 1788 and named after Owego, an Indian settlement that had been located nearby.

The town is known for its quaint charm and its abundance of outdoor activities. The downtown area features many historic buildings and businesses, including several antique shops, restaurants, and even a museum dedicated to local history. There are also several scenic parks throughout the village which offer plenty of opportunities for fishing, hiking, and camping. Owego also hosts several annual events such as the Owego Strawberry Festival and the Owego Jazz Festival which bring people from all over to enjoy the town’s unique culture.

In addition to its natural beauty, Owego offers many other attractions for visitors to enjoy. Visitors can take a tour of historic sites such as the old county courthouse or visit local museums like the Tioga County Historical Society Museum located in downtown Owego. Arts enthusiasts can also explore galleries featuring work from local artists or attend performances at one of two theaters in town: The Clemens Center or The State Theater of Ithaca.

Owego is home to several colleges including SUNY Broome Community College which offers a variety of academic programs as well as extracurricular activities like intramural sports teams and student clubs. Additionally, Binghamton University’s main campus sits just minutes away from downtown Owego making it easy for students to take advantage of all that both schools have to offer without having to travel far from home.

Overall, Owego is an ideal destination for those looking for a peaceful retreat surrounded by stunning natural beauty with plenty of activities to keep them entertained during their stay. From exploring local attractions such as museums and galleries to taking part in outdoor recreation such as fishing or camping, there’s something for everyone here in this charming little village nestled along New York’s Susquehanna River Valley.

Population: 17,954. Estimated population in July 2024: 17,705 (-1.4% change)
Males: 8,393 (46.7%), Females: 9,561 (53.3%)

Oswego County

Zip code: 13126

Demographics

Median resident age: 34.9 years
Median household income: $28,248
Median house value: $68,400

Population by Race

Races in Oswego:

White Non-Hispanic (94.1%)
Hispanic (2.8%)
Two or more races (1.4%)
Other race (1.1%)
Black (1.0%)
American Indian (0.8%)

Ancestries: Irish (26.1%), Italian (18.4%), German (15.8%), English (12.1%), French (8.7%), Polish (6.4%).

Elevation: 298 feet

Land area: 7.7 square miles

Population by Education

For population 25 years and over in Oswego

High school or higher: 79.4%
Bachelor’s degree or higher: 21.2%
Graduate or professional degree: 9.1%
Unemployed: 8.4%
Mean travel time to work: 16.6 minutes

For population 15 years and over in Oswego city

Never married: 34.6%
Now married: 45.5%
Separated: 3.0%
Widowed: 9.1%
Divorced: 7.9%

2.7% Foreign born (1.0% Asia, 0.8% Europe, 0.5% Latin America, 0.4% North America).

Population change in the 1990s: -1,527 (-7.8%).

Hospitals

Hospital/medical center in Oswego:

OSWEGO HOSPITAL (110 W 6TH ST)

Other hospitals/medical centers near Oswego:

ALBERT LINDLEY LEE MEMORIAL HOSPITAL (about 12 miles; FULTON, NY)
AUBURN MEMORIAL HOSPITAL (about 37 miles; AUBURN, NY)
ST JOSEPHS HOSPITAL HEALTH CENTER (about 38 miles; SYRACUSE, NY)

Airports

Airports certified for carrier operations nearest to Oswego:

SYRACUSE HANCOCK INTL (about 38 miles; SYRACUSE, NY; Abbreviation: SYR)
WATERTOWN INTERNATIONAL (about 50 miles; WATERTOWN, NY; Abbreviation: ART)
ITHACA TOMPKINS REGIONAL (about 67 miles; ITHACA, NY; Abbreviation: ITH)

Other public-use airports nearest to Oswego:

OSWEGO COUNTY (about 12 miles; FULTON, NY; Abbreviation: FZY)
WHITFORDS (about 27 miles; WEEDSPORT, NY; Abbreviation: B16)
AIRLANE ENTERPRISES (about 30 miles; CLAY, NY; Abbreviation: 1H1)

Colleges and Universities

College/University in Oswego:

SUNY COLLEGE AT OSWEGO (Full-time enrollment: 7,138; Public; Website: www.oswego.edu; Offers Master’s degree)

Other colleges/universities with over 2000 students near Oswego:

ONONDAGA COMMUNITY COLLEGE (about 38 miles; SYRACUSE, NY; Full-time enrollment: 5,132)
SYRACUSE UNIVERSITY (about 39 miles; SYRACUSE, NY; Full-time enrollment: 15,859)
LE MOYNE COLLEGE (about 42 miles; SYRACUSE, NY; Full-time enrollment: 2,517)
JEFFERSON COMMUNITY COLLEGE (about 55 miles; WATERTOWN, NY; Full-time enrollment: 2,454)
SUNY COLLEGE AT CORTLAND (about 64 miles; CORTLAND, NY; Full-time enrollment: 6,187)
FINGER LAKES COMMUNITY COLLEGE (about 69 miles; CANANDAIGUA, NY; Full-time enrollment: 3,021)
SUNY COLLEGE OF AGRIC AND TECHN AT MORRISVILLE (about 69 miles; MORRISVILLE, NY; Full-time enrollment: 2,790)

Schools

Public high school in Oswego:

OSWEGO HS (Students: 1,694; Location: 2 BUCCANEER BLVD; Grades: 09 – 12)

Private high school in Oswego:

SOUTHWEST CHRISTIAN SCHOOL (Students: 79; Location: 821 CO RT 20; Grades: KG – 12)

Public primary/middle schools in Oswego:

OSWEGO MS (Students: 845; Location: MARK FITZGIBBONS DR; Grades: 07 – 08)
LEIGHTON ES (Students: 515; Location: 1 BUCCANEER BLVD; Grades: KG – 06)
FITZHUGH PARK ES (Students: 458; Location: E 10TH AND BRIDGE STS; Grades: KG – 06)
CHARLES E. RILEY ES (Students: 431; Location: 269 E 8TH ST; Grades: KG – 06)
KINGSFORD PARK ES (Students: 426; Location: 275 W FIFTH ST; Grades: KG – 06)

Private primary/middle schools in Oswego:

ST PAUL S ACADEMY (Students: 245; Location: 115 EAST 5TH STREET; Grades: KG – 7)
OSWEGO COMM CHRISTIAN SCHOOL (Students: 104; Location: PO BOX 3039 436 WEST FIFTH STR; Grades: PK – 8)

Libraries

Library in Oswego:

OSWEGO SCHOOL DISTRICT PUBLIC LIBRARY (Operating income: $493,030; Location: 120 EAST SECOND STREET; 45,928 books; 849 audio materials; 1,085 video materials; 154 serial subscriptions)