Syracuse, New York

Syracuse
Nickname: 
The Salt City
Interactive map of Syracuse
Syracuse
Syracuse
Coordinates: 43°02′49″N 76°08′40″W / 43.04694°N 76.14444°W / 43.04694; -76.14444
Country United States
State New York
RegionCentral New York
Statistical areaSyracuse Metropolitan
County Onondaga
Incorporated (village)1825 (1825)
Incorporated (city)1847 (1847)
Named afterSyracuse, Sicily
Government
 • TypeStrong mayor-council
 • MayorSharon Owens (D)
 • Common Council
Members' List
Area
 • City
25.64 sq mi (66.41 km2)
 • Land25.06 sq mi (64.90 km2)
 • Water0.58 sq mi (1.51 km2)  2.15%
Elevation
381–443 ft (116–135 m)
Population
 (2020)
 • City
148,620
 • Density5,930.8/sq mi (2,289.88/km2)
 • Urban
413,660 (US: 102nd)
 • Urban density2,291/sq mi (884.7/km2)
 • Metro
662,057 (US: 91st)
 • CSA
738,305 (US: 72nd)
 
DemonymSyracusan
Time zoneUTC−5 (Eastern)
 • Summer (DST)UTC−4 (Eastern Daylight Time)
ZIP Code
132xx
Area codes315, 680
FIPS code36-73000
GNIS feature ID0966966
Websitesyr.gov

Syracuse (/ˈsɪrəkjz, ˈsɛr-, -kjs/ SIRR-ə-kewz, SERR-, -⁠kewss) is a city in New York, United States, and the county seat of Onondaga County. With a population of 148,620 and a metropolitan area of 662,057, it is the fifth-most populated city and 13th-most populated municipality in the state of New York.

Formally established in 1820, Syracuse was named after the classical Greek city of Syracuse (Siracusa in Italian), located on the eastern coast of the Italian island of Sicily, for its similar natural features. Adjacent brine springs made the city a major producer of commercial salt into the late 19th century, earning the nickname "The Salt City"; it subsequently became a major industrial center until the mid-20th century, and has since been a hub for higher education, research, and services.

Syracuse has historically functioned as a major crossroads in the state, first between the Erie Canal and its branches, then of the New York Central Railroad network established in the mid 19th century. Today, the city is at the interchange of I-81 and I-90, and its airport is the largest in Central New York, a five-county region of over one million inhabitants.

Syracuse is the economic and educational center of Central New York. It hosts a number of convention sites, including a large downtown convention complex, and is home to Destiny USA, the largest shopping mall in New York and the 10th largest in the country. Prominent academic and research institutions include Syracuse University, SUNY Upstate Medical University, SUNY ESF, Le Moyne College and Onondaga Community College.