[3] It is bordered to the east by the city of Cortland, to the south by unincorporated Munsons Corners, to the west by the town of Groton in Tompkins County, and to the north by rural parts of the town of Cortlandville.

New York State Route 222 passes through the center of the Cortland West area, leading east into Cortland city and west 8 miles (13 km) to Groton village.

NY-281 crosses NY-222 in the eastern part of Cortland West, leading north 2.5 miles (4.0 km) to the village of Homer and south into Munsons Corners, where it ends at NY-13.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the Cortland West CDP has a total area of 5.2 square miles (13.4 km2), all land.

13.4% of all households were made up of individuals, and 6.9% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older.