The Onondaga Reservation is a politically independent entity, as the nation is federally recognized by the United States government.

The Onondaga Nation has reached some accommodations with New York State on jurisdictional issues.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the Indian reservation has a total area of 9.3 mi2 (24.1 km2).

At the 2000 census there were 1,473 people, 304 households, and 292 families residing in the Indian reservation.

[5] Many members of the Onondaga Nation decline to participate in the U.S. Census, as they do not consider themselves to be U.S. citizens.

The State of New York owns the Onondaga Nation School building and authorizes repairs, while the school district staffs the building and provides operational services.