Town · New York
Town of Big Flats, New York
Big Flats (town), town, in Chemung County, New York. Big Flats (town) had 7,406 residents on July 1, 2025 by the Census Bureau's estimate, down 4.9% since 2020; the 2020 Census counted 7,791 and the ACS 2020-2024 5-year estimates put it at 7,592 (±35). GEOID 3601506475.
Residents, July 2025 estimate
7,406
Census Bureau estimate (no margin published)
2020 Census count: 7,791 · ACS 2020-2024: 7,592 ±35
Median household income
$87,044
±$10,746 (90% margin)
New York: $85,974
Median home value
$218,500
±$14,776 (90% margin)
New York: $423,800
Median gross rent
$1,345
±$111 (90% margin)
New York: $1,621
Where is Big Flats (town) and what county is it in?
Big Flats (town) is a town in Chemung County, New York. It covers 44.5 square miles of land, 175 residents per square mile in 2020.
One place lies inside the Town of Big Flats: Big Flats (CDP, 5,555 in 2020).
Big Flats (town) is in the Elmira, NY metropolitan statistical area (Census Bureau delineation, July 2023).
Source: 2024 Gazetteer and 2020 place-by-county files, U.S. Census Bureau · Census reference files
How many people live in Big Flats (town), and is it growing?
The Census Bureau estimates that 7,406 people lived in Big Flats (town) on July 1, 2025, down 4.9% since 2020, a steeper fall than New York's (−1.0%). The 2020 Census counted 7,791 residents. The 2020-2024 American Community Survey, a five-year sample, puts the population at 7,592 (±35).
| Measure | Big Flats (town) | Chemung County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total population | 7,592±35 | 82,147 | −49 |
| Households | 3,395±196 | 35,262 | +309 |
| Average household size | 2.21±0.13 | 2.23 | −0.26 |
| Housing units | 3,420±196 | 39,252 | no clear change |
Big Flats (town)'s population since 2000
From 7,224 in 2000 to 7,406 in 2025: up 2.5%. The 2000, 2010 and 2020 figures are census counts, each for Big Flats (town) as it was drawn that year: a place that annexed land, or a community that has since incorporated, covered a different area then. The 2005 figure is the Census Bureau's intercensal estimate, revised to fit the 2000 and 2010 counts and drawn on 2010 boundaries; 2015 and 2025 are July 1 estimates made from the census before them.
Source: The 2000, 2010 and 2020 Census counts and the Census Bureau's population estimates (intercensal 2000-2010, Vintage 2020, Vintage 2025) · Census population estimates
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026); Census PEP Vintage 2025 (SUB-EST2025, CO-EST2025); 2020 Census P.L. 94-171 · Check it at data.census.gov
Who lives in Big Flats (town)?
The median resident of Big Flats (town) is 43.5 years old; 22.0% are under 18 and 24.9% are 65 or older. The largest group is non-Hispanic white residents at 91.6%, then non-Hispanic Asian residents at 3.5%. 8.0% of residents were born outside the United States.
| Measure | Big Flats (town) | Chemung County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 43.5±3.6 | 42.0 | no clear change |
| Under 18 years | 22.0%±2.3 pts | 20.9% | – |
| 65 years and over | 24.9%±3.3 pts | 20.3% | – |
| Male | 52.2%±3.2 pts | 49.7% | – |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 2.8%±1.8 pts | 3.8% | – |
| White alone, not Hispanic | 91.6%±2.9 pts | 84.0% | −6.0 pts |
| Black or African American alone, not Hispanic | 0.5%±0.5 pts | 6.4% | – |
| Asian alone, not Hispanic | 3.5%±2.1 pts | 1.5% | – |
| American Indian and Alaska Native alone, not Hispanic | 0.0%±0.6 pts | 0.1% | – |
| Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander alone, not Hispanic | 0.1%±0.2 pts | 0.0% | – |
| Two or more races, not Hispanic | 1.1%±0.7 pts | 3.8% | – |
| Some other race alone, not Hispanic | 0.4%±0.4 pts | 0.4% | – |
| Born outside the United States | 8.0%±3.7 pts | 3.5% | – |
| Speak a language other than English at home (age 5+) | 8.0%±4.3 pts | 4.7% | – |
| Civilian veterans (age 18+) | 12.0%±3.2 pts | 8.7% | – |
| With a disability | 11.4%±2.5 pts | 16.5% | – |
| No health insurance coverage | 2.7%±1.7 pts | 4.1% | no clear change |
| High school graduate or higher (age 25+) | 99.3%±0.7 pts | 90.7% | – |
| Bachelor's degree or higher (age 25+) | 51.4%±5.7 pts | 27.2% | +9.5 pts |
| Graduate or professional degree (age 25+) | 27.9%±5.2 pts | 12.0% | – |
| Lived in the same house a year earlier | 93.7%±2.7 pts | 90.6% | – |
| Moved from another state in the past year | 1.8%±1.3 pts | 1.4% | – |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profiles DP02, DP05) · Check it at data.census.gov
What do households in Big Flats (town) earn?
Half of Big Flats (town)'s 3,395 households earn less than $87,044 a year (±$10,746), against $63,716 in Chemung County and $85,974 in New York. In 2015-2019 the median was $107,422 in 2024 dollars, so it fell by $20,378 after inflation. 5.1% of residents live below the poverty line.
| Measure | Big Flats (town) | Chemung County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median household income | $87,044±$10,746 | $63,716 | −$20,378 |
| Mean household income | $123,280±$15,920 | $86,374 | – |
| Per capita income | $55,805±$6,332 | $37,273 | no clear change |
| People below the poverty line | 5.1%±2.4 pts | 16.3% | no clear change |
| Children under 18 below the poverty line | 5.0%±4.3 pts | 21.9% | – |
| Households receiving SNAP | 5.0%±2.8 pts | 16.5% | – |
| Households with a computer | 97.2%±2.4 pts | 93.8% | – |
| Households with a broadband subscription | 93.8%±3.5 pts | 88.0% | – |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profile DP03) · Check it at data.census.gov
What does housing cost in Big Flats (town)?
Owners occupy 79.1% of Big Flats (town)'s occupied homes and renters 20.9%. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $218,500 by its owner (±$14,776). The median renter pays $1,345 a month including utilities, and 34.1% of renters pay 35% or more of their income on rent.
| Measure | Big Flats (town) | Chemung County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median home value (owner-occupied) | $218,500±$14,776 | $141,100 | +$21,835 |
| Median gross rent | $1,345±$111 | $1,059 | no clear change |
| Renters paying 35% or more of income on rent | 34.1%±17.0 pts | 44.5% | – |
| Median monthly owner costs, with a mortgage | $1,776±$200 | $1,332 | – |
| Owner-occupied homes | 79.1%±4.6 pts | 68.4% | no clear change |
| Renter-occupied homes | 20.9%±4.6 pts | 31.6% | – |
| Housing units | 3,420±196 | 39,252 | no clear change |
| Homeowner vacancy rate | 0.0%±1.6 pts | 2.0% | – |
| Rental vacancy rate | 0.0%±5.8 pts | 5.4% | – |
| Single-family detached homes | 82.5%±4.2 pts | 67.9% | – |
| Mobile homes | 1.3%±1.1 pts | 4.4% | – |
| Built 2020 or later | 0.0%±1.2 pts | 0.3% | – |
| Built 2010 to 2019 | 5.2%±2.8 pts | 3.0% | – |
| Built 1939 or earlier | 12.4%±4.1 pts | 34.1% | – |
| Households with no vehicle | 1.9%±2.1 pts | 9.8% | – |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profile DP04) · Check it at data.census.gov
How many new homes is Big Flats (town) building?
Builders took permits for 11 new housing units in Big Flats (town) in 2025 (11 in single-family houses), 1.5 per 1,000 residents against 1.9 across New York.
Counts of units in permits a local office issued; not every permitted unit is built. A year marked with months was reported for part of the year.
Source: Building Permits Survey, annual place files 2019-2025, U.S. Census Bureau · Census Building Permits Survey
How do people in Big Flats (town) work and get to work?
79.8% of Big Flats (town)'s workers drive alone and 14.3% work from home. The average trip to work takes 17.2 minutes.
| Measure | Big Flats (town) | Chemung County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| In the labor force (age 16+) | 56.0%±5.1 pts | 57.5% | – |
| Unemployment rate | 2.8%±2.2 pts | 6.1% | – |
| Drove alone to work | 79.8%±5.8 pts | 78.0% | – |
| Carpooled | 5.2%±2.7 pts | 8.8% | – |
| Public transportation | 0.0%±1.3 pts | 1.3% | – |
| Walked | 0.1%±0.1 pts | 2.2% | – |
| Worked from home | 14.3%±5.5 pts | 8.2% | – |
| Mean travel time to work | 17.2 min±1.9 | 20.2 min | −3.6 min |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profile DP03) · Check it at data.census.gov
What census tracts are in Big Flats (town)?
2 census tracts lie mostly in Big Flats (town) (2020 census blocks). Their median household incomes run from $80,156 (Tract 103.02) to $92,730 (Tract 103.01).
| Tract | Residents, 2020-2024 | Median household income |
|---|---|---|
| Tract 103.01Chemung County | 4,797 | $92,730 |
| Tract 103.02Chemung County | 2,795 | $80,156 |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026); 2020 block assignment files (tract share = share of the tract's census blocks in Big Flats (town)) · Census block assignment files
How does Big Flats (town) compare with other places in New York?
By the Census Bureau's July 2025 estimates, Big Flats (town) is the 1,653rd-most populous of the 16,079 U.S. towns and townships that have one and the 200th-most populous of 924 in New York.
Big Flats (town) ranks 728th of 1,623 places in New York with 1,000 or more residents and a reliable estimate, by median household income.
| Measure | Rank | Of |
|---|---|---|
| Population, July 2025 estimate | 200th | 924 |
| Growth 2020-2025 (PEP) | 1,185th | 1,225 |
| Residents per square mile | 1,060th | 1,657 |
| Median household income | 728th | 1,623 |
| Per capita income | 396th | 1,653 |
| Median home value | 873rd | 1,637 |
| Median gross rent | 532nd | 1,515 |
| Poverty rate | 1,126th | 1,331 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 315th | 1,640 |
| Median age | 812th | 1,654 |
| Owner-occupied share | 840th | 1,639 |
| Work from home | 537th | 1,350 |
| Travel time to work | 1,547th | 1,652 |
Big Flats (town)'s figures with every place in New York (CSV)
Every place in New York, sortable · Compare Big Flats (town) with other places
Source: PlainCities ranks computed from the American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) and PEP Vintage 2025 · How ranks are computed
How reliable are the figures for Big Flats (town)?
14 of the 57 figures for Big Flats (town) on this page carry a coefficient of variation over 40% and are marked with a ring: they come from a small sample, so read them as rough.
The American Community Survey samples about one household in eight over five years, so every figure is an estimate with a 90% margin of error (shown under each value). A ring marks an estimate whose coefficient of variation is over 40%. A change is called only when the gap between the two periods is larger than their combined 90% margin (the square root of the sum of the two squared margins), the Census Bureau's test. How to read a margin of error.
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026): margins of error as published · ACS technical documentation
How these figures are made: methodology and release checks · reading a margin of error · every state · corrections
Not on this page: crime, weather and schools for Big Flats (town) are other agencies' records. Crime: the FBI's Crime Data Explorer · climate: NOAA's U.S. Climate Normals · schools: the National Center for Education Statistics' school search.