City · New York
Elmira, New York
Elmira, city, in Chemung County, New York. Elmira had 26,089 residents on July 1, 2025 by the Census Bureau's estimate, down 1.6% since 2020; the 2020 Census counted 26,523 and the ACS 2020-2024 5-year estimates put it at 26,257 (±24). GEOID 3624229.
Residents, July 2025 estimate
26,089
Census Bureau estimate (no margin published)
2020 Census count: 26,523 · ACS 2020-2024: 26,257 ±24
Median household income
$43,120
±$3,211 (90% margin)
New York: $85,974
Median home value
$93,000
±$5,108 (90% margin)
New York: $423,800
Median gross rent
$909
±$65 (90% margin)
New York: $1,621
Where is Elmira and what county is it in?
Elmira is a city in Chemung County, New York. It covers 7.3 square miles of land, 3,657 residents per square mile in 2020.
Elmira 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 Elmira, and is it growing?
The Census Bureau estimates that 26,089 people lived in Elmira on July 1, 2025, down 1.6% since 2020, a steeper fall than New York's (−1.0%). The 2020 Census counted 26,523 residents. The 2020-2024 American Community Survey, a five-year sample, puts the population at 26,257 (±24).
| Measure | Elmira | Chemung County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total population | 26,257 ±24 | 82,147 | −1,145 |
| Households | 10,532 ±364 | 35,262 | +815 |
| Average household size | 2.23 ±0.07 | 2.23 | −0.24 |
| Housing units | 12,676 ±338 | 39,252 | +575 |
Elmira's population since 2000
From 30,940 in 2000 to 26,089 in 2025: down 15.7%. The 2000, 2010 and 2020 figures are census counts, each for Elmira 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 Elmira?
The median resident of Elmira is 36.5 years old; 22.6% are under 18 and 15.7% are 65 or older. The largest group is non-Hispanic white residents at 69.4%, then non-Hispanic Black residents at 14.8%. 3.7% of residents were born outside the United States.
| Measure | Elmira | Chemung County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 36.5 ±0.9 | 42.0 | +2.4 |
| Under 18 years | 22.6% ±1.3 pts | 20.9% | – |
| 65 years and over | 15.7% ±1.3 pts | 20.3% | – |
| Male | 48.6% ±1.5 pts | 49.7% | – |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 7.4% ±0.9 pts | 3.8% | +2.0 pts |
| White alone, not Hispanic | 69.4% ±1.7 pts | 84.0% | −3.6 pts |
| Black or African American alone, not Hispanic | 14.8% ±1.3 pts | 6.4% | no clear change |
| Asian alone, not Hispanic | 1.3% ±0.5 pts | 1.5% | +0.8 pts |
| American Indian and Alaska Native alone, not Hispanic | 0.3% ±0.2 pts | 0.1% | – |
| Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander alone, not Hispanic | 0.0% ±0.2 pts | 0.0% | – |
| Two or more races, not Hispanic | 6.0% ±1.5 pts | 3.8% | – |
| Some other race alone, not Hispanic | 0.8% ±0.4 pts | 0.4% | – |
| Born outside the United States | 3.7% ±0.8 pts | 3.5% | +1.1 pts |
| Speak a language other than English at home (age 5+) | 6.0% ±1.1 pts | 4.7% | – |
| Civilian veterans (age 18+) | 6.1% ±1.4 pts | 8.7% | – |
| With a disability | 21.5% ±2.4 pts | 16.5% | – |
| No health insurance coverage | 4.8% ±1.2 pts | 4.1% | no clear change |
| High school graduate or higher (age 25+) | 81.9% ±2.3 pts | 90.7% | – |
| Bachelor's degree or higher (age 25+) | 18.1% ±2.4 pts | 27.2% | +3.3 pts |
| Graduate or professional degree (age 25+) | 8.0% ±1.9 pts | 12.0% | – |
| Lived in the same house a year earlier | 85.5% ±2.7 pts | 90.6% | – |
| Moved from another state in the past year | 1.6% ±0.6 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 Elmira earn?
Half of Elmira's 10,532 households earn less than $43,120 a year (±$3,211), against $63,716 in Chemung County and $85,974 in New York. In 2015-2019 it was $45,424 in 2024 dollars; the margins of error cannot tell the two periods apart. 30.2% of residents live below the poverty line.
| Measure | Elmira | Chemung County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median household income | $43,120 ±$3,211 | $63,716 | no clear change |
| Mean household income | $58,552 ±$4,454 | $86,374 | – |
| Per capita income | $23,686 ±$1,785 | $37,273 | no clear change |
| People below the poverty line | 30.2% ±3.3 pts | 16.3% | no clear change |
| Children under 18 below the poverty line | 42.8% ±7.0 pts | 21.9% | no clear change |
| Households receiving SNAP | 32.8% ±3.6 pts | 16.5% | – |
| Households with a computer | 91.9% ±2.2 pts | 93.8% | – |
| Households with a broadband subscription | 86.6% ±2.6 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 Elmira?
Owners occupy 50.1% of Elmira's occupied homes and renters 49.9%. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $93,000 by its owner (±$5,108). The median renter pays $909 a month including utilities, and 50.5% of renters pay 35% or more of their income on rent.
| Measure | Elmira | Chemung County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median home value (owner-occupied) | $93,000 ±$5,108 | $141,100 | no clear change |
| Median gross rent | $909 ±$65 | $1,059 | no clear change |
| Renters paying 35% or more of income on rent | 50.5% ±6.0 pts | 44.5% | no clear change |
| Median monthly owner costs, with a mortgage | $1,124 ±$38 | $1,332 | – |
| Owner-occupied homes | 50.1% ±3.6 pts | 68.4% | no clear change |
| Renter-occupied homes | 49.9% ±3.6 pts | 31.6% | – |
| Housing units | 12,676 ±338 | 39,252 | +575 |
| Homeowner vacancy rate | 3.2% ±1.9 pts | 2.0% | – |
| Rental vacancy rate | 7.9% ±2.9 pts | 5.4% | – |
| Single-family detached homes | 50.3% ±3.4 pts | 67.9% | – |
| Mobile homes | 1.1% ±0.7 pts | 4.4% | – |
| Built 2020 or later | 0.4% ±0.4 pts | 0.3% | – |
| Built 2010 to 2019 | 1.9% ±0.8 pts | 3.0% | – |
| Built 1939 or earlier | 57.2% ±3.6 pts | 34.1% | – |
| Households with no vehicle | 20.4% ±3.3 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 Elmira building?
Builders took permits for 65 new housing units in Elmira in 2025 (0 in single-family houses), 2.5 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 Elmira work and get to work?
66.5% of Elmira's workers drive alone and 10.3% work from home. The average trip to work takes 18.7 minutes. The unemployment rate in 2020-2024 averaged 9.9%.
| Measure | Elmira | Chemung County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| In the labor force (age 16+) | 52.2% ±2.5 pts | 57.5% | – |
| Unemployment rate | 9.9% ±2.2 pts | 6.1% | no clear change |
| Drove alone to work | 66.5% ±3.8 pts | 78.0% | – |
| Carpooled | 9.8% ±2.6 pts | 8.8% | – |
| Public transportation | 3.8% ±1.6 pts | 1.3% | – |
| Walked | 5.8% ±1.8 pts | 2.2% | – |
| Worked from home | 10.3% ±2.6 pts | 8.2% | +7.5 pts |
| Mean travel time to work | 18.7 min ±1.5 | 20.2 min | no clear change |
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 Elmira?
10 census tracts lie mostly in Elmira (2020 census blocks). Their median household incomes run from $14,841 (Tract 7) to $58,316 (Tract 11).
| Tract | Residents, 2020-2024 | Median household income |
|---|---|---|
| Tract 11Chemung County | 3,735 | $58,316 |
| Tract 9Chemung County | 3,269 | $40,813 |
| Tract 6Chemung County | 3,025 | $25,829 |
| Tract 2Chemung County | 2,777 | $53,221 |
| Tract 5Chemung County | 2,706 | $54,345 |
| Tract 1Chemung County | 2,693 | $43,271 |
| Tract 10Chemung County | 2,664 | $37,813 |
| Tract 7Chemung County | 2,216 | $14,841 |
| Tract 4Chemung County | 1,865 | $57,917 |
| Tract 3Chemung County | 1,307 | not published |
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 Elmira) · Census block assignment files
How does Elmira compare with other places in New York?
By the Census Bureau's July 2025 estimates, Elmira is the 1,545th-most populous of the 19,476 U.S. incorporated places that have one and the 34th-most populous of 594 in New York.
Elmira ranks 1,606th 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 | 34th | 594 |
| Growth 2020-2025 (PEP) | 713th | 1,225 |
| Residents per square mile | 215th | 1,657 |
| Median household income | 1,606th | 1,623 |
| Per capita income | 1,605th | 1,653 |
| Median home value | 1,601st | 1,637 |
| Median gross rent | 1,082nd | 1,515 |
| Poverty rate | 33rd | 1,331 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 1,435th | 1,640 |
| Median age | 1,449th | 1,654 |
| Owner-occupied share | 1,541st | 1,639 |
| Work from home | 878th | 1,350 |
| Travel time to work | 1,473rd | 1,652 |
Elmira's figures with every place in New York (CSV)
Every place in New York, sortable · Compare Elmira 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 Elmira?
3 of the 57 figures for Elmira 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 Elmira 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' public schools in Elmira.