Big Flats, New York Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Big Flats, New York had a total population of 5,651, the 328th largest community in New York, with a median household income of $89,286, which is 4% higher than the state average. The poverty rate is 4.8%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- An exceptionally low poverty rate of 4.8% — among the lowest in New York.
- Near full employment with an unemployment rate of just 2.1%.
Big Flats Quick Facts
How Big Flats Changed
Change from the 2019–2023 ACS period to 2020–2024. These are rolling five-year estimates, not year-over-year measurements.
| Metric | 2019–2023 | 2020–2024 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 5,846 | 5,651 | -3.3% |
| Median household income | $101,771 | $89,286 | -12.3% |
| Median home value | $224,000 | $224,400 | +0.2% |
How Big Flats Compares
Median Household Income
Median Home Value
Economy & Housing
Household Income Distribution
Detailed income brackets
Employment
Housing Overview
People & Demographics
Age Distribution
Race & Ethnicity
Diversity Index
A less diverse community where one racial or ethnic group represents a large majority.
State average: 65 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Big Flats Rankings in New York
Explore New York Rankings
Other Cities in Chemung County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Elmira | 26,257 | $43,120 | 30.2% | $93,000 |
| Southport | 6,450 | $62,684 | 11.5% | $107,900 |
| Horseheads | 6,449 | $61,223 | 11.8% | $141,400 |
| West Elmira | 4,750 | $111,417 | 5.1% | $198,300 |
| Elmira Heights | 4,110 | $58,125 | 24.6% | $104,800 |
| Horseheads North | 2,676 | $90,481 | 4.7% | $210,600 |
| Pine Valley | 721 | N/A | 26.8% | N/A |
| Breesport | 628 | $85,294 | 4.8% | $162,200 |
| Van Etten | 587 | $60,200 | 11.7% | $127,500 |
| Erin | 473 | $42,313 | 15.4% | $45,700 |
Cities Similar to Big Flats
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Washingtonville | 5,707 | $95,313 | $355,700 | 34.4% | 8.2% |
| Hilton | 5,968 | $87,377 | $190,800 | 27.0% | 12.6% |
| East Quogue | 5,406 | $93,710 | $844,100 | 49.5% | 13.2% |
| Williamsville | 5,469 | $98,850 | $278,900 | 61.5% | 5.9% |
| Goshen | 5,773 | $104,643 | $396,300 | 40.2% | 2.2% |
Population Overview
Big Flats is a small city located in New York, within Chemung County. The total population is 5,651. It ranks as the 328th most populous out of 1,289 Census-designated places in New York.
Age Demographics
The median age in Big Flats is 43.7 years. This is 10% higher than the state median of 39.8 years. 14.9% of residents are 75 or older, suggesting a significant retirement-age population with implications for healthcare services and senior housing.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Big Flats is $89,286. This is 4% higher than the state median of $85,974. It is also 11% higher than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 4.8%. This is 66% lower than the state poverty rate of 14.0%. This exceptionally low poverty rate indicates strong economic prosperity across the community. The unemployment rate is 2.1%. This is 66% lower than the state rate of 6.4%. The median home value is $224,400. Housing costs are 47% lower than the state median of $423,800. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.5x, Big Flats is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 78.6% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 45% higher than the state average of 54.4%.
Race & Ethnicity
Big Flats has a predominantly White (non-Hispanic) population, comprising 90.2% of all residents. Asian residents account for 4.6%. The White (non-Hispanic) population is significantly higher than the state average (90.2% vs 52.8%). The Black or African American population (0.5%) is well below the state average of 13.4%. The Hispanic or Latino population (3.5%) is well below the state average of 19.8%.
Education
56.2% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 40% higher than the state rate of 40.2%. Nationally, 35.7% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 99.2%. Notably, 31.8% of adults hold a graduate or professional degree, indicating a highly educated workforce.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Big Flats, New York is sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS) 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates. The ACS collects data from approximately 3.5 million households annually and pools five years of responses so that even small communities can be measured, though the margin of error widens as the population falls. Comparisons are made against New York state averages and national averages calculated from the same dataset. Rankings reflect the city's position among all 1,289 Census-designated places in New York. Read more about how these figures are produced on our methodology page, or visit data.census.gov for official data.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the population of Big Flats, New York?
Big Flats, New York has a population of 5,651 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Big Flats, NY?
The median household income in Big Flats is $89,286, which is 11% higher than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Big Flats, NY?
The poverty rate in Big Flats is 4.8%. This means approximately 271 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Big Flats, New York?
Big Flats's population is 90.2% White, 0.5% Black, 3.5% Hispanic/Latino, and 4.6% Asian.
What is the median home value in Big Flats, NY?
The median home value in Big Flats is $224,400. The home-value-to-income ratio is 2.5x.
How educated is Big Flats, New York?
56.2% of adults (25+) in Big Flats hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 31.8% hold a graduate or professional degree.