Elmira city, New York Demographics & Population 2026
As of 2026, Elmira city, New York has a total population of 26,349, the 60th largest city in New York, with a median household income of $43,089, which is 49% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 26.9%.
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 49% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
- More than 1 in 4 residents live below the poverty line (26.9%), well above the national average of 12.4%.
- Housing is very affordable with a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.0x.
- Unemployment rate of 9.4% is notably above the national average.
Elmira city Quick Facts
How Elmira city Compares
Median Household Income
Median Home Value
Economy & Housing
Household Income Distribution
Employment
Housing Overview
People & Demographics
Age Distribution
Race & Ethnicity
Diversity Index
Moderate diversity with one or two groups making up the majority.
State average: 65 | National average: 60
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Elmira city Rankings in New York
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Cities Similar to Elmira city
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Auburn city | 26,475 | $49,377 | $143,600 | 20.3% | 20.0% |
| Jamestown city | 28,401 | $44,878 | $79,100 | 23.2% | 24.0% |
| Monsey CDP | 27,787 | $49,095 | $829,700 | 14.2% | 46.5% |
| Watertown city | 24,574 | $49,692 | $149,800 | 25.9% | 20.8% |
| Newburgh city | 28,649 | $51,006 | $221,100 | 17.8% | 27.1% |
Population Overview
Elmira city is a mid-sized community located in New York, within Chemung County. The total population is 26,349. It ranks as the 60th most populous out of 1,287 cities and towns in New York.
Age Demographics
The median age in Elmira city is 36.5 years. This is 8% lower than the state median of 39.6 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Elmira city is $43,089. This is 49% lower than the state median of $84,578. Compared to the national median of $78,538, household income here is 45% lower. The poverty rate stands at 26.9%. This is 96% higher than the state poverty rate of 13.7%. With more than one in five residents living below the poverty line, economic hardship is a significant challenge for the community. The unemployment rate is 9.4%. This is 52% higher than the state rate of 6.2%. The median home value is $88,200. Housing costs are 78% lower than the state median of $403,000. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.0x, Elmira city is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 51.4% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 5% lower than the state average of 54.3%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Elmira city is White (non-Hispanic), making up 71.9% of the population. Black or African American residents account for 13.1%. The Hispanic or Latino population (6.2%) is well below the state average of 19.6%. The Asian population (1.2%) is well below the state average of 8.8%.
Education
18.7% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 53% lower than the state rate of 39.6%. Nationally, 35.0% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 82.8%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Elmira city, New York is sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS) 5-Year Estimates (2019-2023). The ACS collects data from approximately 3.5 million households annually, providing reliable estimates for communities of all sizes. Comparisons are made against New York state averages and national averages calculated from the same dataset. Rankings reflect the city's position among all 1,287 Census-designated places in New York. For official data, visit data.census.gov.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the population of Elmira city, New York?
Elmira city, New York has a population of 26,349 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Elmira city, NY?
The median household income in Elmira city is $43,089, which is 45% lower the national median of $78,538.
What is the poverty rate in Elmira city, NY?
The poverty rate in Elmira city is 26.9%. This means approximately 6,352 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Elmira city, New York?
Elmira city's population is 71.9% White, 13.1% Black, 6.2% Hispanic/Latino, and 1.2% Asian.
What is the median home value in Elmira city, NY?
The median home value in Elmira city is $88,200. The home-value-to-income ratio is 2.0x.
How educated is Elmira city, New York?
18.7% of adults (25+) in Elmira city hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 8.8% hold a graduate or professional degree.