Elmira, New York Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Elmira, New York had a total population of 26,257, the 61st largest city in New York, with a median household income of $43,120, which is 50% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 30.2%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 50% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
- More than 1 in 4 residents live below the poverty line (30.2%), well above the national average of 12.4%.
- Housing is very affordable with a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.2x.
- Unemployment rate of 9.9% is notably above the national average.
Elmira Quick Facts
How Elmira 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 | 26,349 | 26,257 | -0.3% |
| Median household income | $43,089 | $43,120 | +0.1% |
| Median home value | $88,200 | $93,000 | +5.4% |
How Elmira 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
Moderate diversity with one or two groups making up the majority.
State average: 65 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Elmira Rankings in New York
Explore New York Rankings
Other Cities in Chemung County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Southport | 6,450 | $62,684 | 11.5% | $107,900 |
| Horseheads | 6,449 | $61,223 | 11.8% | $141,400 |
| Big Flats | 5,651 | $89,286 | 4.8% | $224,400 |
| 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 Elmira
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jamestown | 28,188 | $43,523 | $87,700 | 21.3% | 25.3% |
| Auburn | 26,285 | $51,052 | $152,800 | 21.0% | 19.5% |
| Monsey | 28,160 | $47,629 | $921,000 | 15.2% | 49.1% |
| Watertown | 24,375 | $51,753 | $158,600 | 26.6% | 20.1% |
| Newburgh | 28,519 | $56,960 | $247,900 | 19.8% | 24.3% |
Population Overview
Elmira is a mid-sized community located in New York, within Chemung County. The total population is 26,257. It ranks as the 61st most populous out of 1,289 Census-designated places in New York.
Age Demographics
The median age in Elmira is 36.5 years. This is 8% lower than the state median of 39.8 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Elmira is $43,120. This is 50% lower than the state median of $85,974. It is also 47% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 30.2%. This is 115% higher than the state poverty rate of 14.0%. 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 9.9%. This is 56% higher than the state rate of 6.4%. The median home value is $93,000. Housing costs are 78% lower than the state median of $423,800. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.2x, Elmira is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 50.1% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 8% lower than the state average of 54.4%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Elmira is White (non-Hispanic), making up 69.4% of the population. Black or African American residents account for 14.8%. The Hispanic or Latino population (7.4%) is well below the state average of 19.8%. The Asian population (1.4%) is well below the state average of 9.0%.
Education
18.1% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 55% lower 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 81.9%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Elmira, 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.
Free data download: Get all New York city and county demographics as CSV. Download Cities CSV | Download Counties CSV
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the population of Elmira, New York?
Elmira, New York has a population of 26,257 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Elmira, NY?
The median household income in Elmira is $43,120, which is 47% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Elmira, NY?
The poverty rate in Elmira is 30.2%. This means approximately 7,132 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Elmira, New York?
Elmira's population is 69.4% White, 14.8% Black, 7.4% Hispanic/Latino, and 1.4% Asian.
What is the median home value in Elmira, NY?
The median home value in Elmira is $93,000. The home-value-to-income ratio is 2.2x.
How educated is Elmira, New York?
18.1% of adults (25+) in Elmira hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 8.0% hold a graduate or professional degree.