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CITY

Elmira

New York · 26,089 residents (2025 est.) · 7.252 sq mi
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Notable rankings
#186Fastest shrinkingof 6,642-9.2%
The short version

Elmira has notably lower household income than the US average, with a median household income of $43,120. Population has fallen 15% since 2000, a loss of 4,683 residents. 18% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, below the national rate of 36%. Median home value has risen by half since 2000, reaching $93,000. The poverty rate of 30.2% is well above the national figure. Households here earn about 50% less than the New York median.

At a glance
Lower income
below the US median
US median: $82,259
Younger
median age 36.5
US median: 38.9
Less educated
18% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 36%
Stable housing
home values roughly flat, inflation adjusted
US median home: $376,019
Section 01

Population & growth

Total population
26,257
−15%since 2000
from 30,940 in 2000
1990 – 2025
Population density
3,621 / sq mi
−15%since 2000
from 4,266 / sq mi in 2000
US average: 281
Median age
36.5
+9%since 2000
from 33.4 in 2000
US average: 38.9

PEP 2025 EST:26,089 residents (Census Bureau Vintage 2025, released March 2026)

Population, 1990 – 2024
26K28K30K32K34K1990201020202024Elmira
202426K
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$43,120
−13%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $27,292 in 2000
US average: $82,259
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$23,686
+63%since 2000
from $14,495 in 2000
US average: $44,673
Households earning $100K+
28.0%
+15.1 ptssince 2009
from 12.9% in 2009
US average: 53.3%
Poverty rate
30.2%
+7.1 ptssince 2000
from 23.1% in 2000
US average: 12.5%
Income inequality (Gini)
0.466
+1%since 2010
from 0.461 in 2010
US average: 0.476
Workforce by industry, 2024
Information12.3%
US avg: 10.8%
Retail trade11.7%
US avg: 9.9%
Finance & insurance3.3%
US avg: 5.9%
Other services3.1%
US avg: 6.7%
Professional, scientific, technical2.8%
US avg: 5.1%
Wholesale trade2.6%
US avg: 6.9%
Public administration2.2%
US avg: 4.8%
Arts, entertainment, food1.5%
US avg: 1.9%
Transportation & warehousing1%
US avg: 2.2%
Education & health services0.5%
US avg: 0.9%
Agriculture, forestry, fishing0.2%
US avg: 1.6%
Manufacturing0.1%
US avg: 0.4%
Construction0.1%
US avg: 1.2%
BARS: THIS PLACE · TICKS: US AVERAGE
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$93,000
−3%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $52,500 in 2000
US average: $376,019
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$909
+12%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $447 in 2000
US average: $1,442
Owner-occupied
50.1%
+1.8 ptssince 2000
from 48.3% in 2000
49.9% rent
Vacancy rate
16.9%
+5.6 ptssince 2009
from 11.4% in 2009
US average: 10.0%
Owner cost-burdened
20.5%
−4.8 ptssince 2009
from 25.3% in 2009
US average: 22.9%
Renter cost-burdened
54.4%
−0.7 ptssince 2009
from 55.1% in 2009
US average: 47.4%
Afford Score
2.2
+12%since 2000
from 1.9 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Gentrification Score
37
RELATED:See current rent listings in Elmira on RentDataNow
Section 04

Race & ethnicity

2000
White, non-Hispanic80.8%(25,002)
Black12.7%(3,935)
Hispanic / Latino3.1%(970)
Asian0.5%(150)
Other0%
Diversity Score36.2%(11,211)
2024
White, non-Hispanic69.4%(18,223)
Black14.8%(3,879)
Hispanic / Latino7.4%(1,953)
Asian1.3%(354)
Other7%(1,848)
Diversity Score60.7%(15,946)
Diversity Score
61
+68%since 2000
from 36 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
18.1%
+3.5 ptssince 2000
from 14.6% in 2000
US average: 35.6%
High school or higher
81.9%
+7.7 ptssince 2000
from 74.2% in 2000
US average: 89.6%
Graduate degree
8.0%
+2.2 ptssince 2000
from 5.8% in 2000
US average: 14.0%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
18.7 min
+58%since 2000
from 11.9 min in 2000
US average: 26.5
Drive alone to work
66.5%
−6.7 ptssince 2009
from 73.3% in 2009
US average: 68.9%
Carpooled to work
9.8%
−0.8 ptssince 2009
from 10.6% in 2009
US average: 8.5%
Public transit
3.8%
+1.9 ptssince 2009
from 1.9% in 2009
US average: 3.2%
Worked from home
10.3%
+6.3 ptssince 2009
from 4.0% in 2009
US average: 15.0%
Walked to work
5.8%
−1.6 ptssince 2009
from 7.4% in 2009
US average: 2.4%
Biked to work
0.1%
−0.4 ptssince 2009
from 0.5% in 2009
US average: 0.4%
No vehicle available
20.4%
+0.5 ptssince 2009
from 20.0% in 2009
US average: 8.3%
Section 07

Work & employment

Unemployment rate
9.9%
−0.8 ptssince 2011
from 10.7% in 2011
US average: 5.2%
Labor force participation
52.2%
−0.5 ptssince 2011
from 52.7% in 2011
US average: 63.5%
Self-employed
20.0%
+5.0 ptssince 2009
from 14.9% in 2009
US average: 13.1%
Management & professional
30.9%
−28.7 ptssince 2009
from 59.7% in 2009
US average: 42.5%
Section 08

People & community

Male
48.6%
−1.5 ptssince 2009
from 50.1% in 2009
Female
51.4%
+1.5 ptssince 2009
from 49.9% in 2009
Foreign born
3.7%
+0.2 ptssince 2009
from 3.5% in 2009
US average: 14.1%
Veterans
6.1%
−44.4 ptssince 2009
from 50.4% in 2009
US average: 6.2%
With a disability
21.5%
+4.5 ptssince 2012
from 17.0% in 2012
US average: 13.3%
Uninsured
4.8%
−83.3 ptssince 2013
from 88.1% in 2013
US average: 8.4%
Broadband at home
86.6%
+21.2 ptssince 2017
from 65.4% in 2017
US average: 91.0%
English only at home
94.0%
−2.1 ptssince 2016
from 96.0% in 2016
US average: 77.7%
Spanish at home
3.1%
+0.8 ptssince 2016
from 2.3% in 2016
US average: 13.6%
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Frequently asked

How many people live in Elmira, New York?

Elmira, New York has about 26,257 residents according to the 2024 American Community Survey.

What is the median household income in Elmira, New York?

The typical household in Elmira, New York earns about $43,120 a year. Half of households make more than that, and half make less.

Is Elmira, New York expensive?

In Elmira, New York, the median home is worth about $93,000, and the typical rent is about $909 a month.

How educated are people in Elmira, New York?

About 18.1% of adults age 25 and over in Elmira, New York hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

What is the poverty rate in Elmira, New York?

About 30.2% of people in Elmira, New York live below the federal poverty line.

Has Elmira, New York grown since 1990?

Yes, Elmira, New York has shrunk since 1990. The population has lost about 7,467 residents, a change of about -22 percent over that period.

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DATA: US CENSUS BUREAU ACS 5-YEAR + DECENNIAL CENSUS · UPDATED 2024

How we source and harmonize this data →