Elmira, NY Demographics

A map of Elmira's Population by Race

Race	2024 Pop	2020 Pop	2024 %	2020 %
White	18,223	18,659	69.4%	70.4%
Black	3,879	3,745	14.8%	14.1%
Hispanic	1,953	1,596	7.4%	6.0%
Multiracial	1,565	2,128	6.0%	8.0%
Asian	354	205	1.3%	0.8%
Native American/Other	283	190	1.1%	0.7%

Elmira, New York has an estimated population of 26,257, a slight decrease from the 26,523 recorded in the 2020 Census. The population is 69.4% White, 14.8% Black, 7.4% Hispanic, 6.0% Multiracial, 1.3% Asian, and 1.1% Native American/Other. This demographic dot map shows the population of Elmira, with one dot drawn for each person counted by the Census, color-coded by race.

Elmira has become more racially diverse since the 2020 Census. It is considerably less diverse than New York overall. Demographers use a diversity index to measure the probability that two randomly selected individuals belong to different racial or ethnic groups. In Elmira, that probability was 47.5% in 2020 and 48.7% in the most recent ACS estimates.

Elmira is ranked the 61st most populous place in New York, out of 1,291 places. This ranking is based on the Census definition of a place, which includes incorporated places like cities, towns, and villages, as well as unincorporated census-designated places (CDPs). Elmira was ranked the 61st most populous place in the 2020 Census.

Elmira's White Population

18,223 residents of Elmira, or 69.4% of the population, identify as White. The share of White residents in Elmira is significantly higher than in New York overall, where 52.8% of the population is White. Elmira ranks 1018th statewide in terms of White residents as a share of the population, out of 1,291 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Elmira's White population has declined by an estimated 2.3%. White residents' share of Elmira's population has decreased from 70.4% to 69.4%.

Elmira is less White than neighboring Southport (89.3% White), Elmira Heights (79.9% White), West Elmira (92.5% White), Horseheads (86.4% White), and Horseheads North (94.3% White).

Elmira's Black Population

3,879 residents of Elmira, or 14.8% of the population, identify as Black. The share of Black residents in Elmira is comparable to the share in New York overall, where 13.4% of the population is Black. Elmira ranks 71st statewide in terms of Black residents as a share of the population, out of 1,291 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Elmira's Black population has grown by an estimated 3.6%. Black residents' share of Elmira's population has increased from 14.1% to 14.8%.

Elmira is more Black than neighboring Southport (4.9% Black), Elmira Heights (9.1% Black), West Elmira (1.8% Black), Horseheads (2.9% Black), and Horseheads North (1.9% Black).

Elmira's Asian Population

354 residents of Elmira, or 1.3% of the population, identify as Asian. The share of Asian residents in Elmira is lower than in New York overall, where 9% of the population is Asian. Elmira ranks 844th statewide in terms of Asian residents as a share of the population, out of 1,291 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Elmira's Asian population has grown by an estimated 72.7%. Asian residents' share of Elmira's population has increased from 0.8% to 1.3%.

Elmira is more Asian than neighboring Southport (0.1% Asian). Elmira is less Asian than neighboring Elmira Heights (1.8% Asian), West Elmira (1.8% Asian), Horseheads (1.4% Asian), and Horseheads North (1.6% Asian).

Elmira's Hispanic Population

1,953 residents of Elmira, or 7.4% of the population, identify as Hispanic. The share of Hispanic residents in Elmira is considerably lower than in New York overall, where 19.8% of the population is Hispanic. Elmira ranks 559th statewide in terms of Hispanic residents as a share of the population, out of 1,291 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Elmira's Hispanic population has grown by an estimated 22.4%. Hispanic residents' share of Elmira's population has increased from 6.0% to 7.4%.

Elmira is more Hispanic than neighboring Southport (3.6% Hispanic), Elmira Heights (1.6% Hispanic), West Elmira (1.5% Hispanic), Horseheads (2.7% Hispanic), and Horseheads North (0.7% Hispanic).

Elmira's Native American/Other Population

283 residents of Elmira, or 1.1% of the population, identify as American Indian/Alaska Native/Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander/Other. The share of Native American/Other residents in Elmira is comparable to the share in New York overall, where 1.2% of the population is Native American/Other. Elmira ranks 510th statewide in terms of Native American/Other residents as a share of the population, out of 1,291 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Elmira's Native American/Other population has grown by an estimated 48.9%. Native American/Other residents' share of Elmira's population has remained roughly unchanged at 1.1%.

Elmira is more Native American/Other than neighboring Southport (0% Native American/Other), Elmira Heights (0% Native American/Other), West Elmira (0% Native American/Other), Horseheads (0% Native American/Other), and Horseheads North (0% Native American/Other).

Elmira's Multiracial Population

1,565 residents of Elmira, or 6.0% of the population, identify as Multiracial. The share of Multiracial residents in Elmira is slightly higher than in New York overall, where 3.8% of the population is Multiracial. Elmira ranks 22nd statewide in terms of Multiracial residents as a share of the population, out of 1,291 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Elmira's Multiracial population has declined by an estimated 26.5%. Multiracial residents' share of Elmira's population has decreased from 8.0% to 6.0%.

Elmira is more Multiracial than neighboring Southport (2.2% Multiracial), West Elmira (2.4% Multiracial), and Horseheads North (1.5% Multiracial). Elmira is less Multiracial than neighboring Elmira Heights (7.7% Multiracial), and Horseheads (6.7% Multiracial).

Sources: Most recent population estimates are from the 2020-2024 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates. 2020 population counts and map data are from 2020 Census State Redistricting Data. Geographic data are from Census TIGER/Line Shapefiles.