Who is gaining, losing population in Chemung, Schuyler counties? See latest estimates.

Chris Potter, Elmira Star-Gazette
·2 min read

Three years into the new decade post-2020 census, what population trends have emerged in Chemung and Schuyler counties?

The U.S. Census Bureau recently released its 2023 Population Estimates. The annual snapshot utilizes data like births, deaths, domestic and international migration to provide a picture of local population growth and decline.

For Chemung and Schuyler municipalities, the latest data indicates a universal decline. Some towns lost just a few dozen residents since 2020, while the population decrease was more pronounced in other municipalities. The town of Horseheads, for example, shrunk by around 660 people according to Census Bureau estimates.

Overall, Chemung County's population dropped from 83,668 in 2020 to 81,325 in 2023. More than half of the county's population resides in the City of Elmira or a village.

The City of Elmira's population decreased by 140 since 2020, from 26,316 to 26,176 in the latest estimate.

In Schuyler County, the population decreased from 17,864 to 17,507.

The Southern Tier isn't alone. Population decreased since 2020 across 80% of New York state towns and cities, according to the Empire Center.

Year over year, the Census Bureau noted small towns in the Northeast decreased by an average of 0.1% compared to 2022. Small towns in the West, meanwhile, grew on average by 0.3% in 2023, and small towns in the South grew by an average 0.6%.

Here are the latest population estimates for Chemung and Schuyler counties compared to 2020.

Chemung County village population estimates

Figures compare 2020 estimates to 2023 estimates.

  • Elmira Heights: 3,934 to 3,797

  • Horseheads: 6,585 to 6,367

  • Millport: 289 to 279

  • Wellsburg: 499 to 483

Chemung County town population estimates

Note: Town population figures include village population for townships containing a village. Figures compare 2020 estimates to 2023 estimates.

  • Ashland: 1,503 to 1,453

  • Baldwin: 813 to 790

  • Big Flats: 7,771 to 7,521

  • Catlin: 2,535 to 2,467

  • Chemung: 2,353 to 2,296

  • Elmira: 6,831 to 6,596

  • Erin: 1,803 to 1,753

  • Horseheads: 19,297 to 18,636

  • Southport: 9,572 to 8,904

  • Van Etten: 1,532 to 1,498

  • Veteran: 3,342 to 3,235

This sign featuring some of Elmira's most well known residents, including author Mark Twain, welcomes people coming into the city off Interstate 86.
This sign featuring some of Elmira's most well known residents, including author Mark Twain, welcomes people coming into the city off Interstate 86.

Schuyler County village population estimates

Figures compare 2020 estimates to 2023 estimates.

  • Burdett: 348 to 333

  • Montour Falls: 1,649 to 1,563

  • Odessa: 561 to 540

  • Watkins Glen: 1,856 to 1,788

DATA: Search our databases for Census results, restaurant inspections, more

Schuyler County town population estimates

Figures compare 2020 estimates to 2023 estimates.

  • Catharine: 1,646 to 1,594

  • Cayuta: 506 to 484

  • Dix: 3,754 to 3,620

  • Hector: 4,885 to 4,863

  • Montour: 2,320 to 2,259

  • Orange: 1,401 to 1,392

  • Reading: 1,716 to 1,685

  • Tyrone: 1,636 to 1,610

This article originally appeared on Elmira Star-Gazette: See latest population trends in Chemung, Schuyler counties

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