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