Elmira, New York
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Elmira is a city located in Chemung County, New York, USA. As of the 2000 census, the city had a total population of 30,940.
The City of Elmira is located in the south-central part of the county, surrounded on three sides by the Town of Elmira. Interstate 86 (NY Route 17), The Southern Tier Expressway, passes by the city.
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History
The original town in Chemung County was Chemung, formed in 1788. The settlement of Newtown was soon established at the junction of Newtown Creek and the Chemung River. In 1792, the Town of Elmira was split off as the Town of Newtown. Three adjacent settlements, Newtown, Wisnerburg, and DeWittsburg joined at that time to form the Village of Newtown. In 1828 the village changed its name to Elmira. The City of Elmira was incorporated in 1864 from part of the Town of Elmira and the Village of Elmira.
Geography
Elmira is located at 42°5'23" North, 76°48'34" West (42.089874, -76.809559)Template:GR.
According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 19.6 km² (7.6 mi²). 19.0 km² (7.3 mi²) of it is land and 0.7 km² (0.3 mi²) of it is water. The total area is 3.56% water.
The Chemung River flows eastward through the city. Elmira is built almost entirely in the flood plain of the Chemung River and has suffered many floods over its history, the worst from Hurricane Agnes in 1972.
Demographics
As of the censusTemplate:GR of 2000, there are 30,940 people, 11,475 households, and 6,701 families residing in the city. The population density is 1,632.0/km² (4,229.5/mi²). There are 12,895 housing units at an average density of 680.2/km² (1,762.7/mi²). The racial makeup of the city is 82.03% White, 13.05% Black or African American, 0.39% Native American, 0.49% Asian, 0.03% Pacific Islander, 1.37% from other races, and 2.64% from two or more races. 3.14% of the population are Hispanic or Latino of any race.
There are 11,475 households out of which 31.1% have children under the age of 18 living with them, 35.3% are married couples living together, 18.4% have a female householder with no husband present, and 41.6% are non-families. 34.5% of all households are made up of individuals and 13.6% have someone living alone who is 65 years of age or older. The average household size is 2.37 and the average family size is 3.05.
In the city the population is spread out with 25.1% under the age of 18, 13.0% from 18 to 24, 29.9% from 25 to 44, 18.2% from 45 to 64, and 13.8% who are 65 years of age or older. The median age is 33 years. For every 100 females there are 101.2 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there are 98.2 males.
The median income for a household in the city is $27,292, and the median income for a family is $33,592. Males have a median income of $31,775 versus $22,350 for females. The per capita income for the city is $14,495. 23.1% of the population and 17.9% of families are below the poverty line. Out of the total population, 32.6% of those under the age of 18 and 12.1% of those 65 and older are living below the poverty line.
Facts about the City of Elmira
It was the home of American author and humorist Mark Twain in his latter years. He and members of his family are buried in Woodlawn Cemetery there. It was also the site of a Civil War prison. The city is also the hometown of the first black Heisman Trophy Winner, Ernie Davis, the first female shuttle commander, Eileen Collins, Fashion Designer, Tommy Hilfiger, and Little Rascals Director, Hal Roach. On at least two hilltops near the city, but mostly on Harris Hill to the northwest, pioneer pilots established the sport of gliding in America. Harris Hill is the site of the National Soaring Museum.
The last Labrador Duck was seen at Elmira on December 12, 1878.
The City Government is a City Manager/City Council Style form of Government.
Elmira College is located in the city.
External links
- City of Elmira webpage (http://www.ci.elmira.ny.us/index/index.html)
- Elmira College (http://www.elmira.edu)
- elmira-ny.com Keeping memories alive... (http://www.elmira-ny.com)