RANK #59 / 1001 NAT · #2 / 45 NY · POP 82,147
1YR FORECAST: +3.0%
5YR OUTLOOK: +38%
Chemung County, located in the Southern Tier of Central New York State, is known as "Mark Twain Country" because the author spent over 20 summers writing in Elmira. The county seat, Elmira, is also recognized as the "Soaring Capital of America," with Harris Hill hosting national soaring competitions since 1930. Situated along the Pennsylvania border, Chemung County is considered the "Gateway to the Finger Lakes" region, offering scenic drives through rolling hills. Commuting options within the county include local bus routes serving Elmira and Horseheads, with some extending to nearby cities like Corning and Ithaca. Outdoor recreation opportunities abound, with numerous parks, nature preserves like Tanglewood Nature Center, and trails for hiking and other activities.
Life in Chemung County offers a suburban-rural feel, with many residents owning their homes. The community is characterized by a friendly, down-to-earth atmosphere and a strong sense of togetherness, evident in local events. Public schools in towns like Horseheads, Elmira, and Big Flats are generally well-regarded. The economy is experiencing revitalization, with public and private investments expanding housing options and improving business districts. Efforts are underway to develop a strategic economic plan that considers workforce, housing, and quality of place. The Chemung County Industrial Development Agency provides incentives for projects that positively impact the local economy, including support for industrial infrastructure.
Chemung County's data profile doesn't fit any single market profile cleanly — its housing, labor, and demographic signals pull in different directions (home prices +4.1% YoY, population -0.8%, wages +4.3%). About 414 U.S. counties show this kind of mixed-signal pattern.
See all 414 Idiosyncratic Markets counties →Below national median (11.3x)
Below-average climate & terrain
Housing is fairly valued at 5.4x relative to local economic output. The typical U.S. county is 4–6x.
Estimated local headcount ranges. Larger employers shown as floor + "+"; smaller employers show exact counts where reported.
Bars show trailing 12-month growth. The dashed Forecast bars are the model's next-12-month projection; the whisker marks the ±1% range (cooling–accelerating).
Source: Redfin · Census BPS — Browse sales on Redfin →
Source: CDC/NCHS vital statistics via County Health Rankings (2020–2022 avg). Rates per 100,000 population. Grade based on homicide rate relative to national average (~6.3). Learn more →
| PROJECT | AMOUNT | STATUS |
|---|---|---|
|
Southern Tier CO2 to Clean Energy Solutions (STS) - Natural Gas & Carbon Capture Hub
Southern Tier CO2 to Clean Energy Solutions LLC
|
$500M | Proposed |
|
Community Solar Portfolio (Multiple Projects)
Various (Generate Capital, Altus Power America Management, LLC, etc.)
|
$50M | Operating/Under Construction |
Source: public records, news, corporate announcements. Amounts are estimates where noted.
Bars show percentile rank among all 1001 counties.
Chemung County ranks #59 out of 1001 U.S. counties on the Boom Town Index with a score of 94/100. The composite score reflects long-term strength — housing, income, and migration patterns — but near-term hiring is soft (employment is down 0.7% year-over-year). Median household income here is $63,716.
By national standards, Chemung County is quite affordable. Homes here have a median value of $141,100, and the income-to-home-value ratio of 0.45 is well above the U.S. average — especially with median rent at just $1,059/month. Residents can generally buy a home without being cost-burdened.
Chemung County is losing population (-0.8% YoY) while the job market is essentially flat (-0.7% employment change). Home values are +4.1% over the past 12 months. A slow-bleed pattern — not a collapse, but residents are leaving faster than employers are hiring.
There's a moderate stream of newcomers. About 2.24% of residents moved from another state, which is above average and suggests Chemung County has appeal as a relocation destination — though it's not among the highest-inflow counties nationally.