Elmira Heights, New York facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Elmira Heights, New York
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Village
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Village Hall
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 Elmira Heights, New York
Location in New York
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| Country | United States |
| State | New York |
| County | Chemung |
| Towns | Horseheads, Elmira |
| Area | |
| • Total | 1.15 sq mi (2.97 km2) |
| • Land | 1.15 sq mi (2.97 km2) |
| • Water | 0.00 sq mi (0.00 km2) |
| Elevation | 879 ft (268 m) |
| Population
(2020)
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| • Total | 3,916 |
| • Density | 3,417.10/sq mi (1,318.87/km2) |
| Time zone | UTC-5 (Eastern (EST)) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-4 (EDT) |
| ZIP code |
14903
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| Area code(s) | 607 |
| FIPS code | 36-24251 |
| GNIS feature ID | 0949579 |
Elmira Heights is a small village in Chemung County, New York, United States. In 2020, about 3,916 people lived there. Most of the village is in the town of Horseheads. A small part is in the town of Elmira. It is like a northern neighbor to the city of Elmira.
Contents
History of Elmira Heights
The Elmira Heights Village Hall is an important building. It was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1982. This means it is a special place recognized for its history.
Geography and Location
Elmira Heights is located at coordinates 42.127298 degrees North and 76.824214 degrees West.
The village covers a total area of about 2.97 square kilometers (1.15 square miles). All of this area is land.
Newtown Creek, a small stream that flows into the Chemung River, runs along the east side of the village. The main highway, the Southern Tier Expressway (Interstate 86 and New York State Route 17), passes east of the village. New York State Route 14 (College Avenue) and County Road 66 (Grand Central Avenue) are important streets that go through the village from north to south.
Population and People
| Historical population | |||
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| Census | Pop. | %± | |
| 1900 | 1,763 | — | |
| 1910 | 2,732 | 55.0% | |
| 1920 | 4,188 | 53.3% | |
| 1930 | 5,061 | 20.8% | |
| 1940 | 4,829 | −4.6% | |
| 1950 | 5,009 | 3.7% | |
| 1960 | 5,157 | 3.0% | |
| 1970 | 4,906 | −4.9% | |
| 1980 | 4,279 | −12.8% | |
| 1990 | 4,359 | 1.9% | |
| 2000 | 4,170 | −4.3% | |
| 2010 | 4,097 | −1.8% | |
| 2020 | 3,916 | −4.4% | |
| U.S. Decennial Census | |||
In 2000, there were 4,170 people living in Elmira Heights. There were 1,874 households, which are groups of people living together. About 1,053 of these were families.
Most people in the village were White (97.03%). Other groups included African American (1.03%), Native American (0.19%), and Asian (0.50%). About 0.79% of the population was Hispanic or Latino.
About 29% of households had children under 18. The average household had 2.22 people. The average family had 2.96 people.
The median age in the village was 38 years old. This means half the people were younger than 38 and half were older. About 24.6% of the population was under 18.
Fire Protection Services
History of the Fire Department
The Elmira Heights Volunteer Fire Department started in 1896. It began with two groups: the Chemical and Hose Company and the Independent Hook and Ladder Company. These groups later joined to form one department. William Monroe was the first fire chief.
The first fire station was a simple shed. It was used to store equipment. Three hose carts were placed around the village. If there was a fire, someone would ring the fire bell. Others would run to a hose cart and connect it to the nearest water pipe.
Firefighters would race to the station when the bell rang. People with horses would bring their teams to pull the fire equipment. The first team to arrive got three dollars, and the second got two dollars. This race was almost as exciting as the fire itself!
The two original fire companies used to have a rivalry. They would not mix, even at social events. This changed when a new fire chief ordered them to open the door between their meeting rooms.
Fire Department Today
Today, the Elmira Heights Fire Department is next to the Elmira Heights Village Hall. It is still run by volunteers. However, the village pays for a "Paid First Responder" program. This means a trained person is always at the station, ready to respond to emergencies.
The department helps the village of Elmira Heights and parts of the towns of Elmira and Horseheads. They provide fire, rescue, and emergency medical services (EMS).
Elmira Heights Fire Company #1
The Elmira Heights Fire Company is a private group that supports the volunteer fire department. They are based at the department and work as volunteers during emergencies. The department handles daily tasks, equipment care, and training. The company focuses on fundraising and social events. They also fully fund the department's EMS program.
Can and Bottle Drive
In 2011, the Fire Company started a program to collect empty cans and bottles. People could donate their recyclables. This program has helped the company raise money. They have used the money to fix up their heavy rescue truck. They have also donated two more vehicles to the village. These include a quick response EMS vehicle and a "brush" vehicle for fighting outdoor fires. This program continues to fund EMS and other operations. It helps avoid extra taxes for the residents.
Former Fire Truck Maker
Elmira Heights was once home to the Ward LaFrance Truck Corporation. This company used to make fire trucks and other vehicles here.
Police Services
The Elmira Heights Police Department is a small police force. It has eleven officers. They provide police protection to the village 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. The department investigates all crimes that happen within the village. The police department shares its building with the Elmira Heights Fire Department.
Education
Students in Elmira Heights attend schools in the Elmira Heights Central School District.
Images for kids
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The Elmira Heights Village Hall.
See also
In Spanish: Elmira Heights para niños
