Welcome to Elmira, New York – a city where Mark Twain often came to take solace, a place that you too can take pride in. Elmira is the County Seat of Chemung County and is situated on the New York-Pennsylvania State border in the area known as the Southern Tier of New York State. Centrally located in New York State, it is approximately equidistant from Boston, Montreal, Washington, DC, and Cleveland.

It is less than 200 miles from New York City. The City encompasses 7.4 square miles of land area. The first permanent settlements in the area were erected after the Revolutionary War, between 1778 and 1800. The famous Battle of Newtown which opened upstate New York to the colonies was fought here on August 29, 1779.

Whether you are fresh out of college or married with kids, Elmira has the efficiency apartments or the quiet neighborhoods you are looking for. Are you renting an apartment, seeking your first home, and can't find a house you can afford? The City of Elmira Office of Community Development has a First-Time Homebuyer program that can help you. Want to improve your neighborhood? The City of Elmira Office of Community Development provides programs and financial assistance to keep Elmira in good shape and looking beautiful.