Horseheads, New York
32 topographic sheets cover this place, the earliest surveyed in 1895 and the latest in 1992. It stands in Horseheads town. It lies in ZIP code area 14845. It stands on Beaver Brook. The Survey maps it on the Horseheads quadrangle. 6,606 people lived here at the 2020 count. It stands 896 feet above sea level.
Then and now
1895 to 1992The same ground, surveyed 97 years apart. Drag the handle to wipe between them. Both sheets are United States Geological Survey originals; neither has been altered.


On record in Horseheads
Buildings and businesses the archive holds for this place. Each opens its own page, with the source record it came from.
On the National Register 6 records
Chemung Railway Depot- Horseheadslisted 1996
Hanover Square Historic Districtlisted 1982
Horseheads 1855 Extension Historic Districtlisted 1980
St. Matthew's Episcopal Churchlisted 2017
Teal Parklisted 1983
Zimmerman Houselisted 1983
Population over time
2 figuresHorseheads grew from 6,461 to 6,606 between 2010 and 2020. These are the recorded population figures Wikidata holds for this place, reached through the Geographic Names Information System number this page is keyed on rather than by name, so they belong to this place and not to another of the same name. Most are census counts, but not all are: an early figure may be a founding or settlement estimate, and an estimate published within five years of a census is left out. The change column is computed, and is left blank where more than 20 years separate a figure from the one before it, because a gap that long is not a change between two counts.
| Year | People | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2010 | 6,461 | |
| 2020 | 6,606 | +145 (+2%) |
Topographic sheets covering this place
12 surveys from 32 printed sheetsMatched by testing this settlement's coordinate against the published boundary of every sheet in the United States Geological Survey's historical collection. Each opens the scanned sheet at the Survey.
- 1895 USGS Elmira quadrangle1:62500, 10 printings
- 1905 USGS Watkins Glen quadrangle1:125000, 4 printings
- 1950 USGS Elmira quadrangle1:250000, 2 printings
- 1953 USGS Elmira quadrangle1:62500, 2 printings
- 1953 USGS Horseheads quadrangle1:24000, 2 printings
- 1958 USGS Elmira quadrangle1:250000, 2 printings
- 1962 USGS Elmira quadrangle1:250000, 4 printings
- 1965 USGS Elmira quadrangle1:250000
- 1969 USGS Horseheads quadrangle1:24000
- 1978 USGS Horseheads quadrangle1:24000, 2 printings
- 1986 USGS Elmira quadrangle1:100000
- 1992 USGS Elmira quadrangle1:100000
Fires near this place
293 since 2000Regional context, not property-specific evidence. The federal wildfire occurrence database lists 293 fires within 5 miles of Horseheads between 2000 and 2020, burning about 268 acres in total. 20 started naturally. 53 were recorded as arson. Distance is straight-line from the map coordinates, so a fire counted here may appear on a neighbouring settlement's page as well.
| Reported cause | Fires |
|---|---|
| Missing data/not specified/undetermined | 129 |
| Arson/incendiarism | 53 |
| Debris and open burning | 39 |
| Smoking | 26 |
| Natural | 20 |
| Equipment and vehicle use | 11 |
| Power generation/transmission/distribution | 8 |
| Recreation and ceremony | 5 |
| Misuse of fire by a minor | 2 |
The most recent of them, most recent first, with the day each was reported and the service that recorded it.
| Date | Cause | Size | Reported by | Name on the report |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 9 September 2015 | Natural | under an acre | Fire Department of New York | NA |
| 8 September 2007 | Missing data/not specified/undetermined | under an acre | Fire Department of New York | not named |
| 7 September 2015 | Missing data/not specified/undetermined | under an acre | Fire Department of New York | NA |
| 7 September 2007 | Missing data/not specified/undetermined | under an acre | Fire Department of New York | not named |
| 7 September 2002 | Missing data/not specified/undetermined | under an acre | Fire Department of New York | not named |
| 5 September 2008 | Missing data/not specified/undetermined | under an acre | Fire Department of New York | not named |
| 5 September 2008 | Natural | under an acre | Fire Department of New York | not named |
| 4 September 2015 | Missing data/not specified/undetermined | under an acre | Fire Department of New York | NA |
Settlements close enough to share some of these fires:
Mines and quarries near this place
9 within 5 milesRegional context, not property-specific evidence. The federal mineral resources record lists 9 workings within 5 miles of Horseheads: 6 past producers, 3 producers. 3 still produce. What was taken out: Sand and Gravel, Construction. Distance is straight-line from the map coordinates, so a quarry counted here may appear on a neighbouring settlement's page as well.
| Where | Site | Commodity | Status | Recorded |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bannister Road Pit | Sand and Gravel, Construction | Producer | ||
| Breesport Pit | Sand and Gravel, Construction | Producer | ||
| Breesport Pit and Mill | Sand and Gravel, Construction | Past Producer | Sedimentary | |
| E.R. Wolcott Sand and Gravel Pit | Sand and Gravel, Construction | Producer | ||
| Frank Treat Sand and Gravel Pit | Sand and Gravel, Construction | Past Producer | Sedimentary | |
| Frank Treat Sand and Gravel Pit | Sand and Gravel, Construction | Past Producer | ||
| Horseheads Pit | Sand and Gravel, Construction | Past Producer | ||
| Horseheads Town Pit | Sand and Gravel, Construction | Past Producer | ||
| Horsheads Plant | Sand and Gravel, Construction | Past Producer | Sedimentary |
Storms near this place
42 since 1995Regional context, not property-specific evidence. The National Weather Service names Horseheads in 42 storm reports between 1995 and 2025: 23 thunderstorm wind, 18 hail, 1 flash flood. No death or injury is recorded in these reports. Each account below is quoted exactly as the forecast office filed it, from the NOAA Storm Events Database, and each date opens the federal record of that event.
| When | Event | Place named | Harm | What the report says |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| September 1998 | Thunderstorm Wind | Horseheads | $70,000 | The same line of thunderstorms that produced damage across Steuben county continued eastward into Chemung county and maintained its intensity. More wind damage resulted in the greater Elmira area. Many trees were uprooted or blown down in an area from Horseheads south and southeast towards East Elmira. Several traffic lights were also dislodged, forcing the closure of a few roads for a brief time period. One home in East Elmira sustained minor damage as a large tree crashed through a portion of a separated garage. |
| June 1998 | Thunderstorm Wind | Horseheads | $45,000 | The same severe storm that produced wind damage and large hail in Steuben county earlier in the afternoon remained severe as it crossed into Chemung county. Widespread reports of trees blown down and utility poles toppled were received from the Horseheads and Elmira areas between 325 and 340 pm EDT. Some minor house damage was also noted in Horseheads from falling trees. |
| September 2012 | Hail | Horseheads | $20,000 | Quarter to golf ball size hail lasted for ten minutes. |
| September 2012 | Hail | Horseheads | $15,000 | no account filed |
| July 2012 | Thunderstorm Wind | Horseheads | $10,000 | Numerous trees were blown down in Horseheads. Wires were downed in the city of Elmira and also in Southport. |
| May 2002 | Flash Flood | Horseheads | $10,000 | Several roads flooded by very heavy thunderstorm rains, including Route 14. |
| May 1998 | Thunderstorm Wind | Horseheads | $10,000 | A severe thunderstorm developed over the county during the afternoon and blew down trees and wires in Horseheads at 3:35 pm EDT. |
| July 2021 | Thunderstorm Wind | Horseheads | $7,000 | Strong thunderstorm winds knocked down multiple trees and wires. |
| July 2016 | Thunderstorm Wind | Horseheads | $5,000 | A thunderstorm moved into the area Monday afternoon and quickly became severe. The thunderstorm knocked trees over which took down electric wires. |
| June 2013 | Thunderstorm Wind | Horseheads | $5,000 | Tree was blown down. |
| June 2013 | Thunderstorm Wind | Horseheads | $5,000 | Trees and wires were blown down. |
| May 1998 | Thunderstorm Wind | Horseheads | $5,000 | A thunderstorm briefly reached severe levels as it downed trees and power lines in and just outside of Horseheads shortly before 7:30 pm EDT. |
| June 2009 | Thunderstorm Wind | Horseheads | $3,000 | Trees were blown down on Sing Sing Road. |
| July 1995 | Thunderstorm Wind | Horseheads | $3,000 | no account filed |
| July 2025 | Thunderstorm Wind | Horseheads | $2,500 | Strong thunderstorm winds knocked down trees and wires on East Franklin Streets. |
| September 2012 | Thunderstorm Wind | Horseheads | $2,000 | Trees and wires were blown down. |
| August 2007 | Thunderstorm Wind | Horseheads | $2,000 | Trees and wires were blown down. |
| August 2021 | Thunderstorm Wind | Horseheads | $1,000 | Strong thunderstorm winds knocked down utility wires onto Main Street. |
| September 2012 | Hail | Horseheads | $1,000 | Quarter to half-dollar size hail lasted for 15 minutes. A few trees were also blown down. |
| June 2009 | Hail | Horseheads | - | Hail was covering the ground. |
| June 2009 | Thunderstorm Wind | Horseheads | - | Large branches were knocked down. |
| July 2006 | Thunderstorm Wind | Horseheads | - | A swath of trees was blown down. |
| May 2001 | Thunderstorm Wind | Horseheads | - | Small hail was reported by SKYWARN spotters in Horseheads and Alpine Junction. |
| September 2000 | Thunderstorm Wind | Horseheads | - | Trees down. |
| April 2023 | Thunderstorm Wind | Horseheads | - | no account filed |
| May 2020 | Hail | Horseheads | - | no account filed |
| July 2014 | Hail | Horseheads | - | no account filed |
| June 2013 | Hail | Horseheads | - | no account filed |
| June 2013 | Hail | Horseheads | - | no account filed |
| May 2012 | Hail | Horseheads | - | no account filed |
| May 2012 | Hail | Horseheads | - | no account filed |
| September 2012 | Hail | Horseheads | - | no account filed |
| September 2012 | Hail | Horseheads | - | no account filed |
| June 2009 | Hail | Horseheads | - | no account filed |
| June 2009 | Hail | Horseheads | - | no account filed |
| June 2009 | Hail | Horseheads | - | no account filed |
| June 2009 | Hail | Horseheads | - | no account filed |
| June 2008 | Hail | Horseheads | - | no account filed |
| June 2008 | Hail | Horseheads | - | no account filed |
| November 2005 | Thunderstorm Wind | Horseheads | - | no account filed |
| June 1999 | Thunderstorm Wind | Horseheads | - | no account filed |
| July 1999 | Thunderstorm Wind | Horseheads | - | no account filed |
Nearest settlements
The eight closest, with where each one stands in the county. Distances are straight-line, computed from the Geographic Names Information System coordinates.
| Map | Place | Distance | Sheets |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pioneer Village | 0.5 miles | 32 | |
| Orchard Knoll | 1.5 miles | 32 | |
| Maplehurst Park | 2.1 miles | 32 | |
| Elmira Heights | 2.6 miles | 32 | |
| Fisherville | 2.7 miles | 32 | |
| Hathorn Court | 4.0 miles | 32 | |
| Sullivanville | 4.0 miles | 32 | |
| Pine Valley | 4.2 miles | 32 |
Elsewhere
Matched on this settlement's Geographic Names Information System number rather than its name, so it cannot be a different place of the same name in another state.
| Wikipedia article on Horseheads | An encyclopaedic summary. Its text is share-alike, so it is linked here rather than copied. |
| Wikidata item Q3461953 | The structured record the population and elevation above come from. Public domain (CC0). |
Provenance
This settlement is recorded in the Geographic Names Information System as feature 953232. The sheet list is computed by point-in-boundary test against the United States Geological Survey's historical topographic inventory. Both are works of the United States government and carry no copyright under 17 U.S.C. 105.
Wildfire. Short, Karen C. 2022. Spatial wildfire occurrence data for the United States, 1992-2020 [FPA_FOD_20221014]. 6th Edition. Fort Collins, CO: Forest Service Research Data Archive. https://doi.org/10.2737/RDS-2013-0009.6 Collected with United States Government funding and usable without additional permissions or fees.
Mines and quarries. USGS Mineral Resources Data System (MRDS) https://mrdata.usgs.gov/mrds/ A work of the United States government, no copyright under 17 U.S.C. 105.
Storms. NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information, Storm Events Database https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/stormevents/ A work of the United States government, no copyright under 17 U.S.C. 105. Narratives are quoted verbatim from the National Weather Service report and are not edited or summarised.











