Clarence, New York
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Clarence is a town located in the northeastern part of Erie County, New York. As of the 2000 census, the town had a total population of 26,123. Clarence is also the name of a postal district in the south part of the town with zip code 14031. It is named after the House of Clarence in England.
The Town of Clarence is in the northeast part of the county. There are no villages within the town.
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History
The Town of Clarence claims to be the first town in Erie County (1808), and many other towns, villages, and cities have been formed from parts of this original town. The defunct Town of Willink was also a source of new towns, being completely partitioned for this purpose.
Western New York was part of the Holland Purchase. When Genesee County, New York was established in 1802, all of the region was part of the Town of Batavia, the single, original town of Genesee County.
Clarence was, along with Willinck, created in Niagara County, New York and was split off from Willink in 1804 even before Niagara County was created in 1808. Clarence (in the north) and Willink (in the south) then became the two original towns of Erie County before the county was created in 1821, and both towns had already been partly subdivided into the newer towns of the county at the time Erie County was formed.
One of the first settlers in the town was Asa Ransom, who has given his name to several locations. Asa Harris, a former colonial officer, established a tavern in the town in the community of Harris Hill.
Geography
According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 138.5 km² (53.5 mi²). 138.3 km² (53.4 mi²) of it is land and 0.2 km² (0.1 mi²) of it is water. The total area is 0.11% water.
The north border of the town is Tonawanda Creek with Niagara County, New York on the opposite bank.
Demographics
As of the census2 of 2000, there are 26,123 people, 9,154 households, and 7,204 families residing in the town. The population density is 188.9/km² (489.2/mi²). There are 9,497 housing units at an average density of 68.7/km² (177.8/mi²). The racial makeup of the town is 97.01% White, 0.65% African American, 0.16% Native American, 1.38% Asian, 0.04% Pacific Islander, 0.19% from other races, and 0.56% from two or more races. 0.80% of the population are Hispanic or Latino of any race.
There are 9,154 households out of which 38.6% have children under the age of 18 living with them, 70.3% are married couples living together, 6.1% have a female householder with no husband present, and 21.3% are non-families. 18.4% of all households are made up of individuals and 9.0% have someone living alone who is 65 years of age or older. The average household size is 2.80 and the average family size is 3.22.
In the town the population is spread out with 28.0% under the age of 18, 5.7% from 18 to 24, 26.4% from 25 to 44, 25.5% from 45 to 64, and 14.5% who are 65 years of age or older. The median age is 40 years. For every 100 females there are 94.3 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there are 91.3 males.
The median income for a household in the town is $68,003, and the median income for a family is $77,998. Males have a median income of $58,538 versus $31,140 for females. The per capita income for the town is $32,717. 1.9% of the population and 1.0% of families are below the poverty line. Out of the total population, 1.2% of those under the age of 18 and 3.2% of those 65 and older are living below the poverty line.
Communities and locations in Clarence
Principal locations or settlements in the town are:
- Clarence (also called Clarence Hollow, or just "The Hollow") is in the southeast. This is an extensive community of homes and businesses. The Clarence Historical Society is located on Main Street in this community. Part of the community is within a small valley which is traversed by Ransom Creek. The seat of the town government is in Clarence postal zone, just south of the hamlet of Clarence Center. During the time of its founding, the community was called Pine Grove, and later, Ransomville.
- Clarence Aerodrome (D51) -- A small, grass strip in the northwest part of the town. This is a private general aviation airport.
- Clarence Center lies near the middle of the town. It is a small hamlet with the most densely populated neighborhood situated around the intersection of Goodrich Road and Clarence Center Road. Clarence Center is also a postal zip code 14032, covering most of the north part of the town.
- East Amherst (formerly Transit Station) is a community on the west side of the town that is partly in the Town of Amherst. East Amherst is also a postal zone (zip code 14051).
- Harris Hill is an extensive community in the southwest corner of the town.
- Hunts Corners is a location near the eastern town line and consists of a scattered group of homes. The corners are formed by the intersection of Salt Road and Clarence Center-Akron Road.
- Mansfield Corners -- A former location in the eatern part of the town, north of Hunts Corners.
- Millersport is a hamlet in the northwest corner. Because of its position, Millerport extends into the Town of Amherst and also across Tonawanda Creek into Niagara County, New York. The primary settlement consists of residences and businesses near the intersection of Transit Road and Millersport Highway.
- Potoczek Airport (D46) -- A small grass strip in the northwest part of the town.
- Rapids -- A hamlet at the nothern town line.
- Smiths Corners -- A former location in the northern part of the town now in the part near Rapids.
- Swormsville is on the western border of the town and extends across the border into the Town of Amherst. The community has had its name spelled several different ways in the past, such as "Schwarmsville,"
- Wolcottsburg is a hamlet in the northern part of the town, centered about a cluster of businesses, homes, and a church. The community is located by the intersection of Goodrich Road and Lapp Road.
Clarence facts
This town is partially a suburban community, and the remainder is light industry and agriculture. Town government offices are located in Clarence Center. The Clarence school system is one of the best in both the state and county. The western part of the town is served by the Williamsville school system.
Surrounding Communities
The Town of Clarence is north of the Town of Lancaster, east of the Town of Amherst, west of the Town of Newstead and south of Niagara County, New York. Clarence is northeast of the City of Buffalo and west of the City of Batavia.
External links
- Official Clarence, NY website (http://www.erie.gov/clarence/)
- Clarence history (http://history.rays-place.com/ny/clarence.htm)