Bethel, New York
|
|
Bethel is a town located in Sullivan County, New York. As of the 2000 census, the town had a total population of 4,362.
The Town of Bethel is an interior town located in the central part of the county. It is the site of the Woodstock Festival.
| Contents |
History
The first settlers arrived around 1795 near the present communities of Bethel and White Lake. The Town of Bethel was established in 1809 from the Town of Lumberland. By the middle of the 19th Century, a tourist industry began to grow.
Geography
According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 233.2 km² (90.0 mi²). 221.2 km² (85.4 mi²) of it is land and 12.0 km² (4.6 mi²) of it is water. The total area is 5.13% water. A number of small lakes are scattered through the town.
Demographics
As of the census2 of 2000, there are 4,362 people, 1,649 households, and 1,101 families residing in the town. The population density is 19.7/km² (51.1/mi²). There are 3,641 housing units at an average density of 16.5/km² (42.6/mi²). The racial makeup of the town is 90.35% White, 4.61% African American, 0.18% Native American, 0.50% Asian, 0.16% Pacific Islander, 2.80% from other races, and 1.40% from two or more races. 11.28% of the population are Hispanic or Latino of any race.
There are 1,649 households out of which 27.1% have children under the age of 18 living with them, 54.2% are married couples living together, 7.9% have a female householder with no husband present, and 33.2% are non-families. 27.3% of all households are made up of individuals and 12.0% have someone living alone who is 65 years of age or older. The average household size is 2.45 and the average family size is 2.95.
In the town the population is spread out with 21.8% under the age of 18, 6.8% from 18 to 24, 26.7% from 25 to 44, 28.7% from 45 to 64, and 16.0% who are 65 years of age or older. The median age is 42 years. For every 100 females there are 108.4 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there are 107.9 males.
The median income for a household in the town is $36,017, and the median income for a family is $37,321. Males have a median income of $35,025 versus $24,438 for females. The per capita income for the town is $25,335. 14.9% of the population and 9.4% of families are below the poverty line. Out of the total population, 22.6% of those under the age of 18 and 10.4% of those 65 and older are living below the poverty line.
Communities and locations in Bethel
- Bethel -- The hamlet of Bethel, located on Route 17B.
- Black Lake -- A community on Route 55, south of the lake, Black Lake.
- Briscoe -- A hamlet near the north town line on Route 144.
- Bushville -- A hamlet in the northeast corner of the town on Route 75.
- Hurd Settlement -- A hamlet in the northwestern part of the town.
- Kauneoga Lake -- A hamlet north at the junction of Routes 141 and 55. This community was formerly called North White Lake.
- Lake Superior State Park -- located on a small lake, named Lake Superior.
- Mongaup Valley -- A community northeast of Smallwood.
- Smallwood -- A hamlet, originally founded as the vacation community "Mountain Lakes," but later renamed after its founder A.N. Smallwood. This is the largest community in the town.
- Stephensville -- A fomer community in the town.
- Sullivan County International (MSV) -- The airport is northeast of Smallwood.
- White Lake -- A hamlet on Route 17B east of Bethel, established by "Kauneonga Lake."
Information about Bethel and Woodstock
The Town of Bethel was the actual location of the Woodstock festival in 1969. Because it was originally scheduled to take place in the Town of Woodstock in Ulster County, New York, that name persisted in spite of the change in venue.
In 1998 a second concert was given at the original site.
External links
- Official town website (http://www.townofbethel.com)
- Town of Bethel, New York (http://www.town.bethel.ny.us)
- Woodstock information (http://www.woodstocknation.org/whitelake.htm)