Bethlehem, New York
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Bethlehem is a town located in Albany County, New York in the USA. As of the 2000 census, the town had a total population of 31,304.
The Town of Bethlehem is south of the City of Albany.
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History
The town was established in 1793. When the English explorer Henry Hudson sailed on his third voyage up the Hudson river, he is thought to have landed at what is now the town of Bethlehem. The spot where he is presumed to have landed is comemerated at the town's Henry Hudson Park. The town of Bethlehem was incorporated in 1793 and is comprised of five hamlets: Delmar, Elsmere, Slingerlands, Glenmont and Normanskill.
The Town's earliest growth took place in Normanskill, named for its location along the Normanskill creek which forms town's border with Albany, NY. In the late 1800's the Delaware and Hudson railroad initiated service into the hamlet then called Adamsville, renaming the hamlet Delmar. Delmar has become the most populated hamlet and its Delaware Avenue is the site of the present day town hall, police station, justice court, public library, as well as numerous businesses. The railroad discontinued passenger service in the 1960's and its tracks were removed in the year 2000. However the Town has continued to grow, as is today considered to be an affluent suburb of the city of Albany, NY.
Geography
The town is located in Albany County, New York. The east town line, defined by the Hudson River, is the border of Rensselaer County, New York. To the north, the town shares a border with Albany, the capital of New York State.
According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 128.4 km² (49.6 mi²). 126.4 km² (48.8 mi²) of it is land and 2.0 km² (0.8 mi²) of it is water. The total area is 1.55% water.
Demographics
Bethlehem.gif
As of the census2 of 2000, there are 31,304 people, 12,112 households, and 8,551 families residing in the town. The population density is 247.6/km² (641.3/mi²). There are 12,459 housing units at an average density of 98.6/km² (255.2/mi²). The racial makeup of the town is 94.74% White, 2.26% African American, 0.15% Native American, 1.66% Asian, 0.04% Pacific Islander, 0.31% from other races, and 0.84% from two or more races. 1.74% of the population are Hispanic or Latino of any race.
There are 12,112 households out of which 36.6% have children under the age of 18 living with them, 60.0% are married couples living together, 8.0% have a female householder with no husband present, and 29.4% are non-families. 25.0% of all households are made up of individuals and 11.7% have someone living alone who is 65 years of age or older. The average household size is 2.53 and the average family size is 3.06.
In the town the population is spread out with 27.5% under the age of 18, 5.2% from 18 to 24, 27.1% from 25 to 44, 25.8% from 45 to 64, and 14.4% who are 65 years of age or older. The median age is 40 years. For every 100 females there are 90.9 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there are 85.5 males.
The median income for a household in the town is $63,169, and the median income for a family is $77,211. Males have a median income of $52,433 versus $36,739 for females. The per capita income for the town is $31,492. 3.1% of the population and 2.3% of families are below the poverty line. Out of the total population, 3.6% of those under the age of 18 and 2.8% of those 65 and older are living below the poverty line.
Communities and locations in Bethlehem
- Beckers Corners --
- Bethlehem Center --
- Bethlehem Heights --
- Cedar Hill --
- Delmar, New York -- A hamlet near the center of the town and the location of the town government.
- Elsmere -- A hamlet east of Delmar.
- Glenmont -- A hamlet.
- Houcks Corners -- A hamlet south of Delmar.
- Karlsville -- A hamlet in the north part of the town.
- Kenwood -- A hamlet in the east part of the town.
- Mallorys Corners --
- Meyers Corners --
- Normansville --
- North Bethlehem -- A hamlet on the north town line.
- Selkirk -- A hamlet.
- Slingerlands -- A hamlet west of Delmar.
- Spawn Hollow --
- South Albany --
- South Bethlehem -- A hamlet.
- Unionville -- A hamlet on the west town line.
- Wemple -- A hamlet in the southeast part of the town.
External links
- Bethlehem official website (http://www.townofbethlehem.org/)