Canton (town), New York
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Canton is a town located in St. Lawrence County, New York. As of the 2000 census, the town had a total population of 10,334. The town is named after Canton in China (now named Guangzhou).
The Town of Canton also contains a village named Canton.
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History
The town was organized in 1805. The name Canton was supposedly selected due to contemporaty interests in the China trade. Canton was one of the original ten towns of the county. An academy, first established in 1831, became St. Lawrence University.
Geography
According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 274.3 km² (105.9 mi²). 271.4 km² (104.8 mi²) of it is land and 2.8 km² (1.1 mi²) of it is water. The total area is 1.03% water.
The Grass River and the Oswegatchie River flow through the town.
Demographics
As of the census2 of 2000, there are 10,334 people, 3,198 households, and 2,011 families residing in the town. The population density is 38.1/km² (98.6/mi²). There are 3,515 housing units at an average density of 12.9/km² (33.5/mi²). The racial makeup of the town is 94.60% White, 2.66% Black or African American, 0.40% Native American, 0.68% Asian, 0.00% Pacific Islander, 0.63% from other races, and 1.04% from two or more races. 1.39% of the population are Hispanic or Latino of any race.
There are 3,198 households out of which 31.8% have children under the age of 18 living with them, 49.3% are married couples living together, 9.8% have a female householder with no husband present, and 37.1% are non-families. 29.8% of all households are made up of individuals and 11.0% have someone living alone who is 65 years of age or older. The average household size is 2.40 and the average family size is 2.99.
In the town the population is spread out with 18.9% under the age of 18, 29.6% from 18 to 24, 21.8% from 25 to 44, 18.4% from 45 to 64, and 11.4% who are 65 years of age or older. The median age is 27 years. For every 100 females there are 99.7 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there are 98.6 males.
The median income for a household in the town is $36,875, and the median income for a family is $43,819. Males have a median income of $33,993 versus $25,989 for females. The per capita income for the town is $14,896. 12.4% of the population and 9.2% of families are below the poverty line. Out of the total population, 13.6% of those under the age of 18 and 7.5% of those 65 and older are living below the poverty line.
Communities and locations in the Town of Canton
- Brick Chapel -- A hamlet south of Canton village on Route 27.
- Canton -- The Village of Canton is centrally located in the town by the Grass River.
- Eddy -- A hamlet in the southwest corner of the town.
- Morley -- A hamlet on the northern town line by the Grass River. The community was originally known as "Long Rapids."
- Pyrites -- A community in the southwest corner of the town.
- Rensselaer Falls -- The Village of Rensselaer Falls is in the northwest corner of the town on Routes 14 and 15.
- St. Lawrence University -- A college in Canton village.
- SUNY Canton -- State technical college northwest of Canton village.
- Upper and Lower Lakes State Wildlife Area -- A conservation area in the north half of town.
- Woodbridge Corners -- A location Route 68 northwest of Canton village.
Additional information about the Town of Canton
The area was home for artist Frederick Remington and Governor Silas Wright.
External links
- Canton area information (http://www.cantonnychamber.org/habout.html)
- Canton history (http://history.rays-place.com/ny/canton-ny.htm)