Cheektowaga (town), New York
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Cheektowaga is a town located in Erie County, New York. As of the 2000 census, the town had a total population of 94,019. Its western border is the City of Buffalo, New York. The name comes from the Iroquoian word Ji-ik-do-wa-gah, meaning the place of the crab apple tree.
Town of Cheektowaga is in the north-central part of the county. Cheektowaga contains the site of the Buffalo Niagara International Airport.
Villa Maria College is located in Cheektowaga.
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History
The first settler established himself in 1808. The Town of Cheektowaga was organized in 1839 by a division of the Town of Amherst. The town area was reduced in 1851 by the formation of the Towns of Orchard Park, West Seneca, and Hamburg.
Geography
According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 76.5 km² (29.5 mi²). None of the area is covered with water.
Demographics
As of the census2 of 2000, there are 94,019 people, 40,045 households, and 25,869 families residing in the town. The population density is 1,229.3/km² (3,183.8/mi²). There are 41,901 housing units at an average density of 547.9/km² (1,418.9/mi²). The racial makeup of the town is 94.94% White, 2.93% Black or African American, 0.16% Native American, 0.94% Asian, 0.01% Pacific Islander, 0.27% from other races, and 0.75% from two or more races. 0.97% of the population are Hispanic or Latino of any race.
There are 40,045 households out of which 25.5% have children under the age of 18 living with them, 49.5% are married couples living together, 11.4% have a female householder with no husband present, and 35.4% are non-families. 30.4% of all households are made up of individuals and 15.5% have someone living alone who is 65 years of age or older. The average household size is 2.32 and the average family size is 2.91.
In the town the population is spread out with 20.6% under the age of 18, 7.1% from 18 to 24, 28.6% from 25 to 44, 23.2% from 45 to 64, and 20.5% who are 65 years of age or older. The median age is 41 years. For every 100 females there are 88.4 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there are 84.6 males.
The median income for a household in the town is $38,121, and the median income for a family is $46,646. Males have a median income of $34,538 versus $25,434 for females. The per capita income for the town is $19,627. 6.5% of the population and 4.6% of families are below the poverty line. Out of the total population, 8.7% of those under the age of 18 and 6.4% of those 65 and older are living below the poverty line.
Communities and locations in Cheektowaga
- Cleveland Hill -- A neighborhood located on the north town line, this community has its own school district.
- Depew - The Village of Depew (shared with the Town of Lancaster) is in the eastern part of the town.
- Doyle -- A neighborhood near the western town line.
- Forks -- A location near Union Road (Route 277) and Broadway (Route 130).
- Maryvale -- A neighborhood located just west of the airport, this community is also a school district.
- Pine Hill -- A neighborhood on the border of Buffalo, New York, the community features many cemeteries and Villa Maria College.
- Sloan - The Village of Sloan, near the Buffalo border.
- U-Crest -- A neighborhood near Union Road (Route 277) and Genesee Street (Route 33).
- Williamsville, New York - A small part of the Village of Williamsville (shared with the Town of Amherst).
See also
- Cheektowaga (CDP), New York, a census region.
Trivia
- Cheektowaga lends its name to a slang term for vomiting, the "Cheektowaga Scream".
- Due to its high percentage of ethnic Poles and the fact that it is home to Buffalo-Niagara Airport, the name Cheektowaga is rumored to be Polish for "Close to the Airport"
External links
- Town of Cheektowaga (http://www.tocny.org)
- Cheektowaga history (http://history.rays-place.com/ny/cheektowaga-ny.htm)