Cochecton, New York
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Cochecton is a town located in west-central Sullivan County, New York. As of the 2000 census, the town had a total population of 1,328. The name is an aboriginal word for "low land."
The Town of Cochecton (its official name) is situated on the Delaware River, directly across from Damascus, Pennsylvania, to which a bridge over the river provides access. The village of Cochecton has a ZIP Code of 12726; the ZIP Codes for two other communities located within the town's boundaries — Cochecton Center and Lake Huntington — are 12727 and 12752 respectively.
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History
Cochecton was reportedly the home of Tammany, a native american sage of the Lenape.
The town was formed from the Town of Bethel in 1828. The Town of Delaware was formed from part of Cochecton in 1869.
The town once had a station on the Binghamton branch of the Erie-Lackawanna Railroad, but passenger service on this branch ceased in 1971; the branch has since been taken over by Conrail. More recently, various proposals were made to restore service on the line, but none have yet been adopted.
The correct pronunciation of the town's name is "cuh-SHEK-ton," leading many to mistakenly believe the name is of French origin; the name is in fact derived from "Cushektunk," a local Native American word meaning "low land" (alluding to the town's location in the upper Delaware Valley).
Geography
The west town line is the border of Pennsylvania.
According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 96.8 km² (37.4 mi²). 94.9 km² (36.7 mi²) of it is land and 1.9 km² (0.7 mi²) of it is water. The total area is 1.95% water.
Demographics
As of the census2 of 2000, there are 1,328 people, 555 households, and 376 families residing in the town. The population density is 14.0/km² (36.2/mi²). There are 955 housing units at an average density of 10.1/km² (26.1/mi²). The racial makeup of the town is 96.54% White, 0.90% African American, 0.08% Native American, 0.60% Asian, 0.00% Pacific Islander, 0.98% from other races, and 0.90% from two or more races. 1.66% of the population are Hispanic or Latino of any race.
There are 555 households out of which 27.2% have children under the age of 18 living with them, 56.0% are married couples living together, 7.0% have a female householder with no husband present, and 32.1% are non-families. 26.8% of all households are made up of individuals and 12.1% have someone living alone who is 65 years of age or older. The average household size is 2.38 and the average family size is 2.89.
In the town the population is spread out with 22.5% under the age of 18, 5.5% from 18 to 24, 27.3% from 25 to 44, 27.3% from 45 to 64, and 17.4% who are 65 years of age or older. The median age is 42 years. For every 100 females there are 101.2 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there are 99.0 males.
The median income for a household in the town is $41,250, and the median income for a family is $46,875. Males have a median income of $34,583 versus $24,844 for females. The per capita income for the town is $19,841. 7.2% of the population and 5.0% of families are below the poverty line. Out of the total population, 10.5% of those under the age of 18 and 8.6% of those 65 and older are living below the poverty line.
The peak population, reached during the 19th Century, was about 3000.
Communities and locations in Cochecton
- Cochecton (formerly Cushetunk) -- The hamlet of Cochecton is on Route 97 by the Delaware River.
- Cochecton Center (formerly Stephensburgh) -- A hamlet south of Lake Huntingdon on Route 52.
- East Cochecton -- A hamlet between Cochecton and Fosterdale.
- Fosterdale -- A hamlet in the eastern part of the town at Routes 17B and 52.
- Lake Huntington -- A hamlet south of Fosterdale on Route 52.
- Nobody Station -- A location in the southwest part of the town.
- Skinners Falls -- A location by the Delaware River, south of Cochection village.
- Tylertown -- A location in the southeast part of the town.
External links
- Cochecton history (http://www.sullivancountyhistory.org/new_page_2.htm)