Gaines, New York
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Gaines is a town located in Orleans County, New York. As of the 2000 census, the town had a total population of 3,740. The town is named after General George Pendleton Gaines, who defended the area during the War of 1812.
The Town of Gaines was established in 1816 from a partition of the Town of Ridgeway and contains part of the Village of Albion, the county seat.
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Geography
According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 89.2 km² (34.4 mi²). 89.1 km² (34.4 mi²) of it is land and 0.1 km² (0.04 mi²) of it is water. The total area is 0.12% water.
The Erie Canal forms the southern boundary of the town.
Demographics
As of the census2 of 2000, there are 3,740 people, 1,474 households, and 986 families residing in the town. The population density is 42.0/km² (108.8/mi²). There are 1,609 housing units at an average density of 18.1/km² (46.8/mi²). The racial makeup of the town is 91.63% White, 4.41% African American, 0.32% Native American, 0.13% Asian, 0.00% Pacific Islander, 2.19% from other races, and 1.31% from two or more races. 4.14% of the population are Hispanic or Latino of any race.
There are 1,474 households out of which 32.0% have children under the age of 18 living with them, 50.0% are married couples living together, 11.5% have a female householder with no husband present, and 33.1% are non-families. 27.2% of all households are made up of individuals and 16.8% have someone living alone who is 65 years of age or older. The average household size is 2.54 and the average family size is 3.06.
In the town the population is spread out with 26.4% under the age of 18, 7.9% from 18 to 24, 28.0% from 25 to 44, 21.9% from 45 to 64, and 15.8% who are 65 years of age or older. The median age is 38 years. For every 100 females there are 92.6 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there are 86.8 males.
The median income for a household in the town is $32,604, and the median income for a family is $38,523. Males have a median income of $30,709 versus $21,917 for females. The per capita income for the town is $16,823. 10.3% of the population and 7.9% of families are below the poverty line. Out of the total population, 20.4% of those under the age of 18 and 7.0% of those 65 and older are living below the poverty line.
Communities and locations in Gaines
- Albion - The Village of Albion is the county seat of Orleans County and a port of the Erie Canal.
- Childs -- named after Judge Henry Childs and previously known as Proctor's Corners and Fair Haven.
- Eagle Harbor -- an eagle's nest was found here while the Erie Canal was being dug.
- East Gaines --
- Gaines -- a hamlet established in 1832.
- Gaines Basin -- a wide place in the Erie Canal for barges to turn around.
- Oak Orchard River -- The stream flows through the northwest part of the town.
- Waterport Pond -- A wide part of the Oak Orchard River is partly in the town.
- West Gaines -- Now a small cluster of houses.
External links
- Gaines history (http://www.orleanshistory.org/Towns/gaines.htm)