Lancaster (town), New York
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- For other places and things with this name, see Lancaster..
Lancaster is a town located in Erie County, New York, USA. As of the 2000 census, the town had a total population of 39,019.
The Town of Lancaster has a village also called Lancaster. The Town and Village are currently exploring consolidation of governmental functions.
The town is home to Lancaster High School and other schools of the Lancaster school system.
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History
In 1803 the Holland Land Company sold its first plot of land in the future town. The Town of Lancaster was formed from the Town of Clarence, New York in 1833. In 1857 part of the town was taken to form the Town of Elma.
Beginning in early 1990's, the town entered a period of rapid growth. In 2003, the town and village police departments merged.
Geography
According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 98.2 km² (37.9 mi²). 98.0 km² (37.8 mi²) of it is land and 0.2 km² (0.1 mi²) of it is water. The total area is 0.16% water. The town is located on the western side of Erie County and is east of the city of Buffalo, New York.
Demographics
As of the census2 of 2000, there are 39,019 people, 15,053 households, and 10,506 families residing in the town. The population density is 398.1/km² (1,031.1/mi²). There are 15,627 housing units at an average density of 159.5/km² (413.0/mi²). The racial makeup of the town is 98.00% White, 0.81% Black or African American, 0.18% Native American, 0.39% Asian, 0.01% Pacific Islander, 0.12% from other races, and 0.50% from two or more races. 0.67% of the population are Hispanic or Latino of any race.
There are 15,053 households out of which 33.1% have children under the age of 18 living with them, 58.3% are married couples living together, 8.5% have a female householder with no husband present, and 30.2% are non-families. 26.0% 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 2.55 and the average family size is 3.11.
In the town the population is spread out with 25.1% under the age of 18, 6.5% from 18 to 24, 31.3% from 25 to 44, 22.8% from 45 to 64, and 14.3% who are 65 years of age or older. The median age is 38 years. For every 100 females there are 93.8 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there are 90.1 males.
The median income for a household in the town is $48,990, and the median income for a family is $59,712. Males have a median income of $41,501 versus $28,049 for females. The per capita income for the town is $21,723. 3.9% of the population and 2.5% of families are below the poverty line. Out of the total population, 3.6% of those under the age of 18 and 5.7% of those 65 and older are living below the poverty line.
Communities and locations in the Town of Lancaster
- Bowmansville -- A small hamlet in the northeast corner of the town, located near Genesee Street (Route 33) and Transit Road (Route 78). Ellicott Creek flows through the hamlet, which took its name from early settler Benjamin Bowman.
- Cayguga Creek -- A stream flowing westward through the town.
- Depew -- Part of the Village of Depew is in the eastern part of the town.
- East Lancaster -- A location east of Lancaster village on Broadway (Route 20)
- Ellicott Creek -- A stream flowing westward through the town, named after Joseph Ellicott.
- Lancaster - The Village of Lancaster is in the west part of the town.
- Town Line -- A hamlet on Lancaster's eastern town line.
- Town Line Station -- A location on the eastern town line, north of Town Line.
Adjacent towns and areas
The Town of Clarence is to the north, and the Town of West Seneca is on the south. The Town of Alden is on the east, and the Town of Cheektowaga is on the west.
External links
- Official town website (http://www.lancasterny.com/)
- Lancaster information (http://www.erie.gov/lancaster/directory.asp)
- Lancaster history (http://history.rays-place.com/ny/lancaster-ny.htm)
- Lancaster school information (http://www.greatschools.net/modperl/bycity/ny/?city=Lancaster&showall=1&level=a)