Massena (town), New York
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Massena is a town located in St. Lawrence County, New York. As of the 2000 census, the town had a total population of 13,121. The town is named after Andre Massena, an important French general in the army of Napoleon.
The Town of Massena contains a village also called Massena. The town in on the northern border of the county.
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History
The town was first settled around 1792.
Massena was one of the original towns of the county and was created along with the county in 1802. At that time Napoleon and his armies caused the first settlers to name the town after one the French generals, but after military setbacks, some attempts were made to change the name of the town, although without success. Parts of Massena were later removed to form other towns in the county.
The inhabitants suffered natural disasters in 1944 from an earthquake and the 1998 Ice Storm.
Geography
The north town line of Massena is the international border of Canada, defined partly by the St. Lawrence River. The eastern town line is the border of Franklin County, New York.
The Raquette River and the Grasse River flow across the north part of the town.
According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 145.4 km² (56.1 mi²). 115.7 km² (44.7 mi²) of it is land and 29.7 km² (11.5 mi²) of it is water. The total area is 20.43% water.
Demographics
As of the census2 of 2000, there are 13,121 people, 5,510 households, and 3,454 families residing in the town. The population density is 113.4/km² (293.7/mi²). There are 5,880 housing units at an average density of 50.8/km² (131.6/mi²). The racial makeup of the town is 94.80% White, 0.30% Black or African American, 3.25% Native American, 0.41% Asian, 0.03% Pacific Islander, 0.18% from other races, and 1.02% from two or more races. 1.07% of the population are Hispanic or Latino of any race.
There are 5,510 households out of which 29.4% have children under the age of 18 living with them, 46.1% are married couples living together, 12.2% have a female householder with no husband present, and 37.3% are non-families. 31.1% of all households are made up of individuals and 13.9% have someone living alone who is 65 years of age or older. The average household size is 2.31 and the average family size is 2.87.
In the town the population is spread out with 23.7% under the age of 18, 7.1% from 18 to 24, 27.3% from 25 to 44, 23.2% from 45 to 64, and 18.8% who are 65 years of age or older. The median age is 40 years. For every 100 females there are 88.6 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there are 84.7 males.
The median income for a household in the town is $31,391, and the median income for a family is $38,696. Males have a median income of $37,484 versus $20,819 for females. The per capita income for the town is $18,111. 17.9% of the population and 14.9% of families are below the poverty line. Out of the total population, 25.4% of those under the age of 18 and 10.8% of those 65 and older are living below the poverty line.
Communities and locations in Massena
- Massena -- The Village of Massena is at the west town line between the Grasse and Raquette Rivers.
- Massena Center -- A hamlet northeast of Massena village.
- Massena International Airport - Richards Field (MSS) -- The local airport.
- Massena Power Canal -- A waterway connecting the Grasse River to the St. Lawrence River.
- Massena Springs -- A hamlet south of Massena village.
- Raquette River -- A hamlet east of Massena village.
- Robert Moses State Park -- A state park in the northern part of the town.
- Rooseveltown -- A hamlet near the eastern town line.
External links
- Massena webpage (http://www.massena.ny.us)
- Massena history (http://history.rays-place.com/ny/massena-ny.htm)
- Massena, NY information (http://northcountrynow.com/hometown-photos/default.asp?a=Massena&p=12)