Owego (town), New York

Owego is a town located in Tioga County, New York. As of the 2000 census, the town had a total population of 20,365. The name is derived from the Iroquois word Ahwaga, meaning where the valley widens.

The Town of Owego is in the southeast corner of the county. There is also a village of Owego in the western part of the town.

Contents

1 History 2 Geography 3 Demographics 4 Communities and locations in the Town of Owego 5 External links

History

The town was first settled around 1786. The Town of Owego was formed in 1800.

Geography

According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 273.9 km² (105.8 mi²). 269.8 km² (104.2 mi²) of it is land and 4.1 km² (1.6 mi²) of it is water. The total area is 1.51% water.

The Susquehanna River flows through the town, dividing it into two parts. The Southern Tier Expressway (New York 17) crosses the town on the river's south bank.

The east town line is the border of Broome County, New York and the south town line is the border of Pennsylvania (Bradford and Susquehanna counties). Owego is west of Binghamton, New York.

Demographics

As of the census² of 2000, there are 20,365 people, 7,733 households, and 5,761 families residing in the town. The population density is 75.5/km² (195.5/mi²). There are 8,226 housing units at an average density of 30.5/km² (79.0/mi²). The racial makeup of the town is 96.78% White, 0.70% Black or African American, 0.22% Native American, 1.01% Asian, 0.02% Pacific Islander, 0.26% from other races, and 1.02% from two or more races. 1.11% of the population are Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There are 7,733 households out of which 34.6% have children under the age of 18 living with them, 63.0% are married couples living together, 8.5% have a female householder with no husband present, and 25.5% are non-families. 21.4% of all households are made up of individuals and 8.5% have someone living alone who is 65 years of age or older. The average household size is 2.61 and the average family size is 3.03.

In the town the population is spread out with 26.5% under the age of 18, 6.5% from 18 to 24, 28.4% from 25 to 44, 25.5% from 45 to 64, and 13.1% who are 65 years of age or older. The median age is 39 years. For every 100 females there are 99.3 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there are 95.4 males.

The median income for a household in the town is $46,987, and the median income for a family is $53,735. Males have a median income of $40,677 versus $25,425 for females. The per capita income for the town is $21,996. 6.6% of the population and 5.0% of families are below the poverty line. Out of the total population, 7.5% of those under the age of 18 and 3.9% of those 65 and older are living below the poverty line.

Communities and locations in the Town of Owego

• Apalachin -- The hamlet of Applachin is south of the Susquehanna River by the Expressway.
• Campville -- A hamlet on the north side of the river on Route 17C. It was originally called East Owego until renamed after soldier and settler Asa Camp.
• Crestview Heights -- A hamlet near the east town line, north of the river.
• Flemingville -- A hamlet north of Owego village on Route 38. It was named after soldier and settler David Fleming.
• Foster -- A location near the east town line.
• Gaskill Corners (or Gaskill) -- A hamlet north of the river on Route 39. It is named after early settler Joseph Gaskill.
• Gibsons Corners -- A hamlet south of the river near the west town line. It is named after Eli Gibson, an early settler.
• Hiawatha Island -- An island in the Susquehanna River east of Owego village and west of Apalachin.
• Hullsville -- A location north of Gaskill.
• Oakley Corners -- A location in the northeast part of the town.
• Owego -- The Village of Owego is located on the north bank of the Susquehanna River.
• Owego Creek -- A stream that flows southward through the west side of the town and is joined by the Catatonk Creek before it enters the Susquehanna River.
• South Apalachin -- A location in the southeast part of the town.
• South Owego -- A hamlet near the south town line on Route 27.
• Waits -- A hamlet in the southwest corner of the town, named after early settler Henry Waits.
• Wittemore -- A location by the east town line.

External links

• The Town and Village of Owego webpage (http://www.tiogacountyny.com/Owego.html)
• Owego history (http://www.ithaca.edu/orgs/owegoproject/history.htm)