Pomfret, New York
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Pomfret is a town located in Chautauqua County, New York. As of the 2000 census, the town had a total population of 14,703.
The Town of Pomfret was incorporated in 1808 and lies in the north central part of the county, south of Dunkirk, New York.
Geography
According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 114.4 km² (44.2 mi²). 113.7 km² (43.9 mi²) of it is land and 0.7 km² (0.3 mi²) of it is water. The total area is 0.63% water.
The northern part of the town borders Lake Erie.
Demographics
As of the census2 of 2000, there are 14,703 people, 5,105 households, and 2,971 families residing in the town. The population density is 129.3/km² (335.0/mi²). There are 5,558 housing units at an average density of 48.9/km² (126.6/mi²). The racial makeup of the town is 95.28% White, 2.07% African American, 0.33% Native American, 0.86% Asian, 0.02% Pacific Islander, 0.64% from other races, and 0.80% from two or more races. 2.33% of the population are Hispanic or Latino of any race.
There are 5,105 households out of which 26.6% have children under the age of 18 living with them, 45.9% are married couples living together, 9.2% have a female householder with no husband present, and 41.8% are non-families. 28.5% 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 2.39 and the average family size is 2.94.
In the town the population is spread out with 18.2% under the age of 18, 30.7% from 18 to 24, 19.9% from 25 to 44, 18.8% from 45 to 64, and 12.3% who are 65 years of age or older. The median age is 26 years. For every 100 females there are 87.6 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there are 83.9 males.
The median income for a household in the town is $35,444, and the median income for a family is $47,252. Males have a median income of $35,669 versus $25,997 for females. The per capita income for the town is $16,506. 15.9% of the population and 4.6% of families are below the poverty line. Out of the total population, 9.1% of those under the age of 18 and 7.4% of those 65 and older are living below the poverty line.
Communities and locations in Pomfret
- Bear Lake -- A small lake west of Lily Dale, partly in the town.
- Canadaway Creek -- A stream flowing northward through the town toward Lake Erie.
- Cassadaga Lake (or Cassadaga Lakes) -- Is a lake composed of two large sections joined by a narrow channel. The northern large section is in Pomfret and the southern is in the Town of Stockton.
- Fredonia, New York -- The Village of Fredonia on the northern town border.
- Fredonia Reservoir -- A lake intersected by Canadaway Creek.
- Greencrest -- A lakeside hamlet on the shore of Lake Erie, partly in Pomfret.
- Lamberton -- A hamlet located on Route 20 in the northern part of the town.
- Laona -- A hamlet southeast of Fredonia on Route 60.
- Lily Dale -- Lily Dale is a center of spiritualism and borders the Village of Cassadaga, New York and the north end of Cassadaga Lake.
- Mud Lake -- A pond east of Cassadaga Lake.
- Nortons Switch -- A location in the western part of the town.
- Reed Corners -- A hamlet east of Fredonia.
- Shumla -- A hamlet on Route 60 by the eastern town line.
- Van Buren Bay -- A lakeside hamlet on the shore of Lake Erie on the shore of Van Buren Bay.
- Van Buren Point -- A lakeside hamlet on the shore of Lake Erie, located on a headland also called Van Buren Point. Only part of the community is in Pomfret.