Tonawanda (town), New York
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- For other places with a similar name, see Tonawanda, New York.
Tonawanda is a town located in Erie County, New York. As of the 2000 census, the town had a total population of 78,155. The name is derived from a creek on the northern border. The name tonawanda means "swift waters" in the Iroquois language.
The Town of Tonawanda is on the north border of the county.
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History
The Town of Tonawanda was set apart in 1836 from the "Town of Buffalo" (now the City of Buffalo) and lies in the northwest corner of Erie County. This area was under French control from the 16th Century until ceded to the British after the French and Indian War. Rapid growth began after the construction of the Erie Canal.
The town lost territory to the newer Town of Grand Island in 1852.
Geography
According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 52.7 km² (20.4 mi²). 48.7 km² (18.8 mi²) of it is land and 4.0 km² (1.6 mi²) of it is water. The total area is 7.66% water. The north border of the town is Tonawanda Creek, which is part of the Erie Canal, and the east border is the Niagara River.
Demographics
As of the census2 of 2000, there are 78,155 people, 33,278 households, and 21,164 families residing in the town. The population density is 1,605.1/km² (4,156.3/mi²). There are 34,634 housing units at an average density of 711.3/km² (1,841.8/mi²). The racial makeup of the town is 95.97% White, 1.41% Black or African American, 0.27% Native American, 1.15% Asian, 0.02% Pacific Islander, 0.36% from other races, and 0.82% from two or more races. 1.30% of the population are Hispanic or Latino of any race.
There are 33,278 households out of which 26.8% have children under the age of 18 living with them, 49.9% are married couples living together, 10.6% have a female householder with no husband present, and 36.4% are non-families. 31.8% of all households are made up of individuals and 15.4% have someone living alone who is 65 years of age or older. The average household size is 2.32 and the average family size is 2.95.
In the town the population is spread out with 21.9% under the age of 18, 7.2% from 18 to 24, 27.4% from 25 to 44, 22.6% from 45 to 64, and 20.9% who are 65 years of age or older. The median age is 41 years. For every 100 females there are 87.9 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there are 83.9 males.
The median income for a household in the town is $41,453, and the median income for a family is $51,416. Males have a median income of $39,273 versus $27,022 for females. The per capita income for the town is $20,947. 6.9% of the population and 4.8% of families are below the poverty line. Out of the total population, 8.8% of those under the age of 18 and 5.2% of those 65 and older are living below the poverty line.
Communities and locations in the Town of Tonawanda
- Brighton -- A neighborhood by the east town line.
- Kenilworth -- A neighborhood in the southeast corner of the town.
- Sheridan -- A neighborhood on the western edge of the town, east of the industrial area.
- Kenmore -- The Village of Kenmore is one of the largest incorporated villages in the state and is completely within the borders of the town.
External links
- Town of Tonawanda webpage (http://www.tonawanda.ny.us/)
- Tonawanda history (http://history.rays-place.com/ny/tonawanda-ny.htm)