Webster (town), New York
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Webster is a town located in Monroe County, New York. As of the 2000 census, the town had a total population of 37,926. Today, Webster is the fastest-growing suburb of Rochester, New York. The town is named after orator and statesman Daniel Webster.
The Town of Webster is located in the northeast corner of the county. There is also a village named Webster in the town.
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History
The site of present-day Webster was first discovered in 1669. French explorer LaSalle entered Irondequoit Bay (the land of the Seneca Indians), exploring Lake Ontario looking for inland waterways.
On July 25, 1837, Daniel Webster had spoken to a large gathering of Whigs on the Rochester courthouse steps concerning currency regulation and the state of the economy. The Rochester Democrat editorialized that he was "the cleverest fellow in the world for embellishing a story."
The Whig farmers from North Penfield, who were part of Daniel Webster's audience that day, were so impressed by his eloquence that when they petitioned the state legislature for separate town status from Penfield, they chose to name it in his honor.
On February 6, 1840, Governor William Seward announced the birth of Webster, New York. Originally part of north Penfield, land was split off to create Webster. Residents numbering 2,235 inhabited the "new" Webster.
The first Town meeting was held at John Lett's tavern, south of the present Village. Town needs were discussed, and the necessary officials elected to meet those needs.
In the early 1900's, citizens feeling the need for better fire protection, sanitation facilities, lighting, water and other improvements, proposed a separate Village be incorporated within the Town. On March 27, 1905, a referendum was approved, by a 27-vote margin, which resulted in the incorporation of the Village of Webster.
Today, citizens interested in the history of Webster make up the "Webster Museum and Historical Society." Volunteers from this organization also staff the Webster Museum located on Lapham Park in the Village.
The Webster Museum has several permanent historical displays and also changing feature displays at different times of the year. A 400-page book on the history of Webster, entitled Webster Through the Years, by Esther Dunn, is available for sale at the Museum.
- From the official Webster NY website, see below.
Geography
The north town line is marked by Lake Ontario, and the east town line is the border of Wayne County, New York. Irondequoit Bay is on the west side of the town.
According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 91.9 km² (35.5 mi²). 88.2 km² (34.0 mi²) of it is land and 3.8 km² (1.5 mi²) of it is water. The total area is 4.09% water.
Demographics
As of the census2 of 2000, there are 37,926 people, 14,750 households, and 10,679 families residing in the town. The population density is 430.2/km² (1,114.2/mi²). There are 15,218 housing units at an average density of 172.6/km² (447.1/mi²). The racial makeup of the town is 94.96% White, 1.60% Black or African American, 0.10% Native American, 1.95% Asian, 0.00% Pacific Islander, 0.45% from other races, and 0.94% from two or more races. 1.57% of the population are Hispanic or Latino of any race.
There are 14,750 households out of which 34.6% have children under the age of 18 living with them, 61.5% are married couples living together, 8.1% have a female householder with no husband present, and 27.6% are non-families. 23.1% of all households are made up of individuals and 9.0% have someone living alone who is 65 years of age or older. The average household size is 2.56 and the average family size is 3.04.
In the town the population is spread out with 26.1% under the age of 18, 5.6% from 18 to 24, 29.9% from 25 to 44, 25.4% from 45 to 64, and 13.0% who are 65 years of age or older. The median age is 39 years. For every 100 females there are 95.0 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there are 91.1 males.
The median income for a household in the town is $58,746, and the median income for a family is $69,629. Males have a median income of $50,263 versus $33,197 for females. The per capita income for the town is $26,791. 3.9% of the population and 2.5% of families are below the poverty line. Out of the total population, 3.3% of those under the age of 18 and 4.9% of those 65 and older are living below the poverty line.
Communities and locations in the Town of Webster
- Forest Lawn -- A lakeside hamlet in the northwest part of the town.
- Glen Edith -- A location on the west side of the town.
- Webster -- The Village of Webster.
- Union Hill -- A hamlet on the east town line.
- West Webster -- A hamlet in the western part of the town.
External links
- Town of Webster, NY webpage (http://www.ci.webster.ny.us)