Wells, New York
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Wells is a town located in Hamilton County, New York. As of the 2000 census, the town had a total population of 737. The town is named after Joshua Wells, a land agent, who built the first mills in the area.
The Town of Wells is in the Adirondack State Park and on the eastern border of the county.
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History
The town was formed in 1805 while still part of Fulton County, New York. The town was subsequently reduced by the formation of other towns in Hamilton County. The Town of Gilman (named after settler John Gilman) was taken from Wells in 1838, but the much of that region was returned when Gilman was dissolved in 1860.
Geography
According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 462.0 km² (178.4 mi²). 459.0 km² (177.2 mi²) of it is land and 3.0 km² (1.2 mi²) of it is water. The total area is 0.66% water.
The eastern town line is the border with Warren County, New York.
Demographics
As of the census2 of 2000, there are 737 people, 322 households, and 205 families residing in the town. The population density is 1.6/km² (4.2/mi²). There are 778 housing units at an average density of 1.7/km² (4.4/mi²). The racial makeup of the town is 96.61% White, 0.54% African American, 0.81% Native American, 0.27% Asian, 0.00% Pacific Islander, 0.14% from other races, and 1.63% from two or more races. 0.27% of the population are Hispanic or Latino of any race.
There are 322 households out of which 25.2% have children under the age of 18 living with them, 51.6% are married couples living together, 8.7% have a female householder with no husband present, and 36.3% are non-families. 31.4% of all households are made up of individuals and 18.0% have someone living alone who is 65 years of age or older. The average household size is 2.22 and the average family size is 2.78.
In the town the population is spread out with 21.2% under the age of 18, 4.9% from 18 to 24, 22.5% from 25 to 44, 29.0% from 45 to 64, and 22.4% who are 65 years of age or older. The median age is 46 years. For every 100 females there are 98.1 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there are 91.7 males.
The median income for a household in the town is $29,107, and the median income for a family is $37,500. Males have a median income of $34,821 versus $24,250 for females. The per capita income for the town is $16,174. 15.7% of the population and 8.5% of families are below the poverty line. Out of the total population, 12.8% of those under the age of 18 and 12.6% of those 65 and older are living below the poverty line.
Communities and locations in Wells
- Blackbridge -- A location on West River Road southwest of Wells and on the north bank of the West Branch Sacandaga River.
- Gilmantown-- A hamlet that was formerly part of the defunct Town of Gilman, located on Gilmantown Road between Speculator and the hamlet of Wells. A small lake called Charley Lake is located here and another small lake, Gilman Lake, is north of the community.
- Griffin -- A hamlet on Route 8 near the eastern town border and the East Branch Sacandaga River.
- Pumpkin Hollow -- A hamlet on Route 30 near the border with the Town of Hope, east of the Sacandaga River.
- Sacandaga River -- A river that begins in the south part of the town by the confluence of the East Branch and West Branch south of Wells village. The river empties into Great Sacandaga Lake in Fulton County, New York.
- Wells -- The hamlet of Wells, located on Route 30 and Algonquin Lake, which is a widening of the East Branch Sacandaga River.
- Whitehouse -- A location in the northwest corner of the town on West River Road and the north bank of the West Branch Sacandaga River. It is at the west end of West River Road.
- Windfall -- A location northeast of Wells on Windfall Road.
Adjacent towns and areas
The south border of Wells is formed by the Towns of Benson and Hope. The Town of Arietta is at the west border, and the Town of Lake Pleasant is the northwest border. The Town of Indian Lake is the north border. The Towns of Stony Creek, Thurman, and Johnsburg in Warren County are to the east.
External links
- Early historical information about Hamilton County (http://www.hopefarm.com/hamiltny.htm)