Wolcott (town), New York
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Wolcott is a town located in Wayne County, New York. As of the 2000 census, the town had a total population of 4,692. The town is named after Governor Oliver Wolcott of Connecticut.
The Town of Wolcott is in the northeast corner of the county. There is a village named Wolcott in the town.
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History
The Town of Wolcott was formed 1807 in Seneca County, New York before the creation of Wayne County. The discovery of iron ore in the county led to the smelting operation at Wolcott furnace north of Wolcott village from 1821 to 1869.
Geography
The town's north border is Lake Ontario, and the east town line is Cayuga County, New York.
According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 104.0 km² (40.2 mi²). 101.8 km² (39.3 mi²) of it is land and 2.2 km² (0.9 mi²) of it is water. The total area is 2.14% water.
The Clinton Formation of red hematite led to the early iron production industry in the town and county.
Demographics
As of the census2 of 2000, there are 4,692 people, 1,742 households, and 1,153 families residing in the town. The population density is 46.1/km² (119.4/mi²). There are 2,232 housing units at an average density of 21.9/km² (56.8/mi²). The racial makeup of the town is 92.71% White, 4.20% Black or African American, 0.62% Native American, 0.19% Asian, 0.00% Pacific Islander, 1.26% from other races, and 1.02% from two or more races. 3.90% of the population are Hispanic or Latino of any race.
There are 1,742 households out of which 33.2% have children under the age of 18 living with them, 48.3% are married couples living together, 12.1% have a female householder with no husband present, and 33.8% are non-families. 26.9% of all households are made up of individuals and 11.9% have someone living alone who is 65 years of age or older. The average household size is 2.55 and the average family size is 3.04.
In the town the population is spread out with 26.9% under the age of 18, 8.4% from 18 to 24, 30.2% from 25 to 44, 22.0% from 45 to 64, and 12.4% who are 65 years of age or older. The median age is 36 years. For every 100 females there are 108.0 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there are 107.6 males.
The median income for a household in the town is $33,516, and the median income for a family is $40,265. Males have a median income of $32,617 versus $21,898 for females. The per capita income for the town is $15,487. 16.7% of the population and 13.4% of families are below the poverty line. Out of the total population, 21.7% of those under the age of 18 and 10.8% of those 65 and older are living below the poverty line.
Communities and locations in the Town of Wolcott
- Blind Sodus Bay -- A bay of Lake Ontario in the northeast part of the town.
- Desbrough Park -- A hamlet near Lake Ontario on the east side of Port Bay.
- Duncans Corners -- A location near the east town line on Route 167.
- Furnace Village -- A hamlet on the west town line north of Wolcott village. This community was important in the production of iron in the 19th Century.
- North Wolcott -- A hamlet in the north central part of the town.
- Port Bay -- A bay of Lake Ontario north of Wolcott village.
- Red Creek -- A village on the east town line.
- Wolcott -- The Village of Wolcott near the west town line.
- Wolcott Creek -- A stream flowing past Wolcott village and Furnace Village into Port Bay.
- Yellow Red Corners -- A location in the southeast part of the town, at the present intersection of Route 370 and Ridge Road (old Route 104).