Grand Island, New York
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Grand Island is a town and an island located in Erie County, New York, USA. As of the 2000 census, the town had a total population of 18,621.
The Town of Grand Island is located at the northwestern corner of the county.
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History
In the early historical period of the island, the 16th Century, French explorers found the Neutral indians living on the island. By 1651 the Senecas had destroyed this tribe and absorbed some of the survivors. The Seneca used the island for hunting and fishing.
After the French and Indian War the island became part of the British colonies in North America.
In the 1820s, journalist and utopian Mordecai Manuel Noah tried to found a city to be called "Ararat" on the island as a refuge for persecuted Jews from around the world.
The Town of Grand Island was organized in 1852 from part of the Town of Tonawanda.
Geography
According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 86.2 km² (33.3 mi²). 73.8 km² (28.5 mi²) of it is land and 12.4 km² (4.8 mi²) of it is water. The total area is 14.35% water.
The town is located entirely on the island of Grand Island in the Niagara River. The river splits into two parts at the south end of the island and rejoins at the northwest end.
It lies adjacent to the international border between Canada and the United States. Paired bridges connect the south end of the island to the Town of Tonawanda, and another pair of bridges connect the northern end to the City of Niagara Falls, New York in Niagara County. The two sets of bridges are connected by a branch of the New York State Thruway.
Demographics
As of the census2 of 2000, there are 18,621 people, 6,898 households, and 5,221 families residing in the town. The population density is 252.2/km² (653.1/mi²). There are 7,355 housing units at an average density of 99.6/km² (257.9/mi²). The racial makeup of the town is 95.80% White, 1.65% African American, 0.25% Native American, 1.17% Asian, 0.01% Pacific Islander, 0.25% from other races, and 0.88% from two or more races. 1.09% of the population are Hispanic or Latino of any race.
There are 6,898 households out of which 35.8% have children under the age of 18 living with them, 64.8% are married couples living together, 7.7% have a female householder with no husband present, and 24.3% are non-families. 20.2% of all households are made up of individuals and 7.9% have someone living alone who is 65 years of age or older. The average household size is 2.68 and the average family size is 3.13.
In the town the population is spread out with 26.7% under the age of 18, 6.5% from 18 to 24, 27.7% from 25 to 44, 27.7% from 45 to 64, and 11.3% who are 65 years of age or older. The median age is 39 years. For every 100 females there are 97.4 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there are 94.4 males.
The median income for a household in the town is $60,432, and the median income for a family is $70,521. Males have a median income of $48,457 versus $30,157 for females. The per capita income for the town is $25,816. 3.0% of the population and 2.4% of families are below the poverty line. Out of the total population, 3.3% of those under the age of 18 and 5.1% of those 65 and older are living below the poverty line.
Communities and locations in Grand Island
- Beaver Island State Park -- A state park located at the south end of the island. The park is fully developed for many recreational activities.
- Buckhorn Island State Park -- A state park at the north end of Grand Island, noted for its attempts to preserve the local environment.
- Falconwood -- A hamlet on the southeast shore of the town.
- Ferry Village -- A hamlet on the border of Beaver Island State Park.
- Sheenwater -- A location on the west shore of the island.
- Grandyle Village -- A hamlet in the south part of the town.
External links
- Grand Island Website (http://www.grand-island.ny.us/)
- Grand Island history (http://history.rays-place.com/ny/grand-island-ny.htm)