Nyack, New York

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The Tappan Zee Bridge from Nyack Pier

Nyack is a village in Rockland County, New York, United States. The population was 6,737 at the 2000 census.

Nyack is on the border of two towns and is located in the Town of Orangetown. The New York State Thruway (Interstate 87) and US Route 9W pass through the village.

1 Geography
2 History
- 2.1 Subsequent history
- 2.2 Past residents of note
3 Demographics
4 External links

[edit] Geography

Location of village within the Town of Orangetown, Town of Clarkstown and Rockland County, New York.

Nyack is located at 41°5′33″N, 73°55′21″W (41.092528, -73.922584)^GR1.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the village has a total area of 4.1 km² (1.6 mi²). 2.0 km² (0.8 mi²) of it is land and 2.1 km² (0.8 mi²) of it (51.88%) is water.

Nyack is on the west bank of the Hudson River, north of the Tappan Zee Bridge.

[edit] History

Nyack was originally settled by Native Americans known locally as the Nyack Indians, from whom the village takes its name.

Nyack was incorporated as a village in 1782.

[edit] Subsequent history

Nyack is one of five villages and hamlets (Nyack, Central Nyack, South Nyack, Upper Nyack and West Nyack) that make up an area of southeastern Rockland County called The Nyacks. Named after the Native Americans that resided here prior to colonization, the village itself lies on the hilly terrain that meets the western shore of the Hudson River.

The village consists mostly of low-rise buildings that lie along the western shore of the Hudson River. Throughout the 18th century and 19th century, Nyack was known for its shipbuilding and was the main commercial center of Rockland County. In the 19th century, a number of factories manufactured shoes. The West Shore Railroad connected the village with Weehawken, New Jersey, where ferries took passengers to New York City, until it was discontinued in the second half of the 20th century. Though its population is not so great, it is relatively dense considering that the village of Nyack only takes up a total area of approximately 4.1 square kilometers, with over 50% of the area consisting of the water of the Hudson River. Despite being somewhat densely populated during the early 20th century, it wasn't until the completion of the Tappan Zee Bridge that the population increased and its commercial sector expanded. The village of Nyack is in the Nyack School District.

In the 1980s, the village underwent a major urban revitalization project to commercialize the downtown area and to expand its economy. It was at that time when the Helen Hayes Theater was built and the downtown area became home to many new business establishments.

[edit] Past residents of note

Famous residents of Nyack have included:

Carson McCullers - author
Claudio Sanchez - musician/author
Edward Hopper - artist
Ellen Burstyn - actress
Helen Hayes - actress
Jill Footlick - producer
Jonathan Demme - film director
Joseph Cornell - artist
Joseph Alessi - trombonist
Larry Mullen Jr - musician
Mark Patterson - trombonist
Michael Rumaker - author
Rosie O'Donnell - actress/comedian
Stephen Baldwin - actor
Van Johnson - actor

[edit] Demographics

As of the census^GR2 of 2000, there were 6,737 people, 3,188 households, and 1,511 families residing in the village. The population density was 3,378.1/km² (8,749.1/mi²). There were 3,288 housing units at an average density of 1,648.7/km² (4,270.0/mi²). The racial makeup of the village was 63.81% White, 26.33% African American, 0.21% Native American, 2.42% Asian, 0.01% Pacific Islander, 2.66% from other races, and 4.56% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 8.56% of the population.

There were 3,188 households out of which 20.5% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 32.0% were married couples living together, 12.3% had a female householder with no husband present, and 52.6% were non-families. 42.3% of all households were made up of individuals and 12.3% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.10 and the average family size was 2.93.

In the village the population was spread out with 19.0% under the age of 18, 6.6% from 18 to 24, 36.2% from 25 to 44, 24.8% from 45 to 64, and 13.5% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 38 years. For every 100 females there were 86.7 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 84.2 males.

The median income for a household in the village was $54,890, and the median income for a family was $69,146. Males had a median income of $50,043 versus $35,202 for females. The per capita income for the village was $32,699. About 2.2% of families and 6.0% of the population were below the poverty line, including 6.3% of those under age 18 and 8.6% of those age 65 or over.