Sodus (town), New York

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Sodus is a town in Wayne County, New York, USA. The population was 8,949 at the 2000 census. The town takes its name from a native word for the bay in the eastern part of the town: "Assorodus," meaning "Silvery water."

The Town of Sodus is on the north border of the county and is midway between Rochester and Syracuse.

Contents 1 History 2 Geography 3 Demographics 4 Communities and locations in the Town of Sodus 5 External links

[edit] History

The Town of Sodus was formed in 1789 from the older "District of Sodus" while still part of Ontario County. The town's territory was substantially reduced by the formation of newer towns in the county: Williamson (1802) and Lyons (1811).

The town contains a village named Sodus and another named Sodus Point. Sodus Point was settled around 1794 because of a road constructed from Palmyra, but The first settlers did not arrive at the Village of Sodus until about 1809.

In 1813, the British attacked and burned the village of Sodus Point.

A lighthouse was erected in 1825 to mark the shoreline.

Members of the Shakers settled in the early town, but moved away, when they believed Sodus was becoming too worldly. Sodus claims to be the birthplace of Arbor Day, a holiday established by the efforts of Sodus Center native Edward C. Delano.

[edit] Geography

According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 179.6 km² (69.4 mi²). 174.6 km² (67.4 mi²) of it is land and 5.0 km² (1.9 mi²) of it (2.78%) is water.

The north border is Lake Ontario. Sodus Bay, a bay of Lake Ontario is partly in the town.

Sodus is a town on the northern boundary of the United States, and Canada is on the opposite shore of Lake Ontario.

New York State Route 14 intersects New York State Route 104 south of Alton, and New York State Route 88 runs south from Sodus village.

[edit] Demographics

As of the census² of 2000, there were 8,949 people, 3,436 households, and 2,388 families residing in the town. The population density was 51.2/km² (132.7/mi²). There were 4,195 housing units at an average density of 24.0/km² (62.2/mi²). The racial makeup of the town was 87.79% White, 8.38% Black or African American, 0.23% Native American, 0.50% Asian, 0.86% from other races, and 2.23% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 2.55% of the population.

There were 3,436 households out of which 32.3% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 54.1% were married couples living together, 10.5% had a female householder with no husband present, and 30.5% were non-families. 23.9% of all households were made up of individuals and 9.6% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.56 and the average family size was 3.03.

In the town the population was spread out with 26.2% under the age of 18, 6.8% from 18 to 24, 28.2% from 25 to 44, 25.1% from 45 to 64, and 13.8% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 38 years. For every 100 females there were 96.6 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 94.6 males.

The median income for a household in the town was $39,528, and the median income for a family was $46,286. Males had a median income of $34,935 versus $26,296 for females. The per capita income for the town was $18,170. About 8.5% of families and 12.2% of the population were below the poverty line, including 17.3% of those under age 18 and 13.6% of those age 65 or over.

[edit] Communities and locations in the Town of Sodus

• Alton -- A hamlet near the east town line on NY-14.
• Bootleggers Point A location on the Lake Ontario shore in the west part of the town.
• Sodus -- The Village of Sodus is near the town center at the north end of NY-88.
• Sodus Center -- A hamlet southeast of Sodus village at the junction of County Roads 240 and 241.
• Sodus Point -- The Village of Sodus Point is on County Road 101 (Lake Road) on the shore of Lake Ontario.
• South Sodus -- A hamlet in the southeast corner of the town on NY-14.
• Thorntons Corner -- A hamlet in the south part of the town at the junction of County Roads 242 and 243.
• Thornton Point -- A peninsula in Sodus Bay.
• Wallington -- A hamlet southeast of Sodus village on NY-104.
• Williamson-Sodus Airport (3G7) -- A general aviation airport in the western part of the town, south of NY-104.

[edit] External links

• Historical summary of the Town of Sodus, NY
• Sodus Chamber of Commerce website
• Historical links for Sodus