Waterford (town), New York

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Waterford Harbor and the Mohawk River (©2003 Mohawk Towpath Scenic Byways Inc., courtesy of byways.org)

Waterford is a town in Saratoga County, New York, USA. The population was 8,515 at the 2000 census.

The Town of Waterford contains a village, also called Waterford. The town is in the southeast corner of the county.

[edit] History

The town was formed by splitting a region called Halfmoon. The Village of Waterford is the oldest incorporated village in the USA.

Waterford has been host to "Canal Fest" and "Tugboat Roundup" for many years.

[edit] Geography

The east town line, defined by the Hudson River, is the border of Rensselaer County, New York, and the south town line, defined by the Mohawk River, is the border of Albany County, New York. The easternmost section and locks of the Erie Canal, which connects with the Hudson River passes through the town.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 19.2 km² (7.4 mi²). 17.0 km² (6.6 mi²) of it is land and 2.2 km² (0.9 mi²) of it (11.59%) is water.

Waterford is one of the smallest towns in the state.

[edit] Demographics

As of the census² of 2000, there were 8,515 people, 3,497 households, and 2,287 families residing in the town. The population density was 501.9/km² (1,299.2/mi²). There were 3,725 housing units at an average density of 219.6/km² (568.3/mi²). The racial makeup of the town was 96.86% White, 0.74% Black or African American, 0.20% Native American, 1.09% Asian, 0.09% from other races, and 1.01% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.94% of the population.

There were 3,497 households out of which 30.9% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 50.0% were married couples living together, 11.6% had a female householder with no husband present, and 34.6% were non-families. 27.5% of all households were made up of individuals and 10.7% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.42 and the average family size was 2.98.

In the town the population was spread out with 23.6% under the age of 18, 8.0% from 18 to 24, 32.6% from 25 to 44, 21.6% from 45 to 64, and 14.2% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 37 years. For every 100 females there were 92.6 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 89.3 males.

The median income for a household in the town was $46,362, and the median income for a family was $56,345. Males had a median income of $39,913 versus $27,879 for females. The per capita income for the town was $22,538. About 3.5% of families and 5.7% of the population were below the poverty line, including 7.7% of those under age 18 and 6.3% of those age 65 or over.

[edit] Communities and locations in the Town of Waterford

• Peebles Island State Park -- A state park in the south part of the town.
• Schulusky Estates -- A location northwest of Waterford village.
• Swazey Acres -- A location northwest of Waterford village.
• Waterford -- The Village of Waterford on the Hudson River.

[edit] External links

• Town of Waterford
• Town of Waterford
• Early history of Waterford