Amenia (town), New York
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
- For the unincorporated community, see Amenia (CDP), New York.
Amenia is a town in Dutchess County, United States. New York, USA. The population was 4,048 at the 2000 census. The name is derived from the Latin word, amoena, which means "pleasant to the eye."
The Town of Amenia is on the east border of the county.
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[edit] History
The town was established and first settled around 1704. The town was part of the Great Nine Partners Patent of 1697. The Town of Amenia was officially formed in 1788. The early economy was based on farming and iron mining.
The Wassaic State School for developmentally retarded children was founded in 1930.
[edit] Past residents of note
- Gail Borden, inventor of condensed milk, established his first factory here.
- Obadiah German, (1766-1842), born in Amenia, United States Senator. [1]
- Samuel Herrick, (1779-1852), born in Amenia, United States Congressman from Ohio. [1]
- John Miller, (1774-1862), born in Amenia, physician and United States Congressman from New York. [1]
- Lewis Mumford, historian of science, died in Amenia.
- Frank Stella, painter, resided in Amenia.
- Erastus Otis Haven Bishop of the Methodist Church, formerly Principal of Amenia Seminary (1846).
[edit] Current residents of note
Michael S. Levin, chairman of Newview Technologies Inc. Former president and CEO of Titan Industrial Corporation.
Rose E. Osborn, future wife of Tom Brady, Founder and President of "2 Fast 2 Furious" films fan club
[edit] Geography
According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 112.8 km² (43.6 mi²). 112.2 km² (43.3 mi²) of it is land and 0.6 km² (0.2 mi²) of it (0.57%) is water.
The east town line is the border of Connecticut. US Route 44 crosses the north part of the town.
[edit] Demographics
As of the census2 of 2000, there were 4,048 people, 1,625 households, and 1,074 families residing in the town. The population density was 36.1/km² (93.5/mi²). There were 1,814 housing units at an average density of 16.2/km² (41.9/mi²). The racial makeup of the town was 93.40% White, 2.94% Black or African American, 0.59% Native American, 0.47% Asian, 0.77% from other races, and 1.83% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 3.36% of the population.
There were 1,625 households out of which 29.4% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 51.4% were married couples living together, 9.8% had a female householder with no husband present, and 33.9% were non-families. 27.9% of all households were made up of individuals and 13.0% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.46 and the average family size was 2.97.
In the town the population was spread out with 23.7% under the age of 18, 6.5% from 18 to 24, 27.6% from 25 to 44, 25.0% from 45 to 64, and 17.1% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 40 years. For every 100 females there were 95.6 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 91.6 males.
The median income for a household in the town was $39,231, and the median income for a family was $51,294. Males had a median income of $32,038 versus $28,769 for females. The per capita income for the town was $22,095. About 3.4% of families and 8.1% of the population were below the poverty line, including 2.0% of those under age 18 and 12.7% of those age 65 or over.
[edit] Communities and locations in Amenia
- Amenia -- The hamlet of Amenia is in the northeast part of the town.
- Amenia Union -- A hamlet on the east town line.
- Leedsville -- A location in the northeast part of the town, east of Amenia village.
- Sharon Station -- A hamlet at the north town line.
- Smithfield -- A hamlet on the town line in the northwest part of the town.
- South Amenia -- A hamlet at the junction of Routes 2 and 3 in the east part of the town.
- Wassaic -- A hamlet in the south central part of the town.
- Wassaic Creek -- A stream on the west side of the town, passing through the community of Wassaic.
[edit] Community organizations
ImagineAmenia is a grass roots organization started by concerned citizens of Amenia and Wassaic. Founded in 2003, ImagineAmenia has as its primary goal the furtherance of open, responsible government of the Town of Amenia, New York State, in pursuit of orderly business, farming and residential development. Major concerns of the organization are the revitalization of the town's central business district, and the preservation of the town's rural character and scenic beauty. Membership is open to all who support ImagineAmenia's goals.
[edit] Schools
[edit] References
[edit] External links
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County Seat: Poughkeepsie (city) |
|---|---|
| Cities | |
| Towns |
Amenia | Beekman | Clinton | Dover | East Fishkill | Fishkill | Hyde Park | LaGrange | Milan | North East | Pawling | Pine Plains | Pleasant Valley | Poughkeepsie | Red Hook | Rhinebeck | Stanford | Union Vale | Wappinger | Washington |
| Villages |
Fishkill | Millbrook | Millerton | Pawling | Red Hook | Rhinebeck | Tivoli | Wappingers Falls |
| Communities and CDPs |
Amenia | Annadale-on-Hudson | Arlington | Brinckerhoff | Crown Heights | Dover Plains | Fairview | Haviland | Hillside Lake | Hopewell Junction | Myers Corner | New Hamburg | Pine Plains | Red Oaks Mill | Rhinecliff | Salt Point | Shekomeko | Spackenkill | Staatsburg | Wassaic |
