Elma, New York
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
- For other places with this name, see Elma.
The Elma is a town in Erie County, New York, USA. The population was 11,304 at the 2000 census. The town is named after a type of tree.
The Town of Elma is located in the north-central part of the county, east of Buffalo, New York. Because of its location, Elma likes to refer to itself as the "heart of Erie County."
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[edit] History
The region was first settled around 1827. The early residents included members of the Ebenezer Society.
The town was established in 1857 from parts of the Towns of Aurora and Lancaster. Elma was the last town formed in the county. When the town was formed, a resident suggested it be named after a famous large American elm, then growing in the town.
[edit] Geography
According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 89.3 km² (34.5 mi²), all land.
The west town line is marked by New York State Route 78. The East Aurora Expressway (New York State Route 400) crosses the town.
[edit] Demographics
As of the census2 of 2000, there were 11,304 people, 4,186 households, and 3,294 families residing in the town. The population density was 126.5/km² (327.7/mi²). There were 4,296 housing units at an average density of 48.1/km² (124.5/mi²). The racial makeup of the town was 99.09% White, 0.05% African American, 0.05% Native American, 0.27% Asian, 0.01% Pacific Islander, 0.07% from other races, and 0.46% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.60% of the population.
There were 4,186 households out of which 32.6% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 70.0% were married couples living together, 6.0% had a female householder with no husband present, and 21.3% were non-families. 17.9% 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 2.69 and the average family size was 3.08.
In the town the population was spread out with 24.5% under the age of 18, 5.5% from 18 to 24, 26.1% from 25 to 44, 27.9% from 45 to 64, and 16.0% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 42 years. For every 100 females there were 97.8 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 95.4 males.
The median income for a household in the town was $56,334, and the median income for a family was $63,922. Males had a median income of $42,679 versus $28,826 for females. The per capita income for the town was $25,960. About 2.3% of families and 3.4% of the population were below the poverty line, including 3.4% of those under age 18 and 6.3% of those age 65 or over.
[edit] Communities and locations in Elma
- Billington Heights -- A location in the south part of the town.
- Blossom -- A hamlet in the northwest corner of the town. It was the principal location of the Ebenezer Society.
- Buffalo Creek -- A stream flowing westward through the northern part of the town. The French name for this stream was Beau Fleuve, and the name of the city of Buffalo, New York is derived from the stream. There were no Buffalo living in the area in the colonial period, although they are now raised on several farms locally. As it approaches the City of Buffalo, the creek is called Buffalo River.
- Cazenovia Creek -- A stream flowing northward through the southwest part of the town.
- Elma -- A hamlet near the northern town line on Bowen Road.
- Elma Center -- A hamlet near the town's center and south of Elma village on Bowen Road.
- East Elma -- A hamlet in the southeast corner of the town.
- Spring Brook -- A hamlet on Route 16 near the eastern town line.
[edit] Schools
The youth of Elma attend school atIroquois School District
[edit] External links
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County Seat: Buffalo |
|---|---|
| Cities | |
| Towns |
Alden | Amherst | Aurora | Boston | Brant | Cheektowaga | Clarence | Collins | Concord | Eden | Elma | Evans | Grand Island | Hamburg | Holland | Lancaster | Marilla | Newstead | North Collins | Orchard Park | Sardinia | Tonawanda | Wales | West Seneca |
| Villages |
Alden | Angola | Blasdell | Depew | East Aurora | Farham | Gowanda | Hamburg | Kenmore | Lancaster | North Collins | Orchard Park | Sloan | Springville | Williamsville |
| CDPs |
Angola on the Lake | Billington Heights | Cheektowaga | Clarence Center | Eden | Elma Center | Harris Hill | Holland | Lake Erie Beach | North Boston | Tonawanda | Town Line | West Seneca |
| Reservations |
