Jay, New York
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Jay is a town in Essex County, New York, United States. The population was 2,306 at the 2000 census. The town is named after John Jay, governor of New York when the town was formed.
The Town of Jay in on the north border of the county and is southwest of Plattsburgh. Jay is inside the Adirondack State Park.
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[edit] History
Jay was formerly known as "Mallory's Bush", after the principal settlement, based on early settler Nathaniel Mallory, who arrived around 1797.
The Town of Jay was formed in 1798 from part of the Town of Willsboro. Afterwards, part of Jay was used to form, in whole or part, the Towns of Keene (1808), Wilmington )1921), and Elizabethtown. In 1822, the town was increased by territory from the Town of Chateaugay (now in Clinton County), and the Town of Peru (now in Franklin County).
Lumber production and iron ore extraction were important to the early econmomy of the town.
The Magical Land of Make Believe was a former theme park (1954-1980).
[edit] Geography
According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 176.8 km² (68.3 mi²). 175.4 km² (67.7 mi²) of it is land and 1.3 km² (0.5 mi²) of it (0.76%) is water.
The north town line, partly defined by the Au Sable River is the border of Clinton County. The East Branch of the Au Sable River flows northward near the west town line
US Route 9N is a north-south highway through the town, following the course of the Au Sable River.
[edit] Demographics
As of the census2 of 2000, there were 2,306 people, 918 households, and 651 families residing in the town. The population density was 13.1/km² (34.0/mi²). There were 1,443 housing units at an average density of 8.2/km² (21.3/mi²). The racial makeup of the town was 98.44% White, 0.30% African American, 0.22% Native American, 0.13% Asian, 0.17% Pacific Islander, 0.26% from other races, and 0.48% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.61% of the population.
There were 918 households out of which 30.2% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 58.0% were married couples living together, 8.1% had a female householder with no husband present, and 29.0% were non-families. 23.6% of all households were made up of individuals and 11.3% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.50 and the average family size was 2.92.
In the town the population was spread out with 24.1% under the age of 18, 6.2% from 18 to 24, 28.2% from 25 to 44, 26.1% from 45 to 64, and 15.4% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 40 years. For every 100 females there were 93.9 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 97.3 males.
The median income for a household in the town was $35,612, and the median income for a family was $39,954. Males had a median income of $29,145 versus $21,438 for females. The per capita income for the town was $16,673. About 6.9% of families and 8.7% of the population were below the poverty line, including 7.8% of those under age 18 and 11.7% of those age 65 or over.
[edit] Communities and locations in Jay
- Au Sable Forks -- A hamlet on the north border of the town. It is located and the junction of the East and West Branches of the Au Sable River and is on NY-9N. The village was industrialized early by mills and smelting forges.
- Green Street -- A location southeast of Au Sable Forks.
- Jay (formerly "Malorys Bush") -- The hamlet of Jay in on NY-9N by the East Branch of the Au Sable River. It is considered the oldest settlement in the town.
- North Jay -- A hamlet northeast of Jay village, located on County Road 64.
- Rome -- A small hamlet west of Au Sable Forks on the Au Sable River.
- Upper Jay -- A hamlet southwest of Jay village near the southwest corner of the town on NY-9N and the East Branch of the Au Sable River.
- Au Sable Acres -- A small community located near the banks of the West Branch Au Sable River above the old mill dam, comprising several hundred year-round inhabitants.
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