Ridgeway, New York

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Ridgeway, New York is a town in Orleans County, New York, USA. The population was 6,886 at the 2000 census. The name of the town is derived from "Ridge Road," an important highway in the 19th century.

The Town of Ridgeway is on the western border of the county.

Contents 1 History 2 Geography 3 Demographics 4 Communities and locations in Ridgeway 5 External links

[edit] History

The Town of Ridgeway was formed in 1812. In 1818, part of the town was used to create the new Town of Shelby. Since 2002, Shelby and Ridgeway have been seeking ways to merge town functions to conserve funds. Sentiment both for and against has been strong; numerous petitions on either side have been started, and splinter groups of dissenting townsmembers, particularly of the "anti-merge" faction, have gotten increasingly belligerent, even violent on some occasions. A 2004 Shelby-Ridgeway football game was the site of a near-riot when tensions from both groups exploded thanks to a contested penalty that many felt cost Shelby the game. It was soon quelled, but fears have persisted that no matter the decision, people will be upset. They currently have one town court to serve both towns.

[edit] Geography

According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 130.2 km² (50.3 mi²). 129.6 km² (50.0 mi²) of it is land and 0.6 km² (0.2 mi²) of it (0.46%) is water.

The town is bordered by Town of Hartland to the west in Niagara County, New York. New York State Route 269 partly defines this border.

New York State Route 63 and New York State Route 104 (Ridge Road) intersect in the western part of the town.

[edit] Demographics

As of the census² of 2000, there were 6,886 people, 2,627 households, and 1,841 families residing in the town. The population density was 53.1/km² (137.6/mi²). There were 2,872 housing units at an average density of 22.2/km² (57.4/mi²). The racial makeup of the town was 91.93% White, 4.40% African American, 0.45% Native American, 0.48% Asian, 0.01% Pacific Islander, 0.96% from other races, and 1.77% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 2.35% of the population.

There were 2,627 households out of which 34.3% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 52.6% were married couples living together, 12.8% had a female householder with no husband present, and 29.9% were non-families. 23.9% of all households were made up of individuals and 10.0% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.60 and the average family size was 3.09.

In the town the population was spread out with 28.0% under the age of 18, 7.9% from 18 to 24, 27.7% from 25 to 44, 23.1% from 45 to 64, and 13.3% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 37 years. For every 100 females there were 92.3 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 90.8 males.

The median income for a household in the town was $35,206, and the median income for a family was $41,696. Males had a median income of $33,189 versus $20,881 for females. The per capita income for the town was $17,316. About 10.5% of families and 14.4% of the population were below the poverty line, including 21.5% of those under age 18 and 6.0% of those age 65 or over.

[edit] Communities and locations in Ridgeway

• Glenwood Lake -- A small lake shared with the Village of Medina.
• Jeddo -- A hamlet by the west town line on Route 104.
• Knowlesville - A small hamlet on the Erie Canal. Named after William Knowles. Home to the Orleans county fairgrounds.
• Medina - The north part of the Village of Medina is in the town.
• North Ridgeway -- A hamlet at the west town line on Route 269.
• Oak Orchard on-the-Ridge -- Location on Route 104 on the eastern side of the town, next to the Oak Orchard River.
• Oak Orchard River -- A stream that flows northward through the town.
• Ridgeway -- A hamlet at the intersection of Routes 63 (Lyndonvile Road) and 104 (Ridge Road).
• West Ridgeway -- A hamlet west of Ridgeway village on Route 104.

[edit] External links

• Historical notes on Ridgeway