Sodus (town), New York

Sodus, New York
—  Town  —
A church in Sodus Point
Sodus, New York
Location within the state of New York
Coordinates:
Country United States
State New York
County Wayne
Formed 1789
Area
 • Total 69.4 sq mi (179.6 km2)
 • Land 67.4 sq mi (174.6 km2)
 • Water 0.9 sq mi (5.0 km2)
Elevation 451 ft (137 m)
Population (2000)
 • Total 8,949
 • Density 128.9/sq mi (49.8/km2)
Time zone Eastern (EST) (UTC-5)
 • Summer (DST) EDT (UTC-4)
ZIP code 14551
Area code(s) 315
FIPS code 36-68209
GNIS feature ID 0965619

Sodus is a town in Wayne County, New York, USA. The population was 8,949 at the 2000 census. The town takes its name from a native word for the bay in the eastern part of the town: "Assorodus," meaning "silvery water."

The Town of Sodus is on the north border of the county and is midway between Rochester and Syracuse.

Contents

History

The Town of Sodus was formed in 1789 from the older "District of Sodus" while still part of Ontario County. The town's Adam territory was substantially reduced by the formation of newer towns in the county: Williamson (1802) and Lyons (1811).

The town contains a village named Sodus and another named Sodus Point. Sodus Adam Point was settled around 1794 because of a road constructed from Palmyra, but The first settlers did not arrive at the Village of Sodus until about 1809.

In 1813, the British attacked and burned the village of Sodus Point.

A lighthouse was erected in 1825 to mark the shoreline.

Members of the Shakers settled in the early town, but moved away, when they believed Sodus was becoming too worldly. Sodus claims to be the birthplace of Arbor Day, a holiday established by the efforts of Sodus Center native Edward C. Delano.

The Preston-Gaylord Cobblestone Farmhouse was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2009.[1]

Geography

According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 69.4 square miles (179.6 km²), of which, 67.4 square miles (174.6 km²) of it is land and 1.9 square miles (5.0 km²) of it (2.78%) is water.

The north border is Lake Ontario. Sodus Bay, a bay of Lake Ontario is partly in the town.

Sodus is a town on the northern boundary of the United States, and Canada is on the opposite shore of Lake Ontario.

New York State Route 14 intersects New York State Route 104 south of Alton, and New York State Route 88 runs south from Sodus village.

Sodus is also known for its rural landscape and abundance of apples.

Demographics

As of the census[2] of 2000, there were 8,949 people, 3,436 households, and 2,388 families residing in the town. The population density was 132.7 people per square mile (51.2/km²). There were 4,195 housing units at an average density of 62.2 per square mile (24.0/km²). The racial makeup of the town was 87.79% White, 8.38% Black or African American, 0.23% Native American, 0.50% Asian, 0.86% from other races, and 2.23% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 2.55% of the population.

There were 3,436 households out of which 32.3% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 54.1% were married couples living together, 10.5% had a female householder with no husband present, and 30.5% were non-families. 23.9% 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 2.56 and the average family size was 3.03.

In the town the population was spread out with 26.2% under the age of 18, 6.8% from 18 to 24, 28.2% from 25 to 44, 25.1% from 45 to 64, and 13.8% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 38 years. For every 100 females there were 96.6 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 94.6 males.

The median income for a household in the town was $39,528, and the median income for a family was $46,286. Males had a median income of $34,935 versus $26,296 for females. The per capita income for the town was $18,170. About 8.5% of families and 12.2% of the population were below the poverty line, including 17.3% of those under age 18 and 13.6% of those age 65 or over.

Communities and locations in the Town of Sodus

References

External links