Airmont, New York
Encyclopedia
Airmont is a village in the town of Ramapo
, Rockland County
, New York
, United States
located north of the state of New Jersey
; east of Suffern
; south of Montebello
and west of Chestnut Ridge
. The population was 7,799 at the 2000 census.
The village of Airmont, incorporated in 1991, is a consolidation of the hamlets of Tallman
, Airmont and South Monsey. Joseph Berger of The New York Times
said in a 1997 article that Airmont was one of several town of Ramapo villages formed "to preserve the sparse Better Homes and Garden
ambiance that attracted them to Rockland County." In 2005 Peter Applebome of The New York Times
said that Airmont was "slapped around enough by the courts to be something other than a virginal player in any discrimination case" since it ran into legal resistance to its development laws.
Around 2005 Congregation Mischknois Lavier Yakov proposed building a yeshiva and a boarding school with a 70- adult student dormitory (with provisions for their families, which could result in a population of several hundred individuals) on 90 acres (364,217.4 m²) of land. Town residents opposed this, causing legal action including meetings and lawsuits. In 2005 the U.S. Federal Government filed a civil rights lawsuit accusing Airmont of discriminating on the basis of religion and violating the Religious Land Use and Institutionalized Persons Act (RLUIPA) and the Fair Housing Act by banning boarding houses.
According to the United States Census Bureau
, the village has a total area of 4.6 square miles (11.9 km²), all of it land.
The south boundary of the village is the border of New Jersey
.
of 2000, there were 7,799 people, 2,342 households, and 2,032 families residing in the village. The population density
was 1,701.3 people per square mile (657.5/km²). There were 2,362 housing units at an average density of 515.2 per square mile (199.1/km²). The racial makeup of the village was 86.30% White, 3.50% African American, 0.17% Native American, 2.53% Asian, 0.03% Pacific Islander, 1.00% from other races
, and 1.36% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 5.26% of the population.
There were 2,342 households out of which 41.8% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 78.0% were married couples
living together, 5.9% had a female householder with no husband present, and 13.2% were non-families. 11.3% of all households were made up of individuals and 5.8% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 3.20 and the average family size was 3.47.
In the village the population was spread out with 27.9% under the age of 18, 6.0% from 18 to 24, 25.4% from 25 to 44, 26.9% from 45 to 64, and 13.8% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 39 years. For every 100 females there were 95.1 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 90.0 males.
The median income for a household in the village was $87,678, and the median income for a family was $97,960. Males had a median income of $67,663 versus $36,550 for females. The per capita income
for the village was $29,788. About 1.6% of families and 3.3% of the population were below the poverty line, including 2.2% of those under age 18 and 5.9% of those age 65 or over.
was named for Tunis Tallman, who opened a store there in 1836. Tunis was a direct descendant of Rockland's oldest family.
. Zoned schools include Cherry Lane Elementary School, Suffern Middle School, and Suffern High School
. Some residents are zoned to East Ramapo Central School District
. Rockland Community College
is near Airmont.
Ramapo, New York
Ramapo , formerly known as New Hempstead and then Hampstead, is a town in Rockland County, New York, United States located north of New Jersey; southeast of Orange County, New York; south of the Town of Haverstraw and west of the Town of Clarkstown and the Town of Orangetown...
, Rockland County
Rockland County, New York
Rockland County is a suburban county 15 miles to the northwest of Manhattan and part of the New York City Metropolitan Area, in the U.S. state of New York. It is the southernmost county in New York west of the Hudson River, and the smallest county in New York outside of New York City. The...
, New York
New York
New York is a state in the Northeastern region of the United States. It is the nation's third most populous state. New York is bordered by New Jersey and Pennsylvania to the south, and by Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont to the east...
, United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
located north of the state of New Jersey
New Jersey
New Jersey is a state in the Northeastern and Middle Atlantic regions of the United States. , its population was 8,791,894. It is bordered on the north and east by the state of New York, on the southeast and south by the Atlantic Ocean, on the west by Pennsylvania and on the southwest by Delaware...
; east of Suffern
Suffern, New York
Suffern is a village in the Town of Ramapo, Rockland County, New York, United States located north of the State of New Jersey; east of Hillburn; south of Montebello and west of Airmont...
; south of Montebello
Montebello, New York
Montebello is a village in the town of Ramapo Rockland County, New York, United States. It is located north of Suffern, east of Hillburn, south of Wesley Hills and west of Airmont...
and west of Chestnut Ridge
Chestnut Ridge, New York
Chestnut Ridge is a village in the Town of Ramapo Rockland County, New York, United States located north of the state of New Jersey; east of Monsey; south of Spring Valley and west of Nanuet. The population was 7,829 at the 2000 census....
. The population was 7,799 at the 2000 census.
The village of Airmont, incorporated in 1991, is a consolidation of the hamlets of Tallman
Tallman, New York
Tallman is a hamlet in the Town of Ramapo in Rockland County, New York, United States, located north of the state of New Jersey; east of Suffern; south of Montebello and west of Airmont. It is located north-northwest of New York City.-History:...
, Airmont and South Monsey. Joseph Berger of The New York Times
The New York Times
The New York Times is an American daily newspaper founded and continuously published in New York City since 1851. The New York Times has won 106 Pulitzer Prizes, the most of any news organization...
said in a 1997 article that Airmont was one of several town of Ramapo villages formed "to preserve the sparse Better Homes and Garden
Better Homes and Gardens (magazine)
Better Homes and Gardens is the fourth best selling magazine in the United States. The editor in Chief is Gayle Butler. Better Homes and Gardens focuses on interests regarding homes, cooking, gardening, crafts, healthy living, decorating, and entertaining. The magazine is published 12 times per...
ambiance that attracted them to Rockland County." In 2005 Peter Applebome of The New York Times
The New York Times
The New York Times is an American daily newspaper founded and continuously published in New York City since 1851. The New York Times has won 106 Pulitzer Prizes, the most of any news organization...
said that Airmont was "slapped around enough by the courts to be something other than a virginal player in any discrimination case" since it ran into legal resistance to its development laws.
History
In April 1991 the town of Ramapo allowed the creation of the village of Airmont. Airmont had 9,500 people, including around 250 Orthodox Jews and many non-Orthodox Jews. The founders of the town said that they intended for "strong zoning" to preserve the character of the community. William P. Barr, the United States Attorney General, and Otto G. Obermaier, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, filed a suit against Airmont and the village of Ramapo; Barr and Obermaier said that Airmont created a zoning plan intended to exclude Orthodox Jews from living in the village and "that other individuals acting at the behest of the defendants have engaged in a pattern of harassment against Orthodox Jews in the village." The officials cited the Fair Housing Act as the relevant law. The plaintiffs said that, because many Orthodox do not travel by car on Saturdays, preventing the creation of a synagogue would exclude Orthodox from the community. The Anti-Defamation League of B'nai B'rith supported the suit. The Spring Valley Chapter of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People had opposed the creation of Airmont. As a result of the suit Airmont revised its zoning code to allow religious sites. Airmont's zoning restricted synagogues to 2 acres (8,093.7 m²) lots, which were too costly for most Orthodox congregations. A federal judge ruled that the code was discriminatory and ordered Airmont to revise the code; the legal case continued by 1997.Around 2005 Congregation Mischknois Lavier Yakov proposed building a yeshiva and a boarding school with a 70- adult student dormitory (with provisions for their families, which could result in a population of several hundred individuals) on 90 acres (364,217.4 m²) of land. Town residents opposed this, causing legal action including meetings and lawsuits. In 2005 the U.S. Federal Government filed a civil rights lawsuit accusing Airmont of discriminating on the basis of religion and violating the Religious Land Use and Institutionalized Persons Act (RLUIPA) and the Fair Housing Act by banning boarding houses.
Geography
Airmont is located at 41°5′57"N 74°6′0"W (41.099163, -74.100011).According to the United States Census Bureau
United States Census Bureau
The United States Census Bureau is the government agency that is responsible for the United States Census. It also gathers other national demographic and economic data...
, the village has a total area of 4.6 square miles (11.9 km²), all of it land.
The south boundary of the village is the border of New Jersey
New Jersey
New Jersey is a state in the Northeastern and Middle Atlantic regions of the United States. , its population was 8,791,894. It is bordered on the north and east by the state of New York, on the southeast and south by the Atlantic Ocean, on the west by Pennsylvania and on the southwest by Delaware...
.
Demographics
As of the censusCensus
A census is the procedure of systematically acquiring and recording information about the members of a given population. It is a regularly occurring and official count of a particular population. The term is used mostly in connection with national population and housing censuses; other common...
of 2000, there were 7,799 people, 2,342 households, and 2,032 families residing in the village. The population density
Population density
Population density is a measurement of population per unit area or unit volume. It is frequently applied to living organisms, and particularly to humans...
was 1,701.3 people per square mile (657.5/km²). There were 2,362 housing units at an average density of 515.2 per square mile (199.1/km²). The racial makeup of the village was 86.30% White, 3.50% African American, 0.17% Native American, 2.53% Asian, 0.03% Pacific Islander, 1.00% from other races
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
, and 1.36% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 5.26% of the population.
There were 2,342 households out of which 41.8% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 78.0% were married couples
Marriage
Marriage is a social union or legal contract between people that creates kinship. It is an institution in which interpersonal relationships, usually intimate and sexual, are acknowledged in a variety of ways, depending on the culture or subculture in which it is found...
living together, 5.9% had a female householder with no husband present, and 13.2% were non-families. 11.3% of all households were made up of individuals and 5.8% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 3.20 and the average family size was 3.47.
In the village the population was spread out with 27.9% under the age of 18, 6.0% from 18 to 24, 25.4% from 25 to 44, 26.9% from 45 to 64, and 13.8% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 39 years. For every 100 females there were 95.1 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 90.0 males.
The median income for a household in the village was $87,678, and the median income for a family was $97,960. Males had a median income of $67,663 versus $36,550 for females. The per capita income
Per capita income
Per capita income or income per person is a measure of mean income within an economic aggregate, such as a country or city. It is calculated by taking a measure of all sources of income in the aggregate and dividing it by the total population...
for the village was $29,788. About 1.6% of families and 3.3% of the population were below the poverty line, including 2.2% of those under age 18 and 5.9% of those age 65 or over.
History
According to Cole's History of Rockland County, published in 1884, TallmanTallman, New York
Tallman is a hamlet in the Town of Ramapo in Rockland County, New York, United States, located north of the state of New Jersey; east of Suffern; south of Montebello and west of Airmont. It is located north-northwest of New York City.-History:...
was named for Tunis Tallman, who opened a store there in 1836. Tunis was a direct descendant of Rockland's oldest family.
Historical markers
- Christ Evangelical Lutheran Church - Church & Airmont Road
- Dogwoods - 24 DeBaun Avenue
Landmark and places of interest
- Christ Evangelical Lutheran Church - 3 Church Road This congregation was founded in 1715, by Palatine Germans in Mahwah, New Jersey. The church was incorporated in Rockland County in 1850, and the current edifice built in 1855.
- The Lower Hudson Valley Challenger Center - 225 Route 59, Airmont, New York 10901. Challenger Center for Space Science EducationChallenger Center for Space Science Education' is a nonprofit educational organization with its headquarters in Alexandria, Virginia, and an international network of Challenger Learning Centers. The organization was founded in April 1986 by the families of the astronauts who died in the Space Shuttle Challenger disaster on January 28,...
- Spook Rock, near Airmont, is the largest of the cluster of rocks located on Spook Rock Road and Highview Avenue in Airmont. The Tappan and Warawankogs of the Lenni-Lenape Wolf Tribes, members of the Algonquin Nation worshipped the sunSunThe Sun is the star at the center of the Solar System. It is almost perfectly spherical and consists of hot plasma interwoven with magnetic fields...
, moonMoonThe Moon is Earth's only known natural satellite,There are a number of near-Earth asteroids including 3753 Cruithne that are co-orbital with Earth: their orbits bring them close to Earth for periods of time but then alter in the long term . These are quasi-satellites and not true moons. For more...
, stars, and a spiritGhostIn traditional belief and fiction, a ghost is the soul or spirit of a deceased person or animal that can appear, in visible form or other manifestation, to the living. Descriptions of the apparition of ghosts vary widely from an invisible presence to translucent or barely visible wispy shapes, to...
called ManitouManitouManitou is a general term for spirit beings among many Algonquian Native American groups.Manitou may also refer to:- Geography :* Manitou, Manitoba, Canada* Manitou, Kentucky, USA* Manitou, Oklahoma, USA- Other uses :...
. Story has it that a Dutch farmer's daughter was sacrificed at this site and her ghost appears on the anniversary of her death.
Education
Most of Airmont is within the Ramapo Central School DistrictRamapo Central School District
Ramapo Central School District is a school district headquartered in Hillburn, a village in the Town of Ramapo in Rockland County, New York, United States located north of Suffern; east of Orange County, New York; south of Viola and west of Montebello...
. Zoned schools include Cherry Lane Elementary School, Suffern Middle School, and Suffern High School
Suffern High School
Suffern High School is located in the Ramapo Central School District in Suffern, New York. Students participate in classes from 7:30 – 14:05 EST. The school's mascot is a Mountain Lion and its newspaper is the Mountain Echo. Its news program is SHS News...
. Some residents are zoned to East Ramapo Central School District
East Ramapo Central School District
East Ramapo Central School District is a school district headquartered in the Senator Eugene Levy Dr. Jack R. Anderson Education Center in the Town of Ramapo, New York, United States. The district serves areas of eastern Town of Ramapo, including Chestnut Ridge, New Hempstead, New Square, Spring...
. Rockland Community College
Rockland Community College
Rockland Community College is a two-year college in the State University of New York system, located in hamlet of Viola within the Village of Suffern from the Town of Ramapo in Rockland County, New York. The college began in 1959 in the former county almshouse. The college offers 48 programs and...
is near Airmont.