Bethany, New York
Encyclopedia
Bethany is a town
in Genesee County
, New York
, United States
. The population was 1,760 at the 2000 census.
The Town of Bethany lies on the south border of Genesee County. US Route 20
and NYS Route 63
cross the town.
The Town of Bethany was formed in 1812 from a partition of the Town of Batavia
.
, the town has a total area of 36.1 square miles (93.5 km²), all of it land.
The south town line is the border of Wyoming County
.
The Oatka Creek
flows northward through the town.
of 2000, there were 1,760 people, 636 households, and 499 families residing in the town. The population density
was 48.8 people per square mile (18.8/km²). There were 665 housing units at an average density of 18.4 per square mile (7.1/km²). The racial makeup of the town was 97.05% White, 0.80% African American, 0.23% Native American, 0.23% Asian, 0.17% from other races
, and 1.53% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.40% of the population.
There were 636 households out of which 34.9% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 65.7% were married couples
living together, 8.6% had a female householder with no husband present, and 21.5% were non-families. 16.7% of all households were made up of individuals and 5.0% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.77 and the average family size was 3.10.
In the town the population was spread out with 25.5% under the age of 18, 8.7% from 18 to 24, 29.5% from 25 to 44, 25.2% from 45 to 64, and 11.0% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 38 years. For every 100 females there were 106.3 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 107.8 males.
The median income for a household in the town was $45,450, and the median income for a family was $50,234. Males had a median income of $32,113 versus $24,643 for females. The per capita income
for the town was $18,693. About 3.2% of families and 5.1% of the population were below the poverty line, including 8.0% of those under age 18 and 3.1% of those age 65 or over.
Town
A town is a human settlement larger than a village but smaller than a city. The size a settlement must be in order to be called a "town" varies considerably in different parts of the world, so that, for example, many American "small towns" seem to British people to be no more than villages, while...
in Genesee County
Genesee County, New York
Genesee County is a county located in Western New York, United States. As of the 2010 census, the population was 60,079. Its name is from the Seneca Indian word Gen-nis'-hee-yo meaning "The Beautiful Valley." Its county seat is Batavia.- History :...
, 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...
. The population was 1,760 at the 2000 census.
The Town of Bethany lies on the south border of Genesee County. US Route 20
U.S. Route 20 in New York
U.S. Route 20 is a part of the U.S. Highway System that runs from Newport, Oregon, to Boston, Massachusetts. In the U.S. state of New York, US 20 extends from the Pennsylvania state line at Ripley to the Massachusetts state line in the Berkshire Mountains. US 20 is the longest...
and NYS Route 63
New York State Route 63
New York State Route 63 is a state highway in the western part of New York in the United States. The southern terminus of the route is at an intersection with NY 15 and NY 21 in the village of Wayland in Steuben County. Its northern end is at a junction with NY 18 in the town...
cross the town.
History
The town was first settled around 1803.The Town of Bethany was formed in 1812 from a partition of the Town of Batavia
Batavia (town), New York
Batavia is a town in Genesee County, New York, United States. The population was 5,915 at the 2000 census. The name is derived from the Roman name for part of the Netherlands....
.
Geography
According to the United States Census BureauUnited 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 town has a total area of 36.1 square miles (93.5 km²), all of it land.
The south town line is the border of Wyoming County
Wyoming County, New York
Wyoming County is a county located in the U.S. state of New York. At the 2010 census, the population was 42,155. The county seat is Warsaw. The name is from a modified Delaware Indian word meaning "broad bottom lands"...
.
The Oatka Creek
Oatka Creek
Oatka Creek is the third longest tributary of the Genesee River, located entirely in the Western New York region of the U.S. state of New York. From southern Wyoming County, it flows to the Genesee near Scottsville, draining an area of that includes all or part of 23 towns and villages in...
flows northward through the town.
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 1,760 people, 636 households, and 499 families residing in the town. 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 48.8 people per square mile (18.8/km²). There were 665 housing units at an average density of 18.4 per square mile (7.1/km²). The racial makeup of the town was 97.05% White, 0.80% African American, 0.23% Native American, 0.23% Asian, 0.17% 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 1.53% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.40% of the population.
There were 636 households out of which 34.9% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 65.7% 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, 8.6% had a female householder with no husband present, and 21.5% were non-families. 16.7% of all households were made up of individuals and 5.0% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.77 and the average family size was 3.10.
In the town the population was spread out with 25.5% under the age of 18, 8.7% from 18 to 24, 29.5% from 25 to 44, 25.2% from 45 to 64, and 11.0% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 38 years. For every 100 females there were 106.3 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 107.8 males.
The median income for a household in the town was $45,450, and the median income for a family was $50,234. Males had a median income of $32,113 versus $24,643 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 town was $18,693. About 3.2% of families and 5.1% of the population were below the poverty line, including 8.0% of those under age 18 and 3.1% of those age 65 or over.
Communities and locations in Bethany
- Bethany Center – A hamletHamlet (place)A hamlet is usually a rural settlement which is too small to be considered a village, though sometimes the word is used for a different sort of community. Historically, when a hamlet became large enough to justify building a church, it was then classified as a village...
at the intersection of Route 20 and Bethany Center Road. Holds location of the Government Center - East Alexander – A hamlet on the west town line.
- East BethanyEast Bethany, New YorkEast Bethany is a hamlet located within Bethany, New York, United States in Genesee County. The community is popular for being the location of the Rolling Hills Asylum. East Bethany also contains the Bethany Post Office....
– This hamlet is the location of the Postal Service Office - Linden – A hamlet in the southwest corner of town.
- Little Canada – A hamlet northeast of East Bethany on Route 63, formerly called "Bennett's."
- Suicide Corners – A location on Route 20 and East Rd in Bethany Center
- Texaco Town – A location near the east town line. Intersection of Route 63 and Route 20
- West Bethany – A hamlet on the west town line by the Town of AlexanderAlexander (town), New YorkAlexander is a town in Genesee County, New York, United States. The population was 2,451 at the 2000 census. The town is named after Alexander Rea, an early settler....
.