Clifton Park, New York
Encyclopedia
Clifton Park is a town in Saratoga County, New York
, United States. According to the United States Census Bureau
, the 2009 population estimate for Clifton Park was 36,469. The name is derived from an early land patent. The town is in the south part of the county and is located approximately 12 miles (19.3 km) north of Albany
, 7 miles (11.3 km) northeast of Schenectady
, and 10 miles (16.1 km) south of Saratoga Springs
.
By 1723, the area had grown to twenty inhabitants, and was given the name of "Canastigione". The area along the Mohawk River
was popular for ferries across the waterbed, with Eldert Fischer opening the crossing known as Vischer Ferry
in 1783. To the northwest, Edward Rexford established Rexford Flats
, a small community on the riverbank at the northern end of what became NY 146B
.
In 1828, the town of Clifton Park was created as "Clifton" from the town of Halfmoon
. It was the last town created in Saratoga County
. The town was renamed Clifton Park in 1829. The town originally consisted of farmland with a small village of homes, churches and businesses on what is now U.S. Route 9, but, when Interstate 87
was built through the town, the population and residential and commercial areas of the town skyrocketed.
, the town has a total area of 50.2 square miles (130 km²), of which, 48.6 square miles (125.9 km²) of it is land and 1.6 square miles (4.1 km²) of it (3.29%) is water.
The town's southern boundary is defined by the Mohawk River
and is the border between Saratoga County and Schenectady
and Albany Counties
.
Interstate 87
, The Northway, and US Route 9 pass through the eastern part of the town. New York State Route 146
is an east-west highway through most of the center of Clifton Park until it takes a 90 degree turn southward, passing east of the hamlet of Rexford and then crossing the Rexford bridge into the Town of Niskayuna in Schenectady County.
, and 1.6% from two or more races.
There were 13782 households out of which 35.7% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 63.8% were married couples living together, 6.2% had a female householder with no husband present, and 26.9% were non-families. 21.8% of all households were made up of individuals and 6.8% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.73 and the average family size was 3.23.
In the town the age distribution of the population shows 27% under the age of 20, 5.5% from 20 to 24, 15.9% from 25 to 44, 26.1% from 45 to 64, and 12.3% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 38.2 years. For 18 and older, there were 49.2% males and 50.8% females.
The median income for a household in the town was $82,850, and the median income for a family was $98,275. Males had a median income of $68,417 versus $46,948 for females. The per capita income
for the town was $37,405. About 1.4% of families and 2.9% of the population were below the poverty line, including 2.9% of those under age 18 and 2.8% of those age 65 or over.
Clifton Park also hosts the Babe Ruth World series for boys baseball every four years.
There are also other annual events, such as Winterfest, which is where you can find the "Clifton Park Idol" in various age groups.
, located on NY Route 146. In addition, the Burnt Hills-Ballston Lake Central School District and the Niskayuna Central School District
cover the northwest and southwest corners of Clifton Park respectively.
The Shenendehowa Central Schools main campus covers about 232 acre (0.93887152 km²) of property along the south side of NY Route 146. With a student body of over 20,200 students in nine elementary schools, three middle schools, and two high schools, Shenendehowa Central Schools is the largest school district in New York State. Shenendehowa Central Schools achievements include twenty-two New York State Championship titles for their Men's Soccer National Championships and six NYS Federation Men's Cross Country Championships.
Shenendehowa schools:
Elementary schools:
Karigon and Orenda (connected), Tesago and Skano (connected), Okte, Chango, Arongen, and the newest addition, Shatekon
Middle schools (all connected): Gowana, Acadia, Koda
High schools
High School West (9th grade only) and High School East (10-12 only)
Although there are two different high schools, they are allowed to participate in the same clubs and events (with few exceptions, such as dances)
To learn more about this school district, you can go to http://shenet.org/
Saratoga County, New York
Saratoga County is a county located in the U.S. state of New York. As of the 2010 census, the population was 219,607. It is part of the Albany-Schenectady-Troy Metropolitan Statistical Area. The county seat is Ballston Spa...
, United States. 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 2009 population estimate for Clifton Park was 36,469. The name is derived from an early land patent. The town is in the south part of the county and is located approximately 12 miles (19.3 km) north of Albany
Albany, New York
Albany is the capital city of the U.S. state of New York, the seat of Albany County, and the central city of New York's Capital District. Roughly north of New York City, Albany sits on the west bank of the Hudson River, about south of its confluence with the Mohawk River...
, 7 miles (11.3 km) northeast of Schenectady
Schenectady, New York
Schenectady is a city in Schenectady County, New York, United States, of which it is the county seat. As of the 2010 census, the city had a population of 66,135...
, and 10 miles (16.1 km) south of Saratoga Springs
Saratoga Springs, New York
Saratoga Springs, also known as simply Saratoga, is a city in Saratoga County, New York, United States. The population was 26,586 at the 2010 census. The name reflects the presence of mineral springs in the area. While the word "Saratoga" is known to be a corruption of a Native American name, ...
.
History
The first settlements in what is now Clifton Park were established in the 17th century. The town or area was named in 1707 by Nanning Harmansen. At that time Nanning Harmansen sent letters to Lord Cornbury requesting letters of Patent for Land he bought from the Indians known as Shenendehowa. He also stated in this correspondence that he wanted the patent to be known by "Your name of Cliftons Park", and the patent was named the Clifton Park Patent.By 1723, the area had grown to twenty inhabitants, and was given the name of "Canastigione". The area along the Mohawk River
Mohawk River
The Mohawk River is a river in the U.S. state of New York. It is the largest tributary of the Hudson River. The Mohawk flows into the Hudson in the Capital District, a few miles north of the city of Albany. The river is named for the Mohawk Nation of the Iroquois Confederacy...
was popular for ferries across the waterbed, with Eldert Fischer opening the crossing known as Vischer Ferry
Vischer Ferry, New York
Vischer Ferry is a hamlet in the town of Clifton Park in Saratoga County, New York, United States, along the Mohawk River.-History:Vischer Ferry is named for the family of Nicholas Vischer, who built a house beside the river in 1735. At that time the Mohawk Valley was claimed by the Iroquois League...
in 1783. To the northwest, Edward Rexford established Rexford Flats
Rexford, New York
Rexford is a hamlet in Saratoga County, New York, USA, located on the north bank of the Mohawk River.Rexford is in the Town of Clifton Park, near the southwest town line. Its boundaries, like those of neighboring Alplaus, are unofficial and necessarily vague. To the south, it is bounded by the...
, a small community on the riverbank at the northern end of what became NY 146B
New York State Route 146B
New York State Route 146B was a state highway in southern Saratoga County, New York, United States. It was long and located entirely within the town of Clifton Park. The western terminus of the route was at an intersection with NY 146, its parent route, in the hamlet of Rexford...
.
In 1828, the town of Clifton Park was created as "Clifton" from the town of Halfmoon
Halfmoon, New York
Halfmoon is a town in Saratoga County, New York, United States. The population was 18,474 at the 2000 census. The town is named for the crescent shape of the land between the Hudson River and Mohawk River....
. It was the last town created in Saratoga County
Saratoga County, New York
Saratoga County is a county located in the U.S. state of New York. As of the 2010 census, the population was 219,607. It is part of the Albany-Schenectady-Troy Metropolitan Statistical Area. The county seat is Ballston Spa...
. The town was renamed Clifton Park in 1829. The town originally consisted of farmland with a small village of homes, churches and businesses on what is now U.S. Route 9, but, when Interstate 87
Interstate 87
Interstate 87 is a Interstate Highway located entirely within New York State in the United States of America. I-87 is the longest intrastate Interstate highway in the Interstate Highway System. Its southern end is at the Bronx approaches of the Robert F. Kennedy Bridge in New York City...
was built through the town, the population and residential and commercial areas of the town skyrocketed.
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 50.2 square miles (130 km²), of which, 48.6 square miles (125.9 km²) of it is land and 1.6 square miles (4.1 km²) of it (3.29%) is water.
The town's southern boundary is defined by the Mohawk River
Mohawk River
The Mohawk River is a river in the U.S. state of New York. It is the largest tributary of the Hudson River. The Mohawk flows into the Hudson in the Capital District, a few miles north of the city of Albany. The river is named for the Mohawk Nation of the Iroquois Confederacy...
and is the border between Saratoga County and Schenectady
Schenectady County, New York
Schenectady County is a county located in the U.S. state of New York. As of the 2010 census, the population was 154,727. It is part of the Albany-Schenectady-Troy Metropolitan Statistical Area. The county seat is Schenectady. The name is from a Mohawk Indian word meaning "on the other side of the...
and Albany Counties
Albany County, New York
Albany County is a county located in the U.S. state of New York, and is part of the Albany-Schenectady-Troy Metropolitan Statistical Area. The name is from the title of the Duke of York and Albany, who became James II of England . As of the 2010 census, the population was 304,204...
.
Interstate 87
Interstate 87
Interstate 87 is a Interstate Highway located entirely within New York State in the United States of America. I-87 is the longest intrastate Interstate highway in the Interstate Highway System. Its southern end is at the Bronx approaches of the Robert F. Kennedy Bridge in New York City...
, The Northway, and US Route 9 pass through the eastern part of the town. New York State Route 146
New York State Route 146
New York State Route 146 is a state highway in the Capital District of New York in the United States. It extends for from Gallupville at NY 443 to near Mechanicville at U.S. Route 4 and NY 32. NY 146 is a major thoroughfare in the city of Schenectady, just outside of...
is an east-west highway through most of the center of Clifton Park until it takes a 90 degree turn southward, passing east of the hamlet of Rexford and then crossing the Rexford bridge into the Town of Niskayuna in Schenectady County.
Demographics
As of the census of 2008, there were over 37,707 people, 13,782 households, and 10,077 families residing in the town. There were 14,262 housing units . The racial makeup of the town was 92.2% White, 2.0% African American, 0.02% Native American, 3.4% Asian, 0.02% Pacific Islander, 0.36% from other racesRace (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 1.6% from two or more races.
There were 13782 households out of which 35.7% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 63.8% were married couples living together, 6.2% had a female householder with no husband present, and 26.9% were non-families. 21.8% of all households were made up of individuals and 6.8% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.73 and the average family size was 3.23.
In the town the age distribution of the population shows 27% under the age of 20, 5.5% from 20 to 24, 15.9% from 25 to 44, 26.1% from 45 to 64, and 12.3% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 38.2 years. For 18 and older, there were 49.2% males and 50.8% females.
The median income for a household in the town was $82,850, and the median income for a family was $98,275. Males had a median income of $68,417 versus $46,948 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 $37,405. About 1.4% of families and 2.9% of the population were below the poverty line, including 2.9% of those under age 18 and 2.8% of those age 65 or over.
Recreation
There are many opportunities for youth involvement in typical sports teams such as football, baseball, softball, lacrosse, soccer, basketball, wrestling and hockey. Adults may participate as well. Every year Clifton Park Soccer Club hosts an international tournament called the Rose and Kiernan/Clifton Park Soccer International Soccer Classic.Clifton Park also hosts the Babe Ruth World series for boys baseball every four years.
There are also other annual events, such as Winterfest, which is where you can find the "Clifton Park Idol" in various age groups.
Schools
The public school district covering most (the eastern two-thirds) of Clifton Park is the Shenendehowa Central School DistrictShenendehowa Central School District
The Shenendehowa Central School District is a public school district located in New York's Capital Region. The district's main campus is located off NY 146 in Clifton Park, and is home to eight of the districts 12 schools, in five buildings. The remaining four schools are so called "neighborhood...
, located on NY Route 146. In addition, the Burnt Hills-Ballston Lake Central School District and the Niskayuna Central School District
Niskayuna Central School District
The Niskayuna Central School District is a public school district located in Niskayuna, New York. It has a total enrollment of 4,312 students in grades K–12 in 8 schools. The district superintendent is Kevin S. Baughman...
cover the northwest and southwest corners of Clifton Park respectively.
The Shenendehowa Central Schools main campus covers about 232 acre (0.93887152 km²) of property along the south side of NY Route 146. With a student body of over 20,200 students in nine elementary schools, three middle schools, and two high schools, Shenendehowa Central Schools is the largest school district in New York State. Shenendehowa Central Schools achievements include twenty-two New York State Championship titles for their Men's Soccer National Championships and six NYS Federation Men's Cross Country Championships.
Shenendehowa schools:
Elementary schools:
Karigon and Orenda (connected), Tesago and Skano (connected), Okte, Chango, Arongen, and the newest addition, Shatekon
Middle schools (all connected): Gowana, Acadia, Koda
High schools
High School West (9th grade only) and High School East (10-12 only)
Although there are two different high schools, they are allowed to participate in the same clubs and events (with few exceptions, such as dances)
To learn more about this school district, you can go to http://shenet.org/
Communities and locations in Clifton Park
- Ballston Lake – A hamlet in the northwest part of Clifton Park, located at the south end of a lake named Ballston Lake.
- Clifton Park Center – A hamlet in the vicinity of town hall. A shopping center, previously the Clifton Country Mall, shares the name. Includes indoor shopping, movies, and food court, as well as a strip mall section with shops and restaurants.
- Colonie Reservoir – A reservoir in the south part of the town.
- Country KnollsCountry Knolls, New YorkCountry Knolls is a census-designated place and community in Saratoga County, New York, United States. The population was 2,155 at the 2000 census.-History:...
– A hamlet and census-designated placeCensus-designated placeA census-designated place is a concentration of population identified by the United States Census Bureau for statistical purposes. CDPs are delineated for each decennial census as the statistical counterparts of incorporated places such as cities, towns and villages...
on the town's northern border near Round Lake. - Elnora – A hamlet north of Clifton Park Center hamlet on NY 146ANew York State Route 146ANew York State Route 146A is a state highway in New York State. It begins at NY 146 in Clifton Park and ends at NY 50 in Ballston Lake. It is located entirely within Saratoga County...
. - Flagler Corners – A hamlet east of Clifton Park Center.
- Grooms Corners – A hamlet in the southwest part of the town on County Road 91. The Grooms Tavern ComplexGrooms Tavern ComplexGrooms Tavern Complex is a historic tavern located at Grooms Corners in Saratoga County, New York. The complex consists of the tavern, a wagon and blacksmith shop, and a frame privy. The tavern building was built about 1825 and is a 2-story, timber-framed, gable-roofed building in a vernacular...
was listed on the National Register of Historic PlacesNational Register of Historic PlacesThe National Register of Historic Places is the United States government's official list of districts, sites, buildings, structures, and objects deemed worthy of preservation...
in 2000. - Jonesville – A hamlet north of Elnora on County Road 82.
- RexfordRexford, New YorkRexford is a hamlet in Saratoga County, New York, USA, located on the north bank of the Mohawk River.Rexford is in the Town of Clifton Park, near the southwest town line. Its boundaries, like those of neighboring Alplaus, are unofficial and necessarily vague. To the south, it is bounded by the...
– A hamlet near the west town line and the Mohawk River. - Round Lake – A lake, the southern part of which is in the northeast corner of the town.
- Ushers – A location south of Round Lake on the Clifton Park-HalfmoonHalfmoon, New YorkHalfmoon is a town in Saratoga County, New York, United States. The population was 18,474 at the 2000 census. The town is named for the crescent shape of the land between the Hudson River and Mohawk River....
border. - Vischer FerryVischer Ferry, New YorkVischer Ferry is a hamlet in the town of Clifton Park in Saratoga County, New York, United States, along the Mohawk River.-History:Vischer Ferry is named for the family of Nicholas Vischer, who built a house beside the river in 1735. At that time the Mohawk Valley was claimed by the Iroquois League...
– A hamlet on County Road 92, located near the Mohawk River in the south part of Clifton Park.