Elma, New York
Encyclopedia
Elma is a town
in Erie County
, New York
, United States
. The population was 11,304 at the 2000 census. The town is named after a type of tree.
The Town of Elma is located in the north-central part of the county, east of Buffalo
, New York
. Because of its location, Elma likes to refer to itself as the "heart of Erie County."
.
The town was established in 1857 from parts of the Towns of Aurora
and Lancaster
. Elma was the last town formed in the county. When the town was formed, a resident suggested it be named after a famous large American elm
, then growing in the town. Fran Striker
, the creator of The Lone Ranger and The Green Hornet, was killed in a car accident here on September 4, 1962 while moving with his family.
, the town has a total area of 34.5 square miles (89.4 km²), all land.
The west town line is marked by New York State Route 78
. The East Aurora Expressway (New York State Route 400
) crosses the town.
of 2000, there were 11,304 people, 4,186 households, and 3,294 families residing in the town. The population density
was 327.7 people per square mile (126.5/km²). There were 4,296 housing units at an average density of 124.5 per square mile (48.1/km²). The racial makeup of the town was 99.09% White, 0.05% African American, 0.05% Native American, 0.27% Asian, 0.01% Pacific Islander, 0.07% from other races
, and 0.46% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.60% of the population.
There were 4,186 households out of which 32.6% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 70.0% were married couples
living together, 6.0% had a female householder with no husband present, and 21.3% were non-families. 17.9% 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 2.69 and the average family size was 3.08.
In the town the population was spread out with 24.5% under the age of 18, 5.5% from 18 to 24, 26.1% from 25 to 44, 27.9% from 45 to 64, and 16.0% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 42 years. For every 100 females there were 97.8 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 95.4 males.
The median income for a household in the town was $56,334, and the median income for a family was $63,922. Males had a median income of $42,679 versus $28,826 for females. The per capita income
for the town was $25,960. About 2.3% of families and 3.4% of the population were below the poverty line, including 3.4% of those under age 18 and 6.3% of those age 65 or over.
. Iroquois Central Schools consistently enjoys top rank as the 5th or 6th best public school in the Western New York area. Consisting of approximately 3,000 students district-wide, Iroquois divides its students in an unconventional manner, with three separate primary schools for students in kindergarten through 3rd grade, an intermediate school for students in 4th and 5th grade, a middle school for students from 6th to 8th grade, and a high school for students in 9th to 12th grade. While the primary schools are located in the respective towns indicated by their names (Elma Primary, Marilla Primary, and Wales Primary), the other three schools are located on the same expansive campus at 2111 Girdle Road in Elma. The Campus is divided such that the high school and middle school are separated by the intermediate school, acting as a buffer between the similar age groups. The three buildings are connected by walkways, but it is rare that students should need to leave the building to which their grade belongs. In accord, the primary, intermediate, middle, and high school buildings each have their own gymnasium, cafeteria, library, and administrative offices. One of the greatest assets of this school district is the expansive undeveloped areas surrounding every school, providing plenty of open space for younger students to play and older students to participate in extracurricular activities. Some of the latest additions to the school, in fact, involve the development of a large field directly across the street from the high school. In addition, the middle school library was recently remodeled, an extra wing of classrooms was added to the high school, and plans are in order for the renovation of the high school music department. It won't happen in the near future though, because it would result in tax increases for the middle class working citizens of Elma.
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 Erie County
Erie County, New York
Erie County is a county located in the U.S. state of New York. As of the 2010 census, the population was 919,040. The county seat is Buffalo. The county's name comes from Lake Erie, which in turn comes from the Erie tribe of American Indians who lived south and east of the lake before 1654.Erie...
, 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 11,304 at the 2000 census. The town is named after a type of tree.
The Town of Elma is located in the north-central part of the county, east of Buffalo
Buffalo, New York
Buffalo is the second most populous city in the state of New York, after New York City. Located in Western New York on the eastern shores of Lake Erie and at the head of the Niagara River across from Fort Erie, Ontario, Buffalo is the seat of Erie County and the principal city of 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...
. Because of its location, Elma likes to refer to itself as the "heart of Erie County."
History
The region was first settled around 1827. The early residents included members of the Ebenezer SocietyInspirationalists
The Inspirationalists were a group of Germans, Swiss and Austrians from a number of backgrounds and soci-economic areas who settled in West Seneca, New York, after purchasing land from an Indian reservation...
.
The town was established in 1857 from parts of the Towns of Aurora
Aurora, Erie County, New York
Aurora is a town in Erie County, New York, United States. The population was 13,996 at the 2000 census.The Town of Aurora is one of the "Southtowns" of Erie County and is also erroneously called East Aurora, the name of its principal village...
and Lancaster
Lancaster (town), New York
Lancaster is a town in Erie County, New York, USA. As of the 2000 census, the town population has 39,019 residents.The Town of Lancaster has a village also called Lancaster. The Town and Village are currently exploring consolidation of governmental functions. Both town and village are east of...
. Elma was the last town formed in the county. When the town was formed, a resident suggested it be named after a famous large American elm
American Elm
Ulmus americana, generally known as the American Elm or, less commonly, as the White Elm or Water Elm, is a species native to eastern North America, occurring from Nova Scotia west to Alberta and Montana, and south to Florida and central Texas. The American elm is an extremely hardy tree that can...
, then growing in the town. Fran Striker
Fran Striker
Fran Striker was an American writer for radio and comics, best known for creating The Lone Ranger, The Green Hornet, and Sgt...
, the creator of The Lone Ranger and The Green Hornet, was killed in a car accident here on September 4, 1962 while moving with his family.
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 34.5 square miles (89.4 km²), all land.
The west town line is marked by New York State Route 78
New York State Route 78
New York State Route 78 , most commonly known as Transit Road, is a state highway in Western New York, USA. While it is signed north–south, the lower portion runs in an east–west direction across Wyoming County, from its beginning north of the Village of Gainesville.NY 78 is...
. The East Aurora Expressway (New York State Route 400
New York State Route 400
New York State Route 400 is a state highway located within Erie County, New York, in the United States. The northwest end is connected to the New York State Thruway and the southeast end terminates at NY 16 in the town of Aurora. NY 400, a limited-access highway, roughly parallels...
) crosses the town.
Adjacent Cities & Towns
- Town of West SenecaWest Seneca, New YorkWest Seneca is a town in Erie County, New York, United States. The population was 44,711 at the 2010 census. West Seneca is a centrally-located interior town of the county, and a suburb of Buffalo...
- west - Town of Orchard ParkOrchard Park (town), New YorkOrchard Park is a town in Erie County, New York, a suburb southeast of Buffalo, New York. According to the 2010 census, the population is 29,054. This represents an increase of 5.13% from the 2000 census figure. The town contains a village also named Orchard Park. Orchard Park is one of the...
- west - Town of AuroraAurora, Erie County, New YorkAurora is a town in Erie County, New York, United States. The population was 13,996 at the 2000 census.The Town of Aurora is one of the "Southtowns" of Erie County and is also erroneously called East Aurora, the name of its principal village...
- south - Village of East AuroraEast Aurora, New YorkEast Aurora is a village in Erie County, New York, United States, southeast of Buffalo. The Village of East Aurora lies in the eastern half of the Town of Aurora.The population was 6,673 at the 2000 census...
- south - Town of WalesWales, New YorkWales is a town in Erie County, New York, United States. The town is one of the "Southtowns" of Erie County by virtue of its position in the southeast part of the county, southeast of Buffalo.-History of Wales :...
- southeast - Town of MarillaMarilla, New YorkMarilla is a town in Erie County, New York, United States. The population was 5,709 at the 2000 census. The name of the town is derived from Marilla Rogers, an early school teacher....
- east - Town of LancasterLancaster (town), New YorkLancaster is a town in Erie County, New York, USA. As of the 2000 census, the town population has 39,019 residents.The Town of Lancaster has a village also called Lancaster. The Town and Village are currently exploring consolidation of governmental functions. Both town and village are east of...
- north - Town of Cheektowaga - northwest
Major Highways in the Town of Elma
-
U.S. Route 20U.S. Route 20U.S. Route 20 is an east–west United States highway. As the "0" in its route number implies, US 20 is a coast-to-coast route. Spanning , it is the longest road in the United States, and the route sparsely parallels Interstate 90...
(Transit Rd.), East-West highway (North-South in town) that marks the western border of towb with Orchard Park and West Seneca. (Runs concurrent with NY 78 north of Seneca Street.) -
New York State Route 16New York State Route 16New York State Route 16 is a state highway in western New York, United States. It runs from the Pennsylvania state line, where it is one of the highest highways in the state in elevation, to downtown Buffalo. NY 16 is a major route through Erie County, despite the construction of the...
(Seneca St.) North-South roadway (Northwest-Southeast in town) that runs concurrent with NY 16 from West Seneca town line to Aurora town line. -
New York State Route 78New York State Route 78New York State Route 78 , most commonly known as Transit Road, is a state highway in Western New York, USA. While it is signed north–south, the lower portion runs in an east–west direction across Wyoming County, from its beginning north of the Village of Gainesville.NY 78 is...
(Transit Rd., Seneca St.) North-South roadway that marks west town line with West Seneca (when also concurrent with US 20) and runs concurrent with NY 16 southeast into Town of Aurora. -
New York State Route 187New York State Route 187New York State Route 187 is a short state highway located entirely in Erie County, New York, United States. It serves as the southern end of the busy Transit Road in the town of Elma. Its southern terminus is at Quaker Road and its northern terminus at US 20 where that highway becomes...
(Transit Rd.) North-South roadway that forms west boundary of town with Orchard park. (Continuation of Transit after US 20 splits off to west.) -
New York State Route 354New York State Route 354New York State Route 354 is a state highway in New York, USA. NY 354 is one of several highways radiating eastward from its western terminus in downtown Buffalo, New York. The east terminus of NY 354 is in the Village of Attica, where it ends at NY 98 and NY 238 as West...
(Clinton St.), East-West route through town from West Seneca to Marilla. -
New York State Route 400New York State Route 400New York State Route 400 is a state highway located within Erie County, New York, in the United States. The northwest end is connected to the New York State Thruway and the southeast end terminates at NY 16 in the town of Aurora. NY 400, a limited-access highway, roughly parallels...
(Aurora Expwy.), North-South highway (runs generally East-West through town) from West Seneca town line at NY 16/NY 78 to Aurora town line just east of Village of Aurora.
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 11,304 people, 4,186 households, and 3,294 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 327.7 people per square mile (126.5/km²). There were 4,296 housing units at an average density of 124.5 per square mile (48.1/km²). The racial makeup of the town was 99.09% White, 0.05% African American, 0.05% Native American, 0.27% Asian, 0.01% Pacific Islander, 0.07% 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 0.46% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.60% of the population.
There were 4,186 households out of which 32.6% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 70.0% 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, 6.0% had a female householder with no husband present, and 21.3% were non-families. 17.9% 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 2.69 and the average family size was 3.08.
In the town the population was spread out with 24.5% under the age of 18, 5.5% from 18 to 24, 26.1% from 25 to 44, 27.9% from 45 to 64, and 16.0% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 42 years. For every 100 females there were 97.8 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 95.4 males.
The median income for a household in the town was $56,334, and the median income for a family was $63,922. Males had a median income of $42,679 versus $28,826 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 $25,960. About 2.3% of families and 3.4% of the population were below the poverty line, including 3.4% of those under age 18 and 6.3% of those age 65 or over.
Communities and locations in Elma
- Billington HeightsBillington Heights, New YorkBillington Heights is a hamlet located in the Town of Elma in Erie County, New York, United States. The population was 1,691 at the 2000 census...
– A location in the south part of the town. - BlossomBlossom, New YorkBlossom, New York is an unincorporated hamlet in the town of Elma in Erie County, New York, USA.-References:...
– 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...
in the northwest corner of the town. It was the principal location of the Ebenezer Society. - Buffalo CreekBuffalo River (New York)The Buffalo River is a river that empties into the eastern end of Lake Erie, one of the Great Lakes, by the City of Buffalo in the United States of America. This stream is called the Buffalo River only in the vicinity of the city and is known as Buffalo Creek as it flows through other parts of...
– A stream flowing westward through the northern part of the town. The French name for this stream was Beau Fleuve, and the name of the city of BuffaloBuffalo, New YorkBuffalo is the second most populous city in the state of New York, after New York City. Located in Western New York on the eastern shores of Lake Erie and at the head of the Niagara River across from Fort Erie, Ontario, Buffalo is the seat of Erie County and the principal city of the...
, New YorkNew YorkNew 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...
is derived from the stream. There were no BuffaloAmerican BisonThe American bison , also commonly known as the American buffalo, is a North American species of bison that once roamed the grasslands of North America in massive herds...
living in the area in the colonial period, although they are now raised on several farms locally. As it approaches the City of Buffalo, the creek is called Buffalo River. - Cazenovia CreekCazenovia CreekCazenovia Creek is a small stream in Western New York, United States. The creek is named after Theophilus Cazenove, an agent of the Holland Land Company. Cazenovia Creek is a tributary of the Buffalo River, which empties into Lake Erie...
– A stream flowing northward through the southwest part of the town. - East ElmaEast Elma, New YorkEast Elma, New York is an unincorporated hamlet in the town of Elma in Erie County, New York, USA.-References:...
– A hamlet in the southeast corner of the town. - ElmaElma (hamlet), New YorkElma, New York is an unincorporated hamlet in the town of Elma in Erie County, New York, USA.-References:...
– A hamlet near the northern town line on Bowen Road. - Elma CenterElma Center, New YorkElma Center is a hamlet located in the Town of Elma in Erie County, New York, United States. As of the 2000 census, this community population was 2,491...
– A hamlet near the town's center and south of Elma village on Bowen Road. - Spring BrookSpring Brook, New YorkSpring Brook, New York is an unincorporated hamlet in the town of Elma in Erie County, New York, USA.-References:...
– A hamlet on Route 16 near the eastern town line.
Schools
Public schools in Elma are under the jurisdiction of the Iroquois Central School DistrictIroquois Central School District
The Iroquois Central School District is a large school district about outside of Buffalo, New York that consists of about of land in the towns of Elma, Marilla, Wales, Aurora, Lancaster, and Bennington. The district consists of about 2,895 students in six schools. The interim superintendent of...
. Iroquois Central Schools consistently enjoys top rank as the 5th or 6th best public school in the Western New York area. Consisting of approximately 3,000 students district-wide, Iroquois divides its students in an unconventional manner, with three separate primary schools for students in kindergarten through 3rd grade, an intermediate school for students in 4th and 5th grade, a middle school for students from 6th to 8th grade, and a high school for students in 9th to 12th grade. While the primary schools are located in the respective towns indicated by their names (Elma Primary, Marilla Primary, and Wales Primary), the other three schools are located on the same expansive campus at 2111 Girdle Road in Elma. The Campus is divided such that the high school and middle school are separated by the intermediate school, acting as a buffer between the similar age groups. The three buildings are connected by walkways, but it is rare that students should need to leave the building to which their grade belongs. In accord, the primary, intermediate, middle, and high school buildings each have their own gymnasium, cafeteria, library, and administrative offices. One of the greatest assets of this school district is the expansive undeveloped areas surrounding every school, providing plenty of open space for younger students to play and older students to participate in extracurricular activities. Some of the latest additions to the school, in fact, involve the development of a large field directly across the street from the high school. In addition, the middle school library was recently remodeled, an extra wing of classrooms was added to the high school, and plans are in order for the renovation of the high school music department. It won't happen in the near future though, because it would result in tax increases for the middle class working citizens of Elma.