Richfield, New York
Encyclopedia
Richfield is a town
located in Otsego County
, New York
, USA
. As of the 2000 census
, the town
had a population of 2,423.
The Town of Richfield is located at the northern border of the county.
From the Gazetteer of the State of New York
by J. H. French, Published by R. Pearsall Smith, Syracuse, N. Y. 1860:
, the town has a total area of 32.4 square miles (83.9 km²), of which, 30.9 square miles (80 km²) of it is land and 1.5 square miles (3.9 km²) of it (4.72%) is water.
The north town line is the border of Herkimer County
. The north end of Canadarago Lake
is in the eastern part of the town. Hyder Creek enters the lake from the west. Ocquionus Creek flows into the lake from the north, passing through Richfield Springs.
New York State Route 28
is a north-south highway passing the west shore of Canadarago Lake. NY-28 intersects US Route 20 at Richfield Springs.
of 2000, there were 2,423 people, 968 households, and 641 families residing in the town. The population density
was 78.4 people per square mile (30.3/km²). There were 1,296 housing units at an average density of 41.9 per square mile (16.2/km²). The racial makeup of the town was 97.48% White, 0.37% African American, 0.41% Native American, 0.45% Asian, 0.33% Pacific Islander, 0.04% from other races
, and 0.91% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.37% of the population.
There were 968 households out of which 26.9% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 53.6% were married couples
living together, 8.5% had a female householder with no husband present, and 33.7% were non-families. 27.4% of all households were made up of individuals and 14.9% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.47 and the average family size was 3.02.
In the town the population was spread out with 23.1% under the age of 18, 7.0% from 18 to 24, 23.9% from 25 to 44, 25.1% from 45 to 64, and 20.9% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 42 years. For every 100 females there were 92.3 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 89.0 males.
The median income for a household in the town was $32,784, and the median income for a family was $41,050. Males had a median income of $29,479 versus $21,518 for females. The per capita income
for the town was $16,723. About 9.3% of families and 13.4% of the population were below the poverty line, including 22.0% of those under age 18 and 9.6% 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...
located in Otsego County
Otsego County, New York
Otsego County is a county located in the U.S. state of New York. The 2010 population was 62,259. The county seat is Cooperstown. The name Otsego is from a Mohawk word meaning "place of the rock."-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...
, USA
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
. As of the 2000 census
United States Census, 2000
The Twenty-second United States Census, known as Census 2000 and conducted by the Census Bureau, determined the resident population of the United States on April 1, 2000, to be 281,421,906, an increase of 13.2% over the 248,709,873 persons enumerated during the 1990 Census...
, the town
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...
had a population of 2,423.
The Town of Richfield is located at the northern border of the county.
History
Richfield Springs was called "Big Medicine Waters" by the local natives.From the Gazetteer of the State of New York
Gazetteer
A gazetteer is a geographical dictionary or directory, an important reference for information about places and place names , used in conjunction with a map or a full atlas. It typically contains information concerning the geographical makeup of a country, region, or continent as well as the social...
by J. H. French, Published by R. Pearsall Smith, Syracuse, N. Y. 1860:
- Richfield was formed from [the Town of] OtsegoOtsego, New YorkOtsego is a town in Otsego County, New York, United States. The population was 3,904 at the 2000 census. The town is named after a lake on its border.The Town of Otsego is in the north central part of the county.- History :...
, 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...
on April 10, 1792. [The towns of] ExeterExeter, New YorkExeter is a town in Otsego County, New York, United States. The town is located in the norther part of the county. The population was 954 at the 2000 census...
and PlainfieldPlainfield, New YorkPlainfield is a town in Otsego County, New York, United States. The population was 986 at the 2000 census.The Town of Plainfield is located in the northwest corner of Otsego County.- History :...
were taken off in 1799. It is the extreme northern town of the county. Its surface is rolling and moderately hilly, with a mean elevation of 150 to 200 ft. above Schuyler Lake [now Canadarago LakeCanadarago LakeCanadarago Lake is the second largest lake in Otsego County, New York, USA, lying to the west of and parallel to the larger Otsego Lake.The lake's name is also spelled "Candajarago Lake" or "Caniadaraga Lake".- Bordering areas :...
], which lies in the southeast corner of the town and occupies a deep valley, into which flow several small streams from the north and west. The soil is of a diversified character, consisting of gravel, slate, clay, and sandy loam, well cultivated and productive. About 500,000 pounds of cheese are made in the town annually, — being more than double that made in any other town in the county. Richfield SpringsRichfield Springs, New YorkRichfield Springs is a village located in the Town of Richfield, on the north-central border of Otsego County, New York. The population was 1,255 at the 2000 census. The name is derived from some local sulfur springs....
(p.v.Postal villageA postal village is generally a community, settlement, or hamlet that has a post office and is designated as such by the postal administration. It may be seen as a rural neighbourhood....
), near the head of Schuyler Lake, in the northeast corner of the town, contains 3 churches, a flouring mill, and 368 inhabitants.1 Monticello, (Richfield p.o.,) near the center, contains a church and 139 inhabitants. Mayflower is a post office. Brighton contains about 15 houses. Settlements were made prior to the Revolution; but they were broken up during the war. The first settlers after the war were John Kimball, Richard and Wm. Pray, John Beardsley, Joseph Coats, and Seth Allen, in 1787.2 The first church (Prot. E.) was formed at Monticello, May 20, 1799; Rev. Daniel Nash was the first preacher.3
- 1 Richfield Springs — from which the village derives its name — are celebrated for their medicinal properties in the cure of cutaneous disorders and large numbers of invalids are annually attracted here. Professor Reid has given the following as the result of an analysis of a wine gallonWine gallonA wine gallon is a unit of capacity that was used routinely in England as far back as the 14th century, and by statute under Queen Anne since 1707. Britain abandoned the wine gallon in 1826 when it adopted imperial units for measurement...
of the water of these springs:- Grains. Bicarbonate of magnesia 20
- Bicarbonate of lime 10
- Chloride of sodium and magnesia 1.05
- Sulphate of magnesia 30
- Hydrosulfate of magnesia and lime 2
- Sulphate of lime 20
- Solid matter 153.05
- Total Grains 236.10
- Sulphurated hydrogen gas, 26.9 inches.
- 2 Willam Tunnicliff, Dan'l Hawks, John Hatch, Ebenezor Eaton, and Jos. Rockwell settled at or near Richfield Springs in 1789; Obadiah Beardsley and his son Obadiah, jr., the father and grandfather of the late Levi Beardsley, and Hon. Samuel Beardsley, of Utica settled near Schuylers Lake in 1790. The first birth was that of Jos. Beardsley; and the first marriage, that of Ebenezer Russell and Mrs. Moore. James S. Palmer taught the first school at Richfield Springs; Israel Rawson kept the first inn, and Cyrus Robinson the first store, at the Springs; William Tunnicliff erected the first mill, at the same place.
- 3 The census reports 7 churches; 3 M. E., 2 Prot. E., Presb., and Univ.
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 32.4 square miles (83.9 km²), of which, 30.9 square miles (80 km²) of it is land and 1.5 square miles (3.9 km²) of it (4.72%) is water.
The north town line is the border of Herkimer County
Herkimer County, New York
Herkimer County is a county located in the U.S. state of New York. It was created in 1791 north of the Mohawk River out of part of Montgomery County. As of the 2010 census, the population was 64,519. It is named after General Nicholas Herkimer, who died from battle wounds in 1777 after taking part...
. The north end of Canadarago Lake
Canadarago Lake
Canadarago Lake is the second largest lake in Otsego County, New York, USA, lying to the west of and parallel to the larger Otsego Lake.The lake's name is also spelled "Candajarago Lake" or "Caniadaraga Lake".- Bordering areas :...
is in the eastern part of the town. Hyder Creek enters the lake from the west. Ocquionus Creek flows into the lake from the north, passing through Richfield Springs.
New York State Route 28
New York State Route 28
New York State Route 28 is a state highway extending for in the shape of a "C" between the Hudson Valley city of Kingston and southern Warren County in the U.S. state of New York. Along the way, it intersects several major routes, including Interstate 88 , U.S. Route 20 , and the...
is a north-south highway passing the west shore of Canadarago Lake. NY-28 intersects US Route 20 at Richfield Springs.
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 2,423 people, 968 households, and 641 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 78.4 people per square mile (30.3/km²). There were 1,296 housing units at an average density of 41.9 per square mile (16.2/km²). The racial makeup of the town was 97.48% White, 0.37% African American, 0.41% Native American, 0.45% Asian, 0.33% Pacific Islander, 0.04% 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 0.91% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.37% of the population.
There were 968 households out of which 26.9% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 53.6% 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, 8.5% had a female householder with no husband present, and 33.7% were non-families. 27.4% of all households were made up of individuals and 14.9% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.47 and the average family size was 3.02.
In the town the population was spread out with 23.1% under the age of 18, 7.0% from 18 to 24, 23.9% from 25 to 44, 25.1% from 45 to 64, and 20.9% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 42 years. For every 100 females there were 92.3 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 89.0 males.
The median income for a household in the town was $32,784, and the median income for a family was $41,050. Males had a median income of $29,479 versus $21,518 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 $16,723. About 9.3% of families and 13.4% of the population were below the poverty line, including 22.0% of those under age 18 and 9.6% of those age 65 or over.
Communities and locations in Richfield
- Brighton (or "Brighton Corners") – 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 northern part of the town, located on US-20, west of Richfield Springs. - Dogtown – A hamlet near the south town line of Richfield on County Route 24, located on Hyder Creek.
- Federal Corners – A location east of Richfield Springs.
- Hawk Hill – An elevation near Dogtown.
- Richfield (formerly called "Monticello") – A hamlet southwest of Richfield Springs on Country Route 25 at the intersection of County Road 24. .
- Richfield SpringsRichfield Springs, New YorkRichfield Springs is a village located in the Town of Richfield, on the north-central border of Otsego County, New York. The population was 1,255 at the 2000 census. The name is derived from some local sulfur springs....
– The Village of Richfield Springs is in the northeast section of the town at the junction of US-20 and NY-28, north of Canadarago Lake.