Ulysses, New York
Encyclopedia
Ulysses is a town
located in northwest Tompkins County
, New York
, U.S.
. The population was 4,900 at the 2010 census. The town was named after the hero of the Odyssey
.
The Town of Ulysses is northwest of the city of Ithaca
and is in the northwest part of Tompkins County.
Taughannock Falls, the highest waterfall in the state, is in Ulysses in Taughannock Falls State Park
. The falls drop 215 feet (65.5 m), farther than Niagara Falls
, making Taughannock Falls one of the highest waterfalls east of the Rocky Mountains
.
Much of the town is devoted to dairy farms and fruit orchards, but the proximity to Ithaca has also brought a large number of professionals, academics and artists to the town.
, Ulysses has a total area of 36.8 square miles (95.3 km²), of which 33 square miles (85.5 km²) is land and 3.9 square miles (10.1 km²), or 10.48%, is water.
The eastern town line is at Cayuga Lake
, one of the Finger Lakes
. The town's northern boundary line is the border of Seneca County
.
New York State Route 89
is a north-south highway near Cayuga Lake. New York State Route 96
is a northwest to southeast highway through the town.
, which was used to pay soldiers of the American Revolution
. It was named by Robert Harpur
in 1790 for the hero of Homer
's Odyssey
. The town was first settled around 1790.
The town once contained the towns of Dryden
(est. 1803), Enfield
(est. 1821) and Ithaca
(est. 1821 and named for Ulysses' home in ancient Greece). Ulysses was organized in 1794 while still a part of Onondaga County
. The village of Trumansburg
, the main settlement in Ulysses, was started by Abner Treman in 1792.
of 2000, there were 4,775 people, 1,986 households, and 1,314 families residing in the town. The population density
was 144.8 people per square mile (55.9/km²). There were 2,198 housing units at an average density of 66.6 per square mile (25.7/km²). The racial makeup of the town was 96.50% White, 1.11% African American, 0.10% Native American, 0.77% Asian, 0.02% Pacific Islander, 0.38% from other races
, and 1.11% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.17% of the population.
There were 1,986 households out of which 32.4% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 53.0% were married couples
living together, 9.1% had a female householder with no husband present, and 33.8% were non-families. 27.5% of all households were made up of individuals and 11.2% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.37 and the average family size was 2.89.
Age demographics show that 24.7% are under the age of 18, 5.5% from 18 to 24, 25.7% from 25 to 44, 29.5% from 45 to 64, and 14.6% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 42 years. For every 100 females there were 90.8 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 87.0 males.
The median income for a household in the town was $45,066, and the median income for a family was $54,167. Males had a median income of $36,313 versus $26,810 for females. The per capita income
for the town was $22,516. About 4.3% of families and 7.0% of the population were below the poverty line, including 7.8% of those under age 18 and 6.1% 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...
located in northwest Tompkins County
Tompkins County, New York
Tompkins County is a county located in the U.S. state of New York, and comprises the whole of the Ithaca metropolitan area. As of the 2010 census, the population was 101,564. The county seat is Ithaca, and the county is home to Cornell University, Ithaca College and Tompkins Cortland Community...
, 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...
, U.S.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
. The population was 4,900 at the 2010 census. The town was named after the hero of the Odyssey
Odyssey
The Odyssey is one of two major ancient Greek epic poems attributed to Homer. It is, in part, a sequel to the Iliad, the other work ascribed to Homer. The poem is fundamental to the modern Western canon, and is the second—the Iliad being the first—extant work of Western literature...
.
The Town of Ulysses is northwest of the city of Ithaca
Ithaca, New York
The city of Ithaca, is a city in upstate New York and the county seat of Tompkins County, as well as the largest community in the Ithaca-Tompkins County metropolitan area...
and is in the northwest part of Tompkins County.
Taughannock Falls, the highest waterfall in the state, is in Ulysses in Taughannock Falls State Park
Taughannock Falls State Park
Taughannock Falls State Park is located in the Town of Ulysses in Tompkins County, New York, in the United States. The park is northwest of Ithaca near Trumansburg, New York...
. The falls drop 215 feet (65.5 m), farther than Niagara Falls
Niagara Falls
The Niagara Falls, located on the Niagara River draining Lake Erie into Lake Ontario, is the collective name for the Horseshoe Falls and the adjacent American Falls along with the comparatively small Bridal Veil Falls, which combined form the highest flow rate of any waterfalls in the world and has...
, making Taughannock Falls one of the highest waterfalls east of the Rocky Mountains
Rocky Mountains
The Rocky Mountains are a major mountain range in western North America. The Rocky Mountains stretch more than from the northernmost part of British Columbia, in western Canada, to New Mexico, in the southwestern United States...
.
Much of the town is devoted to dairy farms and fruit orchards, but the proximity to Ithaca has also brought a large number of professionals, academics and artists to the town.
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...
, Ulysses has a total area of 36.8 square miles (95.3 km²), of which 33 square miles (85.5 km²) is land and 3.9 square miles (10.1 km²), or 10.48%, is water.
The eastern town line is at Cayuga Lake
Cayuga Lake
Cayuga Lake is the longest of central New York's glacial Finger Lakes, and is the second largest in surface area and second largest in volume. It is just under 40 miles long. Its average width is 1.7 miles , and it is at its widest point near Aurora...
, one of the Finger Lakes
Finger Lakes
The Finger Lakes are a pattern of lakes in the west-central section of Upstate New York in the United States. They are a popular tourist destination. The lakes are long and thin , each oriented roughly on a north-south axis. The two longest, Cayuga Lake and Seneca Lake, are among the deepest in...
. The town's northern boundary line is the border of Seneca County
Seneca County, New York
As of the census of 2000, there were 33,342 people, 12,630 households, and 8,626 families residing in the county. The population density was 103 people per square mile . There were 14,794 housing units at an average density of 46 per square mile...
.
New York State Route 89
New York State Route 89
New York State Route 89 is a north–south state highway in central New York in the United States. It extends for from an intersection with NY 13, NY 34, and NY 96 in the Tompkins County city of Ithaca to an interchange with NY 104 in the Wayne County town of town of Wolcott...
is a north-south highway near Cayuga Lake. New York State Route 96
New York State Route 96
New York State Route 96 is a northwest–southeast state highway in the Finger Lakes region of New York in the United States. The southern terminus of the route is at an interchange with NY 17 in the Southern Tier village of Owego, Tioga County. Its northern terminus is at a junction with...
is a northwest to southeast highway through the town.
History
Ulysses is located in the former Central New York Military TractCentral New York Military Tract
The Military Tract of Central New York, also called the New Military Tract, consisted of nearly two million acres of bounty land set aside to compensate New York’s soldiers after their participation in the Revolutionary War....
, which was used to pay soldiers of the American Revolution
American Revolution
The American Revolution was the political upheaval during the last half of the 18th century in which thirteen colonies in North America joined together to break free from the British Empire, combining to become the United States of America...
. It was named by Robert Harpur
Robert Harpur
Robert Harpur was an American teacher, politician, pioneer, and landowner who settled in the Binghamton, New York area.-Life:...
in 1790 for the hero of Homer
Homer
In the Western classical tradition Homer , is the author of the Iliad and the Odyssey, and is revered as the greatest ancient Greek epic poet. These epics lie at the beginning of the Western canon of literature, and have had an enormous influence on the history of literature.When he lived is...
's Odyssey
Odyssey
The Odyssey is one of two major ancient Greek epic poems attributed to Homer. It is, in part, a sequel to the Iliad, the other work ascribed to Homer. The poem is fundamental to the modern Western canon, and is the second—the Iliad being the first—extant work of Western literature...
. The town was first settled around 1790.
The town once contained the towns of Dryden
Dryden (town), New York
Dryden is a town in Tompkins County, New York, USA. The population was 13,532 at the 2000 census. The town contains two villages: one also named Dryden and one named Freeville...
(est. 1803), Enfield
Enfield, New York
Enfield is a town in Tompkins County, New York, United States. The population was 3,369 at the 2000 census.The Town of Enfield is located on the western border of the county and is west of Ithaca.- History :...
(est. 1821) and Ithaca
Ithaca (town), New York
Ithaca is a town in Tompkins County, New York, United States. The population was 18,198 at the 2000 census.The Town of Ithaca is a horseshoe-shaped portion of the metropolitan area of Ithaca, New York. It surrounds the City of Ithaca and is the City's only border, although the City has a...
(est. 1821 and named for Ulysses' home in ancient Greece). Ulysses was organized in 1794 while still a part of Onondaga County
Onondaga County, New York
Onondaga County is a county located in the U.S. state of New York. As of the 2010 census, the population was 467,026. The county seat is Syracuse.Onondaga County is part of the Syracuse, NY Metropolitan Statistical Area....
. The village of Trumansburg
Trumansburg, New York
Trumansburg is a village in Tompkins County, New York, United States. The population was 1,581 at the 2000 census. The name is a variant spelling of the surname of the founder, Abner Treman...
, the main settlement in Ulysses, was started by Abner Treman in 1792.
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 4,775 people, 1,986 households, and 1,314 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 144.8 people per square mile (55.9/km²). There were 2,198 housing units at an average density of 66.6 per square mile (25.7/km²). The racial makeup of the town was 96.50% White, 1.11% African American, 0.10% Native American, 0.77% Asian, 0.02% Pacific Islander, 0.38% 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 1.11% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.17% of the population.
There were 1,986 households out of which 32.4% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 53.0% 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, 9.1% had a female householder with no husband present, and 33.8% were non-families. 27.5% of all households were made up of individuals and 11.2% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.37 and the average family size was 2.89.
Age demographics show that 24.7% are under the age of 18, 5.5% from 18 to 24, 25.7% from 25 to 44, 29.5% from 45 to 64, and 14.6% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 42 years. For every 100 females there were 90.8 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 87.0 males.
The median income for a household in the town was $45,066, and the median income for a family was $54,167. Males had a median income of $36,313 versus $26,810 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 $22,516. About 4.3% of families and 7.0% of the population were below the poverty line, including 7.8% of those under age 18 and 6.1% of those age 65 or over.
Communities and locations in Ulysses
- Christian Hill – A location on the south town line by the southeast corner of Ulysses.
- DuBoise Corner – 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...
near Cayuga Lake in the southeast part of the town. - Halseyville – A hamlet, named after the Halsey family, early settlers, southeast of Trumansburg.
- Jacksonville – A hamlet previously named "Harlows Corners" and "Van Cortland Village," prior to being renamed after Andrew JacksonAndrew JacksonAndrew Jackson was the seventh President of the United States . Based in frontier Tennessee, Jackson was a politician and army general who defeated the Creek Indians at the Battle of Horseshoe Bend , and the British at the Battle of New Orleans...
. It is southeast of Trumansburg on NY-96. - Krum's Corner – A hamlet, named after the Krum family, early settlers, in the southeast part of the town on NY-96.
- Perry City – A hamlet founded by The Religious Society of FriendsReligious Society of FriendsThe Religious Society of Friends, or Friends Church, is a Christian movement which stresses the doctrine of the priesthood of all believers. Members are known as Friends, or popularly as Quakers. It is made of independent organisations, which have split from one another due to doctrinal differences...
(Quakers), and still home to the original Quaker Meeting House. The community is just past the west town line. - PodunkPodunk, Ulysses, New YorkPodunk is an old hamlet located along Taughannock Creek in the town of Ulysses, just south of Trumansburg, Tompkins County, New York State.-External links:*...
– A hamlet named after the sound of water passing over a mill wheel. It is located south of Trumansburg. Here is an external link to Podunk. - Taughannock Creek – A stream flowing through the state park and forming a waterfallWaterfallA waterfall is a place where flowing water rapidly drops in elevation as it flows over a steep region or a cliff.-Formation:Waterfalls are commonly formed when a river is young. At these times the channel is often narrow and deep. When the river courses over resistant bedrock, erosion happens...
. - Taughannock Falls – (1) One of the highest single-drop waterfalls East of the Rocky MountainsRocky MountainsThe Rocky Mountains are a major mountain range in western North America. The Rocky Mountains stretch more than from the northernmost part of British Columbia, in western Canada, to New Mexico, in the southwestern United States...
, (2) A hamlet southeast of Trumansburg. - Taughannock Falls State ParkTaughannock Falls State ParkTaughannock Falls State Park is located in the Town of Ulysses in Tompkins County, New York, in the United States. The park is northwest of Ithaca near Trumansburg, New York...
– A state parkState parkState parks are parks or other protected areas managed at the federated state level within those nations which use "state" as a political subdivision. State parks are typically established by a state to preserve a location on account of its natural beauty, historic interest, or recreational...
in the northeast corner of the town. - Taughannock Point – A projection into Cayuga Lake in the northeast corner of the town.
- TrumansburgTrumansburg, New YorkTrumansburg is a village in Tompkins County, New York, United States. The population was 1,581 at the 2000 census. The name is a variant spelling of the surname of the founder, Abner Treman...
– The Village of Trumansburg is in the northwest part of the town on NY-96. - Waterburg – A hamlet south of Trumansburg.
- Willow Creek – An area surrounding Willow Creek (A stream flowing into Cayuga Lake), which feeds into Cayuga Lake at Goodwin's Point (current site of Taughannock Falls State Park). The 'neighborhood' consists of the entirety of Gorge Road, Kraft Road, Garrett Road, Houghton Road, Albrectson Road, and Willow Creek Road. Also, portions of Duboise Road (from Perry City to Kraft Roads), Krums Corners Road (from Duboise Road to Smith Farm), Agard Road (from Taughannock Blvd. to Jacksonville Road), Jacksonville Road (from Kraft Road to Gorge Road), and Taughannock Blvd (from Garrett Road to Gorge Road). Residents in the neighborhood have held an annual community picnic at Taughannock Falls State Park since 1950.
