Varick, New York
Encyclopedia
Varick is a town
in Seneca County
, New York
, United States
. The population was 1,729 at the 2000 census. The town is named after Richard Varick
, an officer in the American Revolution
, mayor of New York City
, and uncle of the first Town Supervisor, Anthony Dey.
The Town of Varick is located in the central part of the county and is southeast of Geneva
, New York
.
and Seneca
tribes of the Iroquois Confederacy before European settlement. Jesuits made missionary visits from 1656 to 1684.
The Sullivan Expedition
of 1779 passed through the town to destroy villages of the Cayuga
and Seneca
tribes. After the American Revolution
, most of the current Town of Varick was placed in the Central New York Military Tract
(1788), land reserved for veterans, with an eastern part in the Cayuga Indian Reservation (1790 until 1795). White settlement followed.
The town was formed from the Town of Romulus
in 1830.
During World War II
, a large part of the town was appropriated by the US Government to form the Seneca Army Depot
(1941–2001), which was a major employer and the only large industry.
, the town has a total area of 45.6 square miles (118.1 km²), of which, 32.3 square miles (83.7 km²) of it is land and 13.3 square miles (34.4 km²) of it (29.22%) is water.
The east town line, defined by Cayuga Lake
, is the border of Cayuga County
. The west town line, at Seneca Lake is the border of Ontario County
on the western shore of Seneca Lake. The town is in the Finger Lakes
Region of New York.
New York State Route 89
, New York State Route 96
, New York State Route 96A
, and New York State Route 414
are all north-south highways in the town. New York State Route 336
is a short east-west state highway
mostly on the north town line.
of 2000, there were 1,729 people, 630 households, and 473 families residing in the town. The population density
was 53.6 people per square mile (20.7/km²). There were 840 housing units at an average density of 26.0 per square mile (10.0/km²). The racial makeup of the town was 98.26% White, 0.52% African American, 0.23% Native American, 0.12% Asian, 0.17% from other races
, and 0.69% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.69% of the population.
There were 630 households out of which 36.7% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 64.4% were married couples
living together, 7.6% had a female householder with no husband present, and 24.9% were non-families. 19.0% of all households were made up of individuals and 9.2% 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 3.13.
In the town the 2000 population distribution was 29.2% under the age of 18, 7.5% from 18 to 24, 24.5% from 25 to 44, 24.6% from 45 to 64, and 14.2% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 38 years. Compared to the national average, the 18 to 44 demographic was about half of what was expected. For every 100 females there were 99.4 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 99.0 males.
The median income for a household in the town was $40,110, and the median income for a family was $43,917. Males had a median income of $32,566 versus $28,636 for females. The per capita income
for the town was $18,164. About 6.6% of families and 10.1% of the population were below the poverty line, including 13.0% of those under age 18 and 6.9% of those age 65 or over.
The farmland in the eastern part of the town is now largely worked by Amish
farmers, and in the northern part by Mennonite
farmers. Farmland on the eastern slope to Cayuga Lake
is largely devoted to wine grapes.
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 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
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 1,729 at the 2000 census. The town is named after Richard Varick
Richard Varick
Richard Varick was an American lawyer and politician. He was born on 15 March 1753 at Hackensack in Bergen County, New Jersey, and he died on 30 July 1831 at Jersey City in Hudson County, New Jersey....
, an officer in 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...
, mayor of New York City
New York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
, and uncle of the first Town Supervisor, Anthony Dey.
The Town of Varick is located in the central part of the county and is southeast of Geneva
Geneva, New York
Geneva is a city in Ontario and Seneca counties in the U.S. state of New York. The population was 13,617 at the 2000 census. Some claim it is named after the city and canton of Geneva in Switzerland. Others believe the name came from confusion over the letters in the word "Seneca" written in cursive...
, 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...
.
History
The land that is now the Town of Varick was occupied by the CayugaCayuga nation
The Cayuga people was one of the five original constituents of the Haudenosaunee , a confederacy of American Indians in New York. The Cayuga homeland lay in the Finger Lakes region along Cayuga Lake, between their league neighbors, the Onondaga to the east and the Seneca to the west...
and Seneca
Seneca nation
The Seneca are a group of indigenous people native to North America. They were the nation located farthest to the west within the Six Nations or Iroquois League in New York before the American Revolution. While exact population figures are unknown, approximately 15,000 to 25,000 Seneca live in...
tribes of the Iroquois Confederacy before European settlement. Jesuits made missionary visits from 1656 to 1684.
The Sullivan Expedition
Sullivan Expedition
The Sullivan Expedition, also known as the Sullivan-Clinton Expedition, was an American campaign led by Major General John Sullivan and Brigadier General James Clinton against Loyalists and the four nations of the Iroquois who had sided with the British in the American Revolutionary War.The...
of 1779 passed through the town to destroy villages of the Cayuga
Cayuga nation
The Cayuga people was one of the five original constituents of the Haudenosaunee , a confederacy of American Indians in New York. The Cayuga homeland lay in the Finger Lakes region along Cayuga Lake, between their league neighbors, the Onondaga to the east and the Seneca to the west...
and Seneca
Seneca nation
The Seneca are a group of indigenous people native to North America. They were the nation located farthest to the west within the Six Nations or Iroquois League in New York before the American Revolution. While exact population figures are unknown, approximately 15,000 to 25,000 Seneca live in...
tribes. After 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...
, most of the current Town of Varick was placed in the Central New York Military Tract
Central 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....
(1788), land reserved for veterans, with an eastern part in the Cayuga Indian Reservation (1790 until 1795). White settlement followed.
The town was formed from the Town of Romulus
Romulus, New York
Romulus is a town in Seneca County, New York, United States. The population was 2,036 at the 2000 census. The town is named after the mythical founder of Rome, Romulus, a name assigned by a clerk with an interest in the classics...
in 1830.
During World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
, a large part of the town was appropriated by the US Government to form the Seneca Army Depot
Seneca Army Depot
The former Seneca Army Depot occupied 10,587 acres between Seneca Lake and Cayuga Lake in Seneca County, New York. It was used as a munitions storage and disposal facility by the United States Army from 1941 until the 1990s. The Depot was listed in the 1995 Base Realignment and Closure Commission...
(1941–2001), which was a major employer and the only large industry.
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 45.6 square miles (118.1 km²), of which, 32.3 square miles (83.7 km²) of it is land and 13.3 square miles (34.4 km²) of it (29.22%) is water.
The east town line, defined by 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...
, is the border of Cayuga County
Cayuga County, New York
Cayuga County is a county located in the U.S. state of New York. It was named for one of the tribes of Indians in the Iroquois Confederation. Its county seat is Auburn.- History :...
. The west town line, at Seneca Lake is the border of Ontario County
Ontario County, New York
As of the census of 2000, there were 100,224 people, 38,370 households, and 26,360 families residing in the county. The population density was 156 people per square mile . There were 42,647 housing units at an average density of 66 per square mile...
on the western shore of Seneca Lake. The town is in 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...
Region of New York.
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...
, 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...
, New York State Route 96A
New York State Route 96A
New York State Route 96A is a state highway in Seneca County, New York, in the United States. It is a north–south road between Seneca Lake and Cayuga Lake, two of the Finger Lakes. NY 96A is two lanes wide for most of its length, with the exception of the long four-lane divided highway...
, and New York State Route 414
New York State Route 414
New York State Route 414 is a north–south state highway in the Southern Tier and Finger Lakes regions of New York in the United States. It extends for from an intersection with NY 352 in the Steuben County city of Corning to a junction with NY 104 in the Wayne County town of Huron...
are all north-south highways in the town. New York State Route 336
New York State Route 336
New York State Route 336 is a short state highway in the Finger Lakes District of New York, USA. The highway is entirely within the Town of Fayette in Seneca County....
is a short east-west state highway
State highway
State highway, state road or state route can refer to one of three related concepts, two of them related to a state or provincial government in a country that is divided into states or provinces :#A...
mostly on the north town line.
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 1,729 people, 630 households, and 473 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 53.6 people per square mile (20.7/km²). There were 840 housing units at an average density of 26.0 per square mile (10.0/km²). The racial makeup of the town was 98.26% White, 0.52% African American, 0.23% Native American, 0.12% 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 0.69% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.69% of the population.
There were 630 households out of which 36.7% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 64.4% 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, 7.6% had a female householder with no husband present, and 24.9% were non-families. 19.0% of all households were made up of individuals and 9.2% 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 3.13.
In the town the 2000 population distribution was 29.2% under the age of 18, 7.5% from 18 to 24, 24.5% from 25 to 44, 24.6% from 45 to 64, and 14.2% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 38 years. Compared to the national average, the 18 to 44 demographic was about half of what was expected. For every 100 females there were 99.4 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 99.0 males.
The median income for a household in the town was $40,110, and the median income for a family was $43,917. Males had a median income of $32,566 versus $28,636 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 $18,164. About 6.6% of families and 10.1% of the population were below the poverty line, including 13.0% of those under age 18 and 6.9% of those age 65 or over.
The farmland in the eastern part of the town is now largely worked by Amish
Amish
The Amish , sometimes referred to as Amish Mennonites, are a group of Christian church fellowships that form a subgroup of the Mennonite churches...
farmers, and in the northern part by Mennonite
Mennonite
The Mennonites are a group of Christian Anabaptist denominations named after the Frisian Menno Simons , who, through his writings, articulated and thereby formalized the teachings of earlier Swiss founders...
farmers. Farmland on the eastern slope to 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...
is largely devoted to wine grapes.
Communities and locations in Varick
- East Varick – A hamlet on the shore of Cayuga Lake and NY-89. (153 residences on Cayuga Lake, of which about 20 are considered East Varick.
- Fayette – A hamlet straddling the Fayette town line on NY-414 (56 residences, one bar, one church).
- MacDougall – A former hamlet on the north town line on NY-336. (7 residences, one bar)
- McDuffie Town – A location near Cayuga Lake on County Road 128. (8 residences, one church)
- Romulus – A hamlet straddling the Romulus town line on NY-96. (73 residences, two churches, convenience store, post office)
- Seneca Army DepotSeneca Army DepotThe former Seneca Army Depot occupied 10,587 acres between Seneca Lake and Cayuga Lake in Seneca County, New York. It was used as a munitions storage and disposal facility by the United States Army from 1941 until the 1990s. The Depot was listed in the 1995 Base Realignment and Closure Commission...
– The north part of the former army supply depot is and institutional residence for youth. - Yale – A former railroad station on Yale Station Rd (CR 126), now farmland.
- East Lake Road – A densely developed residential area along the Seneca Lake shoreline (187 residences)
External links
- Town of Varick website
- Varick Comprehensive Plan Has extensive demographic and land use information, as well as detailed maps of development and resources.