Wales, New York
Encyclopedia
Wales 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
.
.
Originally a farming community, the town of Wales is documented through profiles of its churches, civic organizations, businesses, and individual citizens. Established in 1818, the town of 3,000 residents is located in a scenic area of Erie County amid woodlands and streams. Town boards over the years have been respectful of the residents' desire to maintain a small-town atmosphere and quality of life, and the transition to modern life has emphasized small, family-oriented businesses. Personal commitment and a spirit of volunteerism have prevailed in the community, as evidenced by its many interactive organizations.
, the town has a total area of 35.6 square miles (92.2 km²), of which 35.6 square miles (92.2 km²) is land and 0.04 square mile (0.1035995244 km²) (0.11%) is water.
The east town line is the border of Wyoming County
.
New York State Route 400
passes through the southwest part of the town.
of 2000, there were 2,960 people, 1,116 households, and 841 families residing in the town. The population density
was 83.1 people per square mile (32.1/km²). There were 1,165 housing units at an average density of 32.7/sq mi (12.6/km²). The racial makeup of the town was 98.58% White, 0.10% African American, 0.37% Native American, 0.37% Asian, 0.20% from other races
, and 0.37% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.74% of the population.
There were 1,116 households out of which 34.6% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 64.3% were married couples
living together, 7.2% had a female householder with no husband present, and 24.6% were non-families. 19.8% of all households were made up of individuals and 8.2% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.65 and the average family size was 3.07.
In the town the population was spread out with 24.9% under the age of 18, 6.4% from 18 to 24, 29.3% from 25 to 44, 27.8% from 45 to 64, and 11.6% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 39 years. For every 100 females there were 98.1 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 97.9 males.
The median income for a household in the town was $51,486, and the median income for a family was $59,350. Males had a median income of $40,125 versus $29,737 for females. The per capita income
for the town was $21,616. About 2.1% of families and 3.6% of the population were below the poverty line, including 4.0% of those under age 18 and 3.5% of those age 65 or over.
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 town is one of the "Southtowns" of Erie County by virtue of its position in the southeast part of the county, southeast 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...
.
History of Wales
The town was formed in 1818 from the Town of WillinkWillink, New York
Willink, New York is a former town in Western New York, USA. The name was derived from Willem Willink, one of the original investors of the Holland Land Company....
.
Originally a farming community, the town of Wales is documented through profiles of its churches, civic organizations, businesses, and individual citizens. Established in 1818, the town of 3,000 residents is located in a scenic area of Erie County amid woodlands and streams. Town boards over the years have been respectful of the residents' desire to maintain a small-town atmosphere and quality of life, and the transition to modern life has emphasized small, family-oriented businesses. Personal commitment and a spirit of volunteerism have prevailed in the community, as evidenced by its many interactive organizations.
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 35.6 square miles (92.2 km²), of which 35.6 square miles (92.2 km²) is land and 0.04 square mile (0.1035995244 km²) (0.11%) is water.
The east town line is the border of Wyoming County
Wyoming County, New York
Wyoming County is a county located in the U.S. state of New York. At the 2010 census, the population was 42,155. The county seat is Warsaw. The name is from a modified Delaware Indian word meaning "broad bottom lands"...
.
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...
passes through the southwest part of the town.
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 2,960 people, 1,116 households, and 841 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 83.1 people per square mile (32.1/km²). There were 1,165 housing units at an average density of 32.7/sq mi (12.6/km²). The racial makeup of the town was 98.58% White, 0.10% African American, 0.37% Native American, 0.37% Asian, 0.20% 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 0.37% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.74% of the population.
There were 1,116 households out of which 34.6% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 64.3% 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, 7.2% had a female householder with no husband present, and 24.6% were non-families. 19.8% of all households were made up of individuals and 8.2% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.65 and the average family size was 3.07.
In the town the population was spread out with 24.9% under the age of 18, 6.4% from 18 to 24, 29.3% from 25 to 44, 27.8% from 45 to 64, and 11.6% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 39 years. For every 100 females there were 98.1 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 97.9 males.
The median income for a household in the town was $51,486, and the median income for a family was $59,350. Males had a median income of $40,125 versus $29,737 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 $21,616. About 2.1% of families and 3.6% of the population were below the poverty line, including 4.0% of those under age 18 and 3.5% of those age 65 or over.
Communities and locations in Wales
- 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 northward through the town. - Colgrave – A location on Centerline Road in the western part of the town.
- Goodleburg CemeteryGoodleburg CemeteryGoodleburg Cemetery is a cemetery located in Wales, New York. It is an old, inactive village lot whose use has been discontinued. Many of the original settlers of Wales and the surrounding areas are buried here.- History :...
– An unused cemetery located in the town. - South WalesSouth Wales, New YorkSouth Wales, New York is an unincorporated hamlet in the towns of Aurora and Wales in Erie County, New York, USA. WGRZ's broadcast tower and in-house weather radar are based in the hamlet.-References:...
– A hamlet on the border of the 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...
in the southeast part of Wales. This community lies at the south end of NY-400 on NY-16 and is the home of the The Gow SchoolThe Gow SchoolThe Gow School is an independent boarding school for boys, grades 7-12, diagnosed with dyslexia and other learning disabilities. Located in South Wales, New York, near Buffalo, New York, United States the school was founded in 1926 by educator Peter Gow, Jr., along with insight from his colleague,...
. - Wales Center – A hamlet near the northern town border.
- Wales HollowWales Hollow, New YorkWales Hollow, New York is an unincorporated hamlet in the town of Wales in Erie County, New York, USA.-References:...
(or "Woods Hollow") – A location near the town's western edge.