Canajoharie (town), New York
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Canajoharie is a town in Montgomery County, New York, USA. The population was 3,797 at the 2000 census. The town means "kettle-shaped hole in the rocks" in the local Native American language.
The Town of Canajoharie is located south of the Mohawk River on the south border of the county. There is a village of Canajoharie in the town. The Erie Canal passes along the north town line.
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[edit] History
The region was formerly the site of a village of the Mohawk tribe of the Iroquois and a school for the members was established around the middle of the 18th Century. The native name, "Gana-jo-hi-e," means a "pot that washes itself," referring to a local hole in the Canajoharie Creek bed.
The town was first settled around 1730, and was originally a district in the former Tryon County. The town was formed in 1788, but was reduced to form the Towns of Minden and Root. Many citizens were killed or wounded at the Battle of Oriskany.
The population of the town in 1865 was 4,248.
[edit] Geography
According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 111.6 km² (43.1 mi²). 111.1 km² (42.9 mi²) of it is land and 0.5 km² (0.2 mi²) of it (0.46%) is water.
The south town line is the border of Schoharie County and the north town line is defined by the Mohawk River. The New York State Thruway crosses the northern part of the town, following the river.
[edit] Demographics
As of the census2 of 2000, there were 3,797 people, 1,492 households, and 1,026 families residing in the town. The population density was 34.2/km² (88.5/mi²). There were 1,637 housing units at an average density of 14.7/km² (38.2/mi²). The racial makeup of the town was 97.02% White, 0.63% Black or African American, 0.40% Native American, 0.50% Asian, 0.32% from other races, and 1.13% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.13% of the population.
There were 1,492 households out of which 33.2% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 53.0% were married couples living together, 11.3% had a female householder with no husband present, and 31.2% were non-families. 26.1% of all households were made up of individuals and 12.2% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.52 and the average family size was 3.00.
In the town the population was spread out with 26.3% under the age of 18, 7.5% from 18 to 24, 25.8% from 25 to 44, 23.7% from 45 to 64, and 16.8% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 39 years. For every 100 females there were 94.1 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 91.0 males.
The median income for a household in the town was $31,701, and the median income for a family was $39,646. Males had a median income of $29,107 versus $22,617 for females. The per capita income for the town was $16,702. About 11.0% of families and 11.3% of the population were below the poverty line, including 17.8% of those under age 18 and 3.3% of those age 65 or over.
[edit] Communities and locations in the Town of Canajoharie
- Ames -- The Village of Ames in the south part of the town on Route 10.
- Buel -- A hamlet in the southwest part of the town.
- Canajoharie -- The Village of Canajoharie is in the north part of the town on the Mohawk River.
- Fort Plain -- The Village of Fort Plain is partly in the town at the western town line.
- Mapleton -- A location near the east town line.
- Marshville -- A hamlet south of Canajoharie village on Route 10.
- Sprout Brook -- A hamlet in the southwest part of the town.
- Van Deusenville -- A hamlet near the town line in the southwest part of the town.
- Waterville -- A hamlet northeast of Ames.
