Lancaster (town), New York Article Index for
Lancaster
Website Links For
Lancaster
 

Information About

Lancaster (town), New York






Lancaster is a Town located in Erie County , New York , USA . As of the 2000 census, the town had a total population of 39,019.

The Town of Lancaster has a village also called Lancaster . The Town and Village are currently exploring consolidation of governmental functions.


HISTORY

In 1803 the Holland Land Company sold its first plot of land in the future town. The Town of Lancaster was formed from the Town of Clarence, New York in 1833 . Some believe the town is named after Lancaster in Great Britain , but the reason for applying this name is not known.

In 1857 part of the town was taken to form the Town Of Elma .

Beginning in early 1990's, the town entered a period of rapid growth.

In 2003 , the town and village police departments merged.

An addition that was added to the Middle school was finished in 2005.


GEOGRAPHY

According to the United States Census Bureau , the town has a total area of 98.2 Km&2 (37.9 Mi&2 ). 98.0 km&2 (37.8 mi&2) of it is land and 0.2 km&2 (0.1 mi&2) of it is water. The total area is 0.16% water.

The town is located on the western side of Erie County and is east of the city of Buffalo, New York .

Cayuga Creek flows across the town to the west. The west town line is marked by New York State Route 78 .


Adjacent towns and areas

The Town Of Clarence is to the north, and the Town Of Elma is on the south. The Town Of Alden is on the east, and the Town Of Cheektowaga is on the west. The Village of Depew is also on the West.


DEMOGRAPHICS

As of the Census 2 of 2000, there were 39,019 people, 15,053 households, and 10,506 families residing in the town. The Population Density was 398.1/km&2 (1,031.1/mi&2). There were 15,627 housing units at an average density of 159.5/km&2 (413.0/mi&2). The racial makeup of the town was 98.00% White , 0.81% Black or African American , 0.18% Native American , 0.39% Asian , 0.01% Pacific Islander , 0.12% from Other Races , and 0.50% from two or more races. 0.67% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There were 15,053 households out of which 33.1% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 58.3% were Married Couples living together, 8.5% had a female householder with no husband present, and 30.2% were non-families. 26.0% of all households were made up of individuals and 11.0% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.55 and the average family size was 3.11.

In the town the population was spread out with 25.1% under the age of 18, 6.5% from 18 to 24, 31.3% from 25 to 44, 22.8% from 45 to 64, and 14.3% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 38 years. For every 100 females there were 93.8 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 90.1 males.

The median income for a household in the town was $48,990, and the median income for a family was $59,712. Males had a median income of $41,501 versus $28,049 for females. The Per Capita Income for the town was $21,723. 3.9% of the population and 2.5% of families were below the Poverty Line . 3.6% of those under the age of 18 and 5.7% of those 65 and older were living below the poverty line.


COMMUNITIES AND LOCATIONS IN THE TOWN OF LANCASTER

  • Bowmansville -- A small Hamlet in the northeast corner of the town, located near Genesee Street (Route 33) and Transit Road (Route 78). Ellicott Creek flows through the hamlet, which took its name from early settler Benjamin Bowman.

  • Cayuga Creek -- A stream flowing westward through the town.

  • Depew -- Part of the Village of Depew is in the eastern part of the town.

  • East Lancaster -- A location east of Lancaster village on Broadway (Route 20)

  • Ellicott Creek -- A stream flowing westward through the town, named after Joseph Ellicott .

  • Lancaster - The Village of Lancaster is in the west part of the town.

  • Town Line -- A hamlet on Lancaster's eastern town line.

  • Town Line Station -- A location on the eastern town line, north of Town Line.



EDUCATION

The town is home to Lancaster High School and the other schools of the Lancaster Central School System , as well as a number of private schools, most notably St. Mary's High School .


EXTERNAL LINKS

  • [http://www.lancasterny.com/ Official town website]

  • [http://www.erie.gov/lancaster/directory.asp Lancaster information]

  • [http://history.rays-place.com/ny/lancaster-ny.htm Lancaster history]

  • [http://www.greatschools.net/modperl/bycity/ny/?city=Lancaster&showall=1&level=a Lancaster school information]