Akron, New York
Encyclopedia
Akron, New York is a village
in Erie County
, New York
, United States
. The population was listed as 3,085 in the 2000 census. The name means a high place. It is part of the Buffalo
–Niagara Falls
Metropolitan Statistical Area
.
The Village of Akron is located in the Town of Newstead
on the west and north slopes of a hill. NY 93
passes through the village.
.
The site of the village was first settled around 1829, centered around Akron Falls, which provided water power. Akron became an incorporated village in 1849. The village absorbed the community of Fallkirk in its growth.
In 1880, the population of Akron was about 1,050. It was then an important cement
-producing center, due to local deposits of gypsum
. Besides production of cement, the village also produced cigars.
.
According to the United States Census Bureau
, the village has a total area of 2 square miles (5.2 km²), all land.
Akron is adjacent to the Tonawanda Reservation of the Seneca, but most of the reservation is in Genesee County. A small general aviation airport, Akron Airport, is on high ground on the eastern side of the village. Much of Akron Falls County Park is within the village. The falls are a feature of Murder Creek, which passes through the park and the village flowing in a northwesterly direction.
of 2000, there were 3,085 people, 1,313 households, and 839 families residing in the village. The population density
was 1,571.3 people per square mile (607.7/km²). There were 1,373 housing units at an average density of 699.3 per square mile (270.5/km²). The racial makeup of the village was 97.57% White, 0.39% African American, 1.39% Native American, 0.03% Asian, 0.13% from other races
, and 0.49% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.65% of the population.
There were 1,313 households out of which 28.8% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 48.8% were married couples
living together, 11.1% had a female householder with no husband present, and 36.1% were non-families. 31.3% of all households were made up of individuals and 18.1% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.34 and the average family size was 2.94.
In the village the population was spread out with 23.7% under the age of 18, 7.6% from 18 to 24, 27.4% from 25 to 44, 22.9% from 45 to 64, and 18.4% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 39 years. For every 100 females there were 87.4 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 82.9 males.
The median income for a household in the village was $35,313, and the median income for a family was $48,083. Males had a median income of $33,250 versus $24,327 for females. The per capita income
for the village was $17,712. About 4.9% of families and 8.2% of the population were below the poverty line, including 7.0% of those under age 18 and 8.8% of those age 65 or over.
Village
A village is a clustered human settlement or community, larger than a hamlet with the population ranging from a few hundred to a few thousand , Though often located in rural areas, the term urban village is also applied to certain urban neighbourhoods, such as the West Village in Manhattan, New...
in Erie County
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 population was listed as 3,085 in the 2000 census. The name means a high place. It is part of the 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...
–Niagara Falls
Niagara Falls, New York
Niagara Falls is a city in Niagara County, New York, United States. As of the 2010 census, the city had a total population of 50,193, down from the 55,593 recorded in the 2000 census. It is across the Niagara River from Niagara Falls, Ontario , both named after the famed Niagara Falls which they...
Metropolitan Statistical Area
Buffalo-Niagara Falls metropolitan area
The Buffalo-Niagara Falls Metropolitan Statistical Area is a metropolitan area, designated by the United States Census Bureau, encompassing two counties – Erie and Niagara – in Western New York, with a population, as of the 2010 census, of 1,135,509 inhabitants...
.
The Village of Akron is located in the Town of Newstead
Newstead, New York
Newstead is the most northeastern town in Erie County, New York, United States. The population was 8,404 at the 2000 census. The name is reportedly derived from Newstead Abbey in England....
on the west and north slopes of a hill. NY 93
New York State Route 93
New York State Route 93 is a state highway in western New York in the United States. It runs in a northwest–southeast direction between NY 18F near the Niagara River in the village of Youngstown and NY 5 just south of the village of Akron...
passes through the village.
History
The village was developed after land was purchased from local Native AmericansNative Americans in the United States
Native Americans in the United States are the indigenous peoples in North America within the boundaries of the present-day continental United States, parts of Alaska, and the island state of Hawaii. They are composed of numerous, distinct tribes, states, and ethnic groups, many of which survive as...
.
The site of the village was first settled around 1829, centered around Akron Falls, which provided water power. Akron became an incorporated village in 1849. The village absorbed the community of Fallkirk in its growth.
In 1880, the population of Akron was about 1,050. It was then an important cement
Cement
In the most general sense of the word, a cement is a binder, a substance that sets and hardens independently, and can bind other materials together. The word "cement" traces to the Romans, who used the term opus caementicium to describe masonry resembling modern concrete that was made from crushed...
-producing center, due to local deposits of gypsum
Gypsum
Gypsum is a very soft sulfate mineral composed of calcium sulfate dihydrate, with the chemical formula CaSO4·2H2O. It is found in alabaster, a decorative stone used in Ancient Egypt. It is the second softest mineral on the Mohs Hardness Scale...
. Besides production of cement, the village also produced cigars.
Notable residents
- Dennis E. NolanDennis E. Nolan-External links:...
, born in Akron, was a career U.S. Army officer and headed the first modern American military combat intelligence function.
- Alex WebsterAlex WebsterAlex Webster is an American bass player, who is best known as a member of the American death metal band Cannibal Corpse. He is one of two current members who were of the original lineup of Cannibal Corpse, the other being drummer Paul Mazurkiewicz...
, musician
- Dick BeyerDick BeyerDick Beyer is a retired professional wrestler who is best known by his ring names, The Destroyer or Doctor X.-Early life:...
, former pro wrestler
Geography
Akron is located at 43°1′10"N 78°29′41"W (43.019309, -78.494644). The village is northeast of BuffaloBuffalo, 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...
.
According to the United States Census Bureau
United 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 village has a total area of 2 square miles (5.2 km²), all land.
Akron is adjacent to the Tonawanda Reservation of the Seneca, but most of the reservation is in Genesee County. A small general aviation airport, Akron Airport, is on high ground on the eastern side of the village. Much of Akron Falls County Park is within the village. The falls are a feature of Murder Creek, which passes through the park and the village flowing in a northwesterly direction.
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 3,085 people, 1,313 households, and 839 families residing in the village. 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 1,571.3 people per square mile (607.7/km²). There were 1,373 housing units at an average density of 699.3 per square mile (270.5/km²). The racial makeup of the village was 97.57% White, 0.39% African American, 1.39% Native American, 0.03% Asian, 0.13% 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 0.49% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.65% of the population.
There were 1,313 households out of which 28.8% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 48.8% 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, 11.1% had a female householder with no husband present, and 36.1% were non-families. 31.3% of all households were made up of individuals and 18.1% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.34 and the average family size was 2.94.
In the village the population was spread out with 23.7% under the age of 18, 7.6% from 18 to 24, 27.4% from 25 to 44, 22.9% from 45 to 64, and 18.4% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 39 years. For every 100 females there were 87.4 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 82.9 males.
The median income for a household in the village was $35,313, and the median income for a family was $48,083. Males had a median income of $33,250 versus $24,327 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 village was $17,712. About 4.9% of families and 8.2% of the population were below the poverty line, including 7.0% of those under age 18 and 8.8% of those age 65 or over.
Attractions
- The Rich-Twinn Octagon HouseRich-Twinn Octagon HouseThe Rich-Twinn Octagon House built in 1849 is an historic octagonal house located at 145 Main Street in Akron, New York. It is the only octagon house in Erie County, New York and was "meticulously restored" prior to its 1994 nomination to the National Register.On February 10, 1995, it was added to...
, an example of this unusual style of architecture, is open to the public. The Newstead Historical Society also operates the Knight-Sutton Museum with exhibits of local history and culture.
- A popular spot for social gathering in Akron is Russell Park, which was put in an Akron's founder's will to be a park forever or returned to his next of kin. At one point in time, where the gazebo is now, there used to be a fountain. Due to the cost of upkeep, the fountain was removed and replaced with the Akron gazebo.
- Akron is home to one school, Akron Central School, which includes all students, pre-K to 12 in its one building.
- U.S. Post Office (Akron, New York)U.S. Post Office (Akron, New York)US Post Office—Akron is a historic post office building located at Akron in Erie County, New York. It was designed and built 1939-1940, and is one of a number of post offices in New York State designed by the Office of the Supervising Architect of the Treasury Department, Louis A. Simon...
, a historic post office building.
- Akron Fire Company serves the most of the Village of Akron and portions of the Town of Newstead.
- Newstead Fire Company serves most of the Town of Newstead and portions of the Village of Akron. It has the second largest fire district in Erie county (after the Buffalo Fire DepartmentBuffalo Fire DepartmentThe Buffalo Fire Department is the principal fire and rescue service for the city of Buffalo, New York. It is the largest fire department in Upstate New York. The Fire Department currently consists of one division which is separated into four battalions, and further separated into 4 platoons...
).
External links
- Village of Akron, NY
- Akron Falls County Park
- Akron Bugle
- Akron Free Methodist Church
- Akron Caves and Mines Photographs and history of the underground features of Akron, NY.
- Newstead Historical Society
- Newstead Fire Company
- Akron Fire Company