Canaan, New York
Encyclopedia
Canaan is a town
in Columbia County
, New York
, United States
. The population was 1,820 at the 2000 census.
The Town of Canaan is in the northeast part of the county.
The town was founded in 1772 as "Kings District." The name was changed to "Canaan" in 1788.
One of the oldest sections of Canaan
is Frisbie Street, settled in 1770 by Gideon Frisbie, who emigrated from Canaan, Connecticut
.
Frisbie Street fronts what was once the Albany
-Boston
stagecoach
route.
, the town has a total area of 37 square miles (95.8 km²), of which, 36.7 square miles (95.1 km²) of it is land and 0.2 square mile (0.517997622 km²) of it (0.65%) is water.
The east town line is the border of Massachusetts
.
Interstate 90
passes through the town.
It is between the end of the Massachusetts Turnpike
and the beginning of the New York State Thruway
.
It is the easternmost town in the New York
foothills of the Berkshire Mountains.
of 2000, there were 1,820 people, 643 households, and 414 families residing in the town. The population density
was 49.6 people per square mile (19.1/km²). There were 970 housing units at an average density of 26.4 per square mile (10.2/km²). The racial makeup of the town was 87.80% White, 8.63% African American, 0.33% Native American, 0.66% Asian, 1.21% from other races
, and 1.37% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 2.25% of the population.
There were 643 households out of which 27.1% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 55.5% were married couples
living together, 5.4% had a female householder with no husband present, and 35.5% were non-families. 28.6% of all households were made up of individuals and 11.7% 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 2.88.
In the town the population was spread out with 34.2% under the age of 18, 4.3% from 18 to 24, 20.9% from 25 to 44, 26.5% from 45 to 64, and 14.0% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 38 years. For every 100 females there were 137.3 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 103.2 males.
The median income for a household in the town was $51,607, and the median income for a family was $62,656. Males had a median income of $44,063 versus $37,083 for females. The per capita income
for the town was $28,209. About 2.7% of families and 5.1% of the population were below the poverty line, including 4.1% of those under age 18 and 5.4% of those age 65 or over.
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 Columbia County
Columbia County, New York
Columbia County is a county located in the U.S. state of New York. As of the 2010 census, the population was 63,096. The county seat is Hudson. The name comes from the Latin feminine form of the name of Christopher Columbus, which was at the time of the formation of the county a popular proposal...
, 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 1,820 at the 2000 census.
The Town of Canaan is in the northeast part of the county.
History
The first settlers arrived around 1759.The town was founded in 1772 as "Kings District." The name was changed to "Canaan" in 1788.
One of the oldest sections of Canaan
Canaan
Canaan is a historical region roughly corresponding to modern-day Israel, Palestine, Lebanon, and the western parts of Jordan...
is Frisbie Street, settled in 1770 by Gideon Frisbie, who emigrated from Canaan, Connecticut
Canaan, Connecticut
Canaan is a town in Litchfield County, Connecticut, United States. The population was 1,081 at the 2000 census. The town of Canaan is often referred to locally by the name of its principal constituent village, Falls Village.-Geography:...
.
Frisbie Street fronts what was once the Albany
Albany, New York
Albany is the capital city of the U.S. state of New York, the seat of Albany County, and the central city of New York's Capital District. Roughly north of New York City, Albany sits on the west bank of the Hudson River, about south of its confluence with the Mohawk River...
-Boston
Boston
Boston is the capital of and largest city in Massachusetts, and is one of the oldest cities in the United States. The largest city in New England, Boston is regarded as the unofficial "Capital of New England" for its economic and cultural impact on the entire New England region. The city proper had...
stagecoach
Stagecoach
A stagecoach is a type of covered wagon for passengers and goods, strongly sprung and drawn by four horses, usually four-in-hand. Widely used before the introduction of railway transport, it made regular trips between stages or stations, which were places of rest provided for stagecoach travelers...
route.
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 37 square miles (95.8 km²), of which, 36.7 square miles (95.1 km²) of it is land and 0.2 square mile (0.517997622 km²) of it (0.65%) is water.
The east town line is the border of Massachusetts
Massachusetts
The Commonwealth of Massachusetts is a state in the New England region of the northeastern United States of America. It is bordered by Rhode Island and Connecticut to the south, New York to the west, and Vermont and New Hampshire to the north; at its east lies the Atlantic Ocean. As of the 2010...
.
Interstate 90
Interstate 90
Interstate 90 is the longest Interstate Highway in the United States at . It is the northernmost coast-to-coast interstate, and parallels US 20 for the most part. Its western terminus is in Seattle, at Edgar Martinez Drive S. near Safeco Field and CenturyLink Field, and its eastern terminus is in...
passes through the town.
It is between the end of the Massachusetts Turnpike
Massachusetts Turnpike
The Massachusetts Turnpike is the easternmost stretch of Interstate 90. The Turnpike begins at the western border of Massachusetts in West Stockbridge connecting with the Berkshire Connector portion of the New York State Thruway...
and the beginning of the New York State Thruway
New York State Thruway
The New York State Thruway is a system of limited-access highways located within the state of New York in the United States. The system, known officially as the Governor Thomas E. Dewey Thruway for former New York Governor Thomas E. Dewey, is operated by the New York State Thruway Authority and...
.
It is the easternmost town in the 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...
foothills of the Berkshire Mountains.
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 1,820 people, 643 households, and 414 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 49.6 people per square mile (19.1/km²). There were 970 housing units at an average density of 26.4 per square mile (10.2/km²). The racial makeup of the town was 87.80% White, 8.63% African American, 0.33% Native American, 0.66% Asian, 1.21% 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 1.37% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 2.25% of the population.
There were 643 households out of which 27.1% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 55.5% 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, 5.4% had a female householder with no husband present, and 35.5% were non-families. 28.6% of all households were made up of individuals and 11.7% 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 2.88.
In the town the population was spread out with 34.2% under the age of 18, 4.3% from 18 to 24, 20.9% from 25 to 44, 26.5% from 45 to 64, and 14.0% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 38 years. For every 100 females there were 137.3 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 103.2 males.
The median income for a household in the town was $51,607, and the median income for a family was $62,656. Males had a median income of $44,063 versus $37,083 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 $28,209. About 2.7% of families and 5.1% of the population were below the poverty line, including 4.1% of those under age 18 and 5.4% of those age 65 or over.
Communities and locations in Canaan
- Canaan – The hamletHamlet (place)A hamlet is usually a rural settlement which is too small to be considered a village, though sometimes the word is used for a different sort of community. Historically, when a hamlet became large enough to justify building a church, it was then classified as a village...
of Canaan is at the junction of Routes 5 and 295. it was formerly "Canaan Corners." - Canaan Center – A hamlet south of Canaan village on Route 5.
- East ChathamEast Chatham, New YorkEast Chatham is a hamlet located partly in the town of Chatham and partly in the town of Canaan, in the state of New York. It is located at the crossroads of a railroad, I-90, and the Taconic State Parkway....
– A hamlet at the west town line. - Edwards Park – A location southeast of Flatbrook.
- Flatbrook – A hamlet southeast of Canaan village and located on Route 22.
- Queechy – A hamlet east of Canaan village.
- Queechy Lake – (formerly Whiting's Pond) A 600 acres (2.4 km²) lakeLakeA lake is a body of relatively still fresh or salt water of considerable size, localized in a basin, that is surrounded by land. Lakes are inland and not part of the ocean and therefore are distinct from lagoons, and are larger and deeper than ponds. Lakes can be contrasted with rivers or streams,...
near the east town line. - Red Rock – A hamlet at the south town line.
Notable residents
- Asa AdgateAsa AdgateAsa Adgate was an iron manufacturer, farmer, and local government official who was selected to fill the vacancy in the United States House of Representatives caused by the death of Benjamin Pond....
, (1767–1832), born in Canaan, United States Congressman - Eleazer RootEleazer RootEleazer Root was an American educator and Episcopalian priest.Born in Canaan, New York, Root graduated from Williams College and was admitted to the New York bar. After moving briefly to Virginia, Root moved to Waukesha, Wisconsin where he help founded the present Carroll University...
, (1802–1887), was born in Canaan, educator and Episcopalian priest