Pelham (town), New York
Encyclopedia
Pelham is a town in Westchester County
, New York
, United States
. As of the 2010 census, it had a population of 12,396. Historically, Pelham was composed of five villages and became known as "the Pelhams". Pelham currently contains two independently incorporated villages: Pelham
and Pelham Manor
, Approximately 28 minutes away from Grand Central Terminal
by the Metro-North train, Pelham is home to many New York City commuters. Today, Pelham is referred to as "the first suburb north of New York City," and has an active social community for its residents.
, the town has a total area of 2.2 square miles (5.7 km²), of which 2.1 square miles (5.4 km²) is land and 0.1 square mile (0.258998811 km²), or 2.27%, is water. It is directly north of the New York City
borough of the Bronx
and borders Eastchester, New Rochelle
and Mount Vernon
.
bought the area within the present-day town from the Siwanoy
Indians. He named his manor "Pelham" in honor of his tutor, Pelham Burton.
Pelham was incorporated as a town on March 7, 1788. It included all of City Island
and present-day Pelham Bay Park east of the Hutchinson River. In 1895, the town was reduced in size to its current boundaries. In 1891, the village of Pelham Manor incorporated. In 1896, the village of North Pelham and the village of Pelham incorporated. In 1975, the villages of North Pelham and Pelham merged, forming the present village of Pelham. The Village of Pelham and the Village of Pelham Manor share several services such as school and recreational activities. There is a grass roots movement to continue the consolidation of services in order to reduce taxes.
of 2000, there were 12,107 people, 4,149 households and 3,190 families residing in the town. The population density
was 5,523.4 people per square mile (2,130.9/km²). There were 4,246 housing units at an average density of 1,976.4 per square mile (762.5/km²). The racial makeup of the town was 87.33% White, 4.57% Black or African American
, 0.08% Native American, 3.96% Asian, 1.82% from other races
and 2.23% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 6.02% of the population.
There were 4,149 households out of which 41.3% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 64.4% were married couples
living together, 9.7% had a female householder with no husband present and 23.1% were non-families. 19.4% of all households were made up of individuals and 8.3% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.86 and the average family size was 3.31.
Pelham's housing stock is conveniently summarized and accessible via http://townofpelham.sdgnys.com/index.aspx.
In the town the population was spread out with 28.6% under the age of 18, 5.1% from 18 to 24, 28.3% from 25 to 44, 25.1% from 45 to 64 and 12.9% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 38 years. For every 100 females there were 93.4 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 86.9 males.
The median income for a household in the town was $91,810 and the median income for a family was $111,502. Males had a median income of $74,760 versus $46,086 for females. The per capita income
for the town was $51,548. About 2.2% of families and 3.7% of the population were below the poverty line, including 4.3% of those under age 18 and 3.2% of those age 65 or over.
gather students for all of Pelham. These are all part of the Pelham Union Free School District. There are also several private and religious based schools. It is common for residents of Pelham to have moved from New York City for their children to be placed in its schools.
Westchester County, New York
Westchester County is a county located in the U.S. state of New York. Westchester covers an area of and has a population of 949,113 according to the 2010 Census, residing in 45 municipalities...
, 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...
. As of the 2010 census, it had a population of 12,396. Historically, Pelham was composed of five villages and became known as "the Pelhams". Pelham currently contains two independently incorporated villages: Pelham
Pelham (village), New York
Pelham is a village in Westchester County, New York, United States. The population was 6,910 at the 2010 census. As a village, it is located in the Town of Pelham.-History:...
and Pelham Manor
Pelham Manor, New York
Pelham Manor is a village located in Westchester County, New York, USA. As of the 2010 census, the village had a total population of 5,486. It is located in the town of Pelham.- Demographics :...
, Approximately 28 minutes away from Grand Central Terminal
Grand Central Terminal
Grand Central Terminal —often incorrectly called Grand Central Station, or shortened to simply Grand Central—is a terminal station at 42nd Street and Park Avenue in Midtown Manhattan in New York City, United States...
by the Metro-North train, Pelham is home to many New York City commuters. Today, Pelham is referred to as "the first suburb north of New York City," and has an active social community for its residents.
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 2.2 square miles (5.7 km²), of which 2.1 square miles (5.4 km²) is land and 0.1 square mile (0.258998811 km²), or 2.27%, is water. It is directly north of the New York City
New York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
borough of the Bronx
The Bronx
The Bronx is the northernmost of the five boroughs of New York City. It is also known as Bronx County, the last of the 62 counties of New York State to be incorporated...
and borders Eastchester, New Rochelle
New Rochelle, New York
New Rochelle is a city in Westchester County, New York, United States, in the southeastern portion of the state.The town was settled by refugee Huguenots in 1688 who were fleeing persecution in France...
and Mount Vernon
Mount Vernon, New York
Mount Vernon is a city in Westchester County, New York, United States. It lies on the border of the New York City borough of The Bronx.-Overview:...
.
History
In 1654, Thomas PellThomas Pell
Dates may not be entirely accurate in this article due to disagreements between sources.Thomas Pell was a physician who was famous for buying the area known as Pelham, Westchester, New York, as well as land that now includes the eastern Bronx and southern Westchester County. He founded the town...
bought the area within the present-day town from the Siwanoy
Siwanoy
The Native American Siwanoy or Sinanoy were a band of Algonquian-speaking people, the Wappinger, in what is now the New York City area. By the mid-17th century, when their territory became hotly contested between Dutch and English colonial interests, the Siwanoy were settled along the East River...
Indians. He named his manor "Pelham" in honor of his tutor, Pelham Burton.
Pelham was incorporated as a town on March 7, 1788. It included all of City Island
City Island, Bronx
City Island is a small island approximately 1.5 mi long by .5 mi wide. At one time attached to the town of Pelham, Westchester County, it is now part of the New York City borough of the Bronx. As of the 2000 census the island had a population of 4,520. Its land area is 1.023 km²...
and present-day Pelham Bay Park east of the Hutchinson River. In 1895, the town was reduced in size to its current boundaries. In 1891, the village of Pelham Manor incorporated. In 1896, the village of North Pelham and the village of Pelham incorporated. In 1975, the villages of North Pelham and Pelham merged, forming the present village of Pelham. The Village of Pelham and the Village of Pelham Manor share several services such as school and recreational activities. There is a grass roots movement to continue the consolidation of services in order to reduce taxes.
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 12,107 people, 4,149 households and 3,190 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 5,523.4 people per square mile (2,130.9/km²). There were 4,246 housing units at an average density of 1,976.4 per square mile (762.5/km²). The racial makeup of the town was 87.33% White, 4.57% Black or African American
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...
, 0.08% Native American, 3.96% Asian, 1.82% 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 2.23% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 6.02% of the population.
There were 4,149 households out of which 41.3% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 64.4% 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, 9.7% had a female householder with no husband present and 23.1% were non-families. 19.4% of all households were made up of individuals and 8.3% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.86 and the average family size was 3.31.
Pelham's housing stock is conveniently summarized and accessible via http://townofpelham.sdgnys.com/index.aspx.
In the town the population was spread out with 28.6% under the age of 18, 5.1% from 18 to 24, 28.3% from 25 to 44, 25.1% from 45 to 64 and 12.9% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 38 years. For every 100 females there were 93.4 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 86.9 males.
The median income for a household in the town was $91,810 and the median income for a family was $111,502. Males had a median income of $74,760 versus $46,086 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 $51,548. About 2.2% of families and 3.7% of the population were below the poverty line, including 4.3% of those under age 18 and 3.2% of those age 65 or over.
Education
Pelham is home to four elementary schools (two located in each village), one middle school and one high school. The elementary schools are Hutchinson Elementary School, Colonial Elementary School, Siwanoy Elementary School, Prospect Hill Elementary School. Pelham Middle School, and Pelham Memorial High SchoolPelham Memorial High School
The Pelham Memorial High School is the only high school within the town of Pelham, New York, USA. It is devoted to the promotion and achievement of academic excellence. PMHS is often cited as one of the best public high schools in Westchester County.-History:...
gather students for all of Pelham. These are all part of the Pelham Union Free School District. There are also several private and religious based schools. It is common for residents of Pelham to have moved from New York City for their children to be placed in its schools.
Notable people
- Nick BollettieriNick BollettieriNicholas James Bollettieri is an American tennis coach who is credited with developing many world-class champions, including Andre Agassi, Jim Courier, Monica Seles, and Mary Pierce. Recently, he has worked with 2006 U.S. Open champion Maria Sharapova, Jelena Janković, Nicole Vaidišová and Sabine...
, tennis coach and owner of the Nick Bollettieri Tennis AcademyNick Bollettieri Tennis AcademyThe Nick Bollettieri Tennis Academy is located in Bradenton, Florida, and was founded in 1978 by Nick Bollettieri as a full-time tennis boarding school that combines intensive tennis training with an academic curriculum.... - William Jay Bolton
- Charles Lewis BowmanCharles Lewis BowmanCharles Lewis Bowman was an American architect.Born in New York City December 9, 1890 but raised in Mount Vernon, New York he graduated from Cornell University in Ithaca, New York with both his Bachelors and Master's degree in architecture...
, noted Pelham architect, designed nine homes in the early 20th century - Felix CavaliereFelix CavaliereFelix Cavaliere is an American songwriter, singer, music producer, and musician.Although he was a member of Joey Dee and His Starlighters best known for their hit "Peppermint Twist", he is best known for his association with The Young Rascals during the 1960s. The other members of The Rascals...
, singer, songwriter, organ-player, and music producer - James Montgomery FlaggJames Montgomery FlaggJames Montgomery Flagg was an American artist and illustrator. He worked in media ranging from fine art painting to cartooning, but is best remembered for his political posters....
, artist and illustrator - Washington IrvingWashington IrvingWashington Irving was an American author, essayist, biographer and historian of the early 19th century. He was best known for his short stories "The Legend of Sleepy Hollow" and "Rip Van Winkle", both of which appear in his book The Sketch Book of Geoffrey Crayon, Gent. His historical works...
- Joe KleinJoe KleinJoe Klein is a longtime Washington, D.C. and New York journalist and columnist, known for his novel Primary Colors, an anonymously written roman à clef portraying Bill Clinton's first presidential campaign. Klein is currently a member of the Council on Foreign Relations and is a former Guggenheim...
, journalist and columnist - Geoff MuldaurGeoff MuldaurGeoff Muldaur is an American founding member of the Jim Kweskin Jug Band of Cambridge, Massachusetts; a member of Paul Butterfield's Better Days; and an accomplished solo guitarist, singer, and songwriter....
, singer, guitarist & songwriter, born 1943 in the town - Michael SchwernerMichael SchwernerMichael Henry Schwerner , was one of three Congress of Racial Equality field workers killed in Philadelphia, Mississippi, by the Ku Klux Klan in response to their civil rights work, which included promoting voting registration among Mississippi African Americans...
, murdered civil rights activist - Charles VoightCharles VoightCharles A. Voight was an American cartoonist, best known for his comic strip Betty.Born in Brooklyn, New York, Voight was 14 when he dropped out of school and became an art staffer at the New York World. During this period, he also did advertising art.-Comic strips:In 1908, he drew his first comic...
, cartoonist (Betty)