Salamanca (town), New York
Encyclopedia
Salamanca is a town
in Cattaraugus County
, New York
, United States
. The population was 544 at the 2000 census. The name is from a major investor in a local railroad.
The Town of Salamanca is in the south part of the county. The City of Salamanca
borders the town.
around 1815. This was historically the territory of the Native American Wenrohronon
, who were driven out by the Seneca Nation
in the Beaver Wars
of the 1650s. Many of the early arrivals were whites who settled on Native American land with the informal permission and toleration of the tribal members.
The area was a sparsely populated, rural, farming and lumber industry region until the arrival of four railroads. They made their hub at the community of Salamanca.
The Town of Salamanca was formed in 1854 from part of the Town of Little Valley
. At that time it was called the "Town of Bucktooth," named after a notable Native American who lived in the area. At least two roads leading to the town still bear the name "Bucktooth Run." In 1869, the Town of Red House
was created, taking away the south part of the Town of Salamanca. In 1870 the community of Salamanca began to set itself off, first as a village, and later as a city.
, the town has a total area of 18.2 square miles (47.3 km²), all of it land.
New York State Route 353
is a north-south highway in the town. The Southern Tier Expressway runs through the Seneca reservation in the middle of the town. New York State Route 417
closely parallels the Expressway.
. North of the town is the Town of Little Valley
, and south of Salamanca is the Town of Red House
. On its west side, Salamanca forms a border with the Towns of Coldspring
and Napoli
. To the east is the Town of Great Valley
.
of 2000, there were 544 people, 210 households, and 160 families residing in the town. The population density
was 29.8 people per square mile (11.5/km²). There were 238 housing units at an average density of 13.0 per square mile (5.0/km²). The racial makeup of the town was 97.06% White, 0.37% Black or African American
, 1.29% Native American, and 1.29% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.55% of the population.
There were 210 households out of which 31.9% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 65.2% were married couples
living together, 6.2% had a female householder with no husband present, and 23.8% were non-families. 18.6% of all households were made up of individuals and 10.0% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.59 and the average family size was 2.96.
In the town the population was spread out with 22.2% under the age of 18, 7.9% from 18 to 24, 26.7% from 25 to 44, 27.4% from 45 to 64, and 15.8% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 41 years. For every 100 females there were 108.4 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 100.5 males.
The median income for a household in the town was $37,500, and the median income for a family was $43,889. Males had a median income of $32,344 versus $17,813 for females. The per capita income
for the town was $16,214. About 2.5% of families and 4.2% of the population were below the poverty line, including 1.8% of those under age 18 and 5.6% 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 Cattaraugus County
Cattaraugus County, New York
Cattaraugus County is a county located in the U.S. state of New York. As of the 2010 census, the population was 80,317. The county seat is Little Valley.-History:...
, 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 544 at the 2000 census. The name is from a major investor in a local railroad.
The Town of Salamanca is in the south part of the county. The City of Salamanca
Salamanca (city), New York
Salamanca is a city in Cattaraugus County, New York, United States, located inside the Allegany Indian Reservation. The population was 6,097 at the 2000 census.-Geography:...
borders the town.
History
The area was first settled by European-Americans after the American RevolutionAmerican Revolution
The American Revolution was the political upheaval during the last half of the 18th century in which thirteen colonies in North America joined together to break free from the British Empire, combining to become the United States of America...
around 1815. This was historically the territory of the Native American Wenrohronon
Wenrohronon
The Wenrohronon or Wenro were a little-known indigenous people of North America originally from western New York and northwestern Pennsylvania. They appear to have inhabited the upper Allegheny River valley, between the territories of the Seneca and the Neutrals...
, who were driven out by the Seneca Nation
Seneca nation
The Seneca are a group of indigenous people native to North America. They were the nation located farthest to the west within the Six Nations or Iroquois League in New York before the American Revolution. While exact population figures are unknown, approximately 15,000 to 25,000 Seneca live in...
in the Beaver Wars
Beaver Wars
The Beaver Wars, also sometimes called the Iroquois Wars or the French and Iroquois Wars, commonly refers to a series of conflicts fought in the mid-17th century in eastern North America...
of the 1650s. Many of the early arrivals were whites who settled on Native American land with the informal permission and toleration of the tribal members.
The area was a sparsely populated, rural, farming and lumber industry region until the arrival of four railroads. They made their hub at the community of Salamanca.
The Town of Salamanca was formed in 1854 from part of the Town of Little Valley
Little Valley (town), New York
Little Valley is a town in Cattaraugus County, New York, United States. The population was 1,788 at the 2000 census. The town is named after its local geographical setting, a relative comparison of two tributaries of the Allegheny River.The Town of Little Valley is centrally located in the county...
. At that time it was called the "Town of Bucktooth," named after a notable Native American who lived in the area. At least two roads leading to the town still bear the name "Bucktooth Run." In 1869, the Town of Red House
Red House, New York
Red House is a town in Cattaraugus County, New York, United States. As of the 2000 census, the town population was 38, making it the least populous town in the state. The name comes from a small stream, Red House Creek....
was created, taking away the south part of the Town of Salamanca. In 1870 the community of Salamanca began to set itself off, first as a village, and later as a city.
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 18.2 square miles (47.3 km²), all of it land.
New York State Route 353
New York State Route 353
New York State Route 353 is a north–south state highway located within Cattaraugus County, New York, in the United States. It extends for from an intersection with NY 417 in the city of Salamanca to a junction with U.S. Route 62 in the hamlet of Dayton...
is a north-south highway in the town. The Southern Tier Expressway runs through the Seneca reservation in the middle of the town. New York State Route 417
New York State Route 417
New York State Route 417 is an east–west state highway located in the Southern Tier of New York in the United States. It begins at exit 20 of the Southern Tier Expressway in the city of Salamanca and ends at a junction with NY 415 in Painted Post, west of the city of Corning...
closely parallels the Expressway.
Adjacent towns and areas
The Town of Salamanca is divided into two parts by the Allegany Reservation, which sees itself as an autonomous entity. This division parallels the Allegheny RiverAllegheny River
The Allegheny River is a principal tributary of the Ohio River; it is located in the Eastern United States. The Allegheny River joins with the Monongahela River to form the Ohio River at the "Point" of Point State Park in Downtown Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania...
. North of the town is the Town of Little Valley
Little Valley (town), New York
Little Valley is a town in Cattaraugus County, New York, United States. The population was 1,788 at the 2000 census. The town is named after its local geographical setting, a relative comparison of two tributaries of the Allegheny River.The Town of Little Valley is centrally located in the county...
, and south of Salamanca is the Town of Red House
Red House, New York
Red House is a town in Cattaraugus County, New York, United States. As of the 2000 census, the town population was 38, making it the least populous town in the state. The name comes from a small stream, Red House Creek....
. On its west side, Salamanca forms a border with the Towns of Coldspring
Coldspring, New York
Coldspring is a town in Cattaraugus County, New York, United States. It is located in the southwest part of the county, west of the City of Salamanca.- History :The first settler arrived around 1818....
and Napoli
Napoli, New York
Napoli is a town in Cattaraugus County, New York, United States. It is located in the western half of the county, northwest of Salamanca. The only permanent community in the town is Napoli village, formerly "Napoli Corners." The population was 1,159 at the 2000 census.The town's name presumably...
. To the east is the Town of Great Valley
Great Valley, New York
Great Valley is a town in Cattaraugus County, New York, United States. The population was 2,145 at the 2000 census. The town is named after its local geographical setting, a relative comparison of two tributaries of the Allegheny River.The Town of Great Valley is centrally located in the...
.
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 544 people, 210 households, and 160 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 29.8 people per square mile (11.5/km²). There were 238 housing units at an average density of 13.0 per square mile (5.0/km²). The racial makeup of the town was 97.06% White, 0.37% 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...
, 1.29% Native American, and 1.29% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.55% of the population.
There were 210 households out of which 31.9% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 65.2% 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, 6.2% had a female householder with no husband present, and 23.8% were non-families. 18.6% of all households were made up of individuals and 10.0% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.59 and the average family size was 2.96.
In the town the population was spread out with 22.2% under the age of 18, 7.9% from 18 to 24, 26.7% from 25 to 44, 27.4% from 45 to 64, and 15.8% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 41 years. For every 100 females there were 108.4 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 100.5 males.
The median income for a household in the town was $37,500, and the median income for a family was $43,889. Males had a median income of $32,344 versus $17,813 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 $16,214. About 2.5% of families and 4.2% of the population were below the poverty line, including 1.8% of those under age 18 and 5.6% of those age 65 or over.
Communities and locations in the Town of Salamanca
- Allegany Reservation – The Seneca reservation runs through the center of the town.
- Allegheny River – The river runs through the center of the town and the Seneca reservation.
- Allegany State ParkAllegany State ParkAllegany State Park is a state park in western New York State, located in Cattaraugus County just north of Allegheny National Forest in Pennsylvania. The park is divided into two sections: The Red House Area and the Quaker Run Area. It lies within the Allegheny Highlands forests ecoregion.The Red...
– A small part of the park is in the south part of the town. - Bucktooth Run – A small stream that enters the Allegheny River west of Salamanca City.
- Jimerson Town – A hamlet southwest of the City of Salamanca. It is the home of the Allegany Reservation's governmental headquarters.
- Kill Buck – A hamlet east of Salamanca on Route 219, named after a chief of a local tribe.
- Little Valley Creek – A stream flowing into the Allegheny River in Salamanca City.
- Newton Run – A stream flowing into the Allegheny River east of Bucktooth Run.
- SalamancaSalamanca (city), New YorkSalamanca is a city in Cattaraugus County, New York, United States, located inside the Allegany Indian Reservation. The population was 6,097 at the 2000 census.-Geography:...
– Most of the City of Salamanca is inside the town lines (and also inside the Seneca reservation). - Shongo – A hamlet inside the Seneca reservation on NY-417 in the southwest part of the town.
- Titus Run – A stream flowing into the Allegheny River from the south.