Halfmoon, New York Explained

Halfmoon
Official Name:Town of Halfmoon
Settlement Type:Town
Named For:Halve Maen
Mapsize:250x200px
Pushpin Map:New York
Pushpin Label Position:left
Pushpin Map Caption:Location within the state of New York
Coordinates:42.8567°N -73.7425°W
Subdivision Type:Country
Subdivision Name:United States
Subdivision Type1:State
Subdivision Type2:County
Subdivision Name1:New York
Subdivision Name2:Saratoga
Established Title:Settled
Established Date:1788
Leader Party:R
Leader Title:Supervisor
Leader Name:Kevin Tollisen
Unit Pref:Imperial
Area Footnotes:[1]
Area Total Km2:87.10
Area Total Sq Mi:33.63
Area Land Km2:84.38
Area Land Sq Mi:32.58
Area Water Km2:2.72
Area Water Sq Mi:1.05
Elevation M:86
Elevation Ft:282
Population Total:25662
Population As Of:2020
Population Density Km2:304.12
Population Density Sq Mi:787.66
Postal Code Type:ZIP code
Postal Code:12065 & 12118
Area Code:518
Timezone:Eastern (EST)
Utc Offset:-5
Timezone Dst:EDT
Utc Offset Dst:-4
Blank Name:FIPS code
Blank Info:36-31489
Blank1 Name:GNIS feature ID
Blank1 Info:0979035

Halfmoon is a town in Saratoga County, New York, United States. The population was 25,662 at the 2020 census. The town is apparently named for the shape of the lower elevation land north of the junction of the Hudson and Mohawk Rivers. It is also said to be named for Henry Hudson's ship, the Halve Maen.

Halfmoon is in the southeastern part of the county and is north of Albany.

History

The earliest settlements took place circa 1680 by the Mohawk River.

The town was formed while still part of Albany County in 1788. The name was briefly changed to Orange when the town of Waterford was created in 1816 from part of Halfmoon; however, the current name was restored in 1820. In 1828, the western portion of the town was used to create the town of Clifton Park.

The Erie Canal was built along the southern part of Halfmoon, part of the Mohawk River.[2]

Geography

According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 33.7sqmi, of which 32.7sqmi is land and 1sqmi (3.00%) is water.

The southern town line, delineated by the Mohawk River, is the border of Albany County. The eastern town line, at the Hudson River, is the border of Rensselaer County. The northern town line is marked by the Anthony Kill, a tributary of the Hudson River.

Interstate 87, the Adirondack Northway, is a six-lane north–south freeway along the western edge of Halfmoon. U.S. Route 9 parallels the interstate farther to the east and crosses into the town from Albany County on the Crescent Bridge. New York State Route 146, an east–west highway, intersects US-9 at the hamlet of Clifton Park. U.S. Route 4 is a north–south highway in the eastern part of the town. New York State Route 236 is a short state highway linking NY-146 to US-9.

Demographics

As of the census[3] of 2000, there were 18,474 people, 7,778 households, and 4,861 families residing in the town. The population density was 565.9sp=usNaNsp=us. There were 8,172 housing units at an average density of 250.3sp=usNaNsp=us. The racial makeup of the town was 94.94% White, 1.27% African American, 0.17% Native American, 1.89% Asian, 0.02% Pacific Islander, 0.41% from other races, and 1.30% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.65% of the population.

There were 7,778 households, out of which 30.3% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 49.9% were married couples living together, 9.0% had a female householder with no husband present, and 37.5% were non-families. 29.1% of all households were made up of individuals, and 7.1% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.35 and the average family size was 2.93.

In the town, the population was spread out, with 23.7% under the age of 18, 6.9% from 18 to 24, 36.3% from 25 to 44, 22.5% from 45 to 64, and 10.6% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 36 years. For every 100 females, there were 94.7 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 91.4 males.

The median income for a household in the town was $46,234, and the median income for a family was $53,515. Males had a median income of $40,076 versus $30,512 for females. The per capita income for the town was $23,714. About 3.7% of families and 4.5% of the population were below the poverty line, including 5.6% of those under age 18 and 6.4% of those age 65 or over.

Notable people

Education

The Town of Halfmoon falls within three school districts:[4]

Communities and locations in Halfmoon

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: 2016 U.S. Gazetteer Files. United States Census Bureau. July 5, 2017.
  2. Web site: The Erie Canal in Halfmoon & Clifton Park · The Erie Canal in Saratoga County · The Erie Canal in Saratoga County . 2024-05-28 . cpheriecanal.omeka.net.
  3. Web site: U.S. Census website. United States Census Bureau. January 31, 2008.
  4. Web site: School Payments. Town of Halfmoon, New York. July 24, 2002.