Westford, New York Explained

Official Name:Westford, New York
Settlement Type:Town
Mapsize:250x200px
Subdivision Type:Country
Subdivision Name:United States
Subdivision Type1:State
Subdivision Name1:New York
Subdivision Type2:County
Subdivision Name2:Otsego
Unit Pref:Imperial
Area Footnotes:[1]
Area Total Km2:87.82
Area Land Km2:87.68
Area Water Km2:0.14
Area Total Sq Mi:33.91
Area Land Sq Mi:33.85
Area Water Sq Mi:0.06
Population As Of:2010
Population Total:868
Population Density Km2:9.47
Population Density Sq Mi:24.52
Timezone:Eastern (EST)
Utc Offset:-5
Timezone Dst:EDT
Utc Offset Dst:-4
Elevation M:486
Elevation Ft:1594
Coordinates:42.6333°N -122°W
Postal Code Type:ZIP code
Postal Code:13488
Area Code:607
Blank Name:FIPS code
Blank Info:36-79972[2]
Blank1 Name:GNIS feature ID
Blank1 Info:0979622[3]
Pop Est As Of:2016
Population Est:830

Westford is a town in Otsego County, New York, United States. The population was 868 at the 2010 census. It is southeast of Cooperstown.

History

The town was first settled around 1790 by pioneers from Vermont. However, it is claimed that the first settler in Westford was Robert Roseboom from New Jersey, who settled in what is now known at Maple Valley. During the 1790s Westford received an influx of land-hungry settlers from New England who subsequently established the first churches and schools in Westford.

The town was established from part of the town of Worcester in 1808.[4]

Geography

According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 33.8sqmi, of which 33.8sqmi is land and 0.04sqmi (0.06%) is water.

Elk Creek drains the town, flowing southward. Cherry Creek in Cherry Creek Valley flows through the southwestern part of Westford.

Demographics

As of the census[5] of 2000, there were 784 people, 306 households, and 215 families residing in the town. The population density was 23.2 people per square mile (9.0/km2). There were 446 housing units at an average density of 13.2 per square mile (5.1/km2). The racial makeup of the town was 98.09% White, 0.26% African American, 0.13% Asian, 0.38% Pacific Islander, 0.13% from other races, and 1.02% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.91% of the population.

There were 306 households, out of which 30.4% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 55.9% were married couples living together, 8.5% had a female householder with no husband present, and 29.7% were non-families. 23.5% of all households were made up of individuals, and 10.1% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.56 and the average family size was 3.00.

In the town, the population was spread out, with 25.5% under the age of 18, 6.6% from 18 to 24, 26.1% from 25 to 44, 26.7% from 45 to 64, and 15.1% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 40 years. For every 100 females, there were 99.0 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 96.6 males.

The median income for a household in the town was $34,318, and the median income for a family was $38,611. Males had a median income of $29,375 versus $22,237 for females. The per capita income for the town was $16,351. About 6.8% of families and 9.2% of the population were below the poverty line, including 8.0% of those under age 18 and 13.2% of those age 65 or over.

Communities and locations in Westford

External links

42.6333°N -122°W

Notes and References

  1. Web site: 2016 U.S. Gazetteer Files. United States Census Bureau. July 5, 2017.
  2. Web site: U.S. Census website. United States Census Bureau. January 31, 2008.
  3. Web site: US Board on Geographic Names. January 31, 2008. United States Geological Survey. October 25, 2007.
  4. History of Otsego County, New York, 1740-1878. Reprinted by Higginson Book Company.
  5. Web site: U.S. Census website. United States Census Bureau. January 31, 2008.