Grand Island, New York
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Grand Island is a town and an island located in Erie County, New York, USA. As of the 2000 census, the town had a total population of 18,621. The current town name derives from the French explorers' name "Grande Isle," which has the same meaning as the native term "Gah-We-Not."
The Town of Grand Island is located at the northwestern corner of the county. The town is northwest of Buffalo, New York. New York State Route 324 crosses the island.
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History
In the early historical period of the island, the 16th Century, French explorers found the Neutral indians living on the island. By 1651 the Senecas had destroyed this tribe and absorbed some of the survivors. The Seneca used the island for hunting and fishing.
After the French and Indian War the island became part of the British colonies in North America.
In the 1820s, in a precursor to modern Zionism, journalist and utopian Mordecai Manuel Noah tried to found a Jewish homeland at Grand Island in the Niagara River, to be called "Ararat," after Mount Ararat, the Biblical resting place of Noah's Ark.
The Town of Grand Island was organized in 1852 from part of the Town of Tonawanda.
Geography
According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 86.2 km² (33.3 mi²). 73.8 km² (28.5 mi²) of it is land and 12.4 km² (4.8 mi²) of it is water. The total area is 14.35% water.
The town is located entirely on the island of Grand Island in the Niagara River. The river splits into two parts at the south end of the island and rejoins at the northwest end, before flowing west to the Niagara Falls.
The town lies adjacent to the international border between Ontario in Canada and the United States. Paired bridges connect the south end of the island to the Town of Tonawanda, and another pair of bridges connects the northern end to the City of Niagara Falls in Niagara County. The two sets of bridges are connected by Interstate 190, a branch of the New York State Thruway (Interstate 90).
Demographics
As of the census2 of 2000, there were 18,621 people, 6,898 households, and 5,221 families residing in the town. The population density was 252.2/km² (653.1/mi²). There were 7,355 housing units at an average density of 99.6/km² (257.9/mi²). The racial makeup of the town was 95.80% White, 1.65% African American, 0.25% Native American, 1.17% Asian, 0.01% Pacific Islander, 0.25% from other races, and 0.88% from two or more races. 1.09% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.
There were 6,898 households out of which 35.8% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 64.8% were married couples living together, 7.7% had a female householder with no husband present, and 24.3% were non-families. 20.2% of all households were made up of individuals and 7.9% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.68 and the average family size was 3.13.
In the town the population was spread out with 26.7% under the age of 18, 6.5% from 18 to 24, 27.7% from 25 to 44, 27.7% from 45 to 64, and 11.3% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 39 years. For every 100 females there were 97.4 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 94.4 males.
The median income for a household in the town was $60,432, and the median income for a family was $70,521. Males had a median income of $48,457 versus $30,157 for females. The per capita income for the town was $25,816. 3.0% of the population and 2.4% of families were below the poverty line. 3.3% of those under the age of 18 and 5.1% of those 65 and older were living below the poverty line.
Communities and locations in Grand Island
- Beaver Island State Park -- A state park located at the south end of the island. The park is fully developed for many recreational activities.
- Buckhorn Island State Park -- A state park at the north end of Grand Island, noted for its attempts to preserve the local environment.
- Falconwood -- A hamlet on the southeast shore of the town.
- Fantasy Island -- An amusement park adjacent to Interstate 190.
- Ferry Village -- A hamlet on the border of Beaver Island State Park.
- Oakfield -- A location north of Beaver Island State Park.
- Sheenwater -- A location on the west shore of the island.
- Grandyle Village -- A small neighborhood located of the Beaver Island parkway.
- Sandy Beach -- A hamlet in the northeast shore of the island.
- Sour Springs Grove -- A location by the shore in the southeast part of the town.
- Veterans Park -- A park in the north part of the town.
- Woods Creek -- A small stream that enters the Niagara River at Buckhorn Island Park.
Further Reading
- Selig Adler & Thomas E. Connolly. From Ararat to Suburbia: the History of the Jewish Community of Buffalo (Philadelphia: the Jewish Publication Society of America, 1960, Library of Congress Number 60-15834).