Palmyra (town), New York

Palmyra is a town in Wayne County, New York, USA. The population was 7,672 at the 2000 census. The town is named after the ancient city Palmyra in Syria.

The Town of Palmyra is on the South border of the county. The town contains a village also named Palmyra.

History

The prehistoric "Adena Culture" left mounds in the area.

The Town of Palmyra, originally called the "District of Tolland," was created in 1789. During that year was the sole local encounter between natives and white settlers that resulted in deaths. The present name was adapted in 1796, reportedly to impress a new school teacher. In 1823, the Town of Macedon was formed from part of Palmyra's territory.

Important past residents

This region is the birthplace of the Mormon religion because founder Joseph Smith had his "First Vision" here in 1820 and received the Golden Plates in 1827. Members of the new religion moved farther west during the 19th Century, but the area is being re-inhabited by many members of this group. They hold the Hill Cumorah Pageant every summer in the town, using the side of a drumlin as their stage.

Admiral William T. Sampson of the Spanish American War and Henry Wells, founder of American Express, also resided in the town.

Geography

The Erie Canal passes across the county, through the Village of Palmyra. The south town line is the border of Ontario County, New York.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 87.3 km² (33.7 mi²). 86.7 km² (33.5 mi²) of it is land and 0.5 km² (0.2 mi²) of it (0.62%) is water.

Demographics

As of the census ² of 2000, there were 7,672 people, 3,009 households, and 2,040 families residing in the town. The population density was 88.5/km² (229.2/mi²). There were 3,179 housing units at an average density of 36.7/km² (95.0/mi²). The racial makeup of the town was 97.46% White, 0.38% Black or African American, 0.36% Native American, 0.50% Asian, 0.22% from other races, and 1.08% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.69% of the population.

There were 3,009 households out of which 34.0% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 54.4% were married couples living together, 9.2% had a female householder with no husband present, and 32.2% were non-families. 25.0% of all households were made up of individuals and 10.8% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.55 and the average family size was 3.05.

In the town the population was spread out with 26.0% under the age of 18, 7.4% from 18 to 24, 29.8% from 25 to 44, 23.9% 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 98.1 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 93.9 males.

The median income for a household in the town was $45,542, and the median income for a family was $54,076. Males had a median income of $36,631 versus $24,083 for females. The per capita income for the town was $19,506. About 4.8% of families and 6.4% of the population were below the poverty line, including 7.7% of those under age 18 and 8.0% of those age 65 or over.

Communities and locations in the Town of Palmyra

Cooney Crossing -- A location by the west town line.
East Palmyra -- A hamlet near the east town line.
Palmyra -- The Village of Palmyra on the Erie Canal.
Wide Waters -- A long narrow pond in the Erie Canal is partly in the southeast corner of the town.

External links