Esopus, New York

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Esopus is a town in Ulster County, New York, USA. The population was 9,331 at the 2000 census. The name comes from the local Indian tribe and means "high banks."

The Town of Esopus is on the west bank of the Hudson River south of the City of Kingston. The town center is in Port Ewen. US Route 9W passes up the east side of the town.

Contents 1 History 2 Geography 3 Demographics 4 Communities and locations in Esopus 5 See also 6 External links

[edit] History

The area was a notable trading site between the Dutch and the native Lenape population. The Town of Esopus was founded in 1811 from Kingston, New York, which also was called "Esopus" at one time.

[edit] Geography

According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 108.5 km² (41.9 mi²). 96.5 km² (37.2 mi²) of it is land and 12.0 km² (4.6 mi²) of it (11.08%) is water.

The east town line, marked by the Hudson River, is the border of Dutchess County. The Rondout Creek marks the north town line.

[edit] Demographics

As of the census² of 2000, there were 9,331 people, 3,439 households, and 2,235 families residing in the town. The population density was 96.7/km² (250.5/mi²). There were 3,724 housing units at an average density of 38.6/km² (100.0/mi²). The racial makeup of the town was 94.57% White, 2.18% African American, 0.24% Native American, 0.94% Asian, 0.49% from other races, and 1.59% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.91% of the population.

There were 3,439 households out of which 29.5% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 51.7% were married couples living together, 8.8% had a female householder with no husband present, and 35.0% were non-families. 27.6% of all households were made up of individuals and 8.6% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.45 and the average family size was 3.01.

In the town the population was spread out with 25.4% under the age of 18, 6.9% from 18 to 24, 29.3% from 25 to 44, 25.9% from 45 to 64, and 12.6% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 39 years. For every 100 females there were 93.7 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 91.0 males.

The median income for a household in the town was $46,915, and the median income for a family was $55,442. Males had a median income of $38,016 versus $31,010 for females. The per capita income for the town was $21,174. About 4.6% of families and 11.7% of the population were below the poverty line, including 9.1% of those under age 18 and 18.5% of those age 65 or over.

[edit] Communities and locations in Esopus

• Rifton -- A hamlet in the western part of the town on Route 213.
• Connelly -- A hamlet in the northeast part of the town and suburb of Kingston. It is on the south bank of Rondout Creek.
• Dashville A hamlet south of Riften.
• Esopus -- The hamlet of Esopus is by the Hudson River and located on Route 9W.
• New Salem -- A hamlet at the north town line by Rondout Creek.
• Port Ewen -- A hamlet in the northeast part of the town and suburb of Kingston.
• St. Remy -- A hamlet south of New Salem.
• Sleightsburgh -- A hamlet at the northeast corner of the town and suburb of Kingston. The community is at the mouth of Rondout Creek.
• Ulster Park -- A hamlet north of Esopus village on Route 9W.
• Union Center -- A hamlet west of Ulster Park.
• West Park -- A hamlet south of Esopus village on Route 9W.

[edit] See also

• Esopus Wars

[edit] External links

• Town of Esopus, New York

Coordinates: 41°49′40″N, 73°57′54″W