Webster (town), New York
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Webster is a town in Monroe County, New York, United States. The population was 37,926 at the 2000 census. Today, Webster is the fastest-growing suburb of Rochester, New York. The town is named after orator and statesman Daniel Webster.
The Town of Webster is located in the northeast corner of the county. There is also a village named Webster in the town. The town's motto is "Where Life Is Worth Living".
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[edit] History
The site of present-day Webster was first explored by Europeans in 1669. French explorer René-Robert Cavelier, Sieur de La Salle entered Irondequoit Bay (the land of the Seneca Indians), exploring Lake Ontario looking for inland waterways.
On July 25, 1837, Daniel Webster had spoken to a large gathering of Whigs on the Rochester courthouse steps concerning currency regulation and the state of the economy. The Rochester Democrat editorialized that he was "the cleverest fellow in the world for embellishing a story."
The Whig farmers from North Penfield, who were part of Daniel Webster's audience that day, were so impressed by his eloquence that when they petitioned the state legislature for separate town status from Penfield, they chose to name it in his honor. On February 6, 1840, Governor William H. Seward announced the birth of Webster, New York, then home to 2,235 residents.
The first Town meeting was held at John Lett's tavern, south of the present Village. Town needs were discussed, and the necessary officials elected to meet those needs.
In the early 1900s, citizens felt the need for better fire protection, sanitation facilities, lighting, water and other improvements, and proposed a separate Village be incorporated within the Town. On March 27, 1905, a referendum was approved, by a 27-vote margin, which resulted in the incorporation of the Village of Webster.
Today, citizens interested in the history of Webster make up the "Webster Museum and Historical Society." Volunteers from this organization also staff the Webster Museum located on Lapham Park in the Village.
[edit] Geography
The north town line is marked by Lake Ontario, and the east town line is the border of Wayne County, New York. Irondequoit Bay is on the west side of the town. To the south the town is bordered by the Town of Penfield.
According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 91.9 km² (35.5 mi²). 88.2 km² (34.0 mi²) of it is land and 3.8 km² (1.5 mi²) of it (4.09%) is water.
[edit] Demographics
As of the census² of 2000, there were 37,926 people, 14,750 households, and 10,679 families residing in the town. The population density was 430.2/km² (1,114.2/mi²). There were 15,218 housing units at an average density of 172.6/km² (447.1/mi²). The racial makeup of the town was 94.96% White, 1.60% Black or African American, 0.10% Native American, 1.95% Asian, 0.45% from other races, and 0.94% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.57% of the population.
There were 14,750 households out of which 34.6% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 61.5% were married couples living together, 8.1% had a female householder with no husband present, and 27.6% were non-families. 23.1% of all households were made up of individuals and 9.0% 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 3.04.
In the town the population was spread out with 26.1% under the age of 18, 5.6% from 18 to 24, 29.9% from 25 to 44, 25.4% from 45 to 64, and 13.0% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 39 years. For every 100 females there were 95.0 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 91.1 males.
The median income for a household in the town was $58,746, and the median income for a family was $69,629. Males had a median income of $50,263 versus $33,197 for females. The per capita income for the town was $26,791. About 2.5% of families and 3.9% of the population were below the poverty line, including 3.3% of those under age 18 and 4.9% of those age 65 or over.
[edit] Education
Webster's public school district is the Webster Central School District (K-12), consisting of seven elementary schools (DeWitt Road, Klem North, Klem South, Plank North, Plank South, Schlegel Road, State Road), two middle schools (Spry, Willink), and two high schools (Thomas, Schroeder). Also within the town are several private or parochial schools, including St. Rita School (elementary), Webster Christian Schooland Holy Trinity School (elementary). The Webster Montessori School (elementary) is just south of the town line, in Penfield (yet served by the Webster post office).
- See also: List of school districts in New York
[edit] Notable People from Webster
- Brian Bliss - former player for the USA men's national soccer team, now coach of the MLS Kansas City Wizards
- Lou Gramm - lead singer of Foreigner (resides in Webster, but raised in Gates, NY, another Rochester suburb)
- Pat Kelly - Professional American Football Player
- Edward Lu - space shuttle astronaut (also resided on the International Space Station)
- Wendy O. Williams - late lead singer of the punk band The Plasmatics.
[edit] Communities and locations in the Town of Webster
- Forest Lawn -- A neighborhood in the northwest part of the town, on the shore of Lake Ontario.
- Glen Edith -- A location on the west side of the town, on the shore of Irondequoit Bay.
- Webster -- The Village of Webster.
- Union Hill -- A hamlet on the east town line.
- West Webster -- A crossroads in the western part of the town.
[edit] Further reading
- Dunn, Esther. Webster Through the Years. Webster, NY: Webster Town Board, 1971.
