Ghent, New York

Infobox Settlement
official_name = Ghent, New York
settlement_type = Town
nickname =
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pushpin_map_caption =Location within the state of New York
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subdivision_type = Country
subdivision_name = United States
subdivision_type1 = State
subdivision_name1 = New York
subdivision_type2 = County
subdivision_name2 = Columbia
government_footnotes =
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unit_pref = Imperial
area_footnotes =

area_magnitude =
area_total_km2 = 117.6
area_land_km2 = 117.0
area_water_km2 = 0.6
area_total_sq_mi = 45.4
area_land_sq_mi = 45.2
area_water_sq_mi = 0.2

population_as_of = 2000
population_footnotes =
population_total = 5276
population_density_km2 = 45.1
population_density_sq_mi = 116.8

timezone = Eastern (EST)
utc_offset = -5
timezone_DST = EDT
utc_offset_DST = -4
elevation_footnotes =
elevation_m = 123
elevation_ft = 404
latd = 42 |latm = 18 |lats = 56 |latNS = N
longd = 73 |longm = 38 |longs = 57 |longEW = W

postal_code_type = ZIP code
postal_code = 12075
area_code = 518
blank_name = FIPS code
blank_info = 36-28871
blank1_name = GNIS feature ID
blank1_info = 0979000
website =
footnotes =

Ghent is a town in Columbia County, New York, United States, with a ZIP code of 12075. The population was 5,276 at the 2000 census. 2004 estimates put the population at 5,316.

The Town of Ghent is centrally located in the county. Ghent is northeast of the City of Hudson.

History

Around 1735, early settlers, exploiting areas cleared by the natives, moved into the area. In 1818, the Town of Ghent was founded from parts of the Towns of Chatham, Claverack, and Kinderhook. The name has its origin in the Flemish city Ghent, in Flanders.

Geography

According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 45.4 square miles (117.6 km²), of which, 45.2 square miles (117.0 km²) of it is land and 0.2 square miles (0.6 km²) of it (0.48%) is water.

Demographics

As of the censusGR|2 of 2000, there were 5,276 people, 2,020 households, and 1,397 families residing in the town. The population density was 116.8 people per square mile (45.1/km²). There were 2,244 housing units at an average density of 49.7/sq mi (19.2/km²). The racial makeup of the town was 96.93% White, 1.10% Black or African American, 0.23% Native American, 0.19% Asian, 0.28% from other races, and 1.27% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.35% of the population.

There were 2,020 households out of which 32.0% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 55.8% were married couples living together, 9.5% had a female householder with no husband present, and 30.8% were non-families. 25.9% of all households were made up of individuals and 11.5% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.50 and the average family size was 2.98.

In the town the population was spread out with 24.2% under the age of 18, 5.7% from 18 to 24, 27.1% from 25 to 44, 25.8% from 45 to 64, and 17.2% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 40.8 years. For every 100 females there were 94.6 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 89.5 males.

The median income for a household in the town was $43,529, and the median income for a family was $52,096. The median house value is $114,000. Males had a median income of $32,191 versus $23,958 for females. The per capita income for the town was $21,365. About 2.2% of families and 4.6% of the population were below the poverty line, including 4.0% of those under age 18 and 8.8% of those age 65 or over.

Communities and locations in Ghent

*Arnolds Mill -- A hamlet in the northeast corner of the town, northeast of Ghent village.
*Buckleyville -- A hamlet in the northeast part of the town, northeast of Ghent village.
*Chatham -- Part of the Village of Chatham is on the north town line.
*Columbia County Airport (1B1) -- An airport in the southwest part of the town.
*Ghent -- The hamlet of Ghent is on Route 66 in the northeast part of the Town of Ghent.
*Omi -- A hamlet in the northwest part of the town, east of West Ghent on Route 22.
*Pulvers -- A hamlet in the south part of the town.
*West Ghent -- A hamlet in the northwest part of the town on Route 9H.

References

External links

* [http://www.usgennet.org/usa/ny/county/columbia/ghent2/index.htm Historical information about Ghent]