Red Hook, New York

Infobox Settlement
official_name = Red Hook, New York
settlement_type = Town
nickname =
motto =

imagesize =
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pushpin_label_position =
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 = Dutchess
government_footnotes =
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leader_title =
leader_name =
leader_title1 =
leader_name1 =
established_title =
established_date =

unit_pref = Imperial
area_footnotes =

area_magnitude =
area_total_km2 = 103.9
area_land_km2 = 95.1
area_water_km2 = 8.8
area_total_sq_mi = 40.1
area_land_sq_mi = 36.7
area_water_sq_mi = 3.4

population_as_of = 2000
population_footnotes =
population_total = 10408
population_density_km2 = 109.5
population_density_sq_mi = 283.6

timezone = Eastern (EST)
utc_offset = -5
timezone_DST = EDT
utc_offset_DST = -4
elevation_footnotes =
elevation_m = 62
elevation_ft = 203
latd = 42 |latm = 0 |lats = 46 |latNS = N
longd = 73 |longm = 53 |longs = 15 |longEW = W

postal_code_type = ZIP codes
postal_code = 12504, 12507, 12571
area_code = 845
blank_name = FIPS code
blank_info = 36-60905
blank1_name = GNIS feature ID
blank1_info = 0979411
website =
footnotes =

Red Hook is a town in Dutchess County, New York, United States. The population was reported to be 10,408 during the 2000 census. The name is supposedly derived by the red foliage on trees on a small strip of land in the river.

The Town of Red Hook contains two villages, one also named Red Hook and another one named Tivoli. The town is in the northwest part of Dutchess County. US 9 passes through the town.

Bard College is in the hamlet of Annandale-on-Hudson, New York, within the town of Red Hook. The Unification Theological Seminary is in the hamlet of Barrytown, also within the town of Red Hook.

History

The region was settled in the late 1600s under the Schuyler Patent. The land was stolen from local natives who could not read the Dutch written deed. Prior to 1812, Red Hook was part of the Town of Rhinebeck. Because Rhinebeck, as well other towns, had populations over 5,000 residents, the Albany Legislature authorized the separation of these two precincts on June 12th to accommodate and encourage public attendance at town meetings via horseback or carriage. The first documented Town of Red Hook meeting was on April 6, 1813 in a local inn and held yearly afterwards as required by law. Wealthy landowning farmers oversaw the maintenance of their assigned roads with the help of their farm workers and neighbors. The Red Hook Society for the Apprehension and Detention of Horse Thieves is thought to be one of the oldest formal organizations in the state and still holds an annual meeting.

Education

The town of Red Hook has a central school district that consists of about 700 students at the high school, and the elementary and middle schools are growing in population each year. The elementary school is for grades Kindergarten to 5th, the middle school educates grades 6-8, and the high school holds grades 9-12. The high school is ranked Class A for soccer, basketball, softball and baseball and is Class B for all other sports and is located in the Section 9 district. In the past fall season 5 of their 8 sports teams won Section Nine titles. Recently, their 4x8 relay team took 2nd place, claiming runner-up status at the New York State Public High School Athletic Association Meet. The Basketball team is the one of the best in Section 9.

In 2006, Red Hook's varsity volleyball team won the Mid-Hudson Athletic League, and Section IX championships. That same year, the team participated in the NYSPHSAA state championships, finishing in third place in the class B division. In 2007, the team were once again Mid-Hudson Athletic League champions and Section IX champions, this time finishing in second at the NYSPHAA state championships. In 2008 the Red Hook Boy's Varsity Lacrosse Team won the Section IX Championship in only their second season as a varsity program.

Red Hook High School was ranked at #280 among the thousands of high schools across the country by Newsweek. It is considered one of the best schools in the entire area.

Geography

According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 40.1 square miles (103.9 km²), of which, 36.7 square miles (95.1 km²) of it is land and 3.4 square miles (8.8 km²) of it (8.48%) is water.

The north town line is the border of Columbia County, New York. The west town line is the border of Ulster County, New York and is defined by the Hudson River.

Demographics

As of the censusGR|2 of 2000, there were 10,408 people, 3,574 households, and 2,473 families residing in the town. The population density was 283.6 people per square mile (109.5/km²). There were 3,840 housing units at an average density of 104.6/sq mi (40.4/km²). The racial makeup of the town was 94.20% White, 1.44% Black or African American, 0.08% Native American, 2.08% Asian, 0.11% Pacific Islander, 0.65% from other races, and 1.45% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 2.65% of the population.

There were 3,574 households out of which 35.5% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 56.5% were married couples living together, 9.3% had a female householder with no husband present, and 30.8% were non-families. 23.4% of all households were made up of individuals and 9.1% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.63 and the average family size was 3.14.

In the town the population was spread out with 24.9% under the age of 18, 15.0% from 18 to 24, 25.8% from 25 to 44, 22.6% from 45 to 64, and 11.7% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 36 years. For every 100 females there were 94.5 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 89.0 males.

The median income for a household in the town was $46,701, and the median income for a family was $57,473. Males had a median income of $42,099 versus $26,694 for females. The per capita income for the town was $20,410. About 5.0% of families and 8.7% of the population were below the poverty line, including 7.8% of those under age 18 and 5.2% of those age 65 or over.

Communities and locations in the Town of Red Hook

*Annandale-on-Hudson -- A hamlet in the northwest part of the town by the Hudson River. Because this community does not have a well-developed business district, students of Bard College often use the Villages of Tivoli and downtown Red Hook as "college towns."
*Barrytown -- A hamlet south of Annandale-on-Hudson. The north junction of NY 9G and NY 199 is known as Barrytown Corners.
*Cokertown -- A hamlet in the northeast part of the town, located on County Route 56.
*College Park -- A housing development east of Bard College.
*Fraleighs -- A hamlet in the eastern part of the town.
*Kerleys Corners -- A hamlet near the north town line at the junction of US 9 and County Route 78.
*Linden Acres -- A housing development northwest of Red Hook village.
*Red Hook -- The Village of Red Hook.
*Red Hook Mills -- A hamlet north of Red Hook village.
*Tivoli -- The Village of Tivoli is in the northwest part of the town by the Hudson River. The West side of NY 9G is Tivoli, while the east is still considered the town of Red Hook.
*Spring Lakes -- a small hamlet along County Route 55.
*Upper Red Hook -- A hamlet north of Red Hook village.

Notable residents

Notable current and former residents of Red Hook include:
*Robert Sheckley [Jonas, Gerald. [http://www.nytimes.com/2005/12/10/books/10sheckley.html "Robert Sheckley, 77, Writer of Satirical Science Fiction, Is Dead"] , "The New York Times", December 10, 2005. Accessed November 20, 2007. "Robert Sheckley, a writer of science fiction whose disarmingly playful stories pack a nihilistic subtext, died yesterday in Poughkeepsie. He was 77 and lived in Red Hook, N.Y."]

*Margaret Hamilton

References

External links

* [http://www.redhook.org/ Town of Red Hook]
* [http://redhook.lib.ny.us/ Red Hook Public Library]
* [http://www.redhookfire.org/ Red Hook Fire Company]