Rotterdam (town), New York

Rotterdam is a town in Schenectady County, New York, United States. The population was 28,316 at the 2000 census.

The Town of Rotterdam is in the south-central part of the county. It was founded in the 1820's by Dutch settlers, who named it after the port of Rotterdam in the Netherlands, where many emigrants last touched European grounds. The town borders the City of Schenectady. Rotterdam is the headquarters of Price Chopper, a supermarket chain in Upstate New York and New England.

Geography

The Mohawk River defines the northeast town line. The New York State Thruway passes through the town.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 36.5 square miles (94.5 km²), of which, 36.0 square miles (93.2 km²) of it is land and 0.5 square miles (1.3 km²) of it (1.40%) is water.

Government

Rotterdam Town Board consists of five members, including the Supervisor who is a voting member.

Town Board

Supervisor, Steven A. Tommasone (R)

Deputy Supervisor, Joseph Signore (R)

Board Member, Diane Marco (D)

Board Member, John R. Mertz, Esq. (R)

Board Member, Robert J. Godlewski

Demographics

As of the censusGR|2 of 2000, there were 28,316 people, 11,544 households, and 8,092 families residing in the town. The population density was 787.0 people per square mile (303.9/km²). There were 11,990 housing units at an average density of 333.3/sq mi (128.7/km²). The racial makeup of the town was 97.26% White, 0.95% Black or African American, 0.16% Native American, 0.57% Asian, 0.01% Pacific Islander, 0.21% from other races, and 0.83% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.97% of the population.

There were 11,544 households out of which 29.4% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 55.7% were married couples living together, 10.6% had a female householder with no husband present, and 29.9% were non-families. 25.8% of all households were made up of individuals and 12.6% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.44 and the average family size was 2.94.

In the town the population was spread out with 23.1% under the age of 18, 5.8% from 18 to 24, 27.9% from 25 to 44, 24.1% from 45 to 64, and 19.1% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 41 years. For every 100 females there were 92.9 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 88.5 males.

The median income for a household in the town was $46,267, and the median income for a family was $54,542. Males had a median income of $37,536 versus $27,527 for females. The per capita income for the town was $21,457. About 2.8% of families and 4.5% of the population were below the poverty line, including 5.2% of those under age 18 and 5.9% of those age 65 or over.

Communities and locations in Rotterdam

*Colonial Manor-- A well-sized community between Cold Brook and South Schenectady, with housing developed in the 1950s by Charles Juracka.
*Carman --
*Cold Brook -- A well-sized suburban community placed on the former Campbell Family estate.
*Lower Rotterdam Junction -- A hamlet south of Rotterdam Junction on Route 5S.
*Pattersonville -- A hamlet in the northern part of the town on the town line.
*Rotterdam -- A large suburban community west of Schenectady.
*Rotterdam Junction -- A hamlet near the Mohawk River on Route 5S.
*Schonowe --
*South Schenectady --

Local Business

*Price Chopper

Famous Residents

Jenry Bejarano - supermodel and American Idol contestantBig Cat (Golfer) - 16-Time World Blind Golf Association Champion and 4-Time Special Olympics Gold Medalist

See also

*Rotterdam (CDP), New York
*Pattersonville-Rotterdam Junction, New York

References

External links

* [http://www.rotterdamny.org/ Town of Rotterdam website]
* [http://www.mohonasen.org/ Mohonasen Central School District] Rotterdam, NY
* [http://www.schalmont.org/ Schalmont Central School]