Belfast, New York

Infobox Settlement
official_name = Belfast, New York
settlement_type = Town
nickname =
motto =

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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 = Allegany
government_footnotes =
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leader_title =
leader_name =
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leader_name1 =
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established_date =

unit_pref = Imperial
area_footnotes =

area_magnitude =
area_total_km2 = 94.6
area_land_km2 = 93.9
area_water_km2 = 0.7
area_total_sq_mi = 36.5
area_land_sq_mi = 36.2
area_water_sq_mi = 0.3

population_as_of = 2000
population_footnotes =
population_total = 1714
population_density_km2 = 18.3
population_density_sq_mi = 47.3

timezone = Eastern (EST)
utc_offset = -5
timezone_DST = EDT
utc_offset_DST = -4
elevation_footnotes =
elevation_m = 551
elevation_ft = 1808
latd = 42 |latm = 18 |lats = 59 |latNS = N
longd = 78 |longm = 7 |longs = 7 |longEW = W

postal_code_type = ZIP code
postal_code = 14711
area_code = 585
blank_name = FIPS code
blank_info = 36-05573
blank1_name = GNIS feature ID
blank1_info = 0978720
website =
footnotes =

Belfast is a town in Allegany County, New York, United States. The population was 1,714 at the 2000 census. The town is believed to be named after Belfast in Northern Ireland.

History

The first settlers had arrived by 1804. The Town of Belfast was established in 1824 as the "Town of Orrinsburgh" from part of the Town of Caneadea. The name was changed to Belfast in 1825 due to the large amount of settlers in the area of Irish descent. The village of Belfast was established as a mill town with water power from the Genesee River, which runs across the town. In 1831, the size of the town increased by adding more territory from Caneadea.

The Genesee Valley Canal was completed around 1853 in Belfast.

Some trouble arose in the mid-1800s when the increasing English population of the town caused concern for many of the Irish residents. After some initial conflicts, many of them moved across to the far side of the river, but were not placated, instead choosing to occasionally enter into the English section and cause trouble; this was met with similar action by the English settlers. Although most of these clashes were minor, a larger conflict occurred from 1846-1847, when a food shortage in the area raised tensions. This was quelled eventually by New York State militia groups. A sawmill and grist mill were set up by David Sanford in 1809. They were briefly taken control of by the Irish faction in 1847 before the state militia intervened.

Geography

According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 36.5 square miles (94.6 km²), of which, 36.2 square miles (93.9 km²) of it is land and 0.3 square miles (0.7 km²) of it (0.77%) is water.

The Genesee River flows northward through the northeast corner of the town and is partly paralleled by New York State Route 19, which intersects County Road 26 in Belfast village.

Demographics

As of the censusGR|2 of 2000, there were 1,714 people, 651 households, and 417 families residing in the town. The population density was 47.3 people per square mile (18.3/km²). There were 945 housing units at an average density of 26.1/sq mi (10.1/km²). The racial makeup of the town was 98.31% White, 0.06% African American, 0.35% Native American, 0.06% Asian, 0.23% from other races, and 0.99% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.41% of the population.

There were 651 households out of which 33.9% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 50.8% were married couples living together, 9.8% had a female householder with no husband present, and 35.8% were non-families. 32.0% of all households were made up of individuals and 16.7% 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 3.34.

In the town the population was spread out with 31.7% under the age of 18, 7.1% from 18 to 24, 25.7% from 25 to 44, 22.8% from 45 to 64, and 12.8% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 35 years. For every 100 females there were 99.1 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 91.0 males.

The median income for a household in the town was $30,909, and the median income for a family was $40,000. Males had a median income of $31,473 versus $21,971 for females. The per capita income for the town was $15,803. About 11.8% of families and 19.4% of the population were below the poverty line, including 26.9% of those under age 18 and 12.9% of those age 65 or over.

Communities and locations in Belfast

*Belfast The hamlet of Belfast is located on Route 19 and the west bank of the Genesee River.
*Black Creek -- A stream that joins the Genesee River north of Belfast.
*Genesee River -- An important river in Western New York that empties into Lake Ontario.
*Marshall -- A location in the northwest corner of the town.
*Rockville -- A hamlet in the western part of the town by the Black Creek.
*Transit Bridge -- A former location in the town.
*Fellows -- People

References

External links

* [http://www.rootsweb.com/~nyallega/belfast.html Historical notes on Belfast, NY]