Austerlitz, New York

Infobox Settlement
official_name = Austerlitz, 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 = 126.5
area_land_km2 = 126.2
area_water_km2 = 0.3
area_total_sq_mi = 48.8
area_land_sq_mi = 48.7
area_water_sq_mi = 0.1

population_as_of = 2000
population_footnotes =
population_total = 1453
population_density_km2 = 11.5
population_density_sq_mi = 29.8

timezone = Eastern (EST)
utc_offset = -5
timezone_DST = EDT
utc_offset_DST = -4
elevation_footnotes =
elevation_m = 358
elevation_ft = 1175
latd = 42 |latm = 19 |lats = 13 |latNS = N
longd = 73 |longm = 31 |longs = 16 |longEW = W

postal_code_type = ZIP code
postal_code = 12017
area_code = 518
blank_name = FIPS code
blank_info = 36-03287
blank1_name = GNIS feature ID
blank1_info = 0978700
website =
footnotes =

Austerlitz is a town in Columbia County, New York, United States. The population was 1,453 at the 2000 census. The town is named after a Napoleonic battle.

The Town of Austerlitz is in the east part of Columbia County.

History

Ellis, Capt. Franklin, "History of Columbia County, New York", (1878), page 381

The town was organized from parts of the towns of Hillsdale, Chatham, and Canaan, March 28, 1878(sic 1818). A little more than one-fifteenth of the present town was taken from Chatham, a little over one-eighth from Canaan, and a little less than five-sixths from Hillsdale. From the fact that among the first settlers there were no less than twelve families of Spencers, the north part of Hillsdale and been known from the first as "Spencer's-town." This name finally attached itself simply to the village, and when the division of the town was being talked up it was proposed to call the new town "New Ulm." When the bill erecting it passed the Legislature, however, Martin Van Buren, then a State Senator, and who, being an ardent admirer of the great Napoleon, was somewhat incensed at one of his political opponents (Elisha Williams, if we mistake not), who had succeeded in having a town in Seneca county christened "Waterloo," leaped to his feet and moved to amend by calling the new town "Austerlitz." Having carried his point, he retired to his seat, saying "There's an Austerlitz for your Waterloo."

Past residents of note

Edna St. Vincent Millay, poet, lived at Steepletop farm. The farm is now occupied by the Millay Colony for the Arts.

Geography

According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 48.8 square miles (126.5 km²), of which, 48.7 square miles (126.2 km²) of it is land and 0.1 square miles (0.3 km²) of it (0.20%) is water.

The east town line is the border of Massachusetts.

The Taconic State Parkway crosses the northwest corner of the town.

Demographics

As of the censusGR|2 of 2000, there were 1,453 people, 620 households, and 427 families residing in the town. The population density was 29.8 people per square mile (11.5/km²). There were 906 housing units at an average density of 18.6/sq mi (7.2/km²). The racial makeup of the town was 97.45% White, 0.83% African American, 0.07% Native American, 0.55% Asian, 0.76% from other races, and 0.34% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.83% of the population.

There were 620 households out of which 25.6% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 59.0% were married couples living together, 6.9% had a female householder with no husband present, and 31.1% were non-families. 24.2% of all households were made up of individuals and 8.5% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.34 and the average family size was 2.81.

In the town the population was spread out with 20.4% under the age of 18, 4.4% from 18 to 24, 23.7% from 25 to 44, 34.0% from 45 to 64, and 17.5% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 46 years. For every 100 females there were 104.6 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 101.2 males.

The median income for a household in the town was $51,369, and the median income for a family was $56,771. Males had a median income of $44,531 versus $37,188 for females. The per capita income for the town was $38,054. About 4.7% of families and 5.6% of the population were below the poverty line, including 7.2% of those under age 18 and 0.8% of those age 65 or over.

Communities and locations in Austerlitz

*Austerlitz -- The village of Austerlitz is at the junction of Routes 22 and 203.
*Morehouse Corner -- A village in the northwest corner of the town on Route 203.
*Red Rock -- A village at the north town line.
*Spencertown -- A village in the west part of the town on Route 203.

References

External links

* [http://www.austerlitzny.com/officials.htm Town of Austerlitz]
* [http://www.sflrealty.com/Austerlitz-New-York.asp Austerlitz information]
* [http://www.usgennet.org/usa/ny/county/columbia/aust/austlitzindex.htm Historical information about Austerlitz, NY]
* [http://www.millaysociety.org/ The Edna St. Vincent Millay Society]
* [http://www.millaycolony.org/ Millay Colony for the Arts]