Canaan, New York

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

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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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leader_title =
leader_name =
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established_date =

unit_pref = Imperial
area_footnotes =

area_magnitude =
area_total_km2 = 95.7
area_land_km2 = 95.1
area_water_km2 = 0.6
area_total_sq_mi = 37.0
area_land_sq_mi = 36.7
area_water_sq_mi = 0.2

population_as_of = 2000
population_footnotes =
population_total = 1820
population_density_km2 = 19.1
population_density_sq_mi = 49.6

timezone = Eastern (EST)
utc_offset = -5
timezone_DST = EDT
utc_offset_DST = -4
elevation_footnotes =
elevation_m = 299
elevation_ft = 981
latd = 42 |latm = 24 |lats = 7 |latNS = N
longd = 73 |longm = 26 |longs = 47 |longEW = W

postal_code_type = ZIP code
postal_code = 12029
area_code = 518
blank_name = FIPS code
blank_info = 36-12056
blank1_name = GNIS feature ID
blank1_info = 0978781
website =
footnotes =

Canaan is a town in Columbia County, New York, United States. The population was 1,820 at the 2000 census.

The Town of Canaan is in the northeast part of the county.

History

The first settlers arrived around 1759. The town was founded in 1772 as "Kings District." The name was changed to "Canaan" in 1788.

Geography

According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 37.0 square miles (95.7 km²), of which, 36.7 square miles (95.1 km²) of it is land and 0.2 square miles (0.6 km²) of it (0.65%) is water.

The east town line is the border of Massachusetts.

Interstate 90 passes through the town.

It is between the end of the Massachusetts Turnpike and the beginning of the New York State Thruway.

Demographics

As of the censusGR|2 of 2000, there were 1,820 people, 643 households, and 414 families residing in the town. The population density was 49.6 people per square mile (19.1/km²). There were 970 housing units at an average density of 26.4/sq mi (10.2/km²). The racial makeup of the town was 87.80% White, 8.63% African American, 0.33% Native American, 0.66% Asian, 1.21% from other races, and 1.37% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 2.25% of the population.

There were 643 households out of which 27.1% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 55.5% were married couples living together, 5.4% had a female householder with no husband present, and 35.5% were non-families. 28.6% of all households were made up of individuals and 11.7% 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 2.88.

In the town the population was spread out with 34.2% under the age of 18, 4.3% from 18 to 24, 20.9% from 25 to 44, 26.5% from 45 to 64, and 14.0% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 38 years. For every 100 females there were 137.3 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 103.2 males.

The median income for a household in the town was $51,607, and the median income for a family was $62,656. Males had a median income of $44,063 versus $37,083 for females. The per capita income for the town was $28,209. About 2.7% of families and 5.1% of the population were below the poverty line, including 4.1% of those under age 18 and 5.4% of those age 65 or over.

Communities and locations in Canaan

*Canaan -- The hamlet of Canaan is at the junction of Routes 5 and 295. it was formerly "Canaan Corners."
*Canaan Center -- A hamlet south of Canaan village on Route 5.
*East Chatham -- A hamlet at the west town line.
*Edwards Park -- A location southeast of Flatbrook.
*Flatbrook -- A hamlet southeast of Canaan village and located on Route 22.
*Queechy -- A hamlet east of Canaan village.
*Queechy Lake -- A lake near the east town line.
*Red Rock -- A hamlet at the south town line.

Notable residents

*Asa Adgate, (1767-1832), born in Canaan, United States Congressmancite book | title = Who Was Who in America, Historical Volume, 1607-1896 | publisher = Marquis Who's Who | location = Chicago | date = 1963]
* Sylvester E. Walker (1914-2007), born in Canaan, Town Supervisor, 1954-1973, 70-year volunteer fireman

References

External links

* [http://www.canaannewyork.org Town of Canaan, NY]
* [http://www.usgennet.org/usa/ny/county/columbia/canaan/index_canaan.htm Historical information about Canaan, NY]
* [http://chatham.lib.ny.us/ Canaan Branch of the Chatham Public Library]