Berlin, New York

Infobox Settlement
official_name = Berlin, 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 = Rensselaer
government_footnotes =
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leader_title =
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unit_pref = Imperial
area_footnotes =

area_magnitude =
area_total_km2 = 155.2
area_land_km2 = 154.5
area_water_km2 = 0.7
area_total_sq_mi = 59.9
area_land_sq_mi = 59.7
area_water_sq_mi = 0.3

population_as_of = 2000
population_footnotes =
population_total = 1901
population_density_km2 = 12.3
population_density_sq_mi = 31.9

timezone = Eastern (EST)
utc_offset = -5
timezone_DST = EDT
utc_offset_DST = -4
elevation_footnotes =
elevation_m = 293
elevation_ft = 961
latd = 42 |latm = 39 |lats = 38 |latNS = N
longd = 73 |longm = 23 |longs = 4 |longEW = W

postal_code_type = ZIP code
postal_code = 12022
area_code = 518
blank_name = FIPS code
blank_info = 36-06189
blank1_name = GNIS feature ID
blank1_info = 0978727
website =
footnotes =

Berlin is a town in Rensselaer County, New York, United States. The population was 1,901 at the 2000 census. The town is named after Berlin in Germany, although natives pronounce the name differently, with the accent on the first syllable.

The Town of Berlin is located on the eastern border of the county.

History

The town was first settled around 1765. It was named a town in 1803

Geography

According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 59.9 square miles (155.2 km²), of which, 59.7 square miles (154.5 km²) of it is land and 0.3 square miles (0.7 km²) of it (0.45%) is water.

The highest point is Berlin Mountain, 2,818 feet (859 m) above sea level, near the Massachusetts border in the Taconic Mountains. The Taconic Mountains form a barrier in the eastern part of the town so that no road connects the town to Massachusetts.

The east town line is the border of Massachusetts.

Adjacent towns and areas

The Town of Stephentown is to the south, and the Town of Petersburgh is in the north. The Town of Sand Lake, and the Town of Poestenkill are at the west town line. The eastern border is Berkshire County, Massachusetts.

Economy

Going back in time, Berlin had its economic roots as a center for dairy farming, however many of the farms have been subdivided in the last decades of the 20th century. The town now serves primarily as a bedroom community for the Albany, NY capital district, but retains some notable industries.

Like many small communities, Berlin has relied on one or two key employers for economic growth. These have primarily included W.J. Cowee, LLC, a manufacturer of wood products, and the Henry J. Seagroatt Co., a producer and distributor of flowers and supplies. In neighboring Petersburgh, NY, the high tech industry is represented by Taconic, a worldwide manufacturer of PTFE and dielectric materials.

Demographics

As of the censusGR|2 of 2000, there were 1,901 people, 729 households, and 500 families residing in the town. The population density was 31.9 people per square mile (12.3/km²). There were 1,034 housing units at an average density of 17.3/sq mi (6.7/km²). The racial makeup of the town was 98.42% White, 0.05% Native American, 0.11% Asian, 0.32% from other races, and 1.10% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.00% of the population.

There were 729 households out of which 33.1% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 52.9% were married couples living together, 9.5% had a female householder with no husband present, and 31.4% were non-families. 23.7% of all households were made up of individuals and 10.2% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.61 and the average family size was 3.11.

In the town the population was spread out with 27.9% under the age of 18, 6.4% from 18 to 24, 28.9% from 25 to 44, 23.1% from 45 to 64, and 13.6% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 38 years. For every 100 females there were 99.7 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 100.6 males.

The median income for a household in the town was $38,875, and the median income for a family was $44,464. Males had a median income of $32,500 versus $28,088 for females. The per capita income for the town was $17,733. About 9.7% of families and 12.0% of the population were below the poverty line, including 19.0% of those under age 18 and 8.4% of those age 65 or over.

Communities and locations in Berlin

*Berlin -- The hamlet of Berlin on NY State Route 22. It was formerly called "North Berlin" after it was settled around the year 1800.
*Bucks Corner -- A hamlet at the junction of County Routes 40 and 41 in the western part of the town.
*Center Berlin -- A hamlet south of Berlin village on NY State Route 22.
*Cherry Plain -- A hamlet in the south part of the town on NY State Route 22.
*Cherry Plain State Park -- A state park in the southwest part of the town.
*Spring Lake -- A private lake in the western part of the town.

References

External links

* [http://history.rays-place.com/ny/ren-berlin-ny.htm History of Berlin, New York]
* [http://town-court.com/getTownCourt.php?courtID=167 Berlin Town Court]