Owego (town), New York
Encyclopedia : O : OW : OWE : Owego (town), New York
Owego is a town in Tioga County, New York, USA. The population was 20,365 at the 2000 census. The name is derived from the Iroquois word Ahwaga, meaning where the valley widens.
The Town of Owego is in the southeast corner of the county. There is also a village of Owego in the western part of the town.
History
The town was first settled around 1786. The Town of Owego was formed in 1800. The town's name is a derivative of the Iroquois word "Ahwaga," which means, "where the valley widens." This name came from the vast floods that run into the valley when the winter snows melt, which cause several deaths a year.Geography
According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 273.9 km² (105.8 mi²). 269.8 km² (104.2 mi²) of it is land and 4.1 km² (1.6 mi²) of it (1.51%) is water.The Susquehanna River flows through the town, dividing it into two parts. The Southern Tier Expressway (New York State Route 17) crosses the town on the river's south bank.
Adjacent towns and areas
The east town line is the border of Broome County, New York and the south town line is the border of Pennsylvania (Bradford and Susquehanna counties). Owego is west of Binghamton, New York.Demographics
As of the census2 of 2000, there were 20,365 people, 7,733 households, and 5,761 families residing in the town. The population density was 75.5/km² (195.5/mi²). There were 8,226 housing units at an average density of 30.5/km² (79.0/mi²). The racial makeup of the town was 96.78% White, 0.70% Black or African American, 0.22% Native American, 1.01% Asian, 0.02% Pacific Islander, 0.26% from other races, and 1.02% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.11% of the population.There were 7,733 households out of which 34.6% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 63.0% were married couples living together, 8.5% had a female householder with no husband present, and 25.5% were non-families. 21.4% 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 2.61 and the average family size was 3.03.
In the town the population was spread out with 26.5% under the age of 18, 6.5% from 18 to 24, 28.4% from 25 to 44, 25.5% from 45 to 64, and 13.1% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 39 years. For every 100 females there were 99.3 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 95.4 males.
The median income for a household in the town was $46,987, and the median income for a family was $53,735. Males had a median income of $40,677 versus $25,425 for females. The per capita income for the town was $21,996. About 5.0% of families and 6.6% of the population were below the poverty line, including 7.5% of those under age 18 and 3.9% of those age 65 or over.
Communities and locations in the Town of Owego
- Apalachin -- The hamlet of Apalachin is south of the Susquehanna River by the Expressway.
- Campville -- A hamlet on the north side of the river on Route 17C. It was originally called East Owego until renamed after soldier and settler Asa Camp.
- Crestview Heights -- A hamlet near the east town line, north of the river.
- Flemingville -- A hamlet north of Owego village on Route 38. It was named after soldier and settler David Fleming.
- Foster -- A location near the east town line.
- Gaskill Corners (or Gaskill) -- A hamlet north of the river on Route 39. It is named after early settler Joseph Gaskill.
- Gibsons Corners -- A hamlet south of the river near the west town line. It is named after Eli Gibson, an early settler.
- Hiawatha Island -- An island in the Susquehanna River east of Owego village and west of Apalachin.
- Hullsville -- A location north of Gaskill.
- Oakley Corners -- A location in the northeast part of the town.
- Owego -- The Village of Owego is located on the north bank of the Susquehanna River.
- Owego Creek -- A stream that flows southward through the west side of the town and is joined by the Catatonk Creek before it enters the Susquehanna River.
- South Apalachin -- A location in the southeast part of the town.
- South Owego -- A hamlet near the south town line on Route 27.
- Waits -- A hamlet in the southwest corner of the town, named after early settler Henry Waits.
- Wittemore -- A location by the east town line.
External links
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