Independence, New York facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Independence, New York
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 Independence, New York
Location in New York
Independence, New York
Location in the United States
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| Country | United States |
| State | New York |
| County | Allegany |
| Government | |
| • Type | Town Council |
| Area | |
| • Total | 34.49 sq mi (89.3 km2) |
| • Land | 34.48 sq mi (89.3 km2) |
| • Water | 0.01 sq mi (0.03 km2) |
| Elevation | 2,165 ft (660 m) |
| Population
(2020)
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| • Total | 1,095  |
| • Estimate
(2021)
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1,088 |
| • Density | 33.84/sq mi (12.94/km2) |
| Time zone | UTC-5 (Eastern (EST)) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-4 (EDT) |
| FIPS code | 36-003-37297 |
| GNIS feature ID | 0979091 |
Independence is a town in Allegany County, New York, United States. The population was 1,095 at the 2020 census. The town is in the southeast corner of Allegany County, southeast of the village of Wellsville.
Contents
History
The first permanent settlement occurred in 1819 at Whitesville, although an attempt was made to settle the town in 1798. The town of Independence was formed in 1821 from part of the town of Alfred. Independence was reduced by the formation of the towns of Andover (1824) and Willing (1851). Historians have found no particular reason as to why the name Independence was chosen.
From November 16, 1896, through June 1936 Whitesville was served by the New York & Pennsylvania Railway (and predecessors) as part of its Canisteo to Ceres (via Greenwood, Genesee, Oswayo and Shinglehouse) main line. Following severe floods in July 1935 the railroad was partially out of service, and its abandonment in June 1936 was readily approved by the Interstate Commerce Commission which from an early date approved railroad abandonment to promote highway truck use. The loss of railroad service did much to accelerate economic decline of the Whitesville area.
Geography
According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 34.5 square miles (89 km2), all land.
The southern town line forms a border with Pennsylvania and the eastern town line is the border with Steuben County.
New York State Route 248 is a major east-west highway in the town that intersects with New York State Route 248A (Cryder Creek Road) west of the community of Whitesville.
Cryder Creek is a stream flowing out the southwest of the town, and Chenunda Creek flows across the northern part of the town. Both creeks are tributaries of the Genesee River.
Demographics
| Historical population | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Census | Pop. | %± | |
| 1830 | 877 | — | |
| 1840 | 1,440 | 64.2% | |
| 1850 | 1,701 | 18.1% | |
| 1860 | 1,199 | −29.5% | |
| 1870 | 1,175 | −2.0% | |
| 1880 | 1,186 | 0.9% | |
| 1890 | 1,249 | 5.3% | |
| 1900 | 1,280 | 2.5% | |
| 1910 | 1,202 | −6.1% | |
| 1920 | 1,028 | −14.5% | |
| 1930 | 1,056 | 2.7% | |
| 1940 | 1,110 | 5.1% | |
| 1950 | 1,053 | −5.1% | |
| 1960 | 1,004 | −4.7% | |
| 1970 | 1,031 | 2.7% | |
| 1980 | 1,138 | 10.4% | |
| 1990 | 1,026 | −9.8% | |
| 2000 | 1,074 | 4.7% | |
| 2010 | 1,167 | 8.7% | |
| 2020 | 1,095 | −6.2% | |
| 2021 (est.) | 1,088 | −6.8% | |
| US Decennial Census | |||
Communities and locations in the Town of Independence
- Independence – A hamlet at the intersection of County Road 22 and County Road 22A near the northern town line.
- Whitesville – A hamlet at routes NY 248 and NY 248A near the eastern town line. The community is named after Samuel S White, the first permanent resident in the town and founder of the hamlet.
- Spring Mills – A hamlet in the southeast corner near Spring Mills Creek.
Notable person
- Mary Bassett Clarke (1831–1908), writer
See also
In Spanish: Independence (Nueva York) para niños
