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'Amsterdam' is a town in Montgomery County, New York, USA. The population was 5,820 at the 2000 census. The town is named after Amsterdam, the capital of the Netherlands.
The 'Town of Amsterdam' is adjacent to and borders the City of Amsterdam on three sides. The town is on the county's northern border.
The Erie Canal passes along the south border of the town.

Contents

History

Geography

Demographics

Communities and locations

External links

History

The region was controlled by the powerful Iroquois and their subtribe, the Mohawk, prior to the entry of Europeans into the area.
The town was first settled around 1715, but most settlement did not take place until Sir William Johnson established his first seat of power in the region at Fort Johnson (earlier known as Mount Johnson), prior to founding the City of Johnstown.
The town was formed in 1793 from part of the previous "Town of Caughnawaga," which had been established in 1788 and named after a local Mohawk community. Caughnawaga was a large town, constituting much of Montgomery County north of the Mohawk River until its subdivision eliminated it.
The division of Caughnawaga also create the Towns of Broadalbin (in Fulton County), Johnstown, and Mayfield (Fulton County).
The incorporation of the Village of Amsterdam in 1838 removed more territory from the south part of the town. As the village grew toward becoming the City of Amsterdam, it took in more territory from the town. The Town of Perth (also in Fulton County) was removed in 1838.
In 1865, the population of the Town of Amsterdam was 5,135.

Geography

According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 78.6 km² (30.3 mi²). 76.9 km² (29.7 mi²) of it is land and 1.7 km² (0.6 mi²) of it (2.14%) is water.
The north town line is the border of Fulton County. The south town line is defined by the Mohawk River. The east town line is at the border of both Saratoga County and Schenectaday County.
New York State Route 5 and New York State Route 67 are east-west highways, partly conjoined near the Mohawk River. Both highways intersect north-south New York State Route 30 in the City of Amsterdam.

Demographics

As of the census² of 2000, there were 5,820 people, 2,243 households, and 1,531 families residing in the town. The population density was 75.7/km² (196.1/mi²). There were 2,374 housing units at an average density of 30.9/km² (80.0/mi²). The racial makeup of the town was 97.77% White, 0.69% Black or African American, 0.10% Native American, 0.24% Asian, 0.36% from other races, and 0.84% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 2.32% of the population.
There were 2,243 households out of which 27.0% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 56.3% were married couples living together, 8.4% had a female householder with no husband present, and 31.7% were non-families. 27.6% of all households were made up of individuals and 12.7% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.41 and the average family size was 2.91.
In the town the population was spread out with 20.2% under the age of 18, 6.2% from 18 to 24, 24.4% from 25 to 44, 26.3% from 45 to 64, and 22.9% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 44 years. For every 100 females there were 91.0 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 85.5 males.
The median income for a household in the town was $37,097, and the median income for a family was $46,667. Males had a median income of $34,476 versus $23,533 for females. The per capita income for the town was $19,099. About 5.1% of families and 7.0% of the population were below the poverty line, including 4.8% of those under age 18 and 8.6% of those age 65 or over.

Communities and locations

★ 'Chuctenunda Creek' -- A