Amenia (town), New York

:"For the unincorporated community, see Amenia (CDP), New York."Amenia is a town in Dutchess County, United States. New York, United States. The population was 4,048 at the 2000 census. The name is derived from the Latin word, "amoena", which means "pleasant to the eye."

The Town of Amenia is on the east border of the county.

Margaret Hamilton's ashes were scattered here after her cremation at Poughkeepsie Rural Cemetery. She was best known for her role as Miss Almira Gulch/Wicked Witch of the West in The Wizard of Oz.

History

The town was established and first settled around 1704. The town was part of the Great Nine Partners Patent of 1697. The Town of Amenia was officially formed in 1788. The Wassaic State School for developmentally retarded children was founded in 1930.

Past residents of note

*Gail Borden, inventor of condensed milk, established his first factory here.
*Obadiah German, (1766-1842), born in Amenia, United States Senator. cite book | title = Who Was Who in America, Historical Volume, 1607-1896 | publisher = Marquis Who's Who | location = Chicago | date = 1963]
*Samuel Herrick, (1779-1852), born in Amenia, United States Congressman from Ohio.
*John Miller, (1774-1862), born in Amenia, physician and United States Congressman from New York.
*Lewis Mumford, historian of science, lived and died in Amenia.
*Frank Stella, painter, resided in Amenia.
*Erastus Otis Haven Bishop of the Methodist Church, formerly Principal of Amenia Seminary (1846).
*Michael Cole television broadcaster for World Wrestling Entertainment.

Current residents of note

Michael S. Levin, chairman of Newview Technologies Inc. Former president and CEO of Titan Industrial Corporation.

Geography

According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 43.6 square miles (112.8 km²), of which, 43.3 square miles (112.2 km²) of it is land and 0.2 square miles (0.6 km²) of it (0.57%) is water.

The east town line is the border of Connecticut. US Route 44 crosses the north part of the town.

Demographics

As of the censusGR|2 of 2000, there were 4,048 people, 1,625 households, and 1,074 families residing in the town. The population density was 93.5 people per square mile (36.1/km²). There were 1,814 housing units at an average density of 41.9/sq mi (16.2/km²). The racial makeup of the town was 93.40% White, 2.94% Black or African American, 0.59% Native American, 0.47% Asian, 0.77% from other races, and 1.83% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 3.36% of the population.

There were 1,625 households out of which 29.4% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 51.4% were married couples living together, 9.8% had a female householder with no husband present, and 33.9% were non-families. 27.9% of all households were made up of individuals and 13.0% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.46 and the average family size was 2.97.

In the town the population was spread out with 23.7% under the age of 18, 6.5% from 18 to 24, 27.6% from 25 to 44, 25.0% from 45 to 64, and 17.1% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 40 years. For every 100 females there were 95.6 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 91.6 males.

The median income for a household in the town was $39,231, and the median income for a family was $51,294. Males had a median income of $32,038 versus $28,769 for females. The per capita income for the town was $22,095. About 3.4% of families and 8.1% of the population were below the poverty line, including 2.0% of those under age 18 and 12.7% of those age 65 or over.

Communities and locations in Amenia

*Amenia -- The hamlet of Amenia is in the northeast part of the town.
*Amenia Union -- A hamlet on the east town line.
*Leedsville -- A location in the northeast part of the town, east of Amenia village.
*Sharon Station -- A hamlet at the north town line.
*Smithfield -- A hamlet on the town line in the northwest part of the town.
*South Amenia -- A hamlet at the junction of Routes 2 and 3 in the east part of the town.
*Wassaic -- A hamlet in the south central part of the town.
*Wassaic Creek -- A stream on the west side of the town, passing through the community of Wassaic.

Schools

* [http://www.webutuckschools.org/ Webutuck Schools]
*Maplebrook School
*Kildonan School

References

External links

* [http://ameniany.gov/ Town of Amenia]
* [http://amenia.lib.ny.us/ Amenia Free Library]
* [http://www.imagineamenia.org ImagineAmenia]
* [http://tcextra.com/terrycowgill/2007/11/12/earthquake-over-the-border/ Earthquake Over The Border]