Esopus, New York

Esopus, New York
Town
Esopus, New York

Location within the state of New York

Coordinates: 41°51′21″N 73°59′31″W / 41.85583°N 73.99194°W / 41.85583; -73.99194
Country United States
State New York
County Ulster
Area
  Total 41.9 sq mi (108.5 km2)
  Land 37.2 sq mi (96.5 km2)
  Water 4.6 sq mi (12.0 km2)
Elevation 650 ft (198 m)
Population (2010)
  Total 9,041
Time zone Eastern (EST) (UTC-5)
  Summer (DST) EDT (UTC-4)
ZIP code 12429
Area code(s) 845
FIPS code 36-24691
GNIS feature ID 0978944

Esopus is a town in Ulster County, New York, United States. The population was 9,041 at the 2010 census. The name comes from the local Indian tribe and means "high banks."

The town of Esopus is on the west bank of the Hudson River south of the City of Kingston. The town center is in Port Ewen. US Route 9W passes up the east side of the town.

History

The area was a notable trading site between the Dutch and the native Esopus tribe. The town of Esopus was founded in 1811 from Kingston, New York, which also was called "Esopus" at one time.

The Cumming-Parker House, Esopus Meadows Lighthouse, Col. Oliver Hazard Payne Estate, Poppletown Farmhouse, and Reformed Protestant Dutch Church of Klyne Esopus are listed on the National Register of Historic Places.[1]

Geography

According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 41.9 square miles (109 km2), of which, 37.2 square miles (96 km2) of it is land and 4.6 square miles (12 km2) of it (11.08%) is water.

The east town line, marked by the Hudson River, is the border of Dutchess County. The Rondout Creek marks the north town line, while the Wallkill River defines the western border.

The lowest point in the town is the shore of the Hudson River, which is at sea level. The highest point is the summit of Hussey Hill, at 906 feet (276 m).[2] Hussey Hill is part of the Marlboro Mountains, which run roughly north to south through the central and eastern sections of Esopus.

Esopus also has three lakes; Esopus Lake and Mirror Lake, which are in Ulster Park, and Louisa Pond, which is located to the west of the village of Esopus. Louisa Pond is located in Shaupeneak Ridge Cooperative Recreation Area.

Demographics

Historical population
Census Pop.
18201,513
18301,77017.0%
18401,9399.5%
18502,90049.6%
18604,73463.2%
18704,557−3.7%
18804,7363.9%
18904,659−1.6%
19004,9075.3%
19104,732−3.6%
19203,913−17.3%
19304,1676.5%
19404,2201.3%
19504,73812.3%
19606,59739.2%
19706,9745.7%
19807,6059.0%
19908,86016.5%
20009,3315.3%
20109,041−3.1%
Est. 20148,918[3]−1.4%
U.S. Decennial Census[4]

As of the 2000 census[5] there were 9,331 people, 3,439 households and 2,235 families residing in the town. The population density was 250.5 people per square mile (96.7/km²). There were 3,724 housing units at an average density of 100.0 per square mile (38.6/km²). The racial makeup of the town was 94.57% White; 2.18% African American; 0.24% Native American; 0.94% Asian; 0.49% from other races; and 1.59% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.91% of the population.

There were 3,439 households out of which 29.5% had children under the age of 18 living with them; 51.7% were married couples living together; 8.8% had a female householder with no husband present; and 35.0% were non-families. 27.6% of all households were made up of individuals and 8.6% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.45 and the average family size was 3.01.

The population in town was spread out with 25.4% under the age of 18; 6.9% from 18 to 24; 29.3% from 25 to 44; 25.9% from 45 to 64; and 12.6% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 39 years. For every 100 females there were 93.7 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 91.0 males.

The median income for a household in the town was $46,915, and the median income for a family was $55,442. Males had a median income of $38,016 versus $31,010 for females. The per capita income for the town was $21,174. About 4.6% of families and, and 18.5% of those age 65 or over.

In the early part of the 21st century, Esopus became known as a haven for artists and performers including Academy Award and Tony Award-winning actress Frances McDormand, singer and Broadway actress Kelli O'Hara, soap opera star Sebastian Roche, director Joel Coen, choreographer Joe Langworth, Emmy Award-winning actor Peter Dinklage, and singer Greg Naughton, all of whom have homes in Esopus. Other historical figures and famous people who have lived in Esopus include naturalist John Burroughs, financier Harry Payne Bingham, industrialist John Jacob Astor, abolitionist Sojourner Truth, 19th century U.S. politician George W. Pratt, Standard Oil treasurer Colonel Oliver Hazard Payne, business leader and president of Avco Corporation Raymond Rich, Saint Frances Xavier Cabrini, Major Gen. Daniel Butterfield, who founded the American Express Company and wrote "Taps" in 1862, Eugene R. Durkee who made a fortune in spices and salad dressings and whose West Park summer mansion became part of the Marist Brothers monastery, and 1904 Democratic nominee for president Alton Brooks Parker, a lawyer and judge, who lost to incumbent Theodore Roosevelt.

Communities and locations in Esopus

See also

References

External links

Coordinates: 41°49′40″N 73°57′54″W / 41.82778°N 73.96500°W / 41.82778; -73.96500

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