Alma, New York facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Alma
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 Alma
Location in New York
Alma
Location in the United States
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| Country | United States |
| State | New York |
| County | Allegany County |
| Incorporated | 1854 |
| Area | |
| • Total | 36.52 sq mi (94.58 km2) |
| • Land | 36.22 sq mi (93.80 km2) |
| • Water | 0.30 sq mi (0.78 km2) |
| Elevation | 2,546 ft (776 m) |
| Population
(2020)
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| • Total | 785  |
| • Estimate
(2021)
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779 |
| • Density | 23.39/sq mi (9.03/km2) |
| Time zone | UTC-5 (EST) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-4 (EDT) |
| ZIP code |
14708
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| Area code(s) | 585 |
| FIPS code | 36-003-01429 |
| Website | https://www.townofalmany.org/ |
Alma is a town located in Allegany County, New York, United States. In 2020, about 785 people lived there. The name "Alma" might come from the Battle of the Alma or from Stephen O. Alma, who managed a lumber company.
The Town of Alma is found on the southern edge of Allegany County. It is southwest of the Village of Wellsville.
Contents
History of Alma
The Alma area was first settled around 1833. The Town of Alma was officially created in 1854. It was formed from a part of the nearby Town of Willing.
Railroad History
From 1881 to 1893, some parts of Alma, like Allentown, had a railroad. This railroad was called the Bradford, Eldred & Cuba Railroad (BE&C). It was a narrow-gauge railway built to help with the oil boom in Allegany County.
When the oil boom ended, the railroad lost its passengers and cargo. It went out of business and was eventually shut down. Today, the closest train stations for Alma are in Wellsville and Friendship. You can still see parts of the old railroad tracks near West Clarksville.
Alma also had its own post office. It opened in 1850 and closed in 1996.
Geography of Alma
Alma covers a total area of about 36.5 square miles (94.5 square kilometers). Most of this area is land, with a small amount of water.
Alma Hill
Alma Hill is a large rise that covers the southern part of the town. It is the highest point in Allegany County. At 2,548 feet (777 meters) high, it is also the highest point in the entire western half of New York State. A paved road near the top of Alma Hill is one of the highest public roads in the state.
The southern border of Alma is also the border between New York and Pennsylvania.
New York State Route 417 (NY 417) is an important road that goes through the northern part of the town.
Population and People
| Historical population | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Census | Pop. | %± | |
| 1860 | 578 | — | |
| 1870 | 766 | 32.5% | |
| 1880 | 865 | 12.9% | |
| 1890 | 1,509 | 74.5% | |
| 1900 | 1,182 | −21.7% | |
| 1910 | 973 | −17.7% | |
| 1920 | 643 | −33.9% | |
| 1930 | 884 | 37.5% | |
| 1940 | 780 | −11.8% | |
| 1950 | 931 | 19.4% | |
| 1960 | 871 | −6.4% | |
| 1970 | 839 | −3.7% | |
| 1980 | 920 | 9.7% | |
| 1990 | 846 | −8.0% | |
| 2000 | 847 | 0.1% | |
| 2010 | 842 | −0.6% | |
| 2020 | 785 | −6.8% | |
| 2021 (est.) | 779 | −7.5% | |
| U.S. Decennial Census | |||
In 2000, there were 847 people living in Alma. These people lived in 322 households, and 243 of those were families. The population density was about 23 people per square mile (9 people per square kilometer).
About 33.5% of households had children under 18 living with them. Most households (63.0%) were married couples. The average household had 2.63 people.
About 26.6% of the population was under 18 years old. Around 14.3% of the people were 65 years or older. The average age in Alma was 38 years.
Places in Alma
- Alma – This is the main hamlet (a small village) of Alma. It's located where County Routes 18 and 38 meet in the southwest part of the town.
- Alma Hill – A mountain found northeast of the Alma hamlet.
- Allentown – A hamlet located by NY 417 in the northwest part of the town. This community was once a busy oil town. It also had a train station for the Bradford, Eldred & Cuba Railroad.
- Honeoye Creek – A stream that flows through the southern part of the town, near Alma village.
- Knight Creek – A stream in the northern part of the town, near NY 417.
- Pikeville – A hamlet in the western part of the town, located on County Route 18.
- Vosburg – A place on the western border of the town, along NY 417.
See also
In Spanish: Alma (Nueva York) para niños
