Chili, New York facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Chili
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Chili town hall
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Location in Monroe County and the state of New York.
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Location of New York in the United States
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| Country | United States |
| State | New York |
| County | Monroe |
| Established | February 22, 1822 |
| Government | |
| • Type | Council government |
| Area | |
| • Total | 39.87 sq mi (103.25 km2) |
| • Land | 39.50 sq mi (102.30 km2) |
| • Water | 0.37 sq mi (0.96 km2) |
| Elevation | 556 ft (169 m) |
| Population
(2020)
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| • Total | 29,123 |
| • Density | 729.00/sq mi (281.47/km2) |
| Time zone | UTC-5 (EST) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-4 (EDT) |
| ZIP code |
14624
14514 (North Chili) |
| Area code(s) | 585 |
| FIPS code | 36-055-15462 |
| Website | http://www.townofchili.org/ |
Chili (pronounced CHY-ly) is a town in Monroe County, New York, United States. It's like a neighborhood or suburb of the bigger city of Rochester. In 2020, about 29,123 people lived there. Chili became its own town in 1822. A special part of Chili, called North Chili, was once a secret safe place for people escaping slavery on the Underground Railroad. You can also find Black Creek Park here, which has cool nature trails along a creek.
Contents
History of Chili
The land where Chili is now was once a hunting ground for the Seneca Indians. The first European settler was Captain Joseph Morgan. He bought land from Peter Sheffer, who lived in the nearby town of Wheatland.
The Chili area first became part of a place called Northampton. Later, when Monroe County was formed, Chili was part of the Town of Riga. But on February 22, 1822, Chili officially became its own town.
People aren't completely sure how Chili got its name. One idea is that it was named after the country of Chile. At that time, Chile was fighting for its independence. Another idea is that it was named after a religious group called the Chiliasts. Some of these early settlers in South Chili followed this faith.
Today, Chili has a local government. The main leader is the town supervisor, David Dunning. There are also town council members who help make decisions for the town. The Chili Mills Conservation Area is a special historical place in Chili. It was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1975.
Where is Chili Located?
Chili covers about 39.9 square miles (103.25 square kilometers). Most of this area is land, with a small part being water. Major highways like Interstate 490 and the New York State Thruway (Interstate 90) pass through the town.
Chili shares its borders with several other towns:
- To the north are the towns of Gates and Ogden.
- To the west is the town of Riga.
- To the east is the town of Henrietta.
- To the south is the town of Wheatland.
- The Genesee River forms part of Chili's eastern border.
How Many People Live in Chili?
The number of people living in Chili has grown a lot over the years.
| Historical population | |||
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| Census | Pop. | %± | |
| 1830 | 2,010 | — | |
| 1840 | 2,174 | 8.2% | |
| 1850 | 2,247 | 3.4% | |
| 1860 | 2,205 | −1.9% | |
| 1870 | 2,367 | 7.3% | |
| 1880 | 2,274 | −3.9% | |
| 1890 | 2,109 | −7.3% | |
| 1900 | 2,099 | −0.5% | |
| 1910 | 2,071 | −1.3% | |
| 1920 | 1,780 | −14.1% | |
| 1930 | 2,493 | 40.1% | |
| 1940 | 3,392 | 36.1% | |
| 1950 | 5,283 | 55.7% | |
| 1960 | 11,237 | 112.7% | |
| 1970 | 19,609 | 74.5% | |
| 1980 | 23,676 | 20.7% | |
| 1990 | 25,178 | 6.3% | |
| 2000 | 27,638 | 9.8% | |
| 2010 | 28,625 | 3.6% | |
| 2020 | 29,123 | 1.7% | |
| U.S. Decennial Census | |||
In 2000, there were 27,638 people living in Chili. About 25.6% of the people were under 18 years old. The average age of people in Chili was 37 years old.
Schools in Chili
Students in Chili attend schools in a few different districts:
- Churchville-Chili Central School District
- Gates Chili Central School District
- Wheatland–Chili Central School District
Neighborhoods and Areas in Chili
- Chili Center – This is where the town government offices are. It's also the most developed part of Chili.
- North Chili – This area is in the northwest part of town. It is home to Roberts Wesleyan College.
- South Chili – This is a more rural area in Chili. The New York State Thruway runs through it. The very first business in Chili, the Checker Tavern, was located here.
- West Chili – This is a small community just north of Black Creek Park. It used to be called Buckbee's Corners.
- Clifton – This is a small, rural area in the southern part of the town. It was once known for producing a special type of flour that won awards.
Fun Places to Visit in Chili
Roberts is a private university located in North Chili. It's a Christian school that focuses on liberal arts. About 2,000 students go there. The university often hosts events for the community. You can go there to watch soccer games, take swimming lessons, see dance shows, enjoy fireworks, listen to concerts, and watch plays. In 2022, Roberts changed its name from a college to a university.
Famous People from Chili
- Homer G. Balcom – He was born in Chili in 1870. He became a very important structural engineer. He helped design the famous Empire State Building!
Chili's Sister City
Chili has a special connection with a city in another country:
Agropoli - Italy
See also
In Spanish: Chili (Nueva York) para niños
