DeWitt, New York facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
DeWitt, New York
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Location in Onondaga County and the state of New York.
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| Country | United States |
| State | New York |
| County | Onondaga |
| Government | |
| • Type | Town Council |
| Area | |
| • Total | 33.86 sq mi (87.71 km2) |
| • Land | 33.77 sq mi (87.47 km2) |
| • Water | 0.09 sq mi (0.24 km2) |
| Elevation | 417 ft (127 m) |
| Population
(2020)
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| • Total | 26,074 |
| • Density | 770.05/sq mi (297.275/km2) |
| Time zone | UTC-5 (Eastern (EST)) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-4 (EDT) |
| ZIP code |
13214
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| Area code(s) | 315 |
| FIPS code | 36-20478 |
| GNIS feature ID | 0978901 |
DeWitt is a town located in Onondaga County, New York, in the United States. It's like a smaller community that's part of a bigger county. As of the 2020 census, about 26,074 people lived there. The town is named after Moses DeWitt, who was a judge and a soldier. DeWitt is also an eastern suburb of Syracuse, which means it's a community just outside the main city. You can find most of the campus and all the main buildings of Le Moyne College here too.
Contents
History of DeWitt
DeWitt was once part of a large area called the Central New York Military Tract. The very first settlers arrived in this area around the year 1789.
A very important waterway, the original Erie Canal, was built through the town in 1825. This canal helped transport goods and people across New York. DeWitt officially became a town in 1835. It was formed from a part of the Town of Manlius. The town was named to honor Moses DeWitt, who was a major in the local military, a county judge, and one of the first people to settle in the county.
Exploring DeWitt's Geography
According to the United States Census Bureau, the town of DeWitt covers a total area of about 33.9 square miles (87.7 square kilometers). Most of this area, about 33.8 square miles (87.47 square kilometers), is land. Only a small part, about 0.1 square miles (0.24 square kilometers), is water.
Major Roads in DeWitt
Interstate 481 is the main highway that goes through DeWitt. It crosses the middle of the town and then turns north along the eastern side. This highway connects with other big roads like Interstate 690 and Interstate 90 (also known as the New York State Thruway).
Several other state routes also pass through DeWitt. These include New York State Route 92 (which joins with New York State Route 5), New York State Route 91, New York State Route 173, New York State Route 298, and New York State Route 290. These roads help people travel easily within and around the town.
Waterways in DeWitt
DeWitt has several natural bodies of water that are important to its environment:
- Butternut Creek starts south of the Jamesville Reservoir. It flows under the Erie Canal and then north and east into Limestone Creek. This water eventually reaches Oneida Lake.
- Meadow Brook is a smaller stream that flows east from Syracuse into DeWitt. It eventually joins Butternut Creek.
- Glacier Lake is a beautiful lake found within Clark Reservation State Park.
- Ley Creek (South Branch) flows north and west from near Erie Boulevard in DeWitt. It eventually empties into Onondaga Lake.
The Erie Canal's Path
A part of the historic Old Erie Canal runs right through DeWitt. This section is called the "Long Level." The canal is also part of the Erie Canalway National Heritage Corridor, which helps protect and celebrate its history.
People and Population in DeWitt
As of the 2020 census, the population of DeWitt was 26,074 people. This means that many families and individuals call DeWitt home.
| Historical population | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Census | Pop. | %± | |
| 1840 | 2,802 | — | |
| 1850 | 3,302 | 17.8% | |
| 1860 | 3,043 | −7.8% | |
| 1870 | 3,105 | 2.0% | |
| 1880 | 3,975 | 28.0% | |
| 1890 | 4,560 | 14.7% | |
| 1900 | 5,435 | 19.2% | |
| 1910 | 7,422 | 36.6% | |
| 1920 | 10,279 | 38.5% | |
| 1930 | 9,536 | −7.2% | |
| 1940 | 10,836 | 13.6% | |
| 1950 | 15,329 | 41.5% | |
| 1960 | 22,740 | 48.3% | |
| 1970 | 29,198 | 28.4% | |
| 1980 | 26,868 | −8.0% | |
| 1990 | 25,148 | −6.4% | |
| 2000 | 24,937 | −0.8% | |
| 2010 | 25,838 | 3.6% | |
| 2020 | 26,074 | 0.9% | |
| U.S. Decennial Census | |||
In 2000, about 30% of the households in DeWitt had children under 18 living there. The average household had about 2.35 people. The median age of people in DeWitt was 41 years old. This means half the population was younger than 41, and half was older.
DeWitt's Economy
DeWitt is home to several important businesses and companies. These businesses provide jobs and help the local economy grow.
- Aspen Dental has its main office (headquarters) in DeWitt, close to East Syracuse.
- Carrier Corporation has a large engineering and design center in DeWitt. It's known as the Carrier Campus.
- Hanson Aggregates owns and runs the Jamesville Quarry, which is a site where materials like stone are extracted.
Famous People from DeWitt
Some well-known individuals have connections to DeWitt:
- Jim Boeheim: He was the head basketball coach for Syracuse University for many years, from 1976 to 2023.
- Elizabeth Bunnell Read: She was a journalist and a suffragist, meaning she worked to gain voting rights for women.
Communities and Places in DeWitt
DeWitt includes several smaller communities and important places:
Village
- East Syracuse – This is a village located to the east of the Eastwood neighborhood in Syracuse.
Hamlets
- Collamer (also called "Brittons Settlement") – A small community in the northeastern part of DeWitt.
- DeWitt (once known as "Youngsville" and "Orville") – This is the main community of DeWitt, located near the town center.
- Franklin Park – A suburban community in the northwestern part of DeWitt.
- Lyndon Corners – A hamlet in the eastern part of the town.
- Jamesville – A community in the southern part of DeWitt.
- Oot Park – A hamlet located near the eastern border of the town.
Other Important Places
- DeWitt Acres – A neighborhood with homes, located near the ShoppingTown Mall.
- Hancock Field Air National Guard Base – A United States Air Force base where the New York Air National Guard's 174th Attack Wing is located.
- Messina Springs – A small community near East Syracuse that was settled a long time ago in the early 1800s.
- Morehouse Flats – An early community that was located north of Jamesville.
- Onondaga County Department of Correction – A jail located east of Jamesville.
- Syracuse Hancock International Airport – Part of this airport is located in the northwestern section of DeWitt.
Fun Places to Visit in DeWitt
DeWitt has many interesting places to visit, from historic sites to beautiful parks.
National Historic Sites
These places are important because of their history:
- Erie Canalway National Heritage Corridor: A special area that preserves the history of the Erie Canal.
- Dr. John Ives House: A historic house.
- Saint Mark's Church, Jamesville: A historic church.
- Southwood Two-Teacher School, Jamesville: An old school building.
State Parks and Historic Sites
These are larger parks and sites managed by the state:
- Clark Reservation State Park – A state park located south of Syracuse, known for its unique geology.
- Old Erie Canal State Historic Park – A long state historic park that follows the old Erie Canal path. It's great for walking and biking. It includes:
- Cedar Bay Park
- The Town of DeWitt has a fun event called Erie Canal Day every year at Cedar Bay Park. It's a celebration with games, music, and food, and it has been happening since 1968.
- Cedar Bay Park
Local Parks in DeWitt
These parks are managed by the town for everyone to enjoy:
- Butternut Creek Recreation and Nature Trail – A 67-acre area with trails and nature, located near Wegmans.
- Fiddlers Green Park – A small park in the community of Jamesville that is still being developed.
- Maxwell Park – A large 105-acre park in East Syracuse.
- Ryder Park and Recreation Area – A 12-acre park right next to the DeWitt Town Hall.
- Willis Carrier Recreation Center and Park – A 22-acre park next to the Carrier Campus.
Other Attractions
- Community Library of DeWitt and Jamesville – This is the public library that serves the town.
- Drumlins Country Club – Owned by Syracuse University, this club has two 18-hole golf courses, one for members and one open to the public.
Education in DeWitt
DeWitt has several schools and colleges that help students learn and grow.
School Districts
Parts of DeWitt are served by different school districts:
- Jamesville-DeWitt (JD) School District: This district has its main office in DeWitt.
- East Syracuse-Minoa (ESM) School District: This district serves some parts of DeWitt.
- North Syracuse Central School District
- Fayetteville-Manlius Central School District
Other Schools and Colleges
You can also find these schools in DeWitt:
- Bishop Grimes Junior/Senior High School
- Christian Brothers Academy (CBA)
- Le Moyne College: A college that offers many different programs.
- Manlius Pebble Hill School (MPH)
- Syracuse Hebrew Day School (SHDS)
Images for kids
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Towns in Onondaga County, New York
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Hanson Aggregates, Jamesville, NY
See also
In Spanish: DeWitt (Nueva York) para niños
