Dunkirk (town), New York facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Town of Dunkirk, New York
|
|
|---|---|
Location within Chautauqua County and New York
|
|
 Dunkirk (town), New York
Location in New York
|
|
| Country | United States |
| State | New York |
| County | Chautauqua |
| Government | |
| • Type | Town Council |
| Area | |
| • Total | 6.28 sq mi (16.27 km2) |
| • Land | 6.23 sq mi (16.13 km2) |
| • Water | 0.05 sq mi (0.14 km2) |
| Elevation | 673 ft (205 m) |
| Population
(2020)
|
|
| • Total | 1,257 |
| • Estimate
(2021)
|
1,248 |
| • Density | 170.36/sq mi (65.78/km2) |
| Time zone | UTC-5 (Eastern (EST)) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-4 (EDT) |
| ZIP codes |
14048, 14166
|
| Area code(s) | 716 |
| FIPS code | 36-21116 |
| GNIS feature ID | 0978912 |
Dunkirk is a small town located in Chautauqua County, New York, in the United States. In 2020, about 1,257 people lived here.
The town of Dunkirk is quite unique because it's split into two parts: an east section and a west section. The city of Dunkirk sits right in the middle, acting as a separate area that divides the town.
Contents
History of Dunkirk
People first started settling in the Dunkirk area around 1808. For a while, not many people moved there. But things changed when the New York and Erie Railroad opened a train station in Dunkirk village in 1851. This made the area much more important for travel and trade.
The town of Dunkirk was officially created in 1859. It was formed from the northern part of another town called Pomfret. The village of Dunkirk became its own official village in 1837, and then it grew into a city in 1888.
An important event in American history happened near Dunkirk. The first naval fight in the War of 1812 took place in Lake Erie. This was near the mouth of Canadaway Creek, which is now part of the western side of the town. You can find a small marker there that remembers this event.
Geography of Dunkirk
The town of Dunkirk covers a total area of about 6.3 square miles (16.3 square kilometers). Most of this area, about 6.2 square miles (16.1 square kilometers), is land. The rest, a small amount of 0.05 square miles (0.1 square kilometers), is water.
Major roads pass through the town, including the New York State Thruway (Interstate 90) and New York State Route 5. Train lines also run through Dunkirk. These are the main routes for CSX Transportation and the Norfolk Southern Railway, connecting places like Buffalo and Chicago.
As mentioned before, the town of Dunkirk is divided into two sections, east and west. The city of Dunkirk is located right in between these two sections.
Where is Dunkirk Located?
The town of Dunkirk is next to:
- Lake Erie to the north and west.
- The town of Sheridan to the east.
- The towns of Pomfret and Fredonia to the south.
Who Lives in Dunkirk?
| Historical population | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Census | Pop. | %± | |
| 1860 | 5,616 | — | |
| 1900 | 454 | — | |
| 1910 | 429 | −5.5% | |
| 1920 | 512 | 19.3% | |
| 1930 | 726 | 41.8% | |
| 1940 | 672 | −7.4% | |
| 1950 | 887 | 32.0% | |
| 1960 | 1,541 | 73.7% | |
| 1970 | 1,646 | 6.8% | |
| 1980 | 1,584 | −3.8% | |
| 1990 | 1,482 | −6.4% | |
| 2000 | 1,387 | −6.4% | |
| 2010 | 1,318 | −5.0% | |
| 2020 | 1,257 | −4.6% | |
| 2021 (est.) | 1,248 | −5.3% | |
| U.S. Decennial Census | |||
Based on the 2000 census, there were 1,387 people living in the town. These people lived in 519 households, and 333 of those were families.
Most of the people in Dunkirk were White (94.16%). There were also African American (2.24%), Native American (0.58%), and Asian (0.07%) residents. Some people were from other backgrounds (1.66%) or identified with two or more races (1.30%). About 4.33% of the population was of Hispanic or Latino origin.
In terms of age, the population was spread out:
- 15.6% were under 18 years old.
- 5.8% were between 18 and 24.
- 20.3% were between 25 and 44.
- 27.2% were between 45 and 64.
- 31.1% were 65 years or older.
The average age in the town was 50 years.
The average income for a household in the town was $33,553. For families, the average income was $40,000. About 11.7% of all people in the town lived below the poverty line. This included 19.5% of those under 18 and 3.8% of those aged 65 or older.
Places in Dunkirk
- Canadaway Creek – This creek is famous because the first naval battle of the War of 1812 happened near its mouth.
See also
In Spanish: Dunkirk (pueblo) para niños
