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Fayette, New York
Fayette, New York is located in New York
Fayette, New York
Fayette, New York
Location in New York
Country United States
State New York
County Seneca
Settled 1790
Established March 14, 1800
Government
 • Type Town Board
Area
 • Total 66.40 sq mi (171.98 km2)
 • Land 54.82 sq mi (141.98 km2)
 • Water 11.58 sq mi (30.00 km2)
Elevation
574 ft (175 m)
Population
 (2020)
 • Total 3,617 Decrease
 • Estimate 
(2021)
3,602
 • Density 70.65/sq mi (27.28/km2)
Time zone UTC-5 (Eastern (EST))
 • Summer (DST) UTC-4 (EDT)
ZIP code
13065
Area code(s) 315 and 680
FIPS code 36-25505
GNIS feature ID 0978954
Website http://townoffayetteny.org/

Fayette is a small town in Seneca County, New York, United States. In 2020, about 3,617 people lived there. The town is located in the north-central part of the county. It is southeast of the city of Geneva.

Even though Fayette has its own post office, the area uses four different ZIP Codes. Only the main part of Fayette uses the 13065 ZIP code. Other parts of the town use ZIP codes for nearby places like Seneca Falls, Waterloo, and Geneva.

History of Fayette

The area that is now Fayette was first settled around 1790. It was part of a special land area called the Central New York Military Tract. This land was set aside for soldiers who fought in the American Revolutionary War.

The town was officially created in 1800. It was formed from a part of the Town of Romulus. At first, it was called the "Town of Washington." But in 1808, its name was changed to Fayette.

Important Events in Fayette's History

A very important event happened in Fayette on April 6, 1830. Joseph Smith, who was from nearby Palmyra, New York, started a new church here. It was called the Church of Christ. This happened in a log home owned by Peter Whitmer Sr.. Peter Whitmer and five other people were the first members of this new religious movement. The largest church that came from this movement is now known as the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

In 1980, a rebuilt version of the original Whitmer log home was opened. This was part of the church's 150-year celebration. The home was dedicated by the church's leader, Spencer W. Kimball. The event was broadcast around the world. Today, the Whitmer log home is still a historical site. It is open to visitors who want to learn about its history.

Several other buildings in Fayette are also important historical sites. The Christ Evangelical and Reformed Church and the William Hoster House are listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The Rose Hill Mansion is even more special. It is a National Historic Landmark.

Geography of Fayette

Fayette covers a total area of about 66.5 square miles (171.98 square kilometers). Most of this is land, about 55.2 square miles (141.98 square kilometers). The rest, about 11.3 square miles (30.00 square kilometers), is water.

Lakes and Rivers

The western border of Fayette is Seneca Lake. The eastern border is Cayuga Lake. These are two of New York's famous Finger Lakes. The northern border of the town is partly marked by the Seneca River. This river is part of the Cayuga-Seneca Canal. The canal connects to the larger Erie Canal system.

Main Roads

Several important highways run through Fayette. These include New York State Route 89, 96, 96A, and 414. All of these roads run north and south. New York State Route 336 is a shorter road that runs east and west between the hamlets of McDougall and Fayette.

Population of Fayette

Historical population
Census Pop.
1820 2,869
1830 3,216 12.1%
1840 3,731 16.0%
1850 3,786 1.5%
1860 3,742 −1.2%
1870 3,364 −10.1%
1880 3,316 −1.4%
1890 2,912 −12.2%
1900 2,711 −6.9%
1910 2,593 −4.4%
1920 2,215 −14.6%
1930 2,396 8.2%
1940 2,383 −0.5%
1950 2,557 7.3%
1960 2,825 10.5%
1970 2,997 6.1%
1980 3,561 18.8%
1990 3,636 2.1%
2000 3,643 0.2%
2010 3,929 7.9%
2020 3,617 −7.9%
2021 (est.) 3,602 −8.3%
U.S. Decennial Census

In 2010, there were 3,929 people living in Fayette. These people lived in 1,535 households. Most of the people living in Fayette were White (97.7%). A small number were Black, Native American, or Asian. About 1.6% of the population was Hispanic or Latino.

The population of Fayette includes people of all ages. In 2010, about 25.6% of the people were under 20 years old. About 17.1% were 65 years or older. The average age in the town was 43.8 years.

Homes in Fayette

There were 1,884 housing units in Fayette. Most of these homes were lived in by their owners (84.8%). A smaller number were rented (15.2%). Sometimes, homes in places like Fayette might be empty because they are vacation homes. These homes are used only during certain seasons.

Communities and Locations in Fayette

Fayette is made up of several smaller communities and areas. Here are some of them:

  • Canoga – A small community near Cayuga Lake, located by NY-89.
  • Canoga Springs – Another community in the eastern part of the town, on County Road 121.
  • Fayette – This is the main community, or hamlet, of Fayette. It is located on NY-414 near the southern town line.
  • Kuneytown – A community south of Canoga Springs, found on County Road 154.
  • Pastime Park – A community right on the shore of Seneca Lake.
  • Rose Hill – A community on NY-96A in the western part of Fayette.
  • MacDougall – A community on the southern town line, located on NY-336.
  • Seneca Lake State Park – A state park partly in Fayette, near the Seneca River. It is also partly in the Town of Waterloo.
  • Teall Beach – Another community located right on Seneca Lake.
  • Waterloo – The southern part of the Village of Waterloo extends into Fayette. It is on NY-96 at the northern town line.
  • Yale – A community on the southern town line, on County Road 126.
  • Yost Corners – A location found near the center of the town.

Notable People from Fayette

Some interesting people have connections to Fayette:

  • Robert Seldon Duncanson – A famous artist from the Hudson River School.
  • Red Jacket – Also known as "Saguwatha," he was an important chief of the Seneca people. He was born in this area.
  • Robert S. Rose – A former member of the U.S. Congress.
  • Peter Whitmer Sr. – An important early member of the Latter Day Saint movement. His home in Fayette was where the Church of Christ was first organized in 1830.

See also

Kids robot.svg In Spanish: Fayette (Nueva York) para niños

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