Ghent, New York facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Ghent, New York
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Ghent Town Hall in Ghent, NY
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Location of Ghent, New York
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| Country | United States |
| State | New York |
| County | Columbia |
| Government | |
| • Type | Town council |
| Area | |
| • Total | 45.40 sq mi (117.58 km2) |
| • Land | 45.13 sq mi (116.89 km2) |
| • Water | 0.27 sq mi (0.69 km2) |
| Elevation | 404 ft (123 m) |
| Population
(2020)
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| • Total | 5,303 |
| • Density | 116.806/sq mi (45.101/km2) |
| Time zone | UTC-5 (Eastern (EST)) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-4 (EDT) |
| ZIP code |
12075
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| Area code(s) | 518 |
| FIPS code | 36-021-28871 |
| GNIS feature ID | 0979000 |
Ghent is a charming town located in Columbia County, New York, in the United States. It has a ZIP code of 12075. In 2020, about 5,303 people lived here. Ghent is right in the middle of Columbia County, just northeast of the city of Hudson.
Contents
History of Ghent
How Ghent Was Formed
Around 1735, some of the first settlers arrived in this area. They used land that had already been cleared by native people. The town of Ghent was officially created in 1818. It was formed from parts of three nearby towns: Chatham, Claverack, and Kinderhook. The town was named after the Treaty of Ghent, an important peace agreement.
Historic Places in Ghent
One special place in Ghent is the historic Van Valkenburgh-Isbister Farm. This farm was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 2006. This means it's a very important historical site.
Geography of Ghent
Land and Water Areas
Ghent covers a total area of about 117.6 square kilometers (or 45.4 square miles). Most of this area is land, about 116.9 square kilometers (45.1 square miles). A small part, about 0.7 square kilometers (0.27 square miles), is water.
Major Roads in Ghent
The Taconic State Parkway is a main road that runs through the southeastern part of the town.
Population and People
How Many People Live Here?
| Historical population | |||
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| Census | Pop. | %± | |
| 1820 | 2,379 | — | |
| 1830 | 2,790 | 17.3% | |
| 1840 | 2,558 | −8.3% | |
| 1850 | 2,293 | −10.4% | |
| 1860 | 2,803 | 22.2% | |
| 1870 | 2,886 | 3.0% | |
| 1880 | 2,953 | 2.3% | |
| 1890 | 2,903 | −1.7% | |
| 1900 | 2,693 | −7.2% | |
| 1910 | 2,819 | 4.7% | |
| 1920 | 2,451 | −13.1% | |
| 1930 | 2,818 | 15.0% | |
| 1940 | 2,948 | 4.6% | |
| 1950 | 3,173 | 7.6% | |
| 1960 | 3,485 | 9.8% | |
| 1970 | 3,729 | 7.0% | |
| 1980 | 4,636 | 24.3% | |
| 1990 | 4,812 | 3.8% | |
| 2000 | 5,272 | 9.6% | |
| 2010 | 5,402 | 2.5% | |
| 2020 | 5,303 | −1.8% | |
| U.S. Decennial Census | |||
In 2020, the census counted 5,303 people living in Ghent. There were 1,914 households and 1,307 families. The population density was about 116.8 people per square mile.
Most people in Ghent are white (about 96.93%). Other groups include African American (1.1%), Native American (0.23%), and Asian (0.19%). About 1.35% of the population identified as Hispanic or Latino.
Households and Families
About 32% of households in Ghent had children under 18 living with them. Many households (55.8%) were married couples living together. The average household had 2.50 people.
Age Groups in Ghent
The median age in Ghent was 40.8 years old. This means half the people were younger than 40.8 and half were older.
- About 24.2% of the population was under 18 years old.
- About 17.2% of the population was 65 years or older.
Communities and Places in Ghent
Ghent is made up of several smaller communities and interesting spots:
- Arnolds Mill – A small community in the northeastern part of town.
- Buckleyville – Another small community, also in the northeastern area.
- Chatham – The southern part of the village of Chatham is actually located within Ghent.
- Columbia County Airport (1B1) – An airport found in the southwestern part of the town.
- Ghent – This is the main hamlet (a small settlement) of Ghent. It's located on Route 66. The Bartlett House here was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 2012.
- Omi – A community in the northwestern part of town, near West Ghent.
- Pulvers – A community located in the southern part of Ghent.
- West Ghent – A community in the northwestern part of town, located on Route 9H.
Education in Ghent
Students in Ghent can attend a few different high schools:
- Columbia Christian Academy
- Hawthorne Valley Waldorf School
Notable People from Ghent
Many interesting people have connections to Ghent:
- Stephen Metcalf – A writer, critic, and podcaster.
- Kristanna Loken – An actress.
- Henry Hogeboom (1809–1872) – A New York State Supreme Court judge.
- Morris Levy – An American music executive.
- William Wegman – An American artist famous for his photos of dogs, especially Weimaraners.
- William J. Leggett (1848–1925) – An American football player. He was the team captain for Rutgers in the very first football game ever played in 1869!
- Michael Schrom – A racing driver.
Images for kids
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Ghent Town Hall in Ghent, NY
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Location of Ghent, New York
See also
In Spanish: Ghent (pueblo) para niños
