Gorham, New York facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Gorham, New York
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 Gorham, New York
Location in New York
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| Country | United States |
| State | New York |
| County | Ontario |
| Government | |
| • Type | Town Council |
| Area | |
| • Total | 53.17 sq mi (137.71 km2) |
| • Land | 48.85 sq mi (126.53 km2) |
| • Water | 4.32 sq mi (11.17 km2) |
| Elevation | 1,076 ft (328 m) |
| Population
(2020)
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| • Total | 4,130  |
| • Estimate
(2021)
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4,124 |
| • Density | 87.49/sq mi (33.78/km2) |
| Time zone | UTC-5 (Eastern (EST)) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-4 (EDT) |
| ZIP code |
14461
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| Area code(s) | 585 |
| FIPS code | 36-29531 |
| GNIS feature ID | 0979007 |
Gorham is a town in Ontario County, New York, United States. A town in New York is like a local government area. It's not quite a city, but it has its own leaders and services.
Gorham is located in the southern part of Ontario County. It is southeast of the city of Canandaigua. The town was named after Nathaniel Gorham, an important person in its early history. In 2020, about 4,130 people lived in Gorham.
Contents
Exploring Gorham's Past
Gorham has a long and interesting history. It was first created in 1789, the same year Ontario County was formed.
How Gorham Got Its Name
When Gorham was first established, it was called "Easton." Later, in 1806, its name was changed to "Lincoln." Finally, in 1807, the town was given its current name, "Gorham." This name honors an early owner of the land.
Changes to Town Borders
Over the years, Gorham's borders have changed a few times.
- In 1822, a part of Gorham was used to create the Town of Hopewell.
- Then, in 1824, more land was added to Gorham. This included the eastern shore of Canandaigua Lake.
A Big Fire in 1868
In 1868, a large fire swept through the village of Gorham. It destroyed a big part of the community.
Gorham's Location and Landscape
Gorham is a beautiful area with both land and water.
Land and Water Areas
The town covers a total area of about 53.2 square miles (137.7 square kilometers).
- Most of this area, about 48.9 square miles (126.5 square kilometers), is land.
- The rest, about 4.3 square miles (11.2 square kilometers), is water.
Natural Borders
- The southern border of Gorham is also the border of Yates County.
- On its western side, the town is bordered by Canandaigua Lake. This lake is one of the famous Finger Lakes in New York.
Main Roads in Gorham
Several important roads run through Gorham:
- New York State Route 245 crosses New York State Route 247 northeast of Rushville.
- NY-247 and New York State Route 364 are roads that go from north to south. NY-364 is closer to Canandaigua Lake, in the western part of the town.
Who Lives in Gorham?
The number of people living in Gorham has changed over time.
| Historical population | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Census | Pop. | %± | |
| 1820 | 3,991 | — | |
| 1830 | 2,977 | −25.4% | |
| 1840 | 2,779 | −6.7% | |
| 1850 | 2,615 | −5.9% | |
| 1860 | 2,537 | −3.0% | |
| 1870 | 2,389 | −5.8% | |
| 1880 | 2,521 | 5.5% | |
| 1890 | 2,203 | −12.6% | |
| 1900 | 2,131 | −3.3% | |
| 1910 | 2,134 | 0.1% | |
| 1920 | 1,936 | −9.3% | |
| 1930 | 1,843 | −4.8% | |
| 1940 | 2,027 | 10.0% | |
| 1950 | 2,354 | 16.1% | |
| 1960 | 2,664 | 13.2% | |
| 1970 | 3,033 | 13.9% | |
| 1980 | 3,598 | 18.6% | |
| 1990 | 3,497 | −2.8% | |
| 2000 | 3,776 | 8.0% | |
| 2010 | 4,247 | 12.5% | |
| 2020 | 4,130 | −2.8% | |
| 2021 (est.) | 4,124 | −2.9% | |
| U.S. Decennial Census | |||
Population in 2000
In the year 2000, there were 3,776 people living in Gorham. These people lived in 1,410 households. A household is a group of people living together in one home.
- About 32.7% of households had children under 18.
- Most households (60.2%) were married couples.
- The average household had about 2.66 people.
Age Groups
The population of Gorham includes people of all ages:
- About 26.3% were under 18 years old.
- About 13.5% were 65 years or older.
- The average age of people in Gorham was 39 years old.
Income Information
In 2000, the average income for a household in Gorham was $43,138 per year. For families, the average income was $45,917.
Famous People from Gorham
Some notable people have come from the town of Gorham:
- Samuel Reed Clark: He was a former politician in Wisconsin.
- William H. Lamport: He served as a US Congressman.
- Luman Walters: He was a mentor to Joseph Smith, who founded the Latter Day Saint movement.
Places and Communities in Gorham
The Town of Gorham includes several smaller communities and interesting spots:
- Babbitt Corner: A small area in the northeast part of the town.
- Baldwin Corners: Located northeast of Rushville.
- Cottage City: A small village right on the shore of Canandaigua Lake. It's south of Crystal Beach.
- Crystal Beach: Another small village on Canandaigua Lake. It's south of Greens Landing.
- Flint Creek: A stream that flows north, passing by Gorham village.
- Gorham: This is the main village in the town. It's near the eastern town line. It used to be called "Bethel."
- Granger: A location southwest of Gorham village.
- Greens Landing: A small village on the shore of Canandaigua Lake.
- Mead Corner: Found in the northeast part of the town.
- Reed Corner: Located in the northern part of the town.
- Rushville: The northern part of this village is within the town of Gorham.
- West River: A stream in the southern part of the town that flows through Rushville and eventually into Canandaigua Lake.
- Wilson Corner: Located east of Cottage City, where two roads meet.
See also
In Spanish: Gorham (Nueva York) para niños
