Leon, New York facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
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 Leon, New York
Location in New York
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| Country | United States |
| State | New York |
| County | Cattaraugus |
| Government | |
| • Type | Town Council |
| Area | |
| • Total | 36.11 sq mi (93.52 km2) |
| • Land | 36.08 sq mi (93.45 km2) |
| • Water | 0.03 sq mi (0.07 km2) |
| Elevation | 1,476 ft (450 m) |
| Population
(2020)
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| • Total | 1,253 |
| • Estimate
(2021)
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1,248 |
| • Density | 36.58/sq mi (14.13/km2) |
| Time zone | UTC-5 (Eastern (EST)) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-4 (EDT) |
| ZIP Code |
14751
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| Area code(s) | 716 |
| FIPS code | 36-009-41982 |
| GNIS feature ID | 0979140 |
Leon is a small town in Cattaraugus County, New York. In 2020, about 1,253 people lived here. The town's name comes from the old Kingdom of León in Spain. But people say it like the American first name, "LEE-un". Leon is on the western edge of Cattaraugus County. It is northwest of the city of Salamanca.
Contents
The Story of Leon
Early Days
People first settled in the Leon area around 1819. The town of Leon officially started in 1832. It was formed from a part of the nearby town of Conewango.
Historic Places
Two important buildings in Leon are on the National Register of Historic Places. These are the Leon Grange No. 795 and the Leon United Methodist Church. A "Grange" is a community group for farmers.
Post Office History
Leon used to have its own post office. It opened on June 20, 1837. The post office closed on July 24, 2010. Its ZIP Code was 14751.
Where is Leon?
Land and Water
Leon covers about 93.8 square kilometers (36.2 square miles). Most of this area is land. Only a tiny part, about 0.07 square kilometers (0.03 square miles), is water. The western border of Leon is also the border of Chautauqua County.
Local Waterways
The Conewango Creek flows through the northwest part of the town. This creek eventually joins the Allegheny River. Another stream, Mud Creek, flows through the southern part of Leon. The first settlers built their homes along Mud Creek.
Main Roads
U.S. Route 62 is a major highway that runs north and south through the western part of Leon. County Route 6 crosses U.S. Route 62 in the center of town.
Neighboring Towns
Leon has several neighbors. To the south is the town of Conewango. To the north is Dayton. The town of New Albion is to the east. On the west, Leon shares a border with Cherry Creek in Chautauqua County.
People of Leon
| Historical population | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Census | Pop. | %± | |
| 1840 | 1,326 | — | |
| 1850 | 1,340 | 1.1% | |
| 1860 | 1,399 | 4.4% | |
| 1870 | 1,204 | −13.9% | |
| 1880 | 1,192 | −1.0% | |
| 1890 | 1,194 | 0.2% | |
| 1900 | 1,003 | −16.0% | |
| 1910 | 859 | −14.4% | |
| 1920 | 729 | −15.1% | |
| 1930 | 720 | −1.2% | |
| 1940 | 755 | 4.9% | |
| 1950 | 738 | −2.3% | |
| 1960 | 808 | 9.5% | |
| 1970 | 878 | 8.7% | |
| 1980 | 1,055 | 20.2% | |
| 1990 | 1,245 | 18.0% | |
| 2000 | 1,380 | 10.8% | |
| 2010 | 1,365 | −1.1% | |
| 2020 | 1,253 | −8.2% | |
| 2021 (est.) | 1,248 | −8.6% | |
| U.S. Decennial Census | |||
Population Changes
In 2010, there were 1,380 people living in Leon. The population density was about 38 people per square mile. Most people in Leon (99.13%) are White. A small number are Native American or Asian.
Families and Households
There were 378 households in Leon in 2010. About 44% of these households had children under 18 living there. Most households (66.4%) were married couples. The average household had 3.64 people. The average family had 4.30 people.
Age Groups
The population in Leon is quite young. About 42.3% of the people are under 18 years old. The median age in Leon was 23 years. This means half the people were younger than 23, and half were older.
Amish Community
A large part of Leon's population, about 76%, belongs to the Old Order Amish community. The Amish are known for their simple lifestyle. They often avoid modern technology. Because of the Amish community, Leon's population has grown. This is special because many other areas in Cattaraugus County have seen their populations shrink.
Famous People from Leon
Some notable people have come from Leon:
- Charles N. Daniels – He was an architect.
- Albert T. Fancher – He served as a New York state senator.
- Wilbur F. Sanders – He was a U.S. senator.
Places in Leon
- Conewango Creek – This is a stream that flows through the northern part of the town.
- East Leon – A small community, called a hamlet, in the northeast corner of the town. It is located on County Road 5.
- Kendall Corners – A spot near the eastern town line, also on County Road 5.
- Leon (or "Leon Center") – This is the main hamlet of Leon. It is in the middle of the town where County Road 6 and US Route 62 meet.
- Millmans Corners – A location west of the Leon hamlet. It is near the eastern town line on Route 6.
- Meyers Corners – A spot at the northern town line on Route 62.
- Mud Creek – A stream that flows west past Leon. It is a branch of Conewango Creek. The first settlers in Leon built their homes along Mud Creek.
- Rays Corners – Another hamlet near the eastern town line, on County Road 44.
- Thompsonville – This used to be a community in the southeast part of the town.
See also
In Spanish: León (Nueva York) para niños
