Malta, New York facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Malta
Town
Town of Malta
Malta Corners, US Route 9 and NY Route 67, Gazebo in 2013
Seal
Location within Saratoga County
Malta Location in New York
Country	United States
State	New York
County	Saratoga
Created	March 3, 1802
Area
• Total	31.45 sq mi (81.47 km2)
• Land	27.92 sq mi (72.32 km2)
• Water	3.53 sq mi (9.15 km2)
Elevation	325 ft (99 m)
Population  (2020)
• Total	17,130
• Density	613.54/sq mi (236.86/km2)
Time zone	UTC-5 (Eastern (EST))
• Summer (DST)	UTC-4 (EDT)
ZIP code	12020
Area code(s)	518
FIPS code	36-44743
GNIS feature ID	0979186

Malta is a town located in Saratoga County, New York, United States. It's in the middle of the county, just south of Saratoga Springs. In 2020, about 17,130 people lived here.

Malta is special because it's home to the Luther Forest Technology Campus. This huge area, about 1,414 acres, is made for companies that work with advanced technology. It's a place for making things like computer chips and other new inventions. One of the biggest companies there is GlobalFoundries, which makes computer chips. In 2021, they even moved their main office to Malta!

History of Malta

Early Settlers and Town Formation

The first people to settle in Malta arrived around 1771. Many of them came from Connecticut. Some of the earliest known settlers included Michael Dunning, John Rhodes, and Samuel Clark.

The town was first called Dunning Street. In 1802, it officially became a town, formed from a part of the Town of Stillwater. A few years later, in 1805, Malta gained more land from the Town of Saratoga. The name "Malta" might have come from a malt brewery that used to be in the area. This place was once known as "Malt-ville" and is now called Maltaville.

Growth of Round Lake Village

The village of Round Lake started in 1868. It began as a religious camp meeting for the Methodist Church. In its first year, about 8,000 people attended! Soon, people started building permanent cottages instead of using tents. In 1969, Round Lake became an official village within the town of Malta.

Historic Places in Malta

Several important places in Malta are listed on the National Register of Historic Places. This means they are recognized for their historical importance. These include the Dunning Street Cemetery, the Ruhle Road Lenticular Metal Truss Bridge, and the Wiggins-Collamer House.

Geography and Location

Land and Water Features

Malta covers a total area of about 31.4 square miles (81.47 square kilometers). Most of this is land, about 28 square miles (72.32 square kilometers). The rest, about 3.4 square miles (9.15 square kilometers), is water.

A part of Saratoga Lake forms the eastern border of the town. The Kayaderosseras Creek marks the northern boundary.

Major Roads and Highways

Several important roads run through Malta. Exits 11, 12, and 13 of Interstate 87, also known as "The Adirondack Northway," pass through the middle of the town. US Route 9 also goes through the center. Other highways include New York State Route 9P in the east and New York State Route 67 in the south, which sometimes joins US-9.

Population and People

Population Changes Over Time

The population of Malta has grown a lot over the years. Here's how it has changed:

Who Lives in Malta?

In 2000, there were 13,005 people living in Malta. Most residents were White (96.24%). About 1.08% were African American, and 1.05% were Asian. People of Hispanic or Latino background made up 1.45% of the population.

The average age in Malta was 36 years old. About 25.6% of the population was under 18. Many households (55.6%) were married couples living together. The average household had 2.45 people.

Communities and Places in Malta

Malta Town Hall

Malta has several smaller communities and interesting spots:

• Country Knolls – A small community at the southern edge of the town.
• East Line – A community on the western town line.
• Francis Corners – A community east of Malta Ridge.
• Luther Forest – A large area that was once a tree-planting project. It later became a test site for rocket fuel and is now a big housing development.
• Malta – This is the main community, located on US Route 9 in the southern part of the town.
• Maltaville – A community north of Round Lake, also on US Route 9.
• Malta Ridge – A community on US Route 9, near the center of town.
• Mannings Cove – A community located right on Saratoga Lake.
• Riley Cove (China Town) – Another community on the shore of Saratoga Lake.
• Round Lake – A lake in the western part of the town. It was called "Tanendahowa" by early Native Americans.
• Round Lake village – A village on the western side of Round Lake, located on US Route 9.
• Round Lake airport (W57) – A small airport with a grass runway near Round Lake.
• Saratoga Lake – A large lake that touches the northeastern part of the town.
• Malta Corners – This is where US Route 9 meets NY Route 67/Dunning Street. It used to be called "Dunning Street Corners."
• Halls Corners – A community at the intersection of East High St, Brownell Rd, and Van Aernem Rd.

Economy and Jobs

Malta is home to several important businesses and technology centers:

• State Farm Operations Center – A large office for the insurance company.
• GlobalFoundries Semiconductor Fabrication "Fab 8" – A major factory that makes computer chips.
• Saratoga Technology + Energy Park (STEP) – This facility, run by NYSERDA, focuses on clean energy, energy-efficient technologies, and environmental solutions.

Transportation in Malta

Malta has a good road system, and most people travel by car. The Capital District Transportation Authority (CDTA) runs buses through Malta. These buses connect Malta to nearby towns like Clifton Park and Saratoga Springs. There are also commuter buses that go to Albany.

For air travel, there's the Saratoga County Airport (about 8 miles away) for smaller planes, and Albany International Airport (about 20 miles away) for larger flights. If you prefer trains, Amtrak has stations in Saratoga Springs (9 miles away) and Albany/Rensselaer (28 miles away).

Education in Malta

Most students in Malta attend schools in the Ballston Spa Central School District. Some parts of the town are also served by the Shenendehowa Central School District and Saratoga Springs City School District.

Malta also has higher education options:

• Hudson Valley Community College TEC-SMART facility – Located at the Saratoga Technology and Energy Park, this facility offers advanced technology programs.
• Bryant & Stratton College – A college located on US Route 9.

Notable People from Malta

People who live in Malta are sometimes called "Maltese."

• Elmer Ellsworth – Born in Malta in 1837, he is believed to be the first soldier to die in the American Civil War.
• The Cook Family – This family included Ransom Cook, an inventor, and his brother Nelson Cook, a famous portrait painter. They lived in East Line.
• George Crum – Many believe he invented the potato chip! He lived in Malta his whole life and ran a restaurant called Crum's Place near Saratoga Lake.

Points of Interest in Malta

There are many interesting places to visit in Malta:

• East Line Union Cemetery – A historic cemetery.
• Malta Drive-In theatre – Built in 1949, this is one of the few drive-in movie theaters left in the United States.
• Parade Ground historic district – This green space on Dunning Street was given in 1776 by Captain Michael Dunning. It was used as a training ground for soldiers during the American Revolution, the War of 1812, and the Civil War.
• Ruhle Road Lenticular Metal Truss Bridge – A unique historic bridge.
• "South Hill" – This house was once home to the famous novelist Katherine Anne Porter.
• Shenantaha Creek Park – A local park for outdoor activities.
• Zim Smith Trail – This is the only nationally recognized trail in New York.
• Albany-Saratoga Speedway – A popular racetrack.

See also

In Spanish: Malta (Nueva York) para niños