Massena (village), New York facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Massena, New York
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Village
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 Massena (village), New York
Location in New York
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| Country | United States |
| State | New York |
| County | St. Lawrence |
| Area | |
| • Total | 4.73 sq mi (12.25 km2) |
| • Land | 4.53 sq mi (11.73 km2) |
| • Water | 0.20 sq mi (0.52 km2) |
| Elevation | 230 ft (70 m) |
| Population
(2020)
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| • Total | 10,151 |
| • Density | 2,240.84/sq mi (865.11/km2) |
| Time zone | UTC-5 (Eastern (EST)) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-4 (EDT) |
| FIPS code | 36-46019 |
| GNIS feature ID | 0976634 |
| Website | https://massena.us/ |
Massena is a village located in St. Lawrence County, New York, in the United States. It's named after André Masséna, who was a famous general under Napoleon.
The village of Massena is mostly in the southwestern part of the Town of Massena. A small part of it also extends into the Town of Louisville and a tiny bit into the Town of Norfolk. You can find Massena near the northern border of St. Lawrence County.
Contents
History of Massena
Early Settlement and Growth
People first settled in the Massena area around 1803. The village grew partly because of nearby springs that were thought to have medicinal properties. André Masséna, for whom the village is named, was one of the first 18 Marshals appointed by Napoleon in France.
Massena is also known as the hometown of Bid McPhee, a famous baseball player who was born there in 1859 and is now in the Baseball Hall of Fame. The voice actor Hal Smith, known for many cartoon voices, also spent a lot of his early life in Massena. He graduated from Massena High School in 1936.
Industrial Development and Changes
In the middle of the 20th century, Massena grew a lot. This was due to the building of the Franklin D. Roosevelt power project and the Eisenhower locks. These projects helped connect the Atlantic Ocean to the Great Lakes through the St. Lawrence River.
Massena became an important manufacturing center in St. Lawrence County. It had plants like the Aluminum Company Of America (Alcoa) and Reynolds Metals (which is now part of Alcoa). There was also a General Motors Powertrain plant, which closed in 2011. The Alcoa East plant was temporarily closed in 2009 but started working again in 2011.
In recent years, the number of people living in Massena has gone down. This is mainly because some of its industries have faced challenges. Efforts began in 2013 to help the community move in a positive direction.
The Robinson Bay Archeological District, an important historical site, was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1977.
Geography and Location
Land and Water Features
According to the United States Census Bureau, Massena covers about 4.7 square miles (12.2 km²). Most of this area, about 4.5 square miles (11.7 km²), is land. The rest, about 0.2 square miles (0.5 km²), is water.
The village is located along the banks of the Grasse River and the Raquette River. It is also on the shore of the St. Lawrence River.
Nearby Parks and Waterways
Robert Moses State Park is located northeast of the village. The Eisenhower Lock System, which helps ships travel through the St. Lawrence River, was built in 1954 and is located near the State Park.
Major Roads
Several important roads meet in Massena. The east-west highway New York State Route 37B crosses New York State Route 37. Both of these roads also intersect with New York State Route 420, which runs north-south.
Population and People
| Historical population | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Census | Pop. | %± | |
| 1820 | 944 | — | |
| 1830 | 2,070 | 119.3% | |
| 1840 | 2,726 | 31.7% | |
| 1850 | 2,870 | 5.3% | |
| 1860 | 2,925 | 1.9% | |
| 1870 | 2,560 | −12.5% | |
| 1880 | 2,739 | 7.0% | |
| 1890 | 2,740 | 0.0% | |
| 1900 | 3,904 | 42.5% | |
| 1910 | 4,806 | 23.1% | |
| 1920 | 8,975 | 86.7% | |
| 1930 | 12,029 | 34.0% | |
| 1940 | 12,979 | 7.9% | |
| 1950 | 17,937 | 38.2% | |
| 1960 | 21,346 | 19.0% | |
| 1970 | 16,021 | −24.9% | |
| 1980 | 14,856 | −7.3% | |
| 1990 | 13,826 | −6.9% | |
| 2000 | 13,121 | −5.1% | |
| 2010 | 10,936 | −16.7% | |
| 2020 | 10,151 | −7.2% | |
| U.S. Decennial Census | |||
In 2000, there were 13,121 people living in Massena. The population density was about 293.7 people per square mile. There were 5,880 housing units in the town.
About 39.4% of households had children under 18 living with them. Around 36.1% were married couples living together. The average household had about 2.98 people.
The population was spread out in terms of age. About 23.7% were under 18 years old. Around 18.8% were 65 years or older. The average age in the town was 36 years.
Local Media
Radio Stations
Massena has several radio stations that serve the community:
- WMSA 1340
- WVLF-FM Mix 96.1
- WRCD-FM 101.5 The Fox
There was also a station called WYBG 1050, but it is no longer active.
Education in Massena
The schools in the village are part of the Massena Central School District.
