Mont Pleasant, Schenectady, New York facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Mont Pleasant
City of Schenectady
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Neighborhood
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 Mont Pleasant
Location in New York
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| Country | United States |
| State | New York |
| Region | Capital District |
| County | Schenectady County |
| annexed | 1903 |
| Area | |
| • Total | .81 sq mi (2.1 km2) |
| Population
(2000)
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| • Total | 9,303 |
| • Density | 11,490/sq mi (4,434/km2) |
| Time zone | UTC-5 (Eastern Standard Time) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-4 (Eastern Daylight Time) |
| Area code | 518 |
| ZIP Code | 12303 |
Mont Pleasant is a lively neighborhood located in the city of Schenectady, New York, in the United States. It's found in the south-central part of Schenectady. This neighborhood is special because it's the most populated area in Schenectady and has the most homes.
Contents
A Look Back: Mont Pleasant's History
Mont Pleasant became part of the city of Schenectady in 1903 and 1904. Before that, it was part of the nearby town of Rotterdam.
Long ago, Mont Pleasant was a busy neighborhood. Many immigrant families, like those from Italy, Poland, and Jewish communities, lived here. They often lived in two-family homes. Several churches and synagogues (Jewish places of worship) were built in the area. The Jewish Community Center (JCC) was also a big part of the community.
Over time, big companies like General Electric reduced their operations. This led many families to move out of Mont Pleasant and into the suburbs. As a result, fewer people owned their homes in the neighborhood. The Jewish congregations and the JCC also moved to nearby Niskayuna.
A report in 2009 showed that many homes in Mont Pleasant were empty. This showed how much the neighborhood had changed.
Who Lives in Mont Pleasant?
In 2000, Mont Pleasant had 9,303 people living there. This was a small decrease from 1990. Even with this change, it remained Schenectady's most populated neighborhood.
The number of older adults and pre-school children decreased the most. However, the number of school-aged children (ages 5 to 19) actually grew quite a bit. The average age of people in Mont Pleasant in 2000 was about 40.4 years old.
Homes in the Neighborhood
Mont Pleasant has 4,616 housing units, which is more than any other neighborhood in Schenectady. Most of these homes (76%) are rented, while 24% are owned by the people living in them. Interestingly, the number of owner-occupied homes increased between 1990 and 2000.
Income and Diversity
In 2000, the average income for households in Mont Pleasant was $27,824. About 20.7% of the residents were from minority groups.
Where is Mont Pleasant Located?
Mont Pleasant covers about 521 acres in the south-central part of Schenectady.
- To the south, you'll find the town of Rotterdam.
- To the west, the CSX railroad tracks separate it from the Bellevue neighborhood.
- Interstate 890 forms the eastern border, next to the Hamilton Hill neighborhood.
- To the north, Broadway separates Mont Pleasant from the General Electric plant.
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General Electric | Hamilton Hill | |
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| Town of Rotterdam |
How is the Land Used?
Most of the land in Mont Pleasant (63%) is used for homes. Other uses include community services (like schools or libraries) at 10.7% and businesses at 10.4%. Parks and entertainment areas make up 7.4% of the land. About 6% of the land is empty.
Mont Pleasant makes up about 9.5% of Schenectady's total land area. It also contributes about 11.6% of the city's property tax money.
Mont Pleasant's Buildings and Homes
Many homes in Mont Pleasant are two-family houses, making up about 44% of all homes. A large number of buildings (65.5%) were built before 1939.
In 2000, the average rent in Mont Pleasant was $553 per month. The average value of homes owned by residents was $58,525.
Learning in Mont Pleasant: Schools and Library
Mont Pleasant is home to several schools that are part of the Schenectady City School District.
Elementary Schools
- Hamilton Elementary School serves students from pre-kindergarten to fifth grade.
- The Academy of Culture & Communication Magnet School at Pleasant Valley teaches students from kindergarten to fifth grade.
Middle and High Schools
- Mont Pleasant Middle School is for students in sixth to eighth grades. After middle school, students usually go to Schenectady High.
- The Career Center at Steinmetz offers special programs for students in ninth to twelfth grades.
Library Access
A branch of the Schenectady County Public Library is also located in Mont Pleasant, providing books and resources for everyone.
A Bit of School History
Mont Pleasant Middle School first opened in 1931. It used to be one of Schenectady's two high schools. In 1992, it became a middle school when it merged with Linton High, which then became Schenectady High.
Fun and Games: Recreation in Mont Pleasant
Mont Pleasant has many parks and sports fields for residents to enjoy.
- Stelmack Park is a quiet park for relaxing.
- Tenth & Webster Park and Orchard Park are each about 1 acre. They both have basketball courts and play equipment.
- Wallingford Park offers a basketball court, a water mushroom, and play equipment.
- Michigan Avenue Park, at 3.88 acres, has tennis courts.
- Quackenbush Park is a 2-acre park with a basketball court, a swimming pool, and play equipment.
- The Mont Pleasant Athletic Field is a large 14.1-acre area with a baseball field.
- Grout Park is a great spot with a basketball court, tennis courts, a baseball field, play equipment, and even a rugby field.
