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Nelson, New York
Hamlet of Nelson within the town along US 20 westbound
Hamlet of Nelson within the town along US 20 westbound
Nelson, New York is located in New York
Nelson, New York
Nelson, New York
Location in New York
Nelson, New York is located in the United States
Nelson, New York
Nelson, New York
Location in the United States
Country United States
State New York
County Madison
Government
 • Type Town Council
Area
 • Total 44.06 sq mi (114.10 km2)
 • Land 43.06 sq mi (111.52 km2)
 • Water 1.00 sq mi (2.58 km2)
Elevation
1,503 ft (458 m)
Population
 (2020)
 • Total 1,890
 • Density 43.89/sq mi (16.95/km2)
Time zone UTC-5 (Eastern (EST))
 • Summer (DST) UTC-4 (EDT)
ZIP code
13035
Area code(s) 315
FIPS code 36-053-49770
GNIS feature ID 0979251

Nelson is a small town located in Madison County, New York, United States. It's in the southwestern part of the county. In 2020, about 1,890 people lived here. The town got its name from Horatio Nelson, a famous naval hero from England.

History of Nelson

How Nelson Was Formed

The town of Nelson was officially created in 1807. This happened a year after Madison County itself was established. Before becoming its own town, Nelson was part of the Town of Cazenovia.

Historic Buildings in Nelson

The Nelson Welsh Congregational Church is an important historical building in the town. It was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1993. This means it's recognized for its special history and architecture.

Geography of Nelson

Where is Nelson Located?

Nelson is an inland town, meaning it doesn't have a coastline. It's found in the southwestern part of Madison County. US Route 20, a major road, runs right through the town.

Land and Water Areas

The town of Nelson covers a total area of about 44.1 square miles (114.1 square kilometers). Most of this area, about 43.1 square miles (111.52 square kilometers), is land. The rest, about 1.0 square mile (2.58 square kilometers), is water.

Population of Nelson

How Many People Live Here?

The population of Nelson changes over time. A census is like a big count of all the people living in an area. The most recent count in 2020 showed that 1,890 people lived in Nelson.

Historical population
Census Pop.
1820 2,329
1830 2,445 5.0%
1840 2,100 −14.1%
1850 1,965 −6.4%
1860 1,797 −8.5%
1870 1,730 −3.7%
1880 1,649 −4.7%
1890 1,350 −18.1%
1900 1,296 −4.0%
1910 1,139 −12.1%
1920 1,099 −3.5%
1930 1,026 −6.6%
1940 928 −9.6%
1950 993 7.0%
1960 1,170 17.8%
1970 1,410 20.5%
1980 1,495 6.0%
1990 1,892 26.6%
2000 1,964 3.8%
2010 1,980 0.8%
2020 1,890 −4.5%
U.S. Decennial Census

Who Lives in Nelson?

In 2000, there were 1,964 people living in Nelson. About 38.7% of the households had children under 18 years old. The average household had about 2.69 people.

The population included people of all ages. About 28.3% were under 18. About 9.6% were 65 years old or older. The average age in the town was 38 years.

Communities and Places in Nelson

Nelson is home to several smaller communities and interesting spots:

  • Bucks Corner – You can find this spot in the northeastern part of the town.
  • Eaton Reservoir – A large part of this water reservoir is located in Nelson, near the eastern border.
  • Erieville – This is a small hamlet (a tiny village) in the southern part of the town. It's south of Tuscarora Lake.
  • Hughs Corner – Another location found in the northeastern corner of the town.
  • Nelson – This is the main hamlet of Nelson. It's on Route 20 in the northwestern part of the town. It used to be called "Nelson Flats" or "Skunk Hollow."
  • Pughs Corner – This location is just east of the main Nelson village.
  • Stoney Pond – A pond located north of Eaton Reservoir.
  • Tuscarora Lake – A beautiful lake situated in the southern part of the town.

Notable People from Nelson

Some famous people have connections to Nelson:

  • Henry Dexter – He was a talented sculptor who was born in Nelson.
  • Beezie Madden – A well-known Olympic equestrian, meaning she's an expert horse rider who has competed in the Olympics.

See also

Kids robot.svg In Spanish: Nelson (Nueva York) para niños

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