Newark Valley, New York facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Newark Valley, New York
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Town
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| Country | United States |
| State | New York |
| County | Tioga |
| Settled | Around 1791 |
| Incorporated (as "Westville") | 1823 |
| Renamed (to "Newark") | 1824 |
| Renamed (to "Newark Valley") | 1862 |
| Area | |
| • Total | 50.4 sq mi (131 km2) |
| • Land | 50.3 sq mi (130 km2) |
| • Water | 0.1 sq mi (0.3 km2) |
| Population
(2020)
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| • Total | 3,660 |
| • Density | 81.4/sq mi (31.4/km2) |
| Time zone | UTC-5 (Eastern (EST)) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-4 (EDT) |
Newark Valley is a small town located in Tioga County, New York, United States. It's a quiet place with a population of about 3,600 people. The town gets its name from the city of Newark, New Jersey.
The Town of Newark Valley also includes a smaller area called the Village of Newark Valley. This town is found in the northeast part of Tioga County, a bit northwest of the larger city of Binghamton.
Contents
History of Newark Valley
When Did People First Settle Here?
The first people to settle permanently in this area arrived around 1791. This early settlement was known as Brown's Settlement. It was part of the Town of Berkshire for a while.
How Did Newark Valley Get Its Name?
In 1823, the area officially became a town and was first called "Westville." Just one year later, in 1824, its name was changed to "Newark." This new name was suggested by a settler who came from New Jersey.
However, in 1862, the town's name changed again to "Newark Valley." This was done to avoid confusion with another place called Newark in Wayne County, New York.
Who Were Some Early Settlers?
One of the very first settlers was Richard Sarles (1753-1849). He was from Bedford (town), New York and fought in the American Revolutionary War. His family's name is spelled in different ways today, like Searles or Sarlls.
The area where Richard Sarles settled was called Searlestown. It's located between the Village of Newark Valley and Flemingville near Owego, New York. There's even a cemetery there named Searlestown Cemetery, where Richard Sarles and many of his family members are buried.
Historic Buildings in Newark Valley
Several old and important buildings in Newark Valley are listed on the National Register of Historic Places. This means they are recognized for their historical value. Some of these include the Belcher-Holden Farm, the Bement-Billings House, and the West Newark Congregational Church and Cemetery.
Geography and Location
How Big is Newark Valley?
Newark Valley covers a total area of about 50.4 square miles (130.6 square kilometers). Most of this area, about 50.3 square miles (130.4 square kilometers), is land. Only a small part, about 0.1 square mile (0.2 square kilometers), is water.
The eastern border of the town is also the border of Broome County.
Main Roads in the Town
Two important roads, New York State Route 38 and New York State Route 38B, meet just south of the Village of Newark Valley. These roads help people travel through and around the town.
Population of Newark Valley
| Historical population | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Census | Pop. | %± | |
| 1830 | 1,029 | — | |
| 1840 | 1,616 | 57.0% | |
| 1850 | 1,983 | 22.7% | |
| 1860 | 2,169 | 9.4% | |
| 1870 | 2,321 | 7.0% | |
| 1880 | 2,577 | 11.0% | |
| 1890 | 2,339 | −9.2% | |
| 1900 | 2,164 | −7.5% | |
| 1910 | 2,102 | −2.9% | |
| 1920 | 1,889 | −10.1% | |
| 1930 | 1,843 | −2.4% | |
| 1940 | 2,210 | 19.9% | |
| 1950 | 2,384 | 7.9% | |
| 1960 | 2,880 | 20.8% | |
| 1970 | 3,323 | 15.4% | |
| 1980 | 3,765 | 13.3% | |
| 1990 | 4,189 | 11.3% | |
| 2000 | 4,097 | −2.2% | |
| 2010 | 3,946 | −3.7% | |
| 2020 | 3,660 | −7.2% | |
| 2021 (est.) | 3,604 | −8.7% | |
| U.S. Decennial Census | |||
How Many People Live Here?
In the year 2000, about 4,097 people lived in Newark Valley. There were 1,488 households, which are groups of people living together in one home. Most of these households, 1,123, were families.
The population density was about 81.4 people per square mile. This means that for every square mile of land, there were about 81 people living there.
Who Lives in Newark Valley?
Most people in Newark Valley are White (about 98%). A small number of people are Black, Native American, or Asian. Some people also identify as Hispanic or Latino.
Many households (38.4%) had children under 18 living with them. Most households (62.1%) were married couples. About 19.8% of homes were individuals living alone.
What is the Age Range of Residents?
The population in Newark Valley includes people of all ages. About 28.6% of the people were under 18 years old. About 11.1% were 65 years old or older. The average age in the town was 37 years old.
Parks and Recreation in Newark Valley
Newark Valley has several great places for outdoor fun and community events. There are three main parks and recreation areas for everyone to enjoy.
Alexander Park
Alexander Park was built and given to the community by Don Alexander in the early 1960s. It's a calm and peaceful area with a pretty lake. The park is located west of the Newark Valley Middle School. Many community groups help to keep the park clean and well-maintained.
Trout Ponds
This beautiful park was created in 1869 by Mr. Waring. He wanted to raise trout fish there. He also wanted to create a fun place for the public and a spot to make custom fishing rods.
In the past, many travelers would come to Trout Ponds by train for family picnics and outdoor parties. Over time, fewer people visited. In the 1950s, the Village of Newark Valley bought the park for just one dollar. Today, it's still a popular spot for families to have picnics and reunions.
Bement-Billings Farmstead
The Bement-Billings Farmstead is a special historical site. The Newark Valley Historical Society owns and runs it. It shows what life was like around the year 1810. Asa Bement, one of the first settlers in this area, started the farm in 1791.
The main house was given to the Historical Society in 1976. The farm also has other old buildings. These include a barn, an outhouse, a sap house (for making maple syrup), a blacksmith shop, and a farmer's workshop. The farmstead covers about 95 acres.
You can visit the Bement-Billings Farmstead on weekends from July to early October. School groups often visit in May and June. The biggest event there is the Apple Festival, which helps raise money for the Historical Society.
Newark Valley Community Center
The Newark Valley Community Center used to be a church. Now, it's a place where the community can gather for different events. People can enjoy things like karaoke and craft fairs here. You can also rent the space for family events, birthday parties, and other social gatherings. Students from Newark Valley High School and other community members are helping to fix up and improve the center.
Communities and Locations in Newark Valley
The Town of Newark Valley includes several smaller communities and important locations:
- Alexander Pond – A small pond located west of the main Newark Valley village.
- East Branch Owego Creek – A stream that flows south through the western part of the town.
- East Newark – A small community, or hamlet, in the southern part of the town, found on NY Route 38B.
- Jenksville – A hamlet in one corner of the town, located on County Road 33. It was named after Michael Jenks, who settled there in 1797 and built a sawmill in 1803.
- Ketchumville – A hamlet in the northeastern corner of the town on County Road 9. It used to be a very important community in the town.
- West Newark – A hamlet located near the western edge of the town, on Route 33 and south of Jenksville.
- New Connecticut – A hamlet near the northern border of the town, on County Road 9 west of Ketchumville.
- Newark Valley – This is the main village within the town. It's in the west-central part of the town on NY-38.
- West Branch Owego Creek – A stream that forms the western boundary of the town.
- Newark Valley Central School District – This is the main school district that serves the students of Newark Valley.
See also
In Spanish: Newark Valley (Nueva York) para niños
