Olean (town), New York facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Olean, New York
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 Olean (town), New York
Location in New York
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| Country | United States |
| State | New York |
| County | Cattaraugus |
| Government | |
| • Type | Town Council |
| Area | |
| • Total | 29.7 sq mi (77.0 km2) |
| • Land | 29.6 sq mi (76.7 km2) |
| • Water | 0.1 sq mi (0.3 km2) |
| Elevation | 1,837 ft (560 m) |
| Population
(2022)
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| • Total | 1,863 (estimate) |
| Time zone | UTC-5 (Eastern (EST)) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-4 (EDT) |
| ZIP code |
14760
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| Area code(s) | 716, 585 |
| FIPS code | 36-54727 |
| GNIS feature ID | 0979306 |
Olean (pronounced OH-lee-ann) is a small town located in Cattaraugus County, New York. Its name comes from the Latin word "oleum," which means "oil." This name was chosen because crude oil was found nearby in Ischua.
The town of Olean is in the southeastern part of Cattaraugus County. The city of Olean is a separate place that borders the town on three sides.
Contents
History of Olean
Early Settlements and Name Changes
People first started settling in the Olean area around 1805. The town of Olean was officially created in 1808. It was the very first town formed in Cattaraugus County. Over time, parts of Olean were separated to create other towns, like Hebe in 1812 and Great Valley in 1818.
The main village in the area was first called "Hamilton." It was named after Alexander Hamilton, a famous American leader. However, in 1817, the United States Postal Service changed the name to Olean. They did this to avoid confusion with another town called Hamilton in Madison County, New York.
The name "Olean" was a good fit because oil had been discovered in the region. The famous Wenro Oil Spring was found in 1627 by a missionary named Joseph de La Roche Daillon. This oil spring was about 14 miles northeast of Olean Point.
Important Events and People
In 1884, the original town hall in Olean burned down. After this fire, a new rule was made to prevent wooden buildings in certain parts of the town. This helped make the town safer from fires.
Some well-known people have lived in the town of Olean. These include Claude Allen, who was an Olympic athlete, and Catharine Young, who served as a New York state senator.
Geography of Olean
Location and Natural Features
The town of Olean covers about 77 square kilometers (about 30 square miles). Most of this area is land, with a small amount of water.
The Allegheny River flows through the town from east to west. The southern border of the town is also the border with Pennsylvania. Major roads like the Southern Tier Expressway (which includes Interstate 86 and New York State Route 17), New York State Route 16, and New York State Route 417 all pass through Olean.
Neighboring Areas
Here are the towns and areas that border Olean:
- Hinsdale
(to the north) - Portville
(to the east) - Eldred Township, McKean County, Pennsylvania
(to the south) - Allegany
(to the west)
Population of Olean
How Many People Live Here?
| Historical population | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Census | Pop. | %± | |
| 1820 | 1,047 | — | |
| 1830 | 561 | −46.4% | |
| 1840 | 638 | 13.7% | |
| 1850 | 899 | 40.9% | |
| 1860 | 2,706 | 201.0% | |
| 1870 | 2,668 | −1.4% | |
| 1880 | 6,575 | 146.4% | |
| 1890 | 4,149 | −36.9% | |
| 1900 | 4,854 | 17.0% | |
| 1910 | 885 | −81.8% | |
| 1920 | 1,316 | 48.7% | |
| 1930 | 1,162 | −11.7% | |
| 1940 | 1,432 | 23.2% | |
| 1950 | 1,800 | 25.7% | |
| 1960 | 2,268 | 26.0% | |
| 1970 | 2,211 | −2.5% | |
| 1980 | 2,130 | −3.7% | |
| 1990 | 1,999 | −6.2% | |
| 2000 | 2,029 | 1.5% | |
| 2010 | 1,963 | −3.3% | |
| 2020 | 1,890 | −3.7% | |
| 2021 (est.) | 1,873 | −4.6% | |
| U.S. Decennial Census | |||
According to the census from 2000, there were 2,029 people living in the town of Olean. These people lived in 827 households, and 564 of these were families. The population density was about 68.5 people per square mile.
The average household in Olean had about 2.45 people. The average family had about 2.95 people.
Age Groups in Olean
The population in Olean is made up of different age groups:
- About 24.2% of the people were under 18 years old.
- About 6.4% were between 18 and 24 years old.
- About 27.1% were between 25 and 44 years old.
- About 26.9% were between 45 and 64 years old.
- About 15.3% were 65 years old or older.
The average age of people in Olean was 40 years old.
Communities and Locations in the Town of Olean
The town of Olean includes several smaller communities and areas:
- Baldwin Heights – A neighborhood located in the northern part of Olean.
- Barnum – A small community, also called a hamlet, found near the southern border of the town on County Road 29.
- Four Mile – A community located on the western edge of the town, along NY-16.
- Haydenville – Another hamlet situated on the eastern border of the town, on County Road 92.
- Mount Herman – A very steep hill on the south side of the river. This area used to be the first ski resort in the region.
See also
In Spanish: Olean (pueblo) para niños
