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Orleans, New York
Orleans, New York is located in New York
Orleans, New York
Orleans, New York
Location in New York
Orleans, New York is located in the United States
Orleans, New York
Orleans, New York
Location in the United States
Country United States
State New York
County Jefferson
Government
 • Type Town Council
Area
 • Total 77.72 sq mi (201.31 km2)
 • Land 71.25 sq mi (184.53 km2)
 • Water 6.48 sq mi (16.77 km2)
Elevation
381 ft (116 m)
Population
 (2010)
 • Total 2,789
 • Estimate 
(2016)
2,767
 • Density 38.84/sq mi (14.99/km2)
Time zone UTC-5 (Eastern (EST))
 • Summer (DST) UTC-4 (EDT)
FIPS code 36-045-55398
GNIS feature ID 0979319

Orleans is a small town in Jefferson County, New York, United States. It's located in the northern part of the county, just north of Watertown. In 2010, about 2,789 people lived there. The town got its name from the city of Orléans in France.

History of Orleans

Early Settlements and Land Grants

The land where Orleans is now was once given to Peter Penet by the Oneida tribe in 1788. This area was about 100 square miles. The first settlers arrived in the town around 1806.

Founding of La Fargeville

The community of La Fargeville started around 1816. This happened when a mill was built on the Chaumont River.

Town Formation and Growth

The town of Orleans was officially formed in 1821. It was created from a part of the town of Brownville. This happened at the same time as other new towns were formed.

Fordham University's Early Days

Fordham University was first known as St. John's College. It was founded in La Fargeville in 1838. The college bought land and a home from John La Farge. After a few years, the college moved to New York City.

Historic Buildings in Orleans

Two important buildings in Orleans are listed on the National Register of Historic Places. These are the Irwin Brothers Store and the Stone Mills Union Church. They are recognized for their historical importance.

Geography of Orleans

Location and Borders

Orleans covers about 77.72 square miles (201.31 square kilometers). Most of this area is land, but about 6.48 square miles (16.77 square kilometers) is water. A part of the town is along the St. Lawrence River. This includes a section of Wellesley Island, where Dewolf Point State Park is located. The northern border of the town is also the international border with Canada (Ontario).

Major Roads and Highways

  • Interstate 81: This is a big highway that goes through the town. It leads all the way to the border between Canada and the United States.
  • New York State Route 12: This road runs along the south bank of the St. Lawrence River. It meets New York State Route 180 at Fishers Landing.
  • New York State Route 180: This highway goes north and south.
  • New York State Route 411: This road goes east and west in the southern part of Orleans.

Population and People

Population Changes Over Time

The population of Orleans has changed over the years.

Historical population
Census Pop.
1830 3,101
1840 3,001 −3.2%
1850 3,265 8.8%
1860 2,934 −10.1%
1870 2,445 −16.7%
1880 2,318 −5.2%
1890 2,196 −5.3%
1900 2,367 7.8%
1910 2,160 −8.7%
1920 1,869 −13.5%
1930 1,790 −4.2%
1940 1,664 −7.0%
1950 1,807 8.6%
1960 1,982 9.7%
1970 1,927 −2.8%
1980 2,007 4.2%
1990 2,248 12.0%
2000 2,463 9.6%
2010 2,789 13.2%
2016 (est.) 2,767 −0.8%
U.S. Decennial Census

In 2000, there were 2,465 people living in Orleans. By 2010, the population had grown to 2,789.

Who Lives in Orleans?

In 2000, most people in Orleans were White (97.20%). There were also smaller groups of African American, Native American, Asian, and Pacific Islander residents. About 0.57% of the population was Hispanic or Latino.

There were 928 households in the town.

  • 35.5% of households had children under 18.
  • 62.1% were married couples.
  • 9.1% had a female head of household with no husband.
  • About 19.6% of households were people living alone.

The average household had 2.65 people. The average family had 2.99 people.

Age Groups in Town

The population was spread out by age:

  • 27.2% were under 18 years old.
  • 6.7% were between 18 and 24.
  • 29.6% were between 25 and 44.
  • 24.3% were between 45 and 64.
  • 12.2% were 65 years or older.

The average age in Orleans was 37 years.

Income in Orleans

In 2000, the average income for a household in Orleans was $36,458. For families, the average income was $41,471. About 12.2% of the population lived below the poverty line. This included 19.9% of those under 18.

Communities and Places in Orleans

Villages and Hamlets

  • Barlow Corners – A small place in the southeast part of town.
  • Collins Landing – A community on the St. Lawrence River's southern shore.
  • DeLaFarge Corners – A small village on the eastern town line.
  • Fineview – A place on the south side of Wellesley Island.
  • Fishers Landing – A village in the northern part of town by the St. Lawrence River.
  • Getman Corners – A location in the southeastern part of town.
  • Grenell – A community on Wellesley Island.
  • Grandview Park – A community on the northwest tip of Wellesley Island.
  • La Fargeville – A village where several main roads meet.
  • Moore Landing – A place on the southern shore of Wellesley Island.
  • Omar – A village in the northern part of town, once called "Mudges Mills."
  • Orleans Corners (also known as "Orleans Four Corners" or "Shantyville") – A place in the eastern part of town.
  • Stone Mills – A village in the southwest corner of the town.
  • Thousand Island Park – A village on the southwest tip of Wellesley Island.

State Parks in Orleans

  • Dewolf Point State Park – A state park on Wellesley Island.
  • Grass Point State Park – A state park in the northern part of town.
  • Waterson Point State Park – A state park on the northern shore of Wellesley Island.
  • Wellesley Island State Park – A large state park on Wellesley Island.

Natural Features

  • American Narrows – A narrow part of the St. Lawrence River. It flows between Wellesley Island and the mainland.
  • Chaumont River – A stream in the southern part of Orleans. It flows past La Fargeville.
  • Collins Landing Wildlife Management Area – An area set aside to protect wildlife near the St. Lawrence River.
  • Crow Island – A small island near the north shore of Wellesley Island.
  • Eel Bay – A bay at the western end of Wellesley Island.
  • Mullet Creek – A stream that flows into the St. Lawrence River at Fishers Landing.
  • Lake of the Isles – A bay formed by two parts of Wellesley Island.
  • South Bay – A bay on the southwest corner of Wellesley Island.
  • Wellesley Island – A large island in the St. Lawrence River. Part of it is in the town of Orleans.

See also

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

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