Owego, New York facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Owego, New York
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Courthouse Square, Owego
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 Owego, New York
Location in New York
Owego, New York
Location in the United States
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| Country | United States |
| State | New York |
| County | Tioga |
| Established | 1791 |
| Area | |
| • Total | 105.74 sq mi (273.87 km2) |
| • Land | 104.22 sq mi (269.93 km2) |
| • Water | 1.52 sq mi (3.94 km2) 1.51% |
| Population
(2020)
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| • Total | 18,728  |
| • Estimate
(2021)
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18,633 |
| • Density | 181.79/sq mi (70.19/km2) |
| Time zone | UTC−5 (EST) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC−4 (EDT) |
| FIPS code | 36-107-55893 |
Owego is a town in Tioga County, New York, United States. In 2020, about 18,728 people lived there. The name "Owego" comes from an Iroquois word, Ahwaga. It means "where the valley widens."
Owego is located in the southeastern part of Tioga County. It is west of the city of Binghamton. The village of Owego is found within the western part of the town.
Contents
History of Owego
The area that is now Owego was first settled around 1786. The original town of Owego was created in 1791. This was when Tioga County was formed. Over time, parts of this original town were used to create other towns in the county.
The town's name comes from the Iroquois word "ahwaga." This word means "where the valley widens." It refers to the wide valley where the Susquehanna River flows.
In 1800, the current town of Owego was formed. It was first called the town of Tioga. It was created from the town of Union. Union is now in Broome County.
There was some confusion because the village of Owego was not in the town of Owego. So, in 1813, the towns of Owego and Tioga switched names. This made sure the village of Owego was in the town of Owego.
Some important historic places in Owego are listed on the National Register of Historic Places. These include the Hiawatha Farm, Waits Methodist Episcopal Church and Cemetery, and Vesper Cliff.
Geography and Nature
The town of Owego covers about 105.8 square miles (273.9 km2). Most of this area is land, with about 1.5% being water.
The Susquehanna River flows right through the town. It divides Owego into two parts. Owego Creek also flows into the Susquehanna River near the village of Owego. This creek forms the western border of the town.
Travel and Roads
The Southern Tier Expressway (New York State Route 17) runs through the town. It follows the south bank of the Susquehanna River. New York State Route 17C follows the river on the north bank. Other important roads like New York State Route 38 and New York State Route 96 meet north of Owego village.
Years ago, passenger trains used to travel through Owego. The Erie Lackawanna Railroad ran trains like the Phoebe Snow and the Lake Cities. These trains connected places like Buffalo and Chicago to Hoboken, New Jersey. The last passenger train left Owego in 1970.
Neighboring Areas
To the east, Owego borders Broome County. To the south, it borders Pennsylvania. This includes Bradford and Susquehanna counties in Pennsylvania. Owego is part of the Southern Tier region of New York State.
Population Information
| Historical population | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Census | Pop. | %± | |
| 1820 | 1,741 | — | |
| 1830 | 3,080 | 76.9% | |
| 1840 | 5,340 | 73.4% | |
| 1850 | 7,159 | 34.1% | |
| 1860 | 8,935 | 24.8% | |
| 1870 | 9,442 | 5.7% | |
| 1880 | 9,884 | 4.7% | |
| 1890 | 9,008 | −8.9% | |
| 1900 | 8,378 | −7.0% | |
| 1910 | 7,474 | −10.8% | |
| 1920 | 6,707 | −10.3% | |
| 1930 | 7,804 | 16.4% | |
| 1940 | 8,717 | 11.7% | |
| 1950 | 9,941 | 14.0% | |
| 1960 | 14,710 | 48.0% | |
| 1970 | 20,336 | 38.2% | |
| 1980 | 20,471 | 0.7% | |
| 1990 | 21,279 | 3.9% | |
| 2000 | 20,365 | −4.3% | |
| 2010 | 19,883 | −2.4% | |
| 2020 | 18,728 | −5.8% | |
| 2021 (est.) | 18,633 | −6.3% | |
| U.S. Decennial Census | |||
In 2000, there were 20,365 people living in the town of Owego. There were 7,733 households. About 34.6% of these households had children under 18 living with them. The average household had 2.61 people.
The population was spread out by age. About 26.5% were under 18 years old. About 13.1% were 65 years or older. The average age was 39 years.
Communities and Places in Owego
The town of Owego includes several smaller communities and interesting places:
- Apalachin – A small community south of the Susquehanna River.
- Campville – A community on the north side of the river. It was named after an early settler, Asa Camp.
- Crest View Heights – A neighborhood near the eastern town line.
- Flemingville – A community north of Owego village. It was named after David Fleming, an early settler.
- Foster – A place near the eastern town boundary.
- Gaskill Corners (or Gaskill) – A community north of the river. It is named after Joseph Gaskill, an early settler.
- Gibsons Corners – A community south of the river. It is named after Eli Gibson, an early settler.
- Hiawatha Island – An island in the Susquehanna River. It is east of Owego village.
- Hullsville – A location north of Gaskill.
- Oakley Corners – A place in the northeastern part of the town.
- Owego – The main village. It is on the north bank of the Susquehanna River.
- Owego Creek – A stream that flows through the western side of the town. It joins the Susquehanna River.
- South Apalachin – A place in the southeastern part of the town.
- South Owego – A community near the southern town line.
- Tioga Terrace – A neighborhood east of Apalachin.
- Waits – A community in the southwestern corner of the town. It is named after Henry Waits, an early settler.
- Whittemore – A place near the eastern town line.
Flood of 2011
On September 8, 2011, the town of Owego faced a major flood. Heavy rains from Tropical Storm Lee caused the Susquehanna River to overflow quickly. This caused a lot of damage to the town.
Images for kids
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The Court Street Bridge crosses the Susquehanna River in Owego.
See also
In Spanish: Owego (Nueva York) para niños
