Pelham, New York Facts for Kids

Quick facts for kids

Pelham

Town

Clock tower on Harmon

Seal

Location of Pelham, New York

Country

Incorporated

1788

Area

• Total

2.22 sq mi (5.74 km²)

• Land

2.17 sq mi (5.63 km²)

• Water

0.05 sq mi (0.12 km²) 2.27%

Elevation

63.1 ft (19.2 m)

Population

(2020)

• Total

13,078

• Density

5,891/sq mi (2,278.4/km²)

Time zone

Eastern

ZIP code

10803

Area code(s)

914

FIPS code

36-119-57012

Website

http://www.townofpelham.com/

Pelham is a suburban town in Westchester County, New York. It is about 10 miles northeast of Midtown Manhattan, a busy part of New York City. In 2020, about 13,078 people lived here.

Pelham used to have five villages and was known as "the Pelhams." Today, it has two main villages: Pelham and Pelham Manor. Many people who live in Pelham travel to New York City for work. They can get to Grand Central Terminal in about 35 minutes by train.

Discovering Pelham
Images for kids
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Discovering Pelham

Where is Pelham Located?

Pelham is in New York, just north of the Bronx borough of New York City. It shares borders with other towns like Eastchester, New Rochelle, and Mount Vernon. The town covers an area of about 2.4 square miles.

A Look Back in Time: Pelham's History

The historic Pelham Picture House

The land where Pelham now stands was bought in 1654 by a man named Thomas Pell. He bought it from the Siwanoy Native American people. Thomas Pell named the area "Pelham" to honor his teacher, Pelham Burton.

Pelham became an official town in 1788. At that time, it included City Island and parts of what is now Pelham Bay Park. In 1889, Pelham got its current borders. Later, in 1891, the village of Pelham Manor was formed. The villages of North Pelham and Pelham were created in 1896. In 1975, North Pelham and Pelham villages joined together to form the current Village of Pelham.

The villages of Pelham and Pelham Manor share some services, like schools and fun activities. For many years, Pelham was home to the Sanborn Map Company, which made detailed maps. The Pelham Picture House, a historic building, was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 2010.

Who Lives in Pelham?

Pelham has grown quite a bit over the years. In 1790, only 199 people lived here. By 2020, the population had grown to 13,078 people.

Most people living in Pelham are White (about 87%). There are also African American (about 4.5%), Asian (about 4%), and Native American people. About 6% of the population is Hispanic or Latino.

Many households in Pelham have children under 18 (about 41%). The average family size is about 3 people. The median age in Pelham is 38 years old. This means half the people are younger than 38 and half are older.

What Kind of Work is Done in Pelham?

Pelham has several important employers. These include Pico Electronics and Barksdale Home Care Services Corp. The Pelham Public Schools also employ many people. Other major employers are the New York Athletic Club and the De Cicco & Sons grocery store. You might also know Archie Comics, which is based in Pelham!

Learning in Pelham: Schools and Education

Pelham is part of the Pelham Union Free School District. The town has four elementary schools: Hutchinson, Colonial, Siwanoy, and Prospect Hill. There is one middle school, Pelham Middle School, and one high school, Pelham Memorial High School. All students from Pelham attend these schools.

There are also some private and religious schools in the area. Since 1948, New York City has paid Pelham to educate children from Bronx Manor. This is because it is cheaper than sending school buses to that area.

Keeping Pelham Safe: The Fire Department

The Village of Pelham Fire Department works hard to keep everyone safe. It has 10 firefighters and five lieutenants. They use one fire station and have two fire engines, one ladder truck, a utility unit, and a command vehicle. The department responds to about 800 emergency calls every year.

Places of Worship: Religion in Pelham

St. Catharine's Catholic Church

Saint Catherine's Church

St. Catharine's was first a small mission church of St. Gabriel's parish in New Rochelle. In 1896, a wooden church was built in Pelham. In 1897, St. Catharine's became its own parish. A school was opened in 1904, run by the Sisters of St. Francis. The school closed in 1983, and the building became a Parish Center for religious education and activities. A new church building was opened in 1909.

In 1936, W. T. Grant, who owned a chain of stores, gave land in Pelham Manor to St. Catharine's. This became a separate mission that grew into Our Lady of Perpetual Help parish. In 2014, these two parishes merged. Our Lady of Perpetual Help became the main church, but St. Catharine's Church is still used for worship.

Getting Around: Transportation in Pelham

The Bee-Line Bus System offers bus service in Pelham. For train travel, the closest Amtrak station is in New Rochelle. The Metro-North Railroad has a station right in Pelham. This station is on the New Haven Line and is about 28 minutes from Grand Central Terminal in New York City.

Famous People from Pelham

Many interesting people have lived in Pelham. Here are a few:

Nancy Allen: A harpist for the New York Philharmonic orchestra.
Alessandra Biaggi: A New York State Senator.
Nick Bollettieri: A famous tennis coach.
Felix Cavaliere: A musician and founder of the band The Young Rascals.
Joseph Cross: A Hollywood actor who has been in movies like Jack Frost and Lincoln.
Kate Douglass: An Olympic swimmer who has won five Olympic medals.
Brett Gardner: A Major League Baseball player.
Herman 'Jackrabbit' Smith-Johannsen: A Norwegian who helped bring cross-country skiing to North America.
Michael Schwerner: A civil rights worker who helped African Americans register to vote.
Gene Stone: A writer and editor.

Images for kids

Pelham Train Station, also in the village
Daronco Town House
Pelham Town Hall

Pelham, New York facts for kids

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