Petersburgh, New York facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Petersburgh
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Petersburg Baptist Church on Route 22 (2012)
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Location in Rensselaer County and the state of New York.
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| Country | United States |
| State | New York |
| County | Rensselaer |
| Area | |
| • Total | 41.62 sq mi (107.78 km2) |
| • Land | 41.61 sq mi (107.78 km2) |
| • Water | 0.00 sq mi (0.01 km2) |
| Elevation | 554 ft (169 m) |
| Population
(2020)
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| • Total | 1,372 |
| Time zone | UTC-5 (Eastern (EST)) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-4 (EDT) |
| ZIP code |
12138
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| Area code(s) | 518 |
| FIPS code | 36-57441 |
| GNIS feature ID | 0979359 |
Petersburgh is a small town in the northeastern part of Rensselaer County, New York. In 2020, about 1,372 people lived there. The town got its name from an early settler called Peter Simmons.
Contents
History of Petersburgh
People started settling in the Petersburgh area around the mid-1700s. At that time, it was part of a large land grant called the Manor of Rensselaerswyck.
The town of Petersburgh was officially created in 1791. It was formed from a larger area known as the Town of Stephentown. Over time, Petersburgh's size became smaller. This happened as new towns were formed from its land.
For example, parts of Petersburgh became the towns of Berlin and Lansingburgh in 1806. Later, in 1807, the towns of Grafton and Nassau were also created from its original area.
The Petersburgh United Methodist Church is an important historical building. It was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 2004. This means it is recognized for its special historical value.
Geography and Nature
Petersburgh covers an area of about 41.6 square miles (107.7 square kilometers). All of this area is land. The town shares its eastern border with the states of Massachusetts and Vermont.
The Taconic Mountains cover a big part of the town. These mountains add to the beautiful natural scenery. The Little Hoosick River flows through the town. It eventually joins the Hoosic River in the northern part of Petersburgh.
Population and People
| Historical population | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Census | Pop. | %± | |
| 1820 | 2,248 | — | |
| 1830 | 2,011 | −10.5% | |
| 1840 | 1,901 | −5.5% | |
| 1850 | 1,908 | 0.4% | |
| 1860 | 1,698 | −11.0% | |
| 1870 | 1,732 | 2.0% | |
| 1880 | 1,785 | 3.1% | |
| 1890 | 1,461 | −18.2% | |
| 1900 | 1,449 | −0.8% | |
| 1910 | 1,238 | −14.6% | |
| 1920 | 1,066 | −13.9% | |
| 1930 | 976 | −8.4% | |
| 1940 | 955 | −2.2% | |
| 1950 | 1,010 | 5.8% | |
| 1960 | 989 | −2.1% | |
| 1970 | 1,187 | 20.0% | |
| 1980 | 1,369 | 15.3% | |
| 1990 | 1,461 | 6.7% | |
| 2000 | 1,563 | 7.0% | |
| 2010 | 1,525 | −2.4% | |
| 2020 | 1,372 | −10.0% | |
| U.S. Decennial Census | |||
In the year 2000, there were 1,563 people living in Petersburgh. These people lived in 587 households, and 433 of these were families. The town had about 37.6 people per square mile. There were 695 housing units in total.
Most of the people in Petersburgh were White (98.08%). A small number were African American, Native American, or Asian. About 0.45% of the population was Hispanic or Latino.
About 33.9% of households had children under 18 living with them. Most households (62.9%) were married couples living together. About 21.1% of households were individuals living alone.
The average age of people in Petersburgh was 39 years old. About 26.2% of the population was under 18. About 12.5% were 65 years or older. For every 100 females, there were about 103 males.
The median income for a household in the town was $45,909. For families, the median income was $49,125. The average income per person in the town was $21,249. About 12.3% of the population lived below the poverty line. This included 16.8% of those under 18.
Communities and Places
Petersburgh has a few different communities within its borders:
- North Petersburgh – This is a small community, called a hamlet, in the northern part of the town. It is located along Routes 22 and 346. The Steller Homestead, a historic home, is found here.
- Petersburgh (or Petersburg) – This is the main hamlet where the town hall is located. It sits on Routes 2 and 22. It used to be called "South Petersburg" or "Rensselaer Mills."
- Other small hamlets that are not officially recognized by the postal service include:
- Petersburgh Junction – This hamlet is near the northern border of the town.
- Stillman – You can find Stillman northwest of the main Petersburgh hamlet, along Route 2.
Notable People
- Lydia Baxter (1809–1874) – She was a well-known poet.
Images for kids
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Petersburg Baptist Church on Route 22 (2012)
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Location in Rensselaer County and the state of New York.
See also
In Spanish: Petersburgh (Nueva York) para niños
