Sodus, New York facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Sodus, New York
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A church in Sodus Point
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Location in Wayne County and the state of New York.
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 Sodus, New York
Location in New York
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| Country | United States |
| State | New York |
| County | Wayne |
| Established | January 1789 |
| Government | |
| • Type | Town Board |
| Area | |
| • Total | 69.25 sq mi (179.35 km2) |
| • Land | 67.27 sq mi (174.22 km2) |
| • Water | 1.98 sq mi (5.13 km2) |
| Elevation | 451 ft (137 m) |
| Population
(2010)
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| • Total | 8,384 |
| • Estimate
(2016)
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8,105 |
| • Density | 120.49/sq mi (46.52/km2) |
| Time zone | UTC-5 (Eastern (EST)) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-4 (EDT) |
| ZIP code |
14551
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| Area code(s) | 315 and 680 |
| FIPS code | 36-68209 |
| GNIS feature ID | 0965619 |
| Website | https://www.townofsodus.net/ |
Sodus is a charming town located in Wayne County, in the state of New York. In 2010, about 8,384 people lived here. The name "Sodus" comes from a native word, "Assorodus," which means "silvery water." This name likely refers to the beautiful bay found in the eastern part of the town.
The Town of Sodus is on the northern edge of Wayne County. It is located about halfway between the cities of Rochester and Syracuse.
Contents
Exploring the History of Sodus
How Sodus Was Formed
The Town of Sodus was officially created in 1789. Back then, it was part of Ontario County. Over time, parts of Sodus were used to form other towns, like Williamson in 1802 and Lyons in 1811.
Early Settlements and Important Events
Sodus is home to two villages: Sodus Village and Sodus Point. Sodus Point was settled first, around 1794, because a road was built there from Palmyra. The first settlers didn't arrive in Sodus Village until about 1809.
A significant event happened in 1813 when the British attacked and burned the village of Sodus Point. To help guide ships, a lighthouse was built in 1825 along the shoreline.
Interesting Facts About Sodus
Some members of the Shakers, a religious group, settled in Sodus early on. However, they later moved away because they felt Sodus was becoming too focused on worldly things.
Sodus also claims to be the birthplace of Arbor Day. This special holiday, which encourages planting trees, was started thanks to the efforts of Edward C. Delano, who was from Sodus Center.
For many years, a popular Heluva Good! Country Store was located near Wallington. This store and the cheese packaging plant in Sodus closed on June 26, 2015. The company is part of HP Hood LLC.
A historic building, the Preston-Gaylord Cobblestone Farmhouse, was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 2009.
Understanding the Geography of Sodus
Location and Natural Features
According to the United States Census Bureau, Sodus covers about 69.4 square miles (179.6 km2). Most of this area is land, with about 1.9 square miles (5.0 km2) being water.
The northern border of Sodus touches Lake Ontario, a very large lake. Part of Sodus Bay, which is a bay of Lake Ontario, is also located within the town. Sodus is on the northern edge of the United States, with Canada on the opposite side of Lake Ontario.
Roads and Landscape
Several important roads run through Sodus. New York State Route 14 crosses New York State Route 104 south of Alton. Also, New York State Route 88 goes south from Sodus village.
Sodus is well-known for its beautiful rural landscape. You'll find many apple orchards throughout the area, making it a scenic place to visit.
Population and People of Sodus
How Many People Live Here?
| Historical population | |||
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| Census | Pop. | %± | |
| 1820 | 2,013 | — | |
| 1830 | 3,528 | 75.3% | |
| 1840 | 4,472 | 26.8% | |
| 1850 | 4,598 | 2.8% | |
| 1860 | 4,745 | 3.2% | |
| 1870 | 4,631 | −2.4% | |
| 1880 | 5,285 | 14.1% | |
| 1890 | 5,157 | −2.4% | |
| 1900 | 5,118 | −0.8% | |
| 1910 | 4,857 | −5.1% | |
| 1920 | 4,408 | −9.2% | |
| 1930 | 5,003 | 13.5% | |
| 1940 | 5,162 | 3.2% | |
| 1950 | 5,706 | 10.5% | |
| 1960 | 6,587 | 15.4% | |
| 1970 | 8,754 | 32.9% | |
| 1980 | 9,485 | 8.4% | |
| 1990 | 8,877 | −6.4% | |
| 2000 | 8,949 | 0.8% | |
| 2010 | 8,384 | −6.3% | |
| 2016 (est.) | 8,105 | −3.3% | |
| U.S. Decennial Census | |||
In 2010, there were 8,384 people living in Sodus. These people lived in 3,325 households, with 2,189 of them being families. The population density was about 120.8 people per square mile.
Diversity in Sodus
The people in Sodus come from different backgrounds. In 2010, about 84.8% of the population was White, and 8.5% was Black or African American. About 6.2% of the population identified as Hispanic or Latino.
Age and Households
About 24.9% of households in Sodus had children under 18 living with them. The average household had 2.48 people, and the average family had 2.97 people.
The population's age range was spread out. About 24.6% of the people were under 20 years old, and 16.5% were 65 years or older. The average age in Sodus was 43.8 years.
Income and Housing
The median income for a household in Sodus was $46,896. For families, the median income was $56,128. About 14.9% of the total population lived below the poverty line.
There were 4,158 housing units in Sodus. Many of these homes are owned by the people who live in them. About 77.7% of homes were owner-occupied, while 22.3% were rented. Some homes might be vacant because they are vacation homes used only during certain seasons.
Famous People from Sodus
Sodus has been home to several notable individuals:
- John Ashbery (1927–2017), a famous poet.
- Gordon Granger (1821–1876), a Union Army General during the Civil War.
- Byram Green (1786–1865), who served as a US Congressman.
- Ellen Sergeant Rude (1838–1916), a writer, poet, and advocate for temperance.
- Eliphalet Stone (1825–1905), a Wisconsin state legislator.
- Alexander B. Williams (born 1815), a Sodus Town Supervisor and state legislator.
Communities and Places in Sodus
The Town of Sodus includes several smaller communities and interesting locations:
- Alton — A small community near the eastern border of the town on NY-14. The historic Alasa Farms was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 2009.
- Beechwood State Park — This used to be a Girl Scout camp. Now, it's a state park along the Lake Ontario shore, managed by the Town of Sodus.
- Bootleggers Point — A spot on the Lake Ontario shore in the western part of the town.
- Joy — A small community south of Sodus village where County Road 229 meets Main Street.
- Sodus — This is the main village, located near the center of the town at the northern end of NY-88.
- Sodus Center — A community southeast of Sodus village. The historic Red Brick Church was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1997.
- Sodus Point — This village is on County Road 101 (Lake Road) right on the shore of Lake Ontario.
- South Sodus — A community in the southeastern corner of the town on NY-14.
- Thorntons Corner — A community in the southern part of the town where County Roads 242 and 243 meet.
- Thornton Point — A piece of land that sticks out into Sodus Bay, forming a peninsula.
- Wallington — A community southeast of Sodus village on NY-104. The historic Walling Cobblestone Tavern and Wallington Cobblestone Schoolhouse District No. 8 were listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1994.
- Williamson-Sodus Airport (ICAO: KSDC, FAA LID: SDC) — A small airport for general aviation. It's in the western part of the town, south of NY-104.
Images for kids
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A church in Sodus Point
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Location of Sodus in Wayne County
See also
In Spanish: Sodus (Nueva York) para niños
