Spencer, New York facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Spencer, New York
|
|
|---|---|
|
Town
|
|
 Spencer, New York
Location in New York
|
|
| Country | United States |
| State | New York |
| County | Tioga |
| Named for | Ambrose Spencer |
| Area | |
| • Total | 49.9 sq mi (129 km2) |
| • Land | 49.5 sq mi (128 km2) |
| • Water | 0.3 sq mi (0.8 km2) |
| Population
(2020)
|
|
| • Total | 2,976 |
Spencer is a small town located in Tioga County, New York, in the United States. In 2020, about 2,976 people lived here. The town and its main village are named after Ambrose Spencer, an important person in New York's history.
Spencer is on the western edge of Tioga County. It's south of the city of Ithaca. Inside the town, you'll find the Village of Spencer. Nearby towns include Candor to the east, Waverly to the southwest, Van Etten to the west, and Danby to the north.
Contents
History of Spencer
The land that became Spencer was first bought in 1791. People started to settle there in 1794. The town was officially created in 1806. It was formed from a larger area called the Town of Tioga.
Over time, parts of Spencer were used to create other nearby towns. These include Candor, Caroline, Danby, Newfield, and Cayuta.
A special building in the town, the Halsey Valley Grand Army of the Republic Meeting Hall, was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 2003. This means it's an important historical site.
Geography of Spencer
The Town of Spencer covers a total area of about 49.9 square miles. Most of this area, about 49.5 square miles, is land. A small part, about 0.3 square miles, is water.
The eastern border of Spencer touches Chemung County. The northern border touches Tompkins County.
Two important roads, New York State Route 34 and New York State Route 96, run through Spencer. They join together for a bit and then split apart in Spencer village.
Population Facts
| Historical population | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Census | Pop. | %± | |
| 1820 | 1,252 | — | |
| 1830 | 1,253 | 0.1% | |
| 1840 | 1,532 | 22.3% | |
| 1850 | 1,782 | 16.3% | |
| 1860 | 1,881 | 5.6% | |
| 1870 | 1,863 | −1.0% | |
| 1880 | 2,382 | 27.9% | |
| 1890 | 2,211 | −7.2% | |
| 1900 | 1,868 | −15.5% | |
| 1910 | 1,529 | −18.1% | |
| 1920 | 1,526 | −0.2% | |
| 1930 | 1,480 | −3.0% | |
| 1940 | 1,462 | −1.2% | |
| 1950 | 1,561 | 6.8% | |
| 1960 | 1,790 | 14.7% | |
| 1970 | 2,232 | 24.7% | |
| 1980 | 2,633 | 18.0% | |
| 1990 | 2,881 | 9.4% | |
| 2000 | 2,982 | 3.5% | |
| 2010 | 3,153 | 5.7% | |
| 2020 | 2,976 | −5.6% | |
| 2021 (est.) | 2,942 | −6.7% | |
| U.S. Decennial Census | |||
In the year 2000, there were 2,979 people living in Spencer. These people lived in 1,153 households. About 35.7% of these households had children under 18 years old living with them.
The population of Spencer is made up of people of different ages. In 2000, about 28.7% of the people were under 18. About 11.0% were 65 years old or older. The average age in Spencer was 36 years.
Education
Most students in Spencer go to schools in the Spencer-Van Etten Central School District. The school's mascot is the Panther, and their colors are red, black, and silver. The Panthers have won state championships in soccer (2001) and volleyball (1994).
A big sports rivalry for Spencer-Van Etten is against the Candor Indians. They play a special football game called the Jug Game. Candor once won this game for ten years in a row!
Communities and Places in Spencer
Here are some of the smaller communities and interesting spots you can find within the Town of Spencer:
- Cowells Corners – This used to be a place located east of Spencer village.
- Crum Town – A small community, also known as a hamlet, in the northeastern part of the town.
- Empire Lake – A small lake found in the southeastern part of Spencer.
- Spencer – This is the main village and it's right in the middle of the town. Parts of the village were once called "Bradleytown" and "Drakes Settlement."
- North Spencer (also known as "Huggtown" in the past) – Another hamlet located in the northwestern part of the town, near NY-34 and NY-96.
- Spencer Lake – A small lake located southeast of North Spencer.
- West Branch of Catatonk Creek – This is a stream that flows from Spencer Lake, passing by Spencer Village.
- West Candor – A hamlet located near the eastern town line, along NY-96.
See also
In Spanish: Spencer (Nueva York) para niños
