Waterford, New York facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Waterford
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Town
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| Town of Waterford | |
Waterford Harbor on the Mohawk River
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| Country | United States |
| State | New York |
| County | Saratoga |
| Area | |
| • Total | 7.4 sq mi (19.2 km2) |
| • Land | 6.6 sq mi (17.0 km2) |
| • Water | 0.8 sq mi (2.2 km2) |
| Population
(2020)
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| • Total | 8,208 |
| • Density | 1,107.2/sq mi (427.5/km2) |
| Time zone | UTC-5 (Eastern (EST)) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-4 (EDT) |
| ZIP code |
12188
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| Area code(s) | 518 |
| FIPS code | 36-78977 |
| GNIS feature ID | 0979619 |
Waterford is a town in Saratoga County, New York, United States. It's home to about 8,208 people, based on the 2020 census. The town gets its name from its main village, which is also called Waterford. You can find this town in the southeast part of Saratoga County. It's located just north of Troy, right where the Erie Canal meets the Hudson River.
Contents
A Look Back: Waterford's History
The village of Waterford is quite special. It's the oldest incorporated village in the entire United States! It became an official village way back in 1794. This happened even before the larger town of Waterford was officially created.
The town of Waterford itself was formed in 1816. It was created from a part of another town called Halfmoon. For many years, Waterford has been famous for its fun events. These include "Canal Fest" and the "Tugboat Roundup."
How Industry Shaped Waterford
During the time of the Industrial Revolution, Waterford became a very important place for factories. This was because of its amazing location. It sits where the Hudson River and Mohawk River meet. Plus, the Champlain Canal and Erie Canal also pass through here. Three railroad lines also connected to the town.
Because of all these connections, many businesses grew here. Families like the Whites, Knickerbockers, and Eddys became very successful. For example, Isaac Newton Eddy started the Franklin Ink Works in 1831. They made printing inks. His son, George Washington Eddy, created the Hudson and Mohawk Foundry. This company made stoves and steam car wheels. Another son, Oliver Tarbell Eddy, was an artist and even invented an early typewriter!
Some of Waterford's historic places are listed on the National Register of Historic Places. These include the Northside Historic District and the Waterford Village Historic District.
Exploring Waterford's Geography
The Village of Waterford is located at 42°47′28″N 73°40′47″W / 42.791127°N 73.679758°W. It's in the very southeastern corner of the larger Town of Waterford.
The town covers about 7.4 square miles (19.2 square kilometers) in total. Most of this area, about 6.6 square miles (17.0 square kilometers), is land. The rest, about 0.9 square miles (2.2 square kilometers), is water.
The Hudson River forms the eastern border of the town. This river separates Waterford from Rensselaer County. The Mohawk River forms the southern border. This river separates Waterford from Albany County.
A very important part of the Erie Canal runs through Waterford. This section connects the canal to the Hudson River. The Waterford Flight is a series of canal locks here. It's known as one of the steepest lock systems in the world!
Who Lives in Waterford?
| Historical population | |||
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| Census | Pop. | %± | |
| 1820 | 1,184 | — | |
| 1830 | 1,473 | 24.4% | |
| 1840 | 1,824 | 23.8% | |
| 1850 | 2,683 | 47.1% | |
| 1860 | 3,260 | 21.5% | |
| 1870 | 3,631 | 11.4% | |
| 1880 | 4,328 | 19.2% | |
| 1890 | 5,286 | 22.1% | |
| 1900 | 6,157 | 16.5% | |
| 1910 | 6,128 | −0.5% | |
| 1920 | 4,552 | −25.7% | |
| 1930 | 5,667 | 24.5% | |
| 1940 | 5,709 | 0.7% | |
| 1950 | 6,052 | 6.0% | |
| 1960 | 7,231 | 19.5% | |
| 1970 | 7,644 | 5.7% | |
| 1980 | 7,194 | −5.9% | |
| 1990 | 8,695 | 20.9% | |
| 2000 | 8,515 | −2.1% | |
| 2010 | 8,423 | −1.1% | |
| 2020 | 8,208 | −2.6% | |
| U.S. Decennial Census | |||
In 2010, there were 8,423 people living in the Town of Waterford. Most residents, about 94.8%, were White. About 1.3% were African-American, and 1.5% were Asian. A small number, 0.1%, were Native American. About 1.8% of the residents were Hispanic or Latino.
Places to See in Waterford
- Cohoes Falls – These are beautiful waterfalls on the Mohawk River. They were a key source of water power for early factories.
- Peebles Island – An island located in the southern part of the town.
- Momentive Performance Materials Inc. – This company makes silicone products and special chemicals. It might be the biggest employer in Waterford.
- Northside – This area is actually on the south side of the town. Its name might come from being on the north side of the Mohawk River. Or, it used to be served by the "northside" part of the Cohoes Post Office. Now, all of Waterford uses the Waterford Post Office.
- Peebles Island State Park – A fun state park located in the southern part of the town.
- Prospect Hill – A small community, or hamlet, north of Waterford village. You can find it on County Road 96.
- State Canal Park – Another state park, found in the western part of Waterford.
- Sugarloaf Pond – A pond located in the southern part of the town.
- Waterford Village – This is the main village within the town. It's right where the Hudson and Mohawk Rivers meet.
- St. Mary's of the Assumption Catholic Church – A local church.
- St. Mary's of the Assumption Catholic School – A local school.
See also
In Spanish: Waterford (Nueva York) para niños
