Alexandria, New York
Encyclopedia
Alexandria is a town
in Jefferson County
, United States
. New York, USA
. The population was 4,061 at the 2010 census. The town is named after Alexander LeRay, the son of an early developer.
The Town of Alexandria is located in the northern part of the county and is north of Watertown
.
The Battle of Cranberry Creek, during the War of 1812
, was a minor engagement in which local forces defeated a much large group of British soldiers and sailors, who attempted to regain supplies and provisions taken earlier by the Americans.
The town was established in 1821 from the Town of Brownville
and the Town of Le Ray
.
Modern Alexandria has become a well-known vacation area.
, the town has a total area of 84.5 square miles (218.9 km²), of which, 73 square miles (189.1 km²) of it is land and 11.6 square miles (30 km²) of it (13.67%) is water.
The St. Lawrence River marks the northern edge of the town. The north town line is the international border with Canada
*Ontario
). The east town line is the county line of St. Lawrence County
, New York
.
Many of the Thousand Islands
are in the town.
Interstate 81
passes through the southwest corner of the town. New York State Route 12
follows the course of the St. Lawrence River. NY-12 intersects New York State Route 26
at Alexandria Bay and runs in a southwest direction.
of 2000, there were 4,097 people, 1,653 households, and 1,128 families residing in the town. The population density
was 56.1 people per square mile (21.7/km²). There were 3,247 housing units at an average density of 44.5 per square mile (17.2/km²). The racial makeup of the town was 98.54% White, 0.29% African American, 0.22% Native American, 0.02% Asian, 0.05% Pacific Islander, 0.17% from other races
, and 0.71% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.63% of the population.
There were 1,653 households out of which 30.2% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 54.6% were married couples
living together, 9.1% had a female householder with no husband present, and 31.7% were non-families. 26.9% of all households were made up of individuals and 11.4% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.44 and the average family size was 2.95.
In the town the population was spread out with 24.6% under the age of 18, 5.4% from 18 to 24, 27.9% from 25 to 44, 25.6% from 45 to 64, and 16.5% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 40 years. For every 100 females there were 96.4 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 94.5 males.
The median income for a household in the town was $33,333, and the median income for a family was $42,813. Males had a median income of $30,870 versus $21,050 for females. The per capita income
for the town was $16,879. About 11.3% of families and 13.6% of the population were below the poverty line, including 17.2% of those under age 18 and 12.2% of those age 65 or over.
Town
A town is a human settlement larger than a village but smaller than a city. The size a settlement must be in order to be called a "town" varies considerably in different parts of the world, so that, for example, many American "small towns" seem to British people to be no more than villages, while...
in Jefferson County
Jefferson County, New York
Jefferson County is a county located in the U.S. state of New York. As of the 2010 census, the population was 116,229. It is named after Thomas Jefferson, third President of the United States of America, and president at the time the county was created in 1805...
, United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
. New York, USA
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
. The population was 4,061 at the 2010 census. The town is named after Alexander LeRay, the son of an early developer.
The Town of Alexandria is located in the northern part of the county and is north of Watertown
Watertown (city), New York
Watertown is a city in the state of New York and the county seat of Jefferson County. It is situated approximately south of the Thousand Islands. As of the 2010 census, it had a population of 27,023, an increase of 1.2% since 2000. The U.S...
.
History
The first settlement occurred at Alexandria Center around 1811.The Battle of Cranberry Creek, during the War of 1812
War of 1812
The War of 1812 was a military conflict fought between the forces of the United States of America and those of the British Empire. The Americans declared war in 1812 for several reasons, including trade restrictions because of Britain's ongoing war with France, impressment of American merchant...
, was a minor engagement in which local forces defeated a much large group of British soldiers and sailors, who attempted to regain supplies and provisions taken earlier by the Americans.
The town was established in 1821 from the Town of Brownville
Brownville (town), New York
Brownville is a town in Jefferson County, New York, USA. The population was 6,263 at the 2010 census. The town is named after Jacob Brown, early settler and leader....
and the Town of Le Ray
Le Ray, New York
Le Ray is a town in Jefferson County, New York, United States. The population was 21,782 at the 2010 census. The town is named for Jacques-Donatien Le Ray, from France.The Town of Le Ray is in the central part of the county and is east of Watertown....
.
Modern Alexandria has become a well-known vacation area.
Geography
According to the United States Census BureauUnited States Census Bureau
The United States Census Bureau is the government agency that is responsible for the United States Census. It also gathers other national demographic and economic data...
, the town has a total area of 84.5 square miles (218.9 km²), of which, 73 square miles (189.1 km²) of it is land and 11.6 square miles (30 km²) of it (13.67%) is water.
The St. Lawrence River marks the northern edge of the town. The north town line is the international border with Canada
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
*Ontario
Ontario
Ontario is a province of Canada, located in east-central Canada. It is Canada's most populous province and second largest in total area. It is home to the nation's most populous city, Toronto, and the nation's capital, Ottawa....
). The east town line is the county line of St. Lawrence County
St. Lawrence County, New York
St. Lawrence County is a county located in the U.S. state of New York. As of the 2010 census, the population was 111,944. The county seat is Canton. The county is named for the Saint Lawrence River, which in turn was named for the Catholic saint on whose Feast day the river was discovered by...
, New York
New York
New York is a state in the Northeastern region of the United States. It is the nation's third most populous state. New York is bordered by New Jersey and Pennsylvania to the south, and by Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont to the east...
.
Many of the Thousand Islands
Thousand Islands
The Thousand Islands is the name of an archipelago of islands that straddle the Canada-U.S. border in the Saint Lawrence River as it emerges from the northeast corner of Lake Ontario. They stretch for about downstream from Kingston, Ontario. The Canadian islands are in the province of Ontario, the...
are in the town.
Interstate 81
Interstate 81
Interstate 81 is an Interstate Highway in the eastern part of the United States. Its southern terminus is at Interstate 40 in Dandridge, Tennessee; its northern terminus is on Wellesley Island at the Canadian border, where the Thousand Islands Bridge connects it to Highway 401, the main freeway...
passes through the southwest corner of the town. New York State Route 12
New York State Route 12
New York State Route 12 is a state highway extending for through central and northern New York in the United States. The southern terminus of the route is at U.S. Route 11 in the town of Chenango in the Southern Tier. The northern terminus is at NY 37 near the village of...
follows the course of the St. Lawrence River. NY-12 intersects New York State Route 26
New York State Route 26
New York State Route 26 is a north–south state highway that runs for through Central New York in the United States. Its southern terminus is located at the Pennsylvania state line south of the town of Vestal in Broome County, where it becomes Pennsylvania Route 267...
at Alexandria Bay and runs in a southwest direction.
Demographics
As of the censusCensus
A census is the procedure of systematically acquiring and recording information about the members of a given population. It is a regularly occurring and official count of a particular population. The term is used mostly in connection with national population and housing censuses; other common...
of 2000, there were 4,097 people, 1,653 households, and 1,128 families residing in the town. The population density
Population density
Population density is a measurement of population per unit area or unit volume. It is frequently applied to living organisms, and particularly to humans...
was 56.1 people per square mile (21.7/km²). There were 3,247 housing units at an average density of 44.5 per square mile (17.2/km²). The racial makeup of the town was 98.54% White, 0.29% African American, 0.22% Native American, 0.02% Asian, 0.05% Pacific Islander, 0.17% from other races
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
, and 0.71% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.63% of the population.
There were 1,653 households out of which 30.2% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 54.6% were married couples
Marriage
Marriage is a social union or legal contract between people that creates kinship. It is an institution in which interpersonal relationships, usually intimate and sexual, are acknowledged in a variety of ways, depending on the culture or subculture in which it is found...
living together, 9.1% had a female householder with no husband present, and 31.7% were non-families. 26.9% of all households were made up of individuals and 11.4% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.44 and the average family size was 2.95.
In the town the population was spread out with 24.6% under the age of 18, 5.4% from 18 to 24, 27.9% from 25 to 44, 25.6% from 45 to 64, and 16.5% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 40 years. For every 100 females there were 96.4 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 94.5 males.
The median income for a household in the town was $33,333, and the median income for a family was $42,813. Males had a median income of $30,870 versus $21,050 for females. The per capita income
Per capita income
Per capita income or income per person is a measure of mean income within an economic aggregate, such as a country or city. It is calculated by taking a measure of all sources of income in the aggregate and dividing it by the total population...
for the town was $16,879. About 11.3% of families and 13.6% of the population were below the poverty line, including 17.2% of those under age 18 and 12.2% of those age 65 or over.
Communities and inhabited locations
- Alexandria BayAlexandria Bay, New YorkAlexandria Bay is a village in Jefferson County, New York, United States. The population was 1,080 at the 2010 census.The Village of Alexandria Bay is in the Town of Alexandria.Keewaydin State Park is southeast of the village...
– The Village of Alexandria Bay is located by the St. Lawrence River on NY-12. - Alexandria Center – A hamletHamlet (place)A hamlet is usually a rural settlement which is too small to be considered a village, though sometimes the word is used for a different sort of community. Historically, when a hamlet became large enough to justify building a church, it was then classified as a village...
south of Alexandria Bay on NY-26. - Bean Hill Crossing – A hamlet in the northern part of the town on County Road 37
- Browns Corners – A hamlet east of Alexandria Bay on NY-26.
- Collins Landing Wildlife Management Area – A conservation area near the west town line.
- Cottage – A location east of Redwood.
- DeLaFarge Corners – A location on the town line and County Road 3.
- Edgewood Park – A hamlet southwest of Alexandria Bay on Route 12.
- Keewaydin State ParkKeewaydin State ParkKeewaydin State Park is a state park in the Town of Alexandria in Jefferson County, New York in the United States of America. The park is located along the St...
– A state parkState parkState parks are parks or other protected areas managed at the federated state level within those nations which use "state" as a political subdivision. State parks are typically established by a state to preserve a location on account of its natural beauty, historic interest, or recreational...
southwest of Alexandria Bay on NY-12. - Kring Point State ParkKring Point State ParkKring Point State Park is located on the St. Lawrence River in the Town of Alexandria in Jefferson County, New York. The park is north of Alexandria Bay near the town line and is connected to Route 12 by Kring Point Road....
– A state park in the northeast corner of the town. - Plessis – A hamlet near the south town line on NY-26.
- Godfreys Corner – A hamlet southwest of Alexandria Center at County Road 2.
- Goose Bay – A hamlet northeast of Alexandria Bay on NY-12 next to a bay of the St. Lawrence River, also called Goose Bay.
- Redwood – A community on Route 37 between Mud lake and Butterfield Lake.
- Jewetts Corners – A former location in the town.
- Maxson Field (89N) – An airportAirportAn airport is a location where aircraft such as fixed-wing aircraft, helicopters, and blimps take off and land. Aircraft may be stored or maintained at an airport...
near Alexandria Bay village. Privately owned - call for permission to land. - Pinehurst Resort – A hamlet southwest of Alexandria Bay.
- Mary Island State ParkMary Island State ParkMary Island State Park is located in the St. Lawrence River in the State of New York.-Location:It is situated in the Town of Town of Alexandria in Jefferson County, New York...
– A state park on Mary Island, a small island at the northeast tip of the Wellesley Island. - Point Vivian – A hamlet southwest of Alexandria Bay on NY-12.
- RedwoodRedwood, New YorkRedwood is a census-designated place in Jefferson County, New York, United States. As of the 2000 census, the area population was 584.Redwood is in the eastern part of the Town of Alexandria The community is near the southeast town line.-Geography:...
– A hamlet in the southeastern part of the town on NY-37. - St. Lawrence Park – A hamlet on Wellesley Island.
- Schnauber Corners – A former location in the town.
- Saxe Corners – A former location in the town.
- Skinners Corners – A location east of Alexandria Bay on Limestone Road at Center Road.
- Tanners Corners – A location in the southwest corner of the town on County Road 2.
- Wellesley Island State ParkWellesley Island State ParkWellesley Island State Park is located on Wellesley Island in the St. Lawrence River in the Town of Orleans in Jefferson County, New York at 44° 19'North, 76° 00' West. The park is divided into sections that are on different parts of the island. It has the largest camping complex in the Thousand...
– A state park on Wellesley Island, partly within the town. - Westminster Park – A hamlet on the north end of Wellesley Island.
Geographical locations
- American Narrows – The part of the St. Lawrence River that flows between Wellesley Island and the mainland of New York.
- Black Ash Swamp – A wetland near the west town line.
- Butterfield Lake – A lake partly in the town at its eastern corner.
- Clear Lake – A small lake near the southeast town line and south of Butterfield Lake.
- Densmore Bay – A bay on the south shore of Wellesley Island.
- Goose Bay – A St. Lawrence River Bay in the northeast part of Alexandria.
- Ironsides Island – A small island in the St. Lawrence River in northeast Alexandria.
- Lake of Isles – A bay in Wellesley Island partly in the north part of Alexandria.
- Mary Island – A small island in the St. Lawerence River off the north end of Wellesley Island.
- Mud Lake – A lake near the southeast town line and south of Clear Lake.
- Swan Bay – A bay in the St. Lawrence River in the western part of the town.
- Wellesley IslandWellesley IslandWellesley Island in Jefferson County, New York, USA is partially in the Town of Orleans and partially in the Town of Alexandria.-Geography:...
– An large islandIslandAn island or isle is any piece of sub-continental land that is surrounded by water. Very small islands such as emergent land features on atolls can be called islets, cays or keys. An island in a river or lake may be called an eyot , or holm...
in the St. Lawrence River that is divided by three towns of the county.