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Cheektowaga (town), New York
Encyclopedia
Cheektowaga is a town
(also a Census-designated Place
, see below) in Erie County
, New York
, United States
. As of the 2000 census, the town had a total population of 94,019. The name comes from the Iroquoian
word Ji-ik-do-wa-gah, meaning the place of the crab apple tree. Cheektowaga has a large Polish-American community, and about 39.9% of population is of Polish heritage.
The Town of Cheektowaga is in the north-central part of the county. It is the second largest suburb of Buffalo, New York
next to Amherst
. Cheektowaga CDP and Cheektowaga Town contain the site of the Buffalo Niagara International Airport
, the principal airport
of Erie County.
Villa Maria College
and the Walden Galleria
are located in Cheektowaga.
Cheektowaga was formed from Amherst on March 20, 1829, and on the formation of West Seneca on October 16, 1851, was reduced to its present limits—about 33 square miles (85.5 km²). Throughout the 19th century, it went by its original name: "Chictawauga".
Originally a rural farming area, the town was extensively developed during the post-World War II
subdivision
boom of the 1950s
. Factories, such as the Westinghouse Electric Corporation plant on Genesee Street (since demolished) generated employment to the area for many decades. The town continues to maintain a strong blue collar presence.
In the town there is a complex called the Garden Village Plaza. At one time this was a thriving complex full of retailers but by 2006 this had dwindled down to a few outlets including the Village Flea Market, a Dollar General and T-Birds nightclub. At this time the plaza was acquired by Benderson Development Co for about $2 million from New York City investor Howard Drucker, who had originally asked for $5 million. This deal gained media attention http://www.bizjournals.com/buffalo/stories/2006/01/30/daily7.html http://www.accessmylibrary.com/coms2/summary_0286-12487985_ITM and Benderson vowed to give the location a revamp. However, since that time even more of the businesses have closed and most of the buildings are now derelict. Further talks to develop the site took place in 2010 and 2011. http://www.buffalonews.com/city/article52541.ece http://fleamarketzone.com/2011/06/wny-market-move-goes-forward/
Other small plazas and malls like Como Mall and Thruway Mall were closed and turned into smaller business plazas with the growing popularity of large shopping malls. The Walden Galleria
opened in 1989 in Cheektowaga, the largest mall in the Buffalo Niagara region.
Many people in the area paint their kithcens in the rustic style in this primarily Polish community.
Another F1 tornado touched down not far from the site of the 1987 tornado on June 30, 2006. Again, homes and businesses - including the Holiday Showcase, which was remodeled soon after - were damaged, and a tractor trailer was knocked over on the NY State Thruway, but no one was killed.
, the town has a total area of 29.5 square miles (76.5 km²), all land.
The town borders Lancaster on the east, West Seneca on the south, the city of Buffalo on the west, and on the north by Amherst. The town includes the waterways of Scajaquada Creek, Cayuga Creek and Ellicott Creek.
The east town line is marked by New York State Route 78
(Transit Road). New York State Route 240
(Harlem Road) and New York State Route 277
(Union Road) are major north-south routes through the town. New York State Route 33
(Kensington Expressway) and New York State Route 130
(Broadway) access the New York State Thruway
, which is also a north-south highway through the town (although officially an east-west road, it travels north-south in the Cheektowaga section).
of 2000, there were 94,019 people, 40,045 households, and 25,869 families residing in the town. The population density
was 3,183.8 people per square mile (1,229.3/km²). There were 41,901 housing units at an average density of 1,418.9 per square mile (547.9/km²). The racial makeup of the town was 94.94% White, 2.93% Black or African American
, 0.16% Native American, 0.94% Asian, 0.01% Pacific Islander, 0.27% from other races
, and 0.75% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.97% of the population.
There were 40,045 households out of which 25.5% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 49.5% were married couples
living together, 11.4% had a female householder with no husband present, and 35.4% were non-families. 30.4% of all households were made up of individuals and 15.5% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.32 and the average family size was 2.91.
In the town the population was spread out with 20.6% under the age of 18, 7.1% from 18 to 24, 28.6% from 25 to 44, 23.2% from 45 to 64, and 20.5% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 41 years. For every 100 females there were 88.4 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 84.6 males.
The median income for a household in the town was $38,121, and the median income for a family was $46,646. Males had a median income of $34,538 versus $25,434 for females. The per capita income
for the town was $19,627. About 4.6% of families and 6.5% of the population were below the poverty line, including 8.7% of those under age 18 and 6.4% of those age 65 or over.
Ancestries: Polish (39.9%), German (29.9%), Italian (16.0%), Irish (14.1%), English (5.8%), French (2.7%).
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...
(also a Census-designated Place
Census-designated place
A census-designated place is a concentration of population identified by the United States Census Bureau for statistical purposes. CDPs are delineated for each decennial census as the statistical counterparts of incorporated places such as cities, towns and villages...
, see below) in Erie County
Erie County, New York
Erie County is a county located in the U.S. state of New York. As of the 2010 census, the population was 919,040. The county seat is Buffalo. The county's name comes from Lake Erie, which in turn comes from the Erie tribe of American Indians who lived south and east of the lake before 1654.Erie...
, 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...
, United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
. As of the 2000 census, the town had a total population of 94,019. The name comes from the Iroquoian
Iroquois
The Iroquois , also known as the Haudenosaunee or the "People of the Longhouse", are an association of several tribes of indigenous people of North America...
word Ji-ik-do-wa-gah, meaning the place of the crab apple tree. Cheektowaga has a large Polish-American community, and about 39.9% of population is of Polish heritage.
The Town of Cheektowaga is in the north-central part of the county. It is the second largest suburb of Buffalo, New York
Buffalo, New York
Buffalo is the second most populous city in the state of New York, after New York City. Located in Western New York on the eastern shores of Lake Erie and at the head of the Niagara River across from Fort Erie, Ontario, Buffalo is the seat of Erie County and the principal city of the...
next to Amherst
Amherst, New York
Amherst is a town in Erie County, New York, United States. As of the 2010 census, the town had a total population of 122,366. This represents an increase of 5.0% from the 2000 census. The town is named for Jeffrey Amherst, a British Army officer of the colonial period...
. Cheektowaga CDP and Cheektowaga Town contain the site of the Buffalo Niagara International Airport
Buffalo Niagara International Airport
Buffalo Niagara International Airport is an airport located in Cheektowaga CDP, Town of Cheektowaga, in Erie County, New York, USA. It is named after the Buffalo – Niagara Falls metropolitan area. The airport serves Buffalo, New York as well as Southern Ontario, Canada...
, the principal airport
Airport
An 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...
of Erie County.
Villa Maria College
Villa Maria College
Villa Maria College is a private college located in Cheektowaga, New York specializing in music and the arts. It was founded in 1961 by the Felician Sisters of Buffalo....
and the Walden Galleria
Walden Galleria
Walden Galleria is an enclosed shopping mall located in the town of Cheektowaga, New York. Walden Galleria comprises more than of retail space, with 250 stores on two levels, including a food court and a movie theater. Anchor stores include Best Buy, Dick's Sporting Goods, DSW Shoe Warehouse,...
are located in Cheektowaga.
History
"Land of the Crabapples" ( JI-IK-DO-WAH-GAH ), named by the Seneca Native Americans referring to the apple-like fruit of the Hawthorn trees abundantly growing in the area.Cheektowaga was formed from Amherst on March 20, 1829, and on the formation of West Seneca on October 16, 1851, was reduced to its present limits—about 33 square miles (85.5 km²). Throughout the 19th century, it went by its original name: "Chictawauga".
Originally a rural farming area, the town was extensively developed during the post-World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
subdivision
Subdivision
Subdivision may refer to:* Country subdivision** Subdivision , a term for an urban or suburban area, especially if recently parceled up into smaller plots for new uses** Census geographic units of Canada , a term used in Canada...
boom of the 1950s
1950s
The 1950s or The Fifties was the decade that began on January 1, 1950 and ended on December 31, 1959. The decade was the sixth decade of the 20th century...
. Factories, such as the Westinghouse Electric Corporation plant on Genesee Street (since demolished) generated employment to the area for many decades. The town continues to maintain a strong blue collar presence.
In the town there is a complex called the Garden Village Plaza. At one time this was a thriving complex full of retailers but by 2006 this had dwindled down to a few outlets including the Village Flea Market, a Dollar General and T-Birds nightclub. At this time the plaza was acquired by Benderson Development Co for about $2 million from New York City investor Howard Drucker, who had originally asked for $5 million. This deal gained media attention http://www.bizjournals.com/buffalo/stories/2006/01/30/daily7.html http://www.accessmylibrary.com/coms2/summary_0286-12487985_ITM and Benderson vowed to give the location a revamp. However, since that time even more of the businesses have closed and most of the buildings are now derelict. Further talks to develop the site took place in 2010 and 2011. http://www.buffalonews.com/city/article52541.ece http://fleamarketzone.com/2011/06/wny-market-move-goes-forward/
Other small plazas and malls like Como Mall and Thruway Mall were closed and turned into smaller business plazas with the growing popularity of large shopping malls. The Walden Galleria
Walden Galleria
Walden Galleria is an enclosed shopping mall located in the town of Cheektowaga, New York. Walden Galleria comprises more than of retail space, with 250 stores on two levels, including a food court and a movie theater. Anchor stores include Best Buy, Dick's Sporting Goods, DSW Shoe Warehouse,...
opened in 1989 in Cheektowaga, the largest mall in the Buffalo Niagara region.
Many people in the area paint their kithcens in the rustic style in this primarily Polish community.
Tornadoes
On July 31, 1987, an F1 tornado touched down in the Union Road and George Urban Boulevard area. It grew to an F2 before dissipating. Homes and business suffered serious damage, but there were no fatalities or severe injuries. This tornado is locally memorable as the one which ripped the roof off the Holiday Showcase Restaurant.Another F1 tornado touched down not far from the site of the 1987 tornado on June 30, 2006. Again, homes and businesses - including the Holiday Showcase, which was remodeled soon after - were damaged, and a tractor trailer was knocked over on the NY State Thruway, but no one was killed.
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 29.5 square miles (76.5 km²), all land.
The town borders Lancaster on the east, West Seneca on the south, the city of Buffalo on the west, and on the north by Amherst. The town includes the waterways of Scajaquada Creek, Cayuga Creek and Ellicott Creek.
The east town line is marked by New York State Route 78
New York State Route 78
New York State Route 78 , most commonly known as Transit Road, is a state highway in Western New York, USA. While it is signed north–south, the lower portion runs in an east–west direction across Wyoming County, from its beginning north of the Village of Gainesville.NY 78 is...
(Transit Road). New York State Route 240
New York State Route 240
New York State Route 240 is a state highway in western New York in the United States. The southern terminus of the route is at an intersection with NY 242 in the Ellicottville community of Ashford in northern Cattaraugus County. Its northern terminus is at a junction with NY 324...
(Harlem Road) and New York State Route 277
New York State Route 277
New York State Route 277 is a state highway in New York, USA. This highway is also called Union Road, along with other names. NY 277 is a major north–south road east of Buffalo, New York, through the middle of Erie County...
(Union Road) are major north-south routes through the town. New York State Route 33
New York State Route 33
New York State Route 33 is an east–west state highway in western New York in the United States. The route extends for just under from NY 5 in Buffalo in the west to NY 31 in Rochester in the east. It is, in fact, the only state highway that directly connects both cities, although...
(Kensington Expressway) and New York State Route 130
New York State Route 130
New York State Route 130 is a state highway entirely within Erie County, New York, United States. It runs east–west from U.S. Route 62 in Buffalo to the village of Depew, where it terminates at NY 78...
(Broadway) access the New York State Thruway
New York State Thruway
The New York State Thruway is a system of limited-access highways located within the state of New York in the United States. The system, known officially as the Governor Thomas E. Dewey Thruway for former New York Governor Thomas E. Dewey, is operated by the New York State Thruway Authority and...
, which is also a north-south highway through the town (although officially an east-west road, it travels north-south in the Cheektowaga section).
Adjacent Cities & Towns
- City of BuffaloBuffalo, New YorkBuffalo is the second most populous city in the state of New York, after New York City. Located in Western New York on the eastern shores of Lake Erie and at the head of the Niagara River across from Fort Erie, Ontario, Buffalo is the seat of Erie County and the principal city of the...
- west - Town of West SenecaWest Seneca, New YorkWest Seneca is a town in Erie County, New York, United States. The population was 44,711 at the 2010 census. West Seneca is a centrally-located interior town of the county, and a suburb of Buffalo...
- south - Village of DepewDepew, New YorkDepew is a village in Erie County, New York, United States. The population was 16,629 at the 2000 census. It is part of the Buffalo–Niagara Falls Metropolitan Statistical Area...
- east - Town of LancasterLancaster, New YorkLancaster, New York may refer to the following locations in Erie County, New York:*Lancaster , New York*Lancaster , New York...
- east - Town of Amherst - north
Major Highways in the Town of Cheektowaga
Interstate 90Interstate 90Interstate 90 is the longest Interstate Highway in the United States at . It is the northernmost coast-to-coast interstate, and parallels US 20 for the most part. Its western terminus is in Seattle, at Edgar Martinez Drive S. near Safeco Field and CenturyLink Field, and its eastern terminus is in...
(New York State ThruwayNew York State ThruwayThe New York State Thruway is a system of limited-access highways located within the state of New York in the United States. The system, known officially as the Governor Thomas E. Dewey Thruway for former New York Governor Thomas E. Dewey, is operated by the New York State Thruway Authority and...
), runs North-South through the town, traveling from the Amherst town line in the north, south to the West SenecaWest Seneca, New YorkWest Seneca is a town in Erie County, New York, United States. The population was 44,711 at the 2010 census. West Seneca is a centrally-located interior town of the county, and a suburb of Buffalo...
town line in the southwest corner of town.
Interstate 190Interstate 190 (New York)Interstate 190 runs 28.34 miles from Interstate 90 near Buffalo, New York to Lewiston, New York via Niagara Falls. Parts of this highway were built on the former rights-of-way of the Lehigh Valley Railroad and the Erie Canal. It is referred to by locals as The One-Ninety...
(Niagara Section), travels in the town from I-90 to Buffalo City Line and beyond into Downtown Buffalo and north to Niagara Falls.
U.S. Route 20U.S. Route 20U.S. Route 20 is an east–west United States highway. As the "0" in its route number implies, US 20 is a coast-to-coast route. Spanning , it is the longest road in the United States, and the route sparsely parallels Interstate 90...
(Transit Road), North-South roadway that runs concurrently with NY 78 along Cheektowaga's east border with Lancaster, south of Depew.
New York State Route 78New York State Route 78New York State Route 78 , most commonly known as Transit Road, is a state highway in Western New York, USA. While it is signed north–south, the lower portion runs in an east–west direction across Wyoming County, from its beginning north of the Village of Gainesville.NY 78 is...
(Transit Road), North-South roadway that provides the east border of Cheektowaga with Lancaster, north of Depew.
New York State Route 33New York State Route 33New York State Route 33 is an east–west state highway in western New York in the United States. The route extends for just under from NY 5 in Buffalo in the west to NY 31 in Rochester in the east. It is, in fact, the only state highway that directly connects both cities, although...
(Kensington Expwy.,Genesee St.), East-West Route that runs through the town from the Buffalo city line as the Kensington Expressway to the Buffalo-Niagara International Airport, which lies within the town. Genesee Street then takes over NY 33 east out of the town into Lancaster.
New York State Route 130New York State Route 130New York State Route 130 is a state highway entirely within Erie County, New York, United States. It runs east–west from U.S. Route 62 in Buffalo to the village of Depew, where it terminates at NY 78...
(Broadway), East-West roadway from the Buffalo city line to the Depew village line.
New York State Route 240New York State Route 240New York State Route 240 is a state highway in western New York in the United States. The southern terminus of the route is at an intersection with NY 242 in the Ellicottville community of Ashford in northern Cattaraugus County. Its northern terminus is at a junction with NY 324...
(Harlem Rd.), North-South roadway from the West Seneca town line, runs along the western town line with Buffalo, and heads north into the Town of Amherst.
New York State Route 277New York State Route 277New York State Route 277 is a state highway in New York, USA. This highway is also called Union Road, along with other names. NY 277 is a major north–south road east of Buffalo, New York, through the middle of Erie County...
(Union Rd.), North-South highway through the town from West Seneca north to Amherst.
New York State Route 354New York State Route 354New York State Route 354 is a state highway in New York, USA. NY 354 is one of several highways radiating eastward from its western terminus in downtown Buffalo, New York. The east terminus of NY 354 is in the Village of Attica, where it ends at NY 98 and NY 238 as West...
(Clinton St.), East-West roadway through the extreme southwest corner of town, and provides the southern border with West Seneca.
- New York State Route 952QNew York State Route 952QNew York State Route 952Q is an unsigned reference route designation for the portion of Walden Avenue outside of the Buffalo city limits in Erie County, New York, in the United States. The western terminus of the route is at the Buffalo city line in Cheektowaga, where Walden Avenue continues...
(Walden Ave.), East-West highway through the town from Buffalo to Depew. Walden is the longest non-parkway New York State Reference Route. Walden's reference route number is not signed, but still has reference markers, and is maintained by New York State Department of TransportationNew York State Department of TransportationThe New York State Department of Transportation is responsible for the development and operation of highways, railroads, mass transit systems, ports, waterways and aviation facilities in the U.S...
(NYSDOT) as other signed routes are.
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 94,019 people, 40,045 households, and 25,869 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 3,183.8 people per square mile (1,229.3/km²). There were 41,901 housing units at an average density of 1,418.9 per square mile (547.9/km²). The racial makeup of the town was 94.94% White, 2.93% Black or African American
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...
, 0.16% Native American, 0.94% Asian, 0.01% Pacific Islander, 0.27% 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 0.75% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.97% of the population.
There were 40,045 households out of which 25.5% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 49.5% 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, 11.4% had a female householder with no husband present, and 35.4% were non-families. 30.4% of all households were made up of individuals and 15.5% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.32 and the average family size was 2.91.
In the town the population was spread out with 20.6% under the age of 18, 7.1% from 18 to 24, 28.6% from 25 to 44, 23.2% from 45 to 64, and 20.5% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 41 years. For every 100 females there were 88.4 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 84.6 males.
The median income for a household in the town was $38,121, and the median income for a family was $46,646. Males had a median income of $34,538 versus $25,434 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 $19,627. About 4.6% of families and 6.5% of the population were below the poverty line, including 8.7% of those under age 18 and 6.4% of those age 65 or over.
Ancestries: Polish (39.9%), German (29.9%), Italian (16.0%), Irish (14.1%), English (5.8%), French (2.7%).
Communities and locations in Cheektowaga
- BellevueBellevue, Erie County, New YorkBellevue, New York is a hamlet in the town of Cheektowaga in Erie County, New York, USA.-References:...
- A neighborhood in between Union Road and the Depew Border. Home to the Bellevue Fire Department and a portion of the Cayuga Creek. Also home to the historic "Bellevue Hotel", a local bar and restaurant which has been in existence since the 19th century. - CheektowagaCheektowaga (CDP), New York----Cheektowaga is a suburban community in Erie County, New York, United States. The population was 79,988 at the 2000 census. It is within the town of Cheektowaga...
- A cdp within the town. - Cleveland HillCleveland Hill, New YorkCleveland Hill, New York is a hamlet in the town of Cheektowaga in Erie County, New York, USA. It is the location of the Cleveland Hill School District.-References:...
- A neighborhood located on the north town line, this community has its own school district. - DepewDepew, New YorkDepew is a village in Erie County, New York, United States. The population was 16,629 at the 2000 census. It is part of the Buffalo–Niagara Falls Metropolitan Statistical Area...
- The Village of Depew (shared with the Town of LancasterLancaster (town), New YorkLancaster is a town in Erie County, New York, USA. As of the 2000 census, the town population has 39,019 residents.The Town of Lancaster has a village also called Lancaster. The Town and Village are currently exploring consolidation of governmental functions. Both town and village are east of...
) is in the eastern part of the town. - DoyleDoyle, New YorkDoyle, New York is a hamlet in the town of Cheektowaga in Erie County, New York, USA. The southern half is part of the Kaisertown neighborhood which includes portions of Cheektowaga, West Seneca, and South Buffalo.-References:...
- A neighborhood near the western town line. - ForksForks, New YorkForks, New York is a hamlet in the town of Cheektowaga in Erie County, New York, USA.-References:...
- A location near Union Road (NY-277) and Broadway (NY-130). - Maryvale - A neighborhood located just west of the airport, this community is also a school district, containing Maryvale High School.
- Pine HillPine Hill, Erie County, New YorkPine Hill, New York is a hamlet in the town of Cheektowaga in Erie County, New York, USA.-References:...
- A neighborhood on the border of Buffalo, the community features many cemeteries and Villa Maria CollegeVilla Maria CollegeVilla Maria College is a private college located in Cheektowaga, New York specializing in music and the arts. It was founded in 1961 by the Felician Sisters of Buffalo....
. - Reinstein Woods Nature PreserveReinstein Woods Nature PreserveReinstein Woods Nature Preserve is a limited access conservation area located in the Town of Cheektowaga in Erie County, New York, USA. An environmental education center is located at the entrance to this area....
– A conservation area in the south central part of the town. - SloanSloan, New YorkSloan is a village in Erie County, New York, United States. The population was 3,775 at the 2000 census. It is part of the Buffalo–Niagara Falls Metropolitan Statistical Area....
- The Village of Sloan, near the Buffalo border. Sloan has its own school district. - South Cheektowaga - Neighborhood on the border of West Seneca border near French Road. Several apartment complexes are located in this area.
- U-Crest - A neighborhood near Union Road (NY-277) and Genesee Street (NY-33).
- WilliamsvilleWilliamsville, New YorkWilliamsville is a village in Erie County, New York in the United States. The population was 5,573 at the 2000 census. The village is named after Jonas Williams, an early settler...
- A small part of the Village of Williamsville (shared with the Town of AmherstAmherst, New YorkAmherst is a town in Erie County, New York, United States. As of the 2010 census, the town had a total population of 122,366. This represents an increase of 5.0% from the 2000 census. The town is named for Jeffrey Amherst, a British Army officer of the colonial period...
).