Le Ray, New York
Encyclopedia
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
.
The region was part of Macomb's Purchase
and was acquired by Gouverneur Morris
and James Le Ray in 1800. Settlement began around 1802.
The town was formed in 1806 and included a large portion of northern Jefferson County. Parts of the town was used to create the Towns of Wilna
, Alexandria
, Theresa
, Antwerp
, and Philadelphia
.
Many of the historic settlements of the town were abandoned due to the formation of Fort Drum, which occupies the eastern part of the town.
, the town has a total area of 74 square miles (191.7 km²), of which, 73.7 square miles (190.9 km²) of it is land and 0.3 square mile (0.776996433 km²) of it (0.43%) is water.
The Black River
marks the south town border.
US Route 11 is a northeast-southwest highway through Le Ray. New York State Route 3
passes across the southeast part of Le Ray. New York State Route 26
is a north-south highway. New York State Route 37
is a north-south highway in the western part of Le Ray. New York State Route 342
crosses the south part of the town.
of 2000, there were 19,836 people, 4,998 households, and 4,303 families residing in the town. The population density
was 269.1 people per square mile (103.9/km²). There were 5,245 housing units at an average density of 71.2 per square mile (27.5/km²). The racial makeup of the town was 70.48% White, 16.36% African American, 0.79% Native American, 2.06% Asian, 0.49% Pacific Islander, 6.09% from other races
, and 3.73% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 10.94% of the population.
There were 4,998 households out of which 58.9% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 76.0% were married couples
living together, 7.3% had a female householder with no husband present, and 13.9% were non-families. 10.9% of all households were made up of individuals and 3.2% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 3.04 and the average family size was 3.28.
In the town the population was spread out with 27.8% under the age of 18, 27.9% from 18 to 24, 34.7% from 25 to 44, 6.8% from 45 to 64, and 2.7% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 23 years. For every 100 females there were 145.9 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 167.5 males.
The median income for a household in the town was $33,359, and the median income for a family was $33,806. Males had a median income of $21,541 versus $21,074 for females. The per capita income
for the town was $14,140. About 7.8% of families and 9.1% of the population were below the poverty line, including 10.1% of those under age 18 and 8.8% 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...
, 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...
. The population was 21,782 at the 2010 census. The town is named for Jacques-Donatien Le Ray
Jacques-Donatien Le Ray
Jacques-Donatien Le Ray was a French "Father of the American Revolution", but later an opponent of the French Revolution. His son of the same name, known also in America as James Le Ray, eventually became a United States citizen and settled in Le Ray, New York USA.-Early life:Born in the port...
, from France
France
The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
.
The Town of Le Ray is in the central part of the county and is east 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
Archaeological remains show the presence of aboriginal natives in the town.The region was part of Macomb's Purchase
Macomb's Purchase
Macomb's Purchase is a large historical area of northern New York, USA purchased from the state in 1791 by Alexander Macomb, who had become rich as a merchant in the American Revolution.-History and geography:...
and was acquired by Gouverneur Morris
Gouverneur Morris
Gouverneur Morris , was an American statesman, a Founding Father of the United States, and a native of New York City who represented Pennsylvania in the Constitutional Convention of 1787. He was a signatory to the Articles of Confederation. Morris was also an author of large sections of the...
and James Le Ray in 1800. Settlement began around 1802.
The town was formed in 1806 and included a large portion of northern Jefferson County. Parts of the town was used to create the Towns of Wilna
Wilna, New York
Wilna is a town in Jefferson County, New York, United States. The population was 6,427 at the 2010 census.The Town of Wilna is in the eastern corner of the county and is east of Watertown.- History :...
, Alexandria
Alexandria, New York
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....
, Theresa
Theresa (town), New York
Theresa is a town in Jefferson County, New York, United States. The population was 2,905 at the 2010 census. The town is named after the daughter of an original landowner, Theresa Le Ray.The town of Theresa contains a village also named Theresa...
, Antwerp
Antwerp, New York
Antwerp, New York may refer to one of the following locations in New York State:*Antwerp , New York*Antwerp , New York...
, and Philadelphia
Philadelphia, New York
Philadelphia, New York may refer to:*Philadelphia , New York, located in Jefferson County*Philadelphia , New York, located within the Town of Philadelphia...
.
Many of the historic settlements of the town were abandoned due to the formation of Fort Drum, which occupies the eastern part of the town.
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 74 square miles (191.7 km²), of which, 73.7 square miles (190.9 km²) of it is land and 0.3 square mile (0.776996433 km²) of it (0.43%) is water.
The Black River
Black River (New York)
The Black River is a blackwater river that empties into the eastern end of Lake Ontario on the shore of Jefferson County, New York in the United States of America...
marks the south town border.
US Route 11 is a northeast-southwest highway through Le Ray. New York State Route 3
New York State Route 3
New York State Route 3 is a major east–west state highway in New York, United States, that connects central New York to the North Country region near the Canadian border via Adirondack Park. The route extends for between its western terminus at an intersection with NY 104A in the Cayuga...
passes across the southeast part of Le Ray. 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...
is a north-south highway. New York State Route 37
New York State Route 37
New York State Route 37 is a state highway in the North Country of New York in the United States, extending for on a west–east axis. The western terminus of the route is at an intersection with U.S. Route 11 in Watertown, Jefferson County...
is a north-south highway in the western part of Le Ray. New York State Route 342
New York State Route 342
New York State Route 342 is a short east–west state highway in Jefferson County, New York, United States. The western terminus of NY 342 is at an intersection with NY 12 near the hamlet of Scoville Corners in the town of Pamelia. The eastern terminus is at a junction with...
crosses the south part of the town.
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 19,836 people, 4,998 households, and 4,303 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 269.1 people per square mile (103.9/km²). There were 5,245 housing units at an average density of 71.2 per square mile (27.5/km²). The racial makeup of the town was 70.48% White, 16.36% African American, 0.79% Native American, 2.06% Asian, 0.49% Pacific Islander, 6.09% 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 3.73% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 10.94% of the population.
There were 4,998 households out of which 58.9% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 76.0% 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, 7.3% had a female householder with no husband present, and 13.9% were non-families. 10.9% of all households were made up of individuals and 3.2% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 3.04 and the average family size was 3.28.
In the town the population was spread out with 27.8% under the age of 18, 27.9% from 18 to 24, 34.7% from 25 to 44, 6.8% from 45 to 64, and 2.7% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 23 years. For every 100 females there were 145.9 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 167.5 males.
The median income for a household in the town was $33,359, and the median income for a family was $33,806. Males had a median income of $21,541 versus $21,074 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 $14,140. About 7.8% of families and 9.1% of the population were below the poverty line, including 10.1% of those under age 18 and 8.8% of those age 65 or over.
Communities and locations in Le Ray
- Black RiverBlack River, New YorkBlack River is a village in Jefferson County, New York, United States. The population was 1,285 at the 2000 census.The Village of Black River is on the border of the Town of Le Ray and the Town of Rutland...
– The Village of Black River is at the south town line by the Black River. - CalciumCalcium, New YorkCalcium is a hamlet in Jefferson County, New York, United States. The population was 3,516 as of July 2007.Calcium is in the Town of Le Ray and was formerly called Sanford's Corner....
– 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...
southwest of Fort Drum. - Doolins Crossing – A location by the eastern corner of the town.
- Dutch Settlement – A hamlet in the north part of the town on County Road 18.
- Evans MillsEvans Mills, New YorkEvans Mills is a village in Jefferson County, New York, United States. The population was 605 at the 2000 census.The Village of Evans Mills in within the Town of Le Ray and is northeast of Watertown.- History :...
– The Village of Evans Mills is by the west end of Fort Drum, north of US-11. - Five Corners – A location in the southwest part of Le Ray.
- Fort DrumFort DrumFort Drum is a United States Army base in New York near the Canadian border.Fort Drum may also refer to:*Fort Drum, Florida, a nearly-uninhabited town in the United States*Fort Drum , Philippines...
– Part of the military reservation occupies the eastern section of the town. - Gould Corners – A location southeast of Evans Mills, located on US-11.
- Gracey Corners – A location in the southwest of Le Ray.
- Hall Corners – A location near the northeast town line.
- Pine Plains – A location near the eastern corner of the town.
- Westwood Corners – A location on US-11 near the northeast town line.