Pine Plains (town), New York
Encyclopedia
Pine Plains is a town
in Dutchess County
, New York
, USA
. The population was 2,569 at the 2000 census. The name is derived from the geographic character of the region.
The Hamlet of Pine Plains
is on the north border of the county.
of 1706.
The town was first settled around 1740 by Moravian missionaries to the native Mahican
village of Shekomeko.
The Town of Pine Plains was formed from the Town of North East
in 1823.
, the town has a total area of 31.4 square miles (81.2 km²). 30.9 square miles (80.0 km²) of it is land and 0.5 square miles (1.2 km²) of it (1.47%) is water.
The north town line is the border of Columbia County
, New York
.
Three small lakes lie west of the community of Pine Plains: Stissing Lake which is excellent for swimming, Thompson Pond
which is dedicated to conservation for wildlife, and Twin Island Lake, the largest out of the lakes lie in the center of the town.
The most prominent physical feature is Stissing Mountain which at 1403 ft (427.6 m). elevation, towers over the local area. The mountain is formed of pre-cambrian gneiss that remains after numerous cycles of glaciation have scoured and reformed the surrounding terrain. A decommissioned fire tower at the top of the mountain is a popular destination for locals and visitors alike, and offers excellent sights of the surrounding countryside.
of 2000, there were 2,569 people, 988 households, and 700 families residing in the town. The population density
was 83.2 people per square mile (32.1/km²). There were 1,161 housing units at an average density of 37.6 per square mile (14.5/km²). The racial makeup of the town was 96.26% White, 0.90% Black or African American
, 0.66% Native American, 0.66% Asian, 0.47% from other races
, and 1.05% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.36% of the population.
There were 988 households out of which 33.5% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 55.6% were married couples
living together, 10.1% had a female householder with no husband present, and 29.1% were non-families. 23.0% of all households were made up of individuals and 9.9% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.60 and the average family size was 3.03.
In the town the population was spread out with 25.9% under the age of 18, 6.4% from 18 to 24, 27.2% from 25 to 44, 25.6% from 45 to 64, and 14.9% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 40 years. For every 100 females there were 93.2 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 94.7 males.
The median income for a household in the town was $43,125, and the median income for a family was $46,900. Males had a median income of $35,417 versus $26,645 for females. The per capita income
for the town was $24,259. About 5.7% of families and 9.2% of the population were below the poverty line, including 14.0% of those under age 18 and 2.3% of those age 65 or over.
Notable musicians residing in the town include singer/songwriter Priscilla Herdman
, singer/songwriter Denise Jordan Finley, and jazz musician Matt Finley
. Notable graduate/artist Chris Ladue.
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 Dutchess County
Dutchess County, New York
Dutchess County is a county located in the U.S. state of New York, in the state's Mid-Hudson Region of the Hudson Valley. The 2010 census lists the population as 297,488...
, 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...
, USA
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
. The population was 2,569 at the 2000 census. The name is derived from the geographic character of the region.
The Hamlet of Pine Plains
Pine Plains (CDP), New York
Pine Plains is a hamlet in Dutchess County, New York, USA. The population was 1,412 at the 2000 census. It is part of the Poughkeepsie–Newburgh–Middletown, NY Metropolitan Statistical Area as well as the larger New York–Newark–Bridgeport, NY-NJ-CT-PA Combined Statistical...
is on the north border of the county.
History
The town was part of the Little Nine Partners PatentLittle Nine Partners Patent
The Little Nine Partners Patent was the final patent granted in Dutchess County, New York, USA. It was located in the northern part of the county, and comprises all or parts of the modern towns of Milan, Pine Plains, and North East...
of 1706.
The town was first settled around 1740 by Moravian missionaries to the native Mahican
Mahican
The Mahican are an Eastern Algonquian Native American tribe, originally settling in the Hudson River Valley . After 1680, many moved to Stockbridge, Massachusetts. During the early 1820s and 1830s, most of the Mahican descendants migrated westward to northeastern Wisconsin...
village of Shekomeko.
The Town of Pine Plains was formed from the Town of North East
North East, New York
North East is a town in Dutchess County, New York, United States. The population was 3,002 at the 2000 census.The Town of North East is in the northeastern part of the county...
in 1823.
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 31.4 square miles (81.2 km²). 30.9 square miles (80.0 km²) of it is land and 0.5 square miles (1.2 km²) of it (1.47%) is water.
The north town line is the border of Columbia County
Columbia County, New York
Columbia County is a county located in the U.S. state of New York. As of the 2010 census, the population was 63,096. The county seat is Hudson. The name comes from the Latin feminine form of the name of Christopher Columbus, which was at the time of the formation of the county a popular proposal...
, 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...
.
Three small lakes lie west of the community of Pine Plains: Stissing Lake which is excellent for swimming, Thompson Pond
Thompson Pond
Thompson Pond in Pine Plains, New York is a 15,000-year-old glacial kettle pond at the foot of Stissing Mountain. It is the source of Wappingers Creek, a tributary of the Hudson River that drains much of Dutchess County....
which is dedicated to conservation for wildlife, and Twin Island Lake, the largest out of the lakes lie in the center of the town.
The most prominent physical feature is Stissing Mountain which at 1403 ft (427.6 m). elevation, towers over the local area. The mountain is formed of pre-cambrian gneiss that remains after numerous cycles of glaciation have scoured and reformed the surrounding terrain. A decommissioned fire tower at the top of the mountain is a popular destination for locals and visitors alike, and offers excellent sights of the surrounding countryside.
Land use
The town recently enacted its first zoning ordinance after protracted review, discussion and community input.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 2,569 people, 988 households, and 700 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 83.2 people per square mile (32.1/km²). There were 1,161 housing units at an average density of 37.6 per square mile (14.5/km²). The racial makeup of the town was 96.26% White, 0.90% 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...
, 0.66% Native American, 0.66% Asian, 0.47% 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 1.05% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.36% of the population.
There were 988 households out of which 33.5% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 55.6% 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, 10.1% had a female householder with no husband present, and 29.1% were non-families. 23.0% of all households were made up of individuals and 9.9% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.60 and the average family size was 3.03.
In the town the population was spread out with 25.9% under the age of 18, 6.4% from 18 to 24, 27.2% from 25 to 44, 25.6% from 45 to 64, and 14.9% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 40 years. For every 100 females there were 93.2 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 94.7 males.
The median income for a household in the town was $43,125, and the median income for a family was $46,900. Males had a median income of $35,417 versus $26,645 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 $24,259. About 5.7% of families and 9.2% of the population were below the poverty line, including 14.0% of those under age 18 and 2.3% of those age 65 or over.
Communities and locations in Pine Plains
- Bethel – A hamlet in the south-central part of town.
- Hammertown – A hamlet east of Pine Plains village.
- Mount Ross – A location in the northwest corner of the town.
- Pachin Mills – A hamlet in the north part of the town near the Columbia CountyColumbia County, New YorkColumbia County is a county located in the U.S. state of New York. As of the 2010 census, the population was 63,096. The county seat is Hudson. The name comes from the Latin feminine form of the name of Christopher Columbus, which was at the time of the formation of the county a popular proposal...
border. - Pine PlainsPine Plains (CDP), New YorkPine Plains is a hamlet in Dutchess County, New York, USA. The population was 1,412 at the 2000 census. It is part of the Poughkeepsie–Newburgh–Middletown, NY Metropolitan Statistical Area as well as the larger New York–Newark–Bridgeport, NY-NJ-CT-PA Combined Statistical...
– The hamlet of Pine Plains. - Pulvers Corners – A location in the northeast part of the town.
Culture
Pine Plains was the original home of Tri-Arts, located in the Carvel Theatre.Notable musicians residing in the town include singer/songwriter Priscilla Herdman
Priscilla Herdman
Priscilla Herdman is an American folk singer. Although she has written songs, sheis notable chiefly for her interpretations of other artists' work....
, singer/songwriter Denise Jordan Finley, and jazz musician Matt Finley
Matt Finley
Matt Finley is an American flugelhorn player and composer of Brazilian jazz.Finley grew up performing in resorts in Bolton Landing and Lake George , graduated from Phillips Academy and Union College where he studied composition with Edgar Curtis, Director of the Albany Symphony Orchestra...
. Notable graduate/artist Chris Ladue.