Benson, New York
Location in Hamilton County and the state of New York.
Location in Hamilton County and the state of New York.
Coordinates: 43°15′7″N 74°16′41″W / 43.25194°N 74.27806°W / 43.25194; -74.27806
CountryUnited States
StateNew York
CountyHamilton
Government
 • TypeTown Council
 • Town SupervisorJohn M. Stortecky
 • Town Council
Members' List
Area
 • Total83.20 sq mi (215.48 km2)
 • Land82.62 sq mi (213.98 km2)
 • Water0.58 sq mi (1.50 km2)
Elevation
2,313 ft (705 m)
Population
 • Total221
 • Density2.67/sq mi (1.03/km2)
Time zoneUTC-5 (Eastern (EST))
 • Summer (DST)UTC-4 (EDT)
FIPS code3604105958
GNIS feature ID0978723

Benson is a town in Hamilton County, New York, United States. The population was 221 at the 2020 census. The town is on the southern border of Hamilton County and is northwest of Schenectady. The current Town Supervisor is John M. Stortecky .[3]

History

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Benson was formed in 1860 from the towns of Hope and Mayfield (now in Fulton County). Benson once possessed an iron mine.

Geography

According to the United States Census Bureau, the town of Benson has a total area of 83.2 square miles (215.5 km2), of which 82.6 square miles (214.0 km2) are land and 0.58 square miles (1.5 km2), or 0.70%, are water.[1]

The Sacandaga River runs along part of the southeastern border of the town. The southern town line is the border of Fulton County.

New York State Route 30 passes through the southeastern corner of Benson.

Demographics

Historical population
CensusPop.Note
1860380
1870320−15.8%
188040225.6%
1890322−19.9%
1900299−7.1%
1910143−52.2%
1920119−16.8%
193069−42.0%
19408929.0%
195085−4.5%
1960872.4%
1970892.3%
198015675.3%
19901687.7%
200020119.6%
2010192−4.5%
202022115.1%
U.S. Decennial Census[4]

As of the census[5] of 2000, there were 201 people, 80 households, and 58 families residing in the town. The population density was 2.4 people per square mile (0.9/km2). There were 160 housing units at an average density of 1.9 per square mile (0.7/km2). The racial makeup of the town was 99.00% White, and 1.00% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.49% of the population.

There were 80 households, out of which 28.8% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 56.3% were married couples living together, 7.5% had a female householder with no husband present, and 27.5% were non-families. 20.0% of all households were made up of individuals, and 8.8% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.51 and the average family size was 2.81.

In the town, the population was spread out, with 18.4% under the age of 18, 13.9% from 18 to 24, 20.9% from 25 to 44, 30.3% from 45 to 64, and 16.4% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 44 years. For every 100 females, there were 103.0 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 105.0 males.

The median income for a household in the town was $48,250, and the median income for a family was $50,000. Males had a median income of $39,375 versus $23,750 for females. The per capita income for the town was $20,992. None of the families and 2.4% of the population were living below the poverty line, including no under eighteens and 6.8% of those over 64.

Communities and locations in Benson

References

  1. ^ a b "2020 U.S. Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved March 6, 2024.
  2. ^ "Profile of General Population and Housing Characteristics: 2020 Demographic Profile Data (DP-1): Benson town, Hamilton County, New York". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved March 6, 2024.
  3. ^ "Benson". Hamilton County, NY official website. Retrieved November 14, 2017.
  4. ^ "Census of Population and Housing". Census.gov. Retrieved June 4, 2015.
  5. ^ "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 31, 2008.

43°15′07″N 74°16′42″W / 43.25194°N 74.27833°W / 43.25194; -74.27833