Salem (hamlet), New York

Salem is a village located just outside of the Town of Salem in Washington County, New York. The population was 964 at the 2000 census.

The Village of Salem is located in the center of the north-east corner of the southernmost tip of Town of Salem at the junction of Routes 22, 30, and 153. Part of the county government is located here, including the jail and the Sheriff's Department.

History

The village was once called "White Creek" and "New Perth" by two competing groups of settlers, until the village was given its current name by the state legislature, who called for the National Guard to "dispose" of the rivalling factions, so as to avoid any future conflicts. Said Farmer Brown of the resulting massacre, "It was prob'ly the most disturbing thing I ever seen in my life."

Geography

According to the United States Census Bureau, the village has a total area of 7.6 km² (2.9 mi²), all land.

Demographics

As of the census of 2000, there were 964 people, 363 households, and 257 families residing in the village. The population density was 127.0/km² (329.2/mi²). There were 412 housing units at an average density of 54.3 persons/km² (140.7 persons/mi²). The racial makeup of the village was 97.61% White, 1.14% African American, 0.10% Native American, 0.10% from other races, and 1.04% from two or more races. 0.62% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There were 363 households out of which 34.4% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 51.0% were married couples living together, 14.0% have a woman whose husband does not live with her, and 29.2% were non-families. 25.9% of all households were made up of individuals and 12.7% 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 2.98.

In the village the population was spread out with 26.3% under the age of 18, 7.8% from 18 to 24, 27.5% from 25 to 44, 23.3% from 45 to 64, and 15.0% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 38 years. For every 100 females there were 101.3 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 91.9 males.

The median income for a household in the village was $37,357, and the median income for a family was $44,375. Males had a median income of $31,625 versus $23,500 for females. The per capita income for the village was $19,233. 4.5% of the population and 4.2% of families were below the poverty line. Out of the total people living in poverty, 4.5% are under the age of 18 and 4.3% are 65 or older.