Reading, New York

Reading, New York
Town
Country	United States
State	New York
County	Schuyler
Area
• Total	27.2 sq mi (70.5 km2)
• Land	27.2 sq mi (70.5 km2)
• Water	0.0 sq mi (0.0 km2)
Elevation	1,391 ft (424 m)
Population  (2000)
• Total	1,786
• Density	65.6/sq mi (25.3/km2)
Time zone	UTC-5 (Eastern (EST))
• Summer (DST)	UTC-4 (EDT)
FIPS code	36-60763
GNIS feature ID	0979409

Reading is a town in Schuyler County, New York, United States.

The Town of Reading is in the northern part of the county and is east of Bath, NY.

History

The first pioneers arrived around 1798. The first tavern opened in 1801. The town was formed from the Town of Wayne in 1806 while still part of Steuben County. Part of Reading was used to form the Town of Starkey (now in Yates County) in 1824. Reading became part of Steuben County's contribution to the newly formed Schuyler County in 1854.

Geography

According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 27.2 square miles (70 km²), all of it land.

The north town line is the border of Yates County, New York. The town is northwest of Watkins Glen.

New York State Route 14 is a major north-south highway that parallels nearby Seneca Lake, which marks the eastern town line. New York State Route 14A intersects New York State Route 226 in the northwest part of the town at Coles Corners.

Demographics

Historical population

Census	Pop.	Note	%±
1820	3,062		—
1830	1,568		−48.8%
1840	1,541		−1.7%
1850	1,434		−6.9%
1860	1,453		1.3%
1870	1,751		20.5%
1880	1,581		−9.7%
1890	1,386		−12.3%
1900	1,335		−3.7%
1910	1,318		−1.3%
1920	1,106		−16.1%
1930	1,257		13.7%
1940	1,205		−4.1%
1950	1,373		13.9%
1960	1,410		2.7%
1970	1,768		25.4%
1980	1,813		2.5%
1990	1,810		−0.2%
2000	1,786		−1.3%
2010	1,707		−4.4%
2014 (est.)	1,714		0.4%
U.S. Decennial Census

As of the census of 2000, there were 1,786 people, 700 households, and 520 families residing in the town. The population density was 65.6 people per square mile (25.3/km²). There were 868 housing units at an average density of 31.9 per square mile (12.3/km²). The racial makeup of the town was 97.26% White, 0.90% African American, 0.39% Native American, 0.39% Asian, 0.06% Pacific Islander, 0.06% from other races, and 0.95% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.50% of the population.

There were 700 households out of which 29.3% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 62.1% were married couples living together, 8.7% had a female householder with no husband present, and 25.7% were non-families. 20.9% 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 2.55 and the average family size was 2.94.

In the town the population was spread out with 23.7% under the age of 18, 6.8% from 18 to 24, 25.1% from 25 to 44, 27.9% from 45 to 64, and 16.5% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 41 years. For every 100 females there were 99.3 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 96.1 males.

The median income for a household in the town was $38,618, and the median income for a family was $43,681. Males had a median income of $32,963 versus $22,404 for females. The per capita income for the town was $17,814. About 4.2% of families and 7.7% of the population were below the poverty line, including 12.3% of those under age 18 and 1.4% of those age 65 or over.

Notable people

• John T. Andrews, former US Congressman
• Elijah Mattison Sharp, former Wisconsin State Assemblyman

Communities and locations in Reading

• Chapmans Corners – A location in the western part of the town at the junction of County Roads 23 and 27.
• Coles Corners – A location in the northwest corner of the town, north of North Reading.
• Gabriels Junction – A hamlet at the intersection of NY-14 and NY=14A.
• Halls Corners – A location at the west town line.
• Irelandville – A hamlet in the southeast part of Reading.
• North Reading – A hamlet in the northwest corner of the town.
• Reading Center – A hamlet near the town center on NY-14A.
• Reading Center Station – A location southeast of Reading Center.
• Salt Point – A projection into Seneca Lake north of Watkins Glen.
• Scout Point – A projection into Seneca Lake north of Gabriels Junction.
• Watkins Glen – A small part of the Village of Watkins Glen is in the southeast corner of Reading.

External links

• Brief early history of Reading, NY