Clermont, New York
Categories: American Revolution | New York history | Columbia County, New York | Towns in New York
Clermont is a town located in Columbia County, New York, USA. As of the 2000 census, the town had a total population of 1,726. The name of the town is French for "Clear Mountain," referring to the mountain views in the town.
The Town of Clermont is in the southwest part of the county, south of the City of Hudson.
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History
Built in 1730, Clermont is the oldest of the great estates of the mid-Hudson valley; it was home to seven generations of the Livingston family until 1962.
The Clermont Manor was established by in 1728 in what is now the Town of Clermont. The manor was originally part of the 160,000-acre Livingston Manor; Clermont was a 13,000-acre section in the southwest corner that was bequeathed to Robert Livingston (1688-1775), a younger son. His descendants would come to own more than half-a million acres in the Catskill Mountains and more than 100,000 acres in Dutchess County.
Clermont marked the northernmost penetration by British troops up the Hudson River during the American Revolution; Livingston’s home was burned because of his prominent role in the Revolution. It was rebuilt between 1779 and 1782. The house is now a 500-acre historic New York State Historic Site and a United States National Historic Landmark.
In 1788, Clermont Manor was organized as the Town of Clermont.
Clermont was the port of registry of Robert Fulton's first steamboat, co-owned by Livingston, which was called the "North River". Today it is known as the "Clermont." The ruins of its dock can still be found at the historic site.
Geography
According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 49.7 km² (19.2 mi²). 46.6 km² (18.0 mi²) of it is land and 3.1 km² (1.2 mi²) of it is water. The total area is 6.30% water.
The south town line is the border of Dutchess County, and the west town line, marked by the Hudson River, is the border of Ulster County.
Demographics
As of the census2 of 2000, there are 1,726 people, 593 households, and 437 families residing in the town. The population density is 37.0/km² (96.0/mi²). There are 725 housing units at an average density of 15.6/km² (40.3/mi²). The racial makeup of the town is 96.58% White, 1.27% African American, 0.23% Native American, 0.35% Asian, 0.00% Pacific Islander, 0.52% from other races, and 1.04% from two or more races. 2.72% of the population are Hispanic or Latino of any race.
There are 593 households out of which 36.9% have children under the age of 18 living with them, 57.3% are married couples living together, 11.8% have a female householder with no husband present, and 26.3% are non-families. 21.4% of all households are made up of individuals and 9.1% have someone living alone who is 65 years of age or older. The average household size is 2.85 and the average family size is 3.33.
In the town the population is spread out with 30.3% under the age of 18, 7.2% from 18 to 24, 27.8% from 25 to 44, 22.9% from 45 to 64, and 11.8% who are 65 years of age or older. The median age is 36 years. For every 100 females there are 96.4 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there are 91.0 males.
The median income for a household in the town is $47,039, and the median income for a family is $51,012. Males have a median income of $35,526 versus $26,250 for females. The per capita income for the town is $21,566. 9.4% of the population and 6.4% of families are below the poverty line. Out of the total population, 8.7% of those under the age of 18 and 8.5% of those 65 and older are living below the poverty line.
Communities and locations in Clermont, NY
- Clermont -- The hamlet of Clermont in the west part of the town.
- Clermont state historic site -- A state and national historic site at the Hudson River.
- Cross Hill -- A hamlet east of the state historic site.
- Nevis -- A hamlet south of Clermont on Route 9.
- Viewmont -- A hamlet on the north town line, north of Cross Hill.