Clifton Park Shenendehowa (Mohawk) | |
|---|---|
| Town of Clifton Park | |
 The town's rest area onI-87 | |
 Location within Saratoga County | |
  Clifton Park Location within the state of New York Show map of New York Clifton Park Clifton Park (the United States) Show map of the United States | |
| Coordinates:42°52′N73°49′W / 42.867°N 73.817°W /42.867; -73.817 | |
| Country | United States |
| State | New York |
| County | Saratoga |
| Area | |
• Total | 50.20 sq mi (130.03 km2) |
| • Land | 48.20 sq mi (124.84 km2) |
| • Water | 2.00 sq mi (5.19 km2) |
| Elevation | 318 ft (97 m) |
| Population | |
• Total | 38,029 |
| • Density | 762.5/sq mi (294.41/km2) |
| Time zone | UTC-5 (Eastern (EST)) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-4 (EDT) |
| ZIP code | 12065 |
| Area code | 518 |
| FIPS code | 36-16353 |
| GNIS feature ID | 0978839 |
| Website | cliftonparkny |
Clifton Park is a suburbantown inSaratoga County, New York, United States. It is the largest municipality in the county, with a 2020 population of 38,029, according to the2020 census. As such, it is the largest municipality in New York state east of Syracuse and north ofSchenectady. The town's name is derived from an early land patent.[4] The town is in the southern part of Saratoga County, approximately 12 miles (19 km) north ofAlbany, 7 miles (11 km) northeast of Schenectady, and 10 miles (16 km) south ofSaratoga Springs.
The IndigenousMohawks andMohicans referred to the area asCanastigione, meaning corn flats.[5][6] The first settlements in what is now Clifton Park were established in the 17th century.[7] The town or area was named in 1707 by Nanning Harmansen.[8] At that time, Nanning Harmansen sent letters toLord Cornbury requesting letters of Patent for Land he bought from the Indigenous Americans.[9][8] He also stated in this correspondence that he wanted the patent to be known by "Your name of Cliftons Park", and the patent was named the Clifton Park Patent. TheIroqouis name for the Clifton Park Patent wasShenendehowa[10] (meaning "Great Plains")[11] which is wherethe school district gets its name.[12]
The area along theMohawk River was popular for ferries across the waterbed, with Eldert Vischer opening the crossing known asVischer Ferry in 1783. To the northwest, Edward Rexford establishedRexford Flats, a small community on the riverbank at the northern end of what becameNY 146B.[7]
In 1828, the town of Clifton Park was referred to as "Clifton" from the town ofHalfmoon, but was renamed Clifton Park a year later.[7] It was the last town created inSaratoga County. The town originally consisted of farmland with a small village of homes, churches and businesses on what is nowU.S. Route 9, but saw a large demographic change whenInterstate 87 was built through the town in 1961.[13]
TheGrooms Tavern Complex was listed on theNational Register of Historic Places in 2000.[14] TheMohawk Valley Grange Hall was added in 2012.
According to theUnited States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 50.2 square miles (130 km2), of which 48.6 square miles (126 km2) is land and 1.6 square miles (4.1 km2) (3.29%) is water.
The town's southern boundary is defined by theMohawk River and is the border between Saratoga County andSchenectady andAlbany counties.
Interstate 87 (the "Adirondack Northway") andU.S. Route 9 pass through the eastern part of the town.New York State Route 146 is an east–west highway through most of the center of Clifton Park until it takes a 90 degree turn southward, passing east of the hamlet of Rexford and then crossing the Rexford bridge into the Town ofNiskayuna in Schenectady County.
| Census | Pop. | Note | %± |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1830 | 2,494 | — | |
| 1840 | 2,719 | 9.0% | |
| 1850 | 2,868 | 5.5% | |
| 1860 | 2,804 | −2.2% | |
| 1870 | 2,657 | −5.2% | |
| 1880 | 2,454 | −7.6% | |
| 1890 | 2,228 | −9.2% | |
| 1900 | 2,140 | −3.9% | |
| 1910 | 2,225 | 4.0% | |
| 1920 | 1,983 | −10.9% | |
| 1930 | 2,222 | 12.1% | |
| 1940 | 2,253 | 1.4% | |
| 1950 | 3,281 | 45.6% | |
| 1960 | 4,512 | 37.5% | |
| 1970 | 14,867 | 229.5% | |
| 1980 | 23,989 | 61.4% | |
| 1990 | 30,117 | 25.5% | |
| 2000 | 32,995 | 9.6% | |
| 2010 | 36,705 | 11.2% | |
| 2020 | 38,029 | 3.6% | |
| U.S. Decennial Census[2] | |||
As of the census[15] of 2008, there were over 37,707 people, 13,782 households, and 10,077 families residing in the town. There were 14,262 housing units. The racial makeup of the town was 92.2%White, 2.0%African American, 0.02%Native American, 3.4%Asian, 0.02%Pacific Islander, 0.36% fromother races, and 1.6% from two or more races.
There were 13,782 households, out of which 35.7% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 63.8% were married couples living together, 6.2% had a female householder with no husband present, and 26.9% were non-families. 21.8% of all households were made up of individuals, and 6.8% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.73 and the average family size was 3.23.
In the town, the age distribution of the population shows 27% under the age of 20, 5.5% from 20 to 24, 15.9% from 25 to 44, 26.1% from 45 to 64, and 12.3% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 38.2 years. For 18 and older, there were 49.2% males and 50.8% females.
The median income for a household in the town was $82,850, and the median income for a family was $98,275. Males had a median income of $68,417 versus $46,948 for females. Theper capita income for the town was $37,405. About 1.4% of families and 2.9% of the population were below thepoverty line, including 2.9% of those under age 18 and 2.8% of those age 65 or over.
There are many opportunities for youth involvement in typical sports teams such as football, baseball, softball, lacrosse, soccer, basketball, wrestling and hockey. Adults may participate as well. Every year Clifton Park Soccer Club hosts an international tournament called the Rose and Kiernan/Clifton Park Soccer International Soccer Classic.
Clifton Park also periodically hosts the Babe Ruth World Series for boys baseball. There are also other annual events, such as Winterfest.
Clifton Common which is located on Vischer Ferry Rd. is a central hub for recreation which features baseball/softball fields, soccer fields, outdoor basketball courts, two NHL-size ice rinks, playgrounds, and an outdoor stage for performing arts.[16]
TheVischer Ferry Nature and Historic Preserve, a 740-acre site in southern Clifton Park adjacent to theMohawk River, features a network of walking trails alongside an original section of theErie Canal and towpath.
The public school district covering most (the eastern two-thirds) of Clifton Park is theShenendehowa Central School District, located on NY Route 146. In addition, theBurnt Hills-Ballston Lake Central School District and theNiskayuna Central School District cover the northwest and southwest corners of Clifton Park respectively.
The main campus of Shenendehowa Central Schools covers about 232 acres (0.94 km2) of property along the south side of NY Route 146. With a student body of over 9,800 students in eight elementary schools, three middle schools, and two high schools, Shenendehowa Central Schools is one of the largest school districts in New York State. Shenendehowa Central Schools' achievements include twenty-two New York State Championship titles for their Men's Soccer team as well as two National Championships. Their Cross Country team has won six NYS Federation Men's Cross Country Championships.[citation needed]
Shenendehowa schools:
Elementary schools:Karigon and Orenda (connected), Tesago and Skano (connected), Okte, Chango, Arongen, and the newest addition, Shatekon
Middle schools (all connected): Gowana, Acadia, Koda
High schools: High School West (9th grade only) and High School East (10-12 grades only)
Although there are two different high schools, they are allowed to participate in the same clubs and events (with few exceptions, such as dances and activities during school hours.)
Municipalities and communities ofSaratoga County, New York,United States | ||
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| Footnotes | ‡This populated place also has portions in an adjacent county or counties | |
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