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Palmyra Town, NY

Frequently asked questions

Palmyra Town, NY

Palmyra is a town in southwestern Wayne County, New York, United States. The town is named after the ancient city of Palmyra in Syria. The town contains a village also named Palmyra. The town is about 20 miles (32 km) southeast of Rochester, New York.

Palmyra was part of the Phelps and Gorham Purchase. The Town of Palmyra, originally called "Swift's Landing" after its founder John Swift and "District of Tolland," was created in 1789. The sole local encounter between natives and white settlers that resulted in deaths occurred that same year. The present name was adopted in 1796, reportedly to impress a new school teacher. There were almost one thousand people in the town in 1800.

The Erie Canal was completed up to Palmyra in 1822, although the canal was not completed to its western terminus until 1825. Palmyra is part of the Erie Canalway National Heritage Corridor. In 1823, the Town of Macedon was formed from part of Palmyra's territory as part of the creation of Wayne County from Ontario County.

Palmyra is the birthplace of the Latter Day Saint movement. Founder Joseph Smith, whose family lived on a farm that straddled the line between Palmyra and Manchester, said he had been visited by God and Jesus Christ in 1820, an event known as the First Vision. In 1830 the Book of Mormon was first published in the village of Palmyra by E.B. Grandin, in the present Book of Mormon Historic Publication Site. Beginning in the early 20th century, the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints began buying and restoring many of the properties in the area associated with early church history. In 1997 the Smiths' log cabin was rebuilt on its original site and in 2000 the church built the Palmyra New York Temple on a portion of the former Smith farm.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 33.7 square miles (87.3 km2), of which 33.5 square miles (86.7 km2) is land and 0.2 square miles (0.5 km2) (0.62%) is water. The Erie Canal passes across the county, through the Village of Palmyra. The multi-use, recreational Erie Canal Heritage Trail continues along the towpath of the Erie Canal as well. The south town line is the border of Ontario County. New York State Route 21 (north-south) intersects New York State Route 31 (east-west) in Palmyra village.

Health and wellness are paramount in Palmyra Town, with the city offering various amenities and services to support the well-being of its residents. The Hometown Health Center is a cornerstone in providing comprehensive healthcare services to the community. Explore the parks, facilities, and programs the Palmyra Town Parks and Recreation Department offers. These spaces provide opportunities for outdoor activities such as walking, jogging, sports, and picnicking. Join local fitness centers and gyms to participate in exercise programs, fitness classes, and strength training. Some popular options include Palmyra Fitness Center and Burn Boot Camp. Discover the walking and biking trails in and around Palmyra Town, such as the Auburn-Fleming Trail and Hojack Trail. These trails offer opportunities for outdoor exercise and enjoyment of nature.

Top sites in Palmyra Town, NY Historic Palmyra Museums, Alling Coverlet Museum and Gift Shop, and Pal-Mac Aqueduct County Park.

Population: 7,975 (2020). Elevation: 420 feet (128 m). Area: 33.6 square miles (87 km2). ZIP Code: 14522. Area Code: 315. 

FAQs

What are the demographics of Palmyra Town, NY?

With 7,406 people, Palmyra town is the 323rd most populated city in the state of New York out of 1,523 cities. The largest Palmyra town racial/ethnic groups are White (93.1%). Hispanics and Asians make up smaller but still significant portions of the community, at 2.6% each. In 2022, the median household income of Palmyra town households was $72,917. Palmyra town households made slightly more than Geddes households ($72,778) and Enfield households ($72,778). However, 4.1% of Palmyra town families live in poverty.

What is the crime rate in Palmyra, Town NY?

The C- grade means the rate of crime is slightly higher than the average US city. Palmyra is in the 37th percentile for safety, meaning 63% of cities are safer and 37% of cities are more dangerous. The rate of crime in Palmyra is 14.30 per 1,000 residents during a standard year. People who live in Palmyra generally consider the southwest part of the city to be the safest. Your chance of being a victim of crime in Palmyra may be as high as 1 in 33 in the central neighborhoods, or as low as 1 in 187 in the southwest part of the city.

Is Palmyra Town, NY expensive?

Palmyra, New York's cost of living is 2% lower than the national average. Palmyra's housing expenses are 6% higher than the national average and the utility prices are 10% lower than the national average. Transportation expenses like bus fares and gas prices are 8% higher than the national average. Palmyra has grocery prices that are 3% lower than the national average.

Sources

Wikipedia

Town of Palmyra

Hometown Health Center 

Palmyra Town Parks and Recreation Department

Palmyra Fitness Center 

Burn Boot Camp

Auburn-Fleming Trail 

Hojack Trail

Historic Palmyra Museums

Alling Coverlet Museum and Gift Shop

Pal-Mac Aqueduct County Park

New York Demographics

Crime Grade

Payscale

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