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Waterloo Town, NY

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Waterloo Town, NY

Waterloo is a town in Seneca County, New York, United States. The population was 7,378 at the 2020 census. The town and its major community are named after Waterloo, Belgium, where Napoleon was defeated. There is also a village called Waterloo, the primary county seat of Seneca County. The Town of Waterloo is situated on the western border of the county, east of Geneva.

The area was the domain of the Seneca tribe and Cayuga tribe, who were visited in the 17th century by Jesuit missionaries. The Sullivan Expedition passed through the area in 1779 to destroy the natives and their villages. After the war, the area was in the Central New York Military Tract, reserved for veterans. The region was first settled circa 1800. The town was formed from the Town of Junius in 1829 and was named after Waterloo, Belgium likely after the Battle of Waterloo.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 21.8 square miles (56.5 km2), of which 21.7 square miles (56.1 km2) is land and 0.1 square mile (0.4 km2) (0.67%) is water. The western town line is the border of Ontario County, New York, and part of the southern town boundary is Seneca Lake and the Seneca River/Cayuga-Seneca Canal. The New York State Route 5/U.S. Route 20 concurrency is a major east-west highway in Waterloo. New York State Route 96 is a highway that turns southward at Waterloo village.

As of the census of 2010, there were 7,642 people, 3,118 households, and 2,008 families residing in the town. The population density was 352.2 inhabitants per square mile (136.0/km2). The racial makeup of the town was 95.9% White, 1.5% Black or African American, 0.1% Native American, 0.3% Asian, 0.0% Pacific Islander, 0.4% from other races, and 1.8% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 2.5% of the population.

There were 3,118 households, out of which 26.1% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 44.6% were married couples living together, 13.2% had a female householder with no husband present, and 35.6% were non-families. 28.8% of all households were made up of individuals, and 11.9% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.35 and the average family size was 2.83.

In the town, the population was spread out, with 23.5% under the age of 20, 5.7% from 20 to 24, 23.1% from 25 to 44, 29.5% from 45 to 64, and 18.2% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 43.3 years. For every 100 females, there were 92.3 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 89.9 males.

Waterloo Town focuses on health and wellness. The Seneca Family Health Center is a cornerstone in providing comprehensive healthcare services to the community. Explore the parks, facilities, and programs offered by Waterloo Town’s Recreation and Community Services Department. 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 Seneca County Spas & Wellness Activities, Waterloo Fitness Center, and Independent Fitness. Discover the walking and biking trails in and around Waterloo Town, such as the Cayuga-Seneca Canal Trail and the Bishop Nature Preserve. These trails offer opportunities for outdoor exercise and enjoyment of nature.

The top sites in Waterloo Town, NY are the National Memorial Day Museum, Peter Whitmer Log Home, and American Civil War Memorial. 

Population: 7,378 (2020). ZIP Code: 13165. Area: 56.51 km². Elevation: 143 m. Area code(s): 315 and 680.

FAQs

What is Waterloo Town, NY famous for?

The most significant Waterloo first is the birth of Memorial Day. On May 5, 1866, Waterloo conducted the nation's first formal, continuing remembrance of veterans who had died in war. The Federal Government in 1966 formally recognized Waterloo as the Birthplace of Memorial Day. The Mormon religion had its birth on the Peter Whitmer farm two miles south of Waterloo and tile drainage in America was originated by John Johnston on his farm a few miles west of this village. The first Pullman car was conceived and constructed by a Waterloo man, Major Frederick Furniss.

What is the crime rate in Waterloo Town, NY?

The crime rate in Waterloo is considerably higher than the national average across all communities in America from the largest to the smallest, although at 17 crimes per one thousand residents, it is not among the communities with the very highest crime rate. The chance of becoming a victim of either violent or property crime in Waterloo is 1 in 60. Based on FBI crime data, Waterloo is not one of the safest communities in America. Relative to New York, Waterloo has a crime rate that is higher than 83% of the state's cities and towns of all sizes.

Is Waterloo Town, NY a good place to live?

Living in Waterloo, NY is an enjoyable experience. The small town is a quiet and peaceful place to call home, boasting a low cost of living and plenty of recreational activities to keep locals entertained. There are plenty of parks, trails, and lakes to explore in the area, as well as some great restaurants and shops for residents to enjoy shopping or dining out at. It's also conveniently located near larger cities such as Rochester and Syracuse for those who need a bit more of a bustling atmosphere from time to time. All in all, Waterloo is a great place to live where you can lead a safe and comfortable life with access to all the amenities you need.

Sources

Wikipedia

Town of Waterloo

Seneca Family Health Center

Waterloo Town’s Recreation and Community Services Department

Seneca County Spas & Wellness Activities

Waterloo Fitness Center

Independent Fitness

Cayuga-Seneca Canal Trail 

Bishop Nature Preserve

National Memorial Day Museum

Peter Whitmer Log Home 

American Civil War Memorial

History of Waterloo

Neighborhoodscout

Best Places

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