Cato (town), New York

Cato is a town in Cayuga County, New York, USA. The population was 2,744 at the 2000 census. The name was assigned by the surveyors of the Military Tract, and is one of many towns and villages bearing classical place names.

The Town of Cato contains a part of a village, also with the name of Cato, as well as the entire village of Meridian. Cato is northwest of Syracuse, New York.

History

The town was in the Central New York Military Tract, reserved for veterans of the American Revolution.

The first settler arrived around 1800, but rapid development was stayed until after the War of 1812.

The town was formed in 1821 from part of the Town of Aurelius. Cato was subsequently reduced in size when new towns were formed: Sterling in 1812, and, in 1821, Conquest, Ira, and Victory. Part of the Town of Ira was returned to Cato in 1824.

Famous Residents

*Regan Smith, NASCAR driver

*Josh Warner, Pro Football player (NY Giants)

*Howard Frank Mosher, novelist

Geography

According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 36.2 square miles (93.7 km²), of which, 33.6 square miles (87.1 km²) of it is land and 2.6 square miles (6.6 km²) of it (7.07%) is water.

The town of Cato is on the eastern side of the county, so that the east town line is the border of Onondaga County. The south town line is defined by the Seneca River/Erie Canal.

New York State Route 34, a north south highway, intersects New York State Route 370, and east-west highway, in Cato village. The southern terminus of New York State Route 176 is at NY-370, east of Meridian.

Demographics

As of the censusGR|2 of 2000, there were 2,744 people, 994 households, and 747 families residing in the town. The population density was 81.6 people per square mile (31.5/km²). There were 1,293 housing units at an average density of 38.4/sq mi (14.8/km²). The racial makeup of the town was 97.74% White, 0.36% Black or African American, 0.40% Native American, 0.29% Asian, 0.04% Pacific Islander, 0.07% from other races, and 1.09% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.36% of the population.

There were 994 households out of which 36.4% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 62.0% were married couples living together, 7.6% had a female householder with no husband present, and 24.8% were non-families. 19.6% 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 2.76 and the average family size was 3.16.

In the town the population was spread out with 29.0% under the age of 18, 6.6% from 18 to 24, 29.2% from 25 to 44, 24.5% from 45 to 64, and 10.6% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 37 years. For every 100 females there were 100.7 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 98.2 males.

The median income for a household in the town was $43,281, and the median income for a family was $49,028. Males had a median income of $35,150 versus $24,572 for females. The per capita income for the town was $19,941. About 6.0% of families and 8.3% of the population were below the poverty line, including 9.5% of those under age 18 and 11.7% of those age 65 or over.

Communities and locations in the Town of Cato

*Cato -- The Village of Cato straddles the north town line at the junction of NY-34 and NY-370. The northern part of the Village of Cato is in the Town of Ira.
*Cross Lake -- A large lake on the eastern town line.
*Meridian -- The Village of Meridian is at the north town line on NY-370.
*Otter Lake -- A lake south of Meridian.
*Parker Pond -- A small lake at the southeast corner of Cato village.
*Whitfords Airport (B16) -- A general aviation airport near the south town line. It is also called "Weedsport Airport."

References

External links

* [http://history.rays-place.com/ny/cato-ny.htm Early history of Cato, NY]