Town in New York, United States
Newstead is the northeasternmost town in Erie County, New York, United States. The population was
8,689 at the 2020 census.[2] The name is reportedly derived from Newstead Abbey in England.
Newstead is northeast of Buffalo, and its principal community is the village of Akron.
History
The town was first settled circa 1801.
The town of Newstead was established in 1823 as the "Town of Erie" from the eastern part of the town of Clarence. In 1831, the town's name was changed to "Newstead", reportedly on the advice of Abigail Fillmore, who was fond of the poetry of Lord Byron.
A fire in the 1870s destroyed town records, leaving little historical information about the town between 1823 and 1870.
The discovery of gypsum and the growth of the related cement industry helped promote the area.
Geography
According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 51.05 square miles (132.21 km2), of which 50.76 square miles (131.46 km2) is land and 0.29 square miles (0.74 km2), or 0.56%, is water.[2]
Newstead is in the northeast corner of the county, and Tonawanda Creek defines the northern boundary.
Adjacent towns
The village of Akron lies within the town, east of the town's geographic center.
Major highways in the Town of Newstead
Interstate 90 (New York State Thruway) (east-west), passes through the southern part of town from Clarence to Pembroke.
New York State Route 5 (Main St.), east–west highway that passes through the southern part of town from Clarence to Pembroke.
New York State Route 93 (Maple Rd., Lewis Rd., Buell St. in Newstead; Cedar St., Buffalo St., Buell St. in Akron), north–south highway from Youngstown that travels through Niagara County and into Newstead and has its southern terminus south of Akron at NY 5 (Main Street).
Demographics
Historical population
| Census | Pop. | Note | %± |
|---|
| 1830 | 1,926 | | — |
|---|
| 1840 | 2,653 | | 37.7% |
|---|
| 1850 | 2,899 | | 9.3% |
|---|
| 1860 | 3,162 | | 9.1% |
|---|
| 1870 | 3,380 | | 6.9% |
|---|
| 1880 | 3,570 | | 5.6% |
|---|
| 1890 | 3,721 | | 4.2% |
|---|
| 1900 | 3,884 | | 4.4% |
|---|
| 1910 | 3,607 | | −7.1% |
|---|
| 1920 | 4,043 | | 12.1% |
|---|
| 1930 | 4,334 | | 7.2% |
|---|
| 1940 | 4,268 | | −1.5% |
|---|
| 1950 | 4,653 | | 9.0% |
|---|
| 1960 | 5,825 | | 25.2% |
|---|
| 1970 | 6,322 | | 8.5% |
|---|
| 1980 | 7,231 | | 14.4% |
|---|
| 1990 | 7,440 | | 2.9% |
|---|
| 2000 | 8,404 | | 13.0% |
|---|
| 2010 | 8,594 | | 2.3% |
|---|
| 2020 | 8,689 | | 1.1% |
|---|
|
As of the census[4] of 2000, there were 8,404 people, 3,371 households, and 2,332 families residing in the town. The population density was 164.9 inhabitants per square mile (63.7/km2). There were 3,623 housing units at an average density of 71.1 per square mile (27.5/km2). The racial makeup of the town was 98.20% White, 0.40% African American, 0.77% Native American, 0.12% Asian, 0.10% from other races, and 0.40% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.52% of the population.
There were 3,371 households, out of which 30.3% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 57.2% were married couples living together, 8.5% had a female householder with no husband present, and 30.8% were non-families. 26.1% of all households were made up of individuals, and 13.7% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.49 and the average family size was 3.02.
In the town, the population was spread out, with 24.0% under the age of 18, 6.9% from 18 to 24, 28.5% from 25 to 44, 23.8% from 45 to 64, and 16.8% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 39 years. For every 100 females, there were 95.6 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 92.3 males.
The median income for a household in the town was $40,580, and the median income for a family was $50,255. Males had a median income of $34,306 versus $24,011 for females. The per capita income for the town was $18,447. About 2.9% of families and 4.2% of the population were below the poverty line, including 3.3% of those under age 18 and 6.1% of those age 65 or over.
Recreation
Newstead and the town of Clarence have constructed several miles of biking and jogging trails that link the towns on a former railroad right-of-way. The Octagon House in the village of Akron is open to visitors who wish to examine this architectural style.
Newstead, because of its vast expanses of open space, has become a popular place for golf course construction.
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