In the post-Revolutionary period, central and western New York were settled by many migrants from New England. With development of the Erie Canal in the early 19th century, the movement of people expanded towards the Midwest as trade and commerce increased. Oneida's development began to pick up as new trade routes were opened, especially in the period initially following construction of the Oneida Lake canal and feeder and an associated railroad stop, tying it into major trade networks of the day.
The Village of Oneida was incorporated on June 20, 1848 as part of the larger Town of Lenox to its west, but years of friction among the different sections of town spurred this village to establish itself independently as the new Town of Oneida in 1896. In turn, this town was later chartered as the City of Oneida on March 28, 1901.
The City of Oneida’s first elected mayor was Julius M. Goldstein, the co-founder of Powell & Goldstein Cigar Company. Goldstein was born in Prussia and immigrated in 1871.[3]
Oneida is located near the site of the former Oneida Community, a social and religious experiment that flourished during the third quarter of the 19th century. The Oneida Community Mansion House, a national historic monument, is the principal building of the Oneida Community. International tableware company Oneida Limited, founded 1880, is still headquartered in the city, although all US manufacturing operations have now ceased and all Oneida products are imported.
Oneida was formerly known as Oneida Depot. In the 19th century, its residents were among the closest neighbors to a utopian socialist commune, set up by John Humphrey Noyes, lasting from 1848 until 1881. This commune, called the Oneida Community, produced silk and canned goods until the manufacturing of flatware picked up in the later years of the community's existence. This led to the foundation of Oneida Limited, a company that outlasted the community and became one of America's most important flatware producers in the 20th century.[citation needed]
According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 22.1 square miles (57 km2), of which 0.1 square miles (0.26 km2) (0.23%) is covered by water.
Demographics
This section needs to be updated. Please help update this article to reflect recent events or newly available information. (January 2024)
As of the census[6] of 2010, 11,393 people, 4,672 households, and 2,814 families were residing in the city. The population density was 500 inhabitants per square mile (190/km2).
Some 4,672 housing units were within the city limits. The racial makeup of the city was 96.29% White, 0.80% African American, 1.39% Native American, 0.46% Asian, 0.20% from other races, and 0.86% from two or more races. Hispanics or Latinos of any race were 0.84% of the population.
Of the 4,431 households 32.1% had children under 18 living with them, 45.3% were married couples living together, 11.9% had a female householder with no husband present, and 38.5% were not families. About 32.0% of all households were made up of individuals, and 13.5% had someone living alone who was 65 or older. The average household size was 2.40, and the average family size was 3.03.
In the city, the age distribution was 25.1% under 18, 7.9% from 18 to 24, 29.9% from 25 to 44, 22.1% from 45 to 64, and 15.0% who were 65 or older. The median age was 37 years. For every 100 females there were 92.5 males. For every 100 females 18 and over, there were 88.7 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $35,365, and for a family was $45,242. Males had a median income of $31,244 versus $23,846 for females. The per capita income for the city was $18,966. About 8.8% of families and 12.5% of the population were below the poverty line, including 11.5% of those under age 18 and 10.6% of those 65 or over.
Education
The public Oneida City School District operates in Oneida, the city of Oneida Castle, the hamlet of Durhamville, the village of Wampsville, and certain parts of Canastota.
Government
The city government consists of a mayor who is elected at large and six council members, each elected from one of six wards.
Communities and locations
Bennetts Corners – A hamlet in the southeastern part of the city, located at the intersection of Peterboro and Middle Roads.
Oneida Community – A former religious commune. The Oneida Community Mansion House is located at Kenwood Avenue and Skinner Road.
^Koch, Daniel (2023). Land of the Oneidas: Central New York State and the Creation of America, from Prehistory to the Present. Albany, NY: SUNY Press. pp. 183–6. ISBN9781438492698.
