Petersburgh, New York
Petersburgh, New York Location within the state of New York
Coordinates: 42°46′6″N 73°20′36″W / 42.76833, -73.34333
Country	United States
State	New York
County	Rensselaer
Area
- Total	41.6 sq mi (107.8 km²)
- Land	41.6 sq mi (107.8 km²)
- Water	0.0 sq mi (0.0 km²)
Elevation	554 ft (169 m)
Population (2000)
- Total	1,563
- Density	37.6/sq mi (14.5/km²)
Time zone	Eastern (EST) (UTC-5)
- Summer (DST)	EDT (UTC-4)
ZIP code	12138
Area code(s)	518
FIPS code	36-57441
GNIS feature ID	0979359

Petersburgh is a town located in the northeast section of Rensselaer County, New York, United States. The population was 1,563 at the 2000 census. The town was named after an early settler.

History

The area was settled around the middle of the 18th Century and was part of Rensselaerwyck. The town was created in 1791 from the Town of Stephentown. The size of this town was diminished by the formation of other towns in the county, including the Towns of Berlin and Lansingburgh (see Troy) in 1806, and Grafton and Nassau in 1807.

Reportedly the town was named after an individual named Peter Simmons, an early settler.

Geography

According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 41.6 square miles (107.7 km²), all of it land.

The east town line is the border of Massachusetts.

The Little Hoosick River joins the Hoosick River in the north part of the town.

Demographics

As of the census^[1] of 2000, there were 1,563 people, 587 households, and 433 families residing in the town. The population density was 37.6 people per square mile (14.5/km²). There were 695 housing units at an average density of 16.7/sq mi (6.5/km²). The racial makeup of the town was 98.08% White, 0.19% African American, 0.06% Native American, 0.90% Asian, 0.19% from other races, and 0.58% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.45% of the population.

There were 587 households out of which 33.9% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 62.9% were married couples living together, 7.2% had a female householder with no husband present, and 26.1% were non-families. 21.1% of all households were made up of individuals and 7.8% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.66 and the average family size was 3.07.

In the town the population was spread out with 26.2% under the age of 18, 6.5% from 18 to 24, 28.3% from 25 to 44, 26.4% from 45 to 64, and 12.5% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 39 years. For every 100 females there were 103.3 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 99.3 males.

The median income for a household in the town was $45,909, and the median income for a family was $49,125. Males had a median income of $35,500 versus $25,208 for females. The per capita income for the town was $21,249. About 9.8% of families and 12.3% of the population were below the poverty line, including 16.8% of those under age 18 and 10.3% of those age 65 or over.

Communities and locations in Petersburgh

• North Petersburgh -- A hamlet in the north part of the town on Routes 22 and 346.
• Petersburgh (or Petersburg) -- A hamlet on Routes 2 and 22. It was formerly called "South Petersburg" and "Rensselaer Mills."
• Petersburgh Junction -- A hamlet by the north town line.
• Stillman -- A hamlet northwest of Petersburgh village on Route 2.

References

1. ^ American FactFinder. United States Census Bureau. Retrieved on 2008-01-31.

External links

• History of Petersburgh, NY

v â€¢ d â€¢ e Municipalities and communities of Rensselaer County, New York County seat: Troy Cities Rensselaer | Troy Towns Berlin | Brunswick | East Greenbush | Grafton | Hoosick | Nassau | North Greenbush | Petersburgh | Pittstown | Poestenkill | Sand Lake | Schaghticoke | Schodack | Stephentown Villages Castleton-on-Hudson (Castleton) | East Nassau | Hoosick Falls | Nassau | Schaghticoke | Valley Falls Hamlets and CDPs Averill Park | Cherry Plain | Cropseyville | Defreestville | East Schodack | Hampton Manor | Poestenkill | West Sand Lake | Wynantskill