Vestal, New York

File:Vestal new york.jpg

Vestal is located to the right of the Susquehanna River in this photograph.

Vestal is a town located in Broome County, New York between the Susquehanna River and the Pennsylvania border in the Southern Tier of New York, USA. As of the 2000 census, the town had a total population of 26,535, estimated to have grown to 27,055 by 2004.

The Town of Vestal is on the south border of the county and is south and southwest of Binghamton, New York. New York Route 17 passes across the north part of the town.

History

The first settlement occurred around 1785. The Town of Vestal was formed from the Town of Union in 1823.

The history of the town is closely related to its neighbors, Binghamton, Endicott, and Johnson City. During the 20th century, Vestal served as a residential suburb to emerging industries in its neighbors, such as Endicott-Johnson Shoe Company, IBM, and other companies.

In the 1990s, Vestal became the major retail center of the area, with many large shopping centers such as the Town Square Mall, Parkway Plaza, Shoppes at Vestal, Campus Plaza, and Vestal Park (mixed residential/commerce/retail) along the Vestal Parkway (also known as NY Route 434), one of the busiest roads in the area. Its historic central business district is along three blocks of Front Street, which is still lined with small shops.

Geography

The north town line is defined by the Susquehanna River, the west town line is the border of Tioga County, and the south town line is the border of Susquehanna County, Pennsylvania.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 136.4 km² (52.7 mi²). 135.1 km² (52.2 mi²) of it is land and 1.3 km² (0.5 mi²) of it is water. The total area is 0.95% water. The Town of Vestal is on the south side of the Susquehanna River.

Demographics

As of the census² of 2000, there were 26,535 people, 8,525 households, and 5,924 families residing in the town. The population density was 196.3/km² (508.5/mi²). There were 8,898 housing units at an average density of 65.8/km² (170.5/mi²). The racial makeup of the town was 87.13% White, 2.19% African American, 0.15% Native American, 8.33% Asian, 0.00% Pacific Islander, 0.99% from other races, and 1.20% from two or more races. 2.40% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There were 8,525 households out of which 29.6% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 59.9% were married couples living together, 7.0% had a female householder with no husband present, and 30.5% were non-families. 25.1% of all households were made up of individuals and 10.7% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.45 and the average family size was 2.95.

In the town the population was spread out with 18.9% under the age of 18, 24.0% from 18 to 24, 20.6% from 25 to 44, 20.8% from 45 to 64, and 15.8% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 34 years. For every 100 females there were 90.6 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 86.7 males.

The median income for a household in the town was $51,098, and the median income for a family was $60,676. Males had a median income of $48,731 versus $29,035 for females. The per capita income for the town was $22,363. 7.1% of the population and 4.3% of families were below the poverty line. 7.6% of those under the age of 18 and 5.1% of those 65 and older were living below the poverty line.

Transportation

Retail along the Vestal Parkway

Vestal is linked from the west primarily by New York State Highway 17, which is under development to become Interstate 86. It is also very close to Interstate 81 and Interstate 88. Two major bridges and one minor bridge of New York State Highway 26, New York State Highway 201, and Bridge Road link Vestal to the villages of Endicott and Johnson City. New York State Highway 434, "The Vestal Parkway" is the main artery through Vestal. It provides a direct link to Binghamton in the east.

Broome County Transit provides Vestal with bus service around the town and to surrounding municipalities. Greater Binghamton Airport is located about seven miles away in Maine, New York and provides direct connections to Cincinnati-Northern Kentucky International Airport, Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport, Philadelphia International Airport, Pittsburgh International Airport, and Washington Dulles International Airport.

Schools

• Binghamton University - A SUNY university center with over 13,000 students.
• Vestal Central School District - A school district which includes Vestal High School, ranked in the top 4% of high schools in the United States.

Shopping/Dining/Entertainment in Vestal

• Town Square Mall
• The Shoppes at Vestal
• Parkway Plaza
• Campus Plaza
• Target

Communities and locations in Vestal

• Four Corners -- The town's center; refers to the intersection of Main St. and Vestal Parkway. Also known as five corners when Front Street intersected with the others.
• Ross Corners -- A hamlet near the west town line.
• South Vestal -- A hamlet in the south part of the town on Route 26.
• Stair Tract -- Two developments (Upper and Lower) in the Vestal Hills area.
• SUNY Binghamton -- A university center in the northeast part of the town.
• Tracy Creek -- A hamlet in the southwest part of the town.
• Twin Orchard -- A hamlet on the south bank of the Susquehanna River.
• Vestal -- The hamlet of Vestal is on the south bank of the Susquehanna River.
• Vestal Center -- A hamlet south of Vestal village on Route 26 and borders the state line.
• Vestal Hills -- A hamlet in the northeastern part of town, adjacent to Binghamton.
• Willow Point -- A neighborhood in the north-east part of the town.

External links

• Town of Vestal webpage.
• Early history of Vestal, NY