As of the census of 2000, there were 9,066 people, 3,568 households, and 2,383 families residing in the town. The population density was . There were 3,927 housing units at an average density of . The racial makeup of the town was 98.10% White, 0.39% African American, 0.25% Native American, 0.40% Asian, 0.15% from other races, and 0.71% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.03% of the population.
There were 3,568 households, out of which 33.0% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 50.3% were married couples living together, 12.1% had a female householder with no husband present, and 33.2% were non-families. 27.4% of all households were made up of individuals, and 12.4% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.47 and the average family size was 3.00.
In the town, the population was spread out, with 26.0% under the age of 18, 7.4% from 18 to 24, 28.5% from 25 to 44, 21.9% from 45 to 64, and 16.2% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 38 years. For every 100 females, there were 91.1 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 86.7 males.
The median income for a household in the town was $33,530, and the median income for a family was $39,650. Males had a median income of $30,828 versus $23,351 for females. The per capita income for the town was $15,498. About 7.8% of families and 10.5% of the population were below the poverty line, including 12.2% of those under age 18 and 4.6% of those age 65 or over.
Communities and locations in the Town of Barton
- Barton – The hamlet of Barton in the southeast part of the town is located on the north side of the Susquehanna River and NY-17C. The community has been referred to as "Barton City."
- East Waverly – A hamlet on the east side of Waverly.
- Ellistown - A hamlet on NY-17C east of Waverly on the north side of the Susquehanna River.
- Glencairn – A hamlet in the southeast part of the town on County Road 9.
- Halsey Valley – A hamlet on the town line in the northeast part of the town.
- Lockwood – A hamlet by the west town line on NY-34. It was formerly called "Bingham's Mills" from the names of early settlers. The present name is after Belva Ann Lockwood, a prominent suffragist who taught school for three years in nearby Owego.
- Lockwood Run – A stream at the west town line that flows through Waverly.
- North Barton – A hamlet centrally located in the north part of the town.
- North Waverly – A community adjacent to the north side of Waverly on NY-34.
- Reniff – A hamlet by the west town line on NY-34 north of Lockwood.
- Waverly – The Village of Waverly is in the southwest corner of the town on the border of Pennsylvania. It is north of Sayre, Pennsylvania.
It was Bingham's Mills first founded by Charles Bingham in the 1700. The name was changed by a local politician who had a falling out with the Bingham's.
They had their own Mills, general store, Post Office, etc. that would be found in a small town.
Notable residents
- Jeff Foote, professional basketball player