As of the census of 2000, there were 1,820 people, 643 households, and 414 families residing in the town. The population density was . There were 970 housing units at an average density of . The racial makeup of the town was 87.80% White, 8.63% African American, 0.33% Native American, 0.66% Asian, 1.21% from other races, and 1.37% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 2.25% of the population.

There were 643 households, out of which 27.1% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 55.5% were married couples living together, 5.4% had a female householder with no husband present, and 35.5% were non-families. 28.6% of all households were made up of individuals, and 11.7% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.34 and the average family size was 2.88.

In the town, the population was spread out, with 34.2% under the age of 18, 4.3% from 18 to 24, 20.9% from 25 to 44, 26.5% from 45 to 64, and 14.0% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 38 years. For every 100 females, there were 137.3 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 103.2 males.

The median income for a household in the town was $51,607, and the median income for a family was $62,656. Males had a median income of $44,063 versus $37,083 for females. The per capita income for the town was $28,209. About 2.7% of families and 5.1% of the population were below the poverty line, including 4.1% of those under age 18 and 5.4% of those age 65 or over.

Communities and locations in Canaan

thumb|Canaan Town Hall

  • Canaan – The hamlet of Canaan is in the north-central part of the town at the junction of New York State Route 295 and County Road 5. It was formerly "Canaan Corners".
  • Canaan Center – A hamlet south of Canaan village on Route 5, just south of the geographic center of the town.
  • East Chatham – A hamlet at the western town line.
  • Edwards Park – A location southeast of Flatbrook.
  • Flatbrook – A hamlet southeast of Canaan village and located on Route 22.
  • Queechy – A hamlet east of Canaan villagethumb|Queechy Lake seen from Queechy Lake Drive in Canaan, New York, December 23, 2021.Queechy Lake – (formerly Whiting's Pond) A lake near the eastern town boundary.
  • Red Rock – A hamlet at the southern town line.

Notable people

  • Phoebe Hinsdale Brown (1783–1861), first American woman to write a hymn of wide popularity, "I love to steal awhile away"
  • Asa Adgate (1767–1832), born in Canaan, U.S. congressman
  • Daniel G. Garnsey, U.S. congressman
  • Anne Meacham (1925–2006), American actress
  • Eleazer Root (1802–1887), born in Canaan, educator and Episcopal priest
  • Al Roker (born August 20, 1954) television personality, weather forecaster, actor, and author (owns a summer home in Canaan)
  • Henry L. Warner, farmer and member of the New York State Assembly in 1892

References

  • Town of Canaan official website
  • Historical information about Canaan, NY
  • Canaan Branch of the Chatham Public Library