As of the census of 2000, there were 762 people, 253 households, and 195 families residing in the town. The population density was . There were 402 housing units at an average density of . The racial makeup of the town was 95.80% White, 0.13% African American, 0.52% Native American, 1.05% Asian, 2.10% from other races, and 0.39% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 2.49% of the population.

There were 253 households, out of which 40.7% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 58.9% were married couples living together, 13.8% had a female householder with no husband present, and 22.9% were non-families. 18.2% of all households were made up of individuals, and 7.5% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 3.01 and the average family size was 3.38.

In the town, the population was spread out, with 34.6% under the age of 18, 7.6% from 18 to 24, 26.9% from 25 to 44, 22.7% from 45 to 64, and 8.1% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 31 years. For every 100 females, there were 96.9 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 101.6 males.

The median income for a household in the town was $28,487, and the median income for a family was $31,058. Males had a median income of $25,208 versus $20,750 for females. The per capita income for the town was $11,674. About 22.4% of families and 32.8% of the population were below the poverty line, including 46.4% of those under age 18 and 31.7% of those age 65 or over.

Communities and locations in Centerville

thumb|[[Centerville Town Hall]]

  • Centerville – The hamlet of Centerville is near the town center at the junction of Buffalo, Pike and Hill Roads.
  • Fairview – A hamlet on the town line in the southwest corner of the town on Route 243.
  • Higgins – The hamlet is southeast of Centerville.
  • Welsh Settlement – A former designation for the southwest part of the town, settled in the 1840s by many natives of Wales.

Notable people

  • Ellen Palmer Allerton (1835–1893), poet
  • Ezra Kendall (1861–1910), actor-comedian, humorist, playwright and author
  • Clifford Goldsmith, playwright best known for creating The Aldrich Family, which was set in a larger, fictionalized version of Centerville

References

1. French, J. H., Gazetteer of the State of New York, Embracing a Comprehensive View of the Geography, Geology, and General History of the State..., Syracuse: R. Pearsall Smith, 1860, view online at: https://books.google.com/books?id=R_zHwh4xByQC&dq=allegany+county+new+york+history&pg=PA1

2. Minard, John S., History of Centerville, New York, Alfred, NY, J. A. Fergusson, 1896

  • Town of Centerville official website