Clarkson is a town in Monroe County, New York, United States, on the western border of the county and west of the city of Rochester. The population was 6,904 at the 2020 census. of 2000, there were 6,072 people, 2,034 households, and 1,582 families residing in the town. The population density was . There were 2,090 housing units at an average density of . The racial makeup of the town was 93.92% White, 2.03% African American, 0.25% Native American, 0.64% Asian, 0.05% Pacific Islander, 1.40% from other races, and 1.71% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 2.72% of the population.
There were 2,034 households, out of which 41.3% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 64.7% were married couples living together, 9.8% had a female householder with no husband present, and 22.2% were non-families. 18.1% of all households were made up of individuals, and 8.4% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.86 and the average family size was 3.26.
In the town, the population was spread out, with 29.4% under the age of 18, 6.0% from 18 to 24, 30.7% from 25 to 44, 21.9% from 45 to 64, and 11.9% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 36 years. For every 100 females, there were 94.8 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 89.9 males.
The median income for a household in the town was $53,438, and the median income for a family was $58,212. Males had a median income of $41,397 versus $25,795 for females. The per capita income for the town was $20,555. About 3.1% of families and 4.9% of the population were below the poverty line, including 4.0% of those under age 18 and 7.6% of those age 65 or over.
Communities and locations
- Brockport – Two small parts of the village of Brockport are in the town.
- Clarkson – A census-designated place located in the southern part of the town, centered on the intersection of State Routes 19 and 104.
- Clarkson Corners – A hamlet in the census-designated place of Clarkson, formerly known as "Murray Corners" and "Clarkson" (until 2009) that was an important community on Ridge Road until the opening of the Erie Canal and railroads. The Clarkson Corners Historic District was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1994.
- Garland – A hamlet in the southeast part of town on Ridge Road (NY-104), also part of the Clarkson CDP.
- Morton – A hamlet at the west town line on NY-272.
- Otis – A location in the northeast part of the town.
- Redman Corners – A hamlet on Ridge Road on the west side of the town.
- Ridge Road – NYS-104, once the major highway between Rochester and Niagara Falls.
Government
thumb|Clarkson Town Hall
The town is governed by a Town Board consisting of a Town Supervisor and four Town Council members, all elected by registered town voters. The Supervisor serves in both the executive and legislative branch for the town. The board handels town finances and general management. Ursula Liotta is town supervisor.