2000 census

As of the 2000 census there were 9,331 people, 3,439 households and 2,235 families residing in the town. The population density was . There were 3,724 housing units at an average density of 100 per square mile (38.6/km. The racial makeup of the town was 94.57% white; 2.18% African American; .24% Native American; .94% Asian; .49% from other races; and 1.59% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.91% of the population.

There were 3,439 households, out of which 29.5% had children under the age of 18 living with them; 51.7% were married couples living together; 8.8% had a female householder with no husband present; and 35% were non-families. 27.6% of all households were made up of individuals, and 8.6% 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 3.01.

The population in town was spread out, with 25.4% under the age of 18; 6.9% from 18 to 24; 29.3% from 25 to 44; 25.9% from 45 to 64; and 12.6% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 39 years. For every 100 females, there were 93.7 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 91.0 males.

The median income for a household in the town was $46,915, and the median income for a family was $55,442. Males had a median income of $38,016 versus $31,010 for females. The per capita income for the town was $21,174.

2010 census

As of the 2010 census, the population was 9,041. The racial makeup was 89.1% white, 5% African American, .4% Native American and 1.4% Asian. Hispanic or Latino people were 5.4% of the population.

2020 census

As of the 2020 census, the population was 9,548. The racial makeup of the town was 84.50% White, 4.58% Black or African American, 0.07% Native American, 1.19% Asian, 2.40% from other races, and 7.26% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 6.32% of the population. Rifton, St. Remy, and Port Ewen. Emergency medical services are provided by a volunteer ambulance corps.

Transportation

The main thoroughfare, north-south, is U.S. 9W.

Into the early 1950s, the New York Central was running three trains a day six days a week through the town, with stops, heading north: West Park, Esopus, Ulster Park and Port Ewen, from Weehawken, New Jersey to either Kingston or Albany. Since 1958, this line has been freight only.

Hamlets in Esopus

  • Connelly – a hamlet in the northeastern part of the town and suburb of Kingston. It is on the south bank of Rondout Creek.
  • Dashville – a hamlet south of Rifton.
  • Esopus – a hamlet by the Hudson River and located on Route 9W.
  • New Salem – a hamlet at the northern town line by Rondout Creek.
  • Port Ewen – a hamlet and census designated place in the northeastern part of the town; it is considered a suburb of Kingston.
  • Rifton – a hamlet and census designated place in the western part of the town, on Route 213.
  • St. Remy – a hamlet south of New Salem.
  • Sleightsburgh – a hamlet at the northeastern corner of the town and suburb of Kingston. The community is at the mouth of Rondout Creek.
  • Ulster Park – a hamlet north of Esopus hamlet on Route 9W.
  • Union Center – a hamlet west of Ulster Park.
  • West Park – a hamlet south of Esopus hamlet on Route 9W.

Notable people

  • John Jacob Astor III
  • Harry Payne Bingham
  • Smith Brothers
  • John Burroughs
  • Major Gen. Daniel Butterfield
  • Saint Frances Xavier Cabrini
  • Joel Coen
  • Peter Dinklage
  • James Matthew Jones
  • Joe Langworth
  • Luann de Lesseps
  • Frances McDormand
  • Kelli O'Hara
  • Alton Brooks Parker
  • Floyd Patterson
  • Colonel Oliver Hazard Payne
  • George W. Pratt
  • Sebastian Roche
  • Blair Ross
  • Nathaniel B. Terpeny (1809–1884), member of the New York State Assembly
  • Sojourner Truth

See also

  • Esopus Wars
  • Esopus Spitzenburg

References

  • Town of Esopus, New York
  • Town of Esopus Library