Olean is a town located in Cattaraugus County, New York. As of the 2000 census, the town had a total population of 2,029.

History

The Town of Olean was incorporated in 1954. The City of Olean, originally the Village of Olean, is within the town.

The Village of Olean, was originally named Hamilton, after Alexander Hamilton, but was called Olean Point until simplified to Olean in 1823. The name "Olean" was suggested for the area due to the oil found in the vicinity. The original town hall burned in 1884, prompting a law that forbade wooden structures in parts of the town.

Geography

According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 77.0 km² (29.7 mi²). 76.8 km² (29.6 mi²) of it is land and 0.2 km² (0.1 mi²) of it is water. The total area is 0.27% water.

The Allegheny River flows through the town. The south town line is the border of Pennsylvania. The Southern Tier Expressway passes through the town.

Demographics

As of the census² of 2000, there are 2,029 people, 827 households, and 564 families residing in the town. The population density is 26.4/km² (68.5/mi²). There are 891 housing units at an average density of 11.6/km² (30.1/mi²). The racial makeup of the town is 97.88% White, 0.34% Black or African American, 0.15% Native American, 0.79% Asian, 0.00% Pacific Islander, 0.00% from other races, and 0.84% from two or more races. 0.34% of the population are Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There are 827 households out of which 29.6% have children under the age of 18 living with them, 56.5% are married couples living together, 8.3% have a female householder with no husband present, and 31.7% are non-families. 25.9% of all households are made up of individuals and 11.5% have someone living alone who is 65 years of age or older. The average household size is 2.45 and the average family size is 2.95.

In the town the population is spread out with 24.2% under the age of 18, 6.4% from 18 to 24, 27.1% from 25 to 44, 26.9% from 45 to 64, and 15.3% who are 65 years of age or older. The median age is 40 years. For every 100 females there are 99.5 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there are 98.8 males.

The median income for a household in the town is $36,288, and the median income for a family is $47,232. Males have a median income of $35,947 versus $23,641 for females. The per capita income for the town is $19,265. 10.2% of the population and 7.1% of families are below the poverty line. Out of the total population, 13.6% of those under the age of 18 and 6.1% of those 65 and older are living below the poverty line.

Communities and locations in the Town of Olean

• Baldwin Heights -- A hamlet and suburban community north of the City of Olean.
• Barnum -- A hamlet by the south town line on Route 29.
• Boardmanville -- A hamlet north of the City of Olean on the east side of Olean Creek.
• East Olean -- A hamlet on the opposite shore of the Olean Creak, east of the City of Olean.
• Giermek Executive Airport (8G3) -- A general aviation grass strip airport on the south side of the Allegheny River and southeast of the City of Olean.
• Haydenville -- A hamlet on the eastern town line on Route 92.
• Homer Hill -- A hamlet northwest of the City of Olean.
• North Olean -- A hamlet and suburban community north of the City of Olean.
• Olean Creek -- A stream, flowing south through the town, that flows into the Allegheny River between the City of Olean and East Olean.
• Seneca Heights -- A hamlet south of the City of Olean and the Allegheny River.
• South Olean -- A neighborhood in the City of Olean.

External links

• Greater Olean Area Chamber of Commerce
• Greater Olean Information Portal