Portville is a town located in Cattaraugus County, New York. As of the 2000 census, the town had a total population of 3,952.

The Town of Portville was incorporated in 1805, formed from part of the Town of Olean. There is a village called Portville in the town.

Geography

Portville is located in the southeast corner of the county. Its eastern town line is the border of Allegany County, New York, and its southern town line is the Pennsylvania border.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 93.4 km² (36.0 mi²). 92.3 km² (35.6 mi²) of it is land and 1.1 km² (0.4 mi²) of it is water. The total area is 1.14% water.

The Allegheny River flows through the south part of the town.

Demographics

As of the census² of 2000, there are 3,952 people, 1,545 households, and 1,121 families residing in the town. The population density is 42.8/km² (110.9/mi²). There are 1,693 housing units at an average density of 18.3/km² (47.5/mi²). The racial makeup of the town is 97.93% White, 0.76% Black or African American, 0.15% Native American, 0.23% Asian, 0.03% Pacific Islander, 0.20% from other races, and 0.71% from two or more races. 0.68% of the population are Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There are 1,545 households out of which 34.1% have children under the age of 18 living with them, 57.5% are married couples living together, 11.2% have a female householder with no husband present, and 27.4% are non-families. 23.6% of all households are made up of individuals and 11.8% have someone living alone who is 65 years of age or older. The average household size is 2.56 and the average family size is 3.01.

In the town the population is spread out with 26.3% under the age of 18, 7.0% from 18 to 24, 26.4% from 25 to 44, 24.9% from 45 to 64, and 15.4% who are 65 years of age or older. The median age is 39 years. For every 100 females there are 93.8 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there are 89.7 males.

The median income for a household in the town is $37,284, and the median income for a family is $41,270. Males have a median income of $34,279 versus $23,494 for females. The per capita income for the town is $18,043. 10.4% of the population and 8.7% of families are below the poverty line. Out of the total population, 17.0% of those under the age of 18 and 6.5% of those 65 and older are living below the poverty line.

Communities and locations in the Town of Portville

• Bedford Corners -- A hamlet near the east town line on Route 305.
• Carroll -- A hamlet in the southeast corner of the town, east of the Allegheny River.
• Haydenville -- A hamlet on the western town line on Route 92.
• Lake View Terrace -- A hamlet in the northeast part of the town on Route 79.
• Main Settlement -- A hamlet in the southeast corner of the town on Route 417.
• Mill Grove -- a hamlet on the Allegheny River on Route 305 in the southeast corner of the town.
• Portville -- The Village of Portville in the southeast part of the town.
• Toll Gate Corner -- A location in the southeast corner of the town at the junction of Routes 305 and 417.
• Weston Mills -- A hamlet on the north bank of the Allegheny River on Route 417.

Adjacent towns and areas

McKean County, Pennsylvania is south of Porter. The towns of Clarkville and Genesee in Allegany County form the eastern boundary. The Town of Allegany is on the west. The Town of Hinsdale is to the north.