Nearby Lake Champlain was an important military and trade route during the colonial period. The lake and the town were named in honor of Samuel de Champlain, who first surveyed the area in 1609. It was part of Canada until 1763 and became part of the United States in 1783. The town was formed in 1788, the same year the county was established. In 1799, the town was reduced by the formation of the town of Chateaugay. The founding of the towns of Chazy and Mooers, in 1804, further reduced Champlain. Champlain is on the border with Canada and contains three border crossings: Champlain, Overton Corners, and Rouses Point. The Champlain Port of Entry on Interstate 87 is one of the four most important commercial gateways on the northern border, connecting New York City to the south with Montreal to the north, via Quebec Autoroute 15.
As of the 2000 census, there were 5,791 people, 2,386 households, and 1,562 families residing in the town. The population density was 113.1 people per square mile. There were 2,718 housing units at an average density of 53.1 per square mile. The racial makeup of the town was 97.74% White, 0.52% Black or African American, 0.29% Native American, 0.36% Asian, 0.02% Pacific Islander, 0.26% from other races, and 0.81% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.00% of the population. There were 2,386 households, out of which 31.1% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 51.0% were married couples living together, 10.7% had a female householder with no husband present, and 34.5% were non-families. 28.7% of all households were made up of individuals, and 11.9% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.39 and the average family size was 2.95. In the town, the population was spread out, with 25.0% under the age of 18, 7.1% from 18 to 24, 28.7% from 25 to 44, 24.6% from 45 to 64, and 14.6% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 38 years. For every 100 females, there were 95.5 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 92.8 males. The median income for a household in the town was $37,775, and the median income for a family was $46,113. Males had a median income of $35,198 versus $26,345 for females. The per capita income for the town was $18,987. About 6.7% of families and 9.2% of the population were below the poverty line, including 9.5% of those under age 18 and 6.9% of those age 65 or over.
Perry MillsA hamlet in the northwest part of the town on the Great Chazy River. Roxham Road here is the place where more people cross from the U.S. into Canada to seek asylum, than any other point on the Canada–United States border.
Point au FerA peninsula in Lake Champlain south of Rouses Point, and site of Revolutionary War-era Point Au Fer Fort.
Rouses PointA village in the northeast part of the town near Lake Champlain.
Scales PointA location on Lake Champlain by Kings Bay.
Twin BridgesA location on the western town line at the Great Chazy River.
Notable residents
Jehudi Ashmun, born in Champlain, was a religious leader who promoted the settlement of blacks in Liberia.
