Claverack is a town in Columbia County, New York, United States. The population was 6,021 at the 2010 census. The town name is a corruption for the Dutch word for "Clover Fields" or "Clover Reach". In 1705, the first discovery of a mastodon tooth occurred here. The town is centrally located in Columbia County, east of the city of Hudson.
Ismail Merchant and James Ivory owned property in Claverack and were very supportive of local interests, especially Columbia Memorial Hospital in nearby Hudson.
Margaret Sanger attended the former Claverack College for two years.
Nancy Fuller, chef and host of Farmhouse Rules on the Food Network, was born and raised here.
The first known mastodon tooth found in the new world was discovered here in 1705.
Joan Steiner American illustrator and puzzle designer
Stanley Bate American artist
Geography
According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of, of which is land and, or 0.81%, is water. Claverack Creek enters the town at the hamlet of Mellenville and runs southwest before turning north and forming the western town boundary before entering Stockport. Taghkanic Creek is a major tributary from the south and forms the western boundary of the town before entering Claverack Creek. The Taconic State Parkway passes north-south through the eastern side of the town.
Demographics
As of the census of 2000, there were 6,401 people, 2,485 households, and 1,669 families residing in the town. The population density was 134.3 people per square mile. There were 2,839 housing units at an average density of 59.6 per square mile. The racial makeup of the town was 93.95% White, 3.31% African American, 0.20% Native American, 0.36% Asian, 0.06% Pacific Islander, 0.78% from other races, and 1.33% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 2.47% of the population. There were 2,485 households, out of which 29.6% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 53.4% were married couples living together, 9.1% had a female householder with no husband present, and 32.8% were non-families. 26.4% of all households were made up of individuals, and 13.3% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.44 and the average family size was 2.96. In the town, the population was spread out, with 24.4% under the age of 18, 6.5% from 18 to 24, 25.3% from 25 to 44, 24.6% from 45 to 64, and 19.1% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 41 years. For every 100 females, there were 100.8 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 94.7 males. The median income for a household in the town was $41,647, and the median income for a family was $50,175. Males had a median income of $32,896 versus $23,925 for females. The per capita income for the town was $19,848. About 3.8% of families and 6.7% of the population were below the poverty line, including 6.8% of those under age 18 and 7.1% of those age 65 or over.
Communities and locations in Claverack
Brick Tavern - A hamlet in the northwest corner of the town.
Claverack - The hamlet of Claverack is in the western part of the town.
Hollowville - A hamlet southeast of Claverack village.
Martindale - A hamlet by the east town line, by the Taconic State Parkway.
Mellenville - A hamlet in the northeast part of the town, west of Philmont. The Mellenville Railroad Station was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2000.
Philmont - The village of Philmont in the northeast part of the town.
Red Mills - A location east of Claverack village.
Upper Hollowville - A hamlet between Hollowville and Martindale.
