The first settlers arrived around 1810, believing they were settling in Chautauqua County. The Town of Dayton was founded in 1835, formed from the town of Perrysburg.
Geography
According to the United States Census Bureau, the town of Dayton has a total area of, of which is land and, or 1.71%, is water. Dayton is bordered by the town of Perrysburg to the north and the town of Persia to the east. The town of Leon is to the south, and Dayton's west town line is the border of the town of Villenova in Chautauqua County. New York State Route 353 ends in the town; U.S. Route 62 passes through the town.
Demographics
As of the census of 2000, there were 1,945 people, 749 households, and 524 families residing in the town. The population density was 54.4 people per square mile. There were 836 housing units at an average density of 23.4 per square mile. The racial makeup of the town was 97.17% White, 0.41% African American, 1.13% Native American, 0.05% Asian, 0.26% from other races, and 0.98% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.77% of the population. There were 749 households, out of which 33.1% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 52.1% were married couplesliving together, 13.5% had a female householder with no husband present, and 30.0% were non-families. 24.3% of all households were made up of individuals, and 10.7% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.59 and the average family size was 3.04. In the town, the population was spread out, with 28.9% under the age of 18, 6.8% from 18 to 24, 27.8% from 25 to 44, 23.2% from 45 to 64, and 13.3% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 36 years. For every 100 females, there were 98.3 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 92.6 males. The median income for a household in the town was $31,607, and the median income for a family was $37,917. Males had a median income of $28,485 versus $24,830 for females. The per capita income for the town was $15,355. About 9.1% of families and 12.8% of the population were below the poverty line, including 13.2% of those under age 18 and 4.7% of those age 65 or over.
Communities and locations in Dayton
Conewango Creek – A stream in the western part of the town that flows into Chautauqua County and Pennsylvania.
Cottage – A hamlet by the northwest corner of the town on County Road 2.
Dayton – The hamlet of Dayton, formerly a station on the Erie Railroad, is on U.S. Route 62 in the northeast corner of the town.
