The name Exeter derives from the city of Exeter in Devon, England. John Tunnicliff purchased of a patent that included the town from David Schuyler and others in 1756, but had to abandon attempts to settle the town until after the French and Indian War. The first settlements were made around 1769 near Angel Hill. The town was formed from the Town of Richfield in 1799.
As of the census of 2000, there were 954 people, 373 households, and 280 families residing in the town. The population density was 29.7 people per square mile. There were 542 housing units at an average density of 16.9 per square mile. The racial makeup of the town was 96.44% White, 1.57% African American, 0.73% Native American, 0.42% Asian, 0.42% from other races, and 0.42% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.15% of the population. There were 373 households, out of which 31.4% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 62.7% were married couplesliving together, 9.9% had a female householder with no husband present, and 24.9% were non-families. 20.4% of all households were made up of individuals, and 11.0% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.56 and the average family size was 2.94. In the town, the population was spread out, with 22.9% under the age of 18, 8.3% from 18 to 24, 24.9% from 25 to 44, 29.4% from 45 to 64, and 14.6% 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 104.4 males. The median income for a household in the town was $36,607, and the median income for a family was $41,184. Males had a median income of $27,083 versus $20,855 for females. The per capita income for the town was $15,599. About 8.4% of families and 12.3% of the population were below the poverty line, including 20.7% of those under age 18 and 9.9% of those age 65 or over.
Communities and locations in Exeter
Angel Hill - An elevation near the south town line.
Brainard Corners - A hamlet west of Exeter hamlet on County Road 22 at the junction of County Road 19.
Exeter - A hamlet located near the center of the town on County Road 22.
Exeter Corner - A location south of Exeter hamlet.
Lidell Corners - A hamlet in the southeast corner of Exeter on NY-28 at County Road 19.
Pigeon Hill - An elevation south of Exeter Center. Partially in the Town of Burlington.
Schuyler Lake - A hamlet near the east town line on NY-28 at County Road 22. Its name is derived from the former name of Canadarago Lake.
West Exeter - A hamlet located near the west town line on NY-51.
