The town of Grove was established in 1827 as "Church Tract" from the town of Nunda in Livingston County. The town assumed its current name in 1828, possibly based on the large number of trees in the town. Grove lost its western territory to form the newer town of Granger in 1838.
Past residents of note
Frederick Decker, the "Ossian Giant", was a resident known for his great size. He was born in Geneseo in 1836 and exhibited himself across the country before settling down in Grove where he died and was buried in 1886.
As of the census of 2000, there were 533 people, 213 households, and 148 families residing in the town. The population density was 15.9 people per square mile. There were 427 housing units at an average density of 12.7 per square mile. The racial makeup of the town was 97.00% White, 1.31% Native American, 0.19% Asian, 0.56% from other races, and 0.94% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.94% of the population. There were 213 households, out of which 26.8% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 60.6% were married couplesliving together, 6.6% had a female householder with no husband present, and 30.5% were non-families. 25.4% of all households were made up of individuals, and 13.6% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.50 and the average family size was 3.01. In the town, the population was spread out, with 23.1% under the age of 18, 7.7% from 18 to 24, 24.0% from 25 to 44, 29.3% from 45 to 64, and 15.9% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 42 years. For every 100 females, there were 102.7 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 97.1 males. The median income for a household in the town was $38,750, and the median income for a family was $48,594. Males had a median income of $31,944 versus $26,071 for females. The per capita income for the town was $17,522. About 2.5% of families and 5.3% of the population were below the poverty line, including 6.7% of those under age 18 and 5.5% of those age 65 or over.
Communities and locations in Grove
Brewers Corners - A location in the center of the town at Johnson Hill Road and Ridge Road.
Rosses - A hamlet at the north town line on NY 70. Part of the hamlet is located in Livingston County.
Swain - A hamlet in the northeast corner of the town at the intersection of CR 24 and NY 70. The community is named for Samuel Swain, a 19th-century surveyor and developer.
Swain Ski Resort - A skiing and snowboarding center near Swain that claims to be the oldest operating ski resort in the state.
