Hastings was the first town settled in Oswego County when Oliver Stevens built a rude house near the abandoned Fort Brewerton in 1789. Stevens used the location to trade with Indians and to provide a tavern-like establishment for the boatmen who frequented the nearby river and lake. The region was originally called "Breda." The town was formed in 1825 from Constantia. The early industry was lumbering and manufacturing of wooden products. The Carley's Mills Schoolhouse was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2005.
As of the census of 2000, there were 8,803 people, 3,374 households, and 2,365 families residing in the town. The population density was 192.3 people per square mile. There were 3,635 housing units at an average density of 79.4 per square mile. The racial makeup of the town was 97.75% White, 0.32% African American, 0.49% Native American, 0.30% Asian, 0.05% Pacific Islander, 0.11% from other races, and 0.99% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.67% of the population. There were 3,374 households, out of which 35.3% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 55.5% were married couplesliving together, 9.8% had a female householder with no husband present, and 29.9% were non-families. 23.7% of all households were made up of individuals, and 9.6% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.61 and the average family size was 3.08. In the town, the population was spread out, with 27.2% under the age of 18, 7.0% from 18 to 24, 32.2% from 25 to 44, 22.5% from 45 to 64, and 11.1% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 36 years. For every 100 females, there were 98.0 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 95.3 males. The median income for a household in the town was $40,085, and the median income for a family was $46,722. Males had a median income of $35,380 versus $24,958 for females. The per capita income for the town was $17,931. About 6.2% of families and 10.0% of the population were below the poverty line, including 11.2% of those under age 18 and 7.0% of those age 65 or over.
Communities and locations in Hastings
Bardeen Corners - A hamlet south of Hastings village on Route 11.
Benders Corners - A location near the west town line.
Brewerton - A hamlet that is also located in Onondaga County.
Carley Mills - A hamlet east of Hastings village.
Caughdenoy - A hamlet by the west town line in the southwest corner of Hastings. It was first settled around 1797 and is by the Oneida River. It was a center for catching and smoking eels for market.
Central Square - The Village of Central Square is in the south part of the town on Route 11.
Emmons Siding - A location in the south part of the town near Oneida Lake.
Gardners Corners - A location west of Hastings village.
Hastings - The hamlet of Hastings is in the northern part of the town on U.S. Route 11.
Hastings Center - A hamlet north of Central Square at the intersection of County Route 4 and Perfield Road.
Little France - A hamlet on the east town line, which had early settlers from France and French Canada.
Mallory - A hamlet by the east town line.
Mallory Station - A location west of Mallory.
McMahon Corners - A location north of Caughdenoy on the west town line.
Morse - A hamlet east of Hastings village and south of Carley Mills.
Piquet Corners - A location south of Bardeen Corners on Route 11.
