Lewis is a town in Lewis County, New York, United States. The population was 854 at the 2010 census. The town is named after its county, which is named after former governor, Morgan Lewis. Lewis is situated on the south border of the county and is north of Rome. Most of the town's population lives in its southern part.
History
Settlement commenced around 1800. Two families arrived in 1798, but left after about two years. Permanent settlers began appearing in 1799, and an influx of foreigners in 1831 helped populate the early town. The town of Lewis was formed in 1852 from the towns of Leyden and West Turin.
Geography
According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of, of which are land and, or 0.83%, are water. The south town line is the border of Oneida County. The headwaters of the Mohawk River are located in the eastern part of the town. New York State Route 26 is a major north-south highway through the east part of the town, where it intersects New York State Route 294 at West Leyden. The primary east-west route is County Road 46, which passes through the southern part of the town connecting Leisher Mill to West Leyden.
Demographics
As of the census of 2000, there were 857 people, 296 households, and 224 families residing in the town. The population density was 13.2 people per square mile. There were 440 housing units at an average density of 6.8 per square mile. The racial makeup of the town was 99.30% White, 0.35% African American and 0.35% Native American. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.35% of the population. There were 296 households, out of which 43.6% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 58.4% were married couplesliving together, 9.5% had a female householder with no husband present, and 24.3% were non-families. 19.6% of all households were made up of individuals, and 7.1% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.90 and the average family size was 3.33. In the town, the population was spread out, with 32.8% under the age of 18, 7.5% from 18 to 24, 30.0% from 25 to 44, 18.7% from 45 to 64, and 11.1% who were 65 years of age or older. The median agewas 34 years. For every 100 females, there were 103.1 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 106.5 males. The median income for a household in the town was $36,696, and the median income for a family was $40,667. Males had a median income of $28,813 versus $25,000 for females. The per capita income for the town was $13,256. About 9.7% of families and 10.7% of the population were below the poverty line, including 4.7% of those under age 18 and 18.3% of those age 65 or over.
Communities and locations in the town
Fey Mill - A hamlet in the south central part of the town.
Fish Creek - A hamlet near the northeast town line. A stream flowing out the south part of Lewis.
Fish Creek Reservoir - A reservoir south of Swancott Mill.
Freeman Mill - A hamlet northwest of Parson Mill.
Parson Mill - A hamlet west of Fey Mill on County Road 46.
Prussian Settlement - A location west of West Leyden on County Road 46 at the intersection of Kirk Road. This location is marked by a few houses and a cemetery.
Sunset Corners - A location in the north central part of the town, north of Freeman Mill.
Swancott Mill - A hamlet on County Road 46 west of Freeman Mill.
Swancott Hill State Forest - A state forest tract by the south town line, south of Swancott Mill.
West Leyden - A hamlet in the eastern part of the town on NY-26 near its intersection with NY-294 and County Roads 46 and 47.
