Settlers began moving into the area around 1808. The first store opened in the future village in 1822, before the canal reached the community. The Erie Canal was opened along its entire length in 1825, and the community became an important location on the canal. The village was formerly known as Tea-Pot Hollow before it was renamed Middleport. The Village of Middleport was incorporated in 1872. The first election was held on March 22, 1859. The first meeting of the Board of Trustees was held on March 28, 1859. The William Taylor House and U.S. Post Office are listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
As of the census of 2000, there were 1,917 people, 756 households, and 508 families residing in the village. The population density was 2,195.9 people per square mile. There were 828 housing units at an average density of 948.5 per square mile. The racial makeup of the village was 97.39% White, 0.83% African American, 0.26% Native American, 0.47% Asian, 0.26% from other races, and 0.78% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.77% of the population. There were 756 households out of which 35.4% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 52.5% were married couplesliving together, 10.3% had a female householder with no husband present, and 32.7% were non-families. 27.6% of all households were made up of individuals and 13.9% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.54 and the average family size was 3.11. In the village, the population was spread out with 28.7% under the age of 18, 6.4% from 18 to 24, 29.3% from 25 to 44, 20.7% from 45 to 64, and 14.9% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 36 years. For every 100 females, there were 90.0 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 87.5 males. The median income for a household in the village was $36,464, and the median income for a family was $44,712. Males had a median income of $35,135 versus $22,500 for females. The per capita income for the village was $17,043. About 6.3% of families and 8.3% of the population were below the poverty line, including 7.1% of those under age 18 and 8.8% of those age 65 or over.
