The town was first settled around 1802. Difficulties in successful settlement and the War of 1812 led to a partial abandonment of the town. The town was created by separation from the town of Lorraine in 1848. An earlier attempt to form this town was disrupted by the War of 1812. Worth attained its greatest population in 1900 at 2,895.
Geography
Worth stands on the northwest side of the Tug Hill Plateau. According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of, of which are land and, or 0.20%, are water. The south town line is the border of Oswego County, and the east town line is the border of Lewis County.
Demographics
As of the census of 2000, there were 234 people, 96 households, and 67 families residing in the town. The population density was 5.4 people per square mile. There were 259 housing units at an average density of 6.0 per square mile. The racial makeup of the town was 93.59% White, 3.42% African American, and 2.99% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.28% of the population. There were 96 households out of which 32.3% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 58.3% were married couplesliving together, 4.2% had a female householder with no husband present, and 30.2% were non-families. 25.0% of all households were made up of individuals and 9.4% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.44 and the average family size was 2.93. In the town, the population was spread out with 23.1% under the age of 18, 8.1% from 18 to 24, 32.1% from 25 to 44, 24.8% from 45 to 64, and 12.0% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 40 years. For every 100 females, there were 116.7 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 127.8 males. The median income for a household in the town was $29,028, and the median income for a family was $31,250. Males had a median income of $27,500 versus $23,636 for females. The per capita income for the town was $12,584. About 9.5% of families and 13.9% of the population were below the poverty line, including 7.4% of those under the age of eighteen and 26.3% of those sixty five or over.
Communities and locations in Worth
Bullock Corners - A location in the northwest corner of Worth, west of Worth village.
Diamond - A hamlet in the southwest corner of the town on County Road 95. The community was once called "South Woods".
Frederick Corners - A hamlet near the west town line at County Roads 93 and 95.
Lorraine Gulf - A valley in the northwest part of Worth.
Seven by Nine Corners - A hamlet in the northeast corner of the town on County Road 96.
Stears Corners - A hamlet near the west town line on County Road 96.
