Watkins Glen is a village located in Schuyler County, New York. As of the 2000 census, the village had a total population of 2,149. It is the county seat of Schuyler County.
The Village of Watkins Glen lies on the border of the Towns of Dix and Montour.
Located on the south end of Seneca Lake, Watkins Glen is the site of scenic Watkins Glen State Park, but is probably best known for its role in auto racing, being the home of a famous racetrack, Watkins Glen International, and a historic race, the Watkins Glen Grand Prix.
Watkins Glen is also the home of the International Motor Racing Research Center, an annex to the town library.
Auto Racing at Watkins Glen
The Watkins Glen International Speedway opened in 1956. It has hosted 20 Formula One Grand Prix (1961 - 1980), and it is one of the few races in the NASCAR series not conducted on an oval circuit.
Watkins Glen is home to the Watkins Glen Grand Prix, an annual automobile road race. Before the racetrack was built, the race was held on public streets in and near the town. The first Watkins Glen Grand Prix was held in 1948. It was the first post-WWII road race held in the United States and marked the revival of road racing in the U.S.
The original course ran for 6.6 (10.6 km) miles and passed through the center of town. The streets used for the original course remain intact today and a checkered flag marks the original start-finish on the town's main street.
History
The village was incorporated in 1842 as Jefferson. The current name was adopted in 1852. The area was first settled around 1800.
Geography
Watkins Glen is located at 42°22'52" North, 76°52'16" West (42.380984, -76.871079)1.
According to the United States Census Bureau, the village has a total area of 5.8 km² (2.2 mi²). 4.8 km² (1.9 mi²) of it is land and 1.0 km² (0.4 mi²) of it is water. The total area is 17.41% water.
Demographics
As of the census2 of 2000, there are 2,149 people, 941 households, and 545 families residing in the village. The population density is 446.1/km² (1,157.4/mi²). There are 1,035 housing units at an average density of 214.8/km² (557.4/mi²). The racial makeup of the village is 97.91% White, 0.28% African American, 0.42% Native American, 0.60% Asian, 0.00% Pacific Islander, 0.14% from other races, and 0.65% from two or more races. 1.30% of the population are Hispanic or Latino of any race.
There are 941 households out of which 29.1% have children under the age of 18 living with them, 40.2% are married couples living together, 13.5% have a female householder with no husband present, and 42.0% are non-families. 37.1% of all households are made up of individuals and 17.0% have someone living alone who is 65 years of age or older. The average household size is 2.23 and the average family size is 2.90.
In the village the population is spread out with 23.7% under the age of 18, 8.6% from 18 to 24, 26.2% from 25 to 44, 23.5% from 45 to 64, and 18.0% who are 65 years of age or older. The median age is 40 years. For every 100 females there are 86.5 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there are 82.1 males.
The median income for a household in the village is $30,094, and the median income for a family is $41,172. Males have a median income of $31,993 versus $22,647 for females. The per capita income for the village is $17,096. 14.3% of the population and 9.5% of families are below the poverty line. Out of the total population, 21.5% of those under the age of 18 and 10.1% of those 65 and older are living below the poverty line.
External links
Last updated: 05-18-2005 19:29:25
