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Irondequoit
Location in Monroe County and the state of New York.
Location in Monroe County and the state of New York.
Location of New York in the United States
Location of New York in the United States
Country United States
State New York
County Monroe
Founded March 27, 1839; 185 years ago (1839-03-27)
Area
 • Total 16.82 sq mi (43.57 km2)
 • Land 14.99 sq mi (38.82 km2)
 • Water 1.83 sq mi (4.75 km2)
Elevation
368 ft (112 m)
Population
 (2010)
 • Total 51,692
 • Estimate 
(2019)
50,055 Decrease
 • Density 3,372.65/sq mi (1,302.15/km2)
Time zone UTC-5 (EST)
 • Summer (DST) UTC-4 (EDT)
ZIP code
14609, 14617, 14621, 14622
Area code(s) 585
FIPS code 36-055-37726
Website http://www.irondequoit.org/

Irondequoit is a town (and census-designated place) in Monroe County, New York, United States. As of 2019, the coterminous town-CDP had a total population is 50,055. Irondequoit is a suburb of the city of Rochester, lying just north and east of the city limits. The name is of Iroquois origin and means "where the land meets the water".

History

In 1687 Marquis de Denonville led an army of French soldiers and Huron warriors on a punitive expedition against the Iroquois through Irondequoit Bay, beginning the long enmity between the Iroquois and the French.

After the American Revolution, this area was part of the Phelps and Gorham Purchase. The Town of Irondequoit was founded in 1839 when it separated from the Town of Brighton.

During the last part of the 19th century the north edge of the town was developed as a tourist and vacation area for the City of Rochester residents, and was once known as the "Coney Island of Western New York."

Geography

According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 16.8 sq mi (44 km2), of which, 15.2 sq mi (39 km2) of it is land and 1.6 sq mi (4.1 km2) of it (9.69%) is water.

The town lies between the Genesee River on the west and Irondequoit Bay on the east. The north border of the town is defined by the shoreline of Lake Ontario. Because it is bounded by water on three sides, it is considered a geographical headland. Irondequoit is bordered by the city of Rochester to the west and south, the town of Brighton southeast, and the towns of Webster and Penfield to the east.

An unusual boundary exists between the Town of Irondequoit and the adjacent City of Rochester. On the western border of Irondequoit, the city claims a thin strip that extends northward along the banks of the river from Seneca Park to Lake Ontario, at some points less than 50 yards (46 m) from the shore. The result is that the City of Rochester claims the entire eastern shore of the Genesee, and the border of the Town of Irondequoit never reaches the river.

Similarly, the northern half of Durand-Eastman Park (including Durand Beach), lies within the city's borders, along with a narrow strip running along Culver Road for approximately 5 miles (8.0 km) southward to Norton Street. This leads to much confusion, even among long-term residents, about whether places such as Seneca Park or Durand Park lie within the Town of Irondequoit or the City of Rochester. In fact, Seneca Park was annexed by the City of Rochester in 1891, and Durand Eastman Park was given to the city in 1908.

Demographics

Historical population
Census Pop.
1840 1,252
1850 2,397 91.5%
1860 3,547 48.0%
1870 3,990 12.5%
1880 1,986 −50.2%
1890 2,415 21.6%
1900 2,863 18.6%
1910 3,526 23.2%
1920 5,123 45.3%
1930 18,024 251.8%
1940 23,376 29.7%
1950 34,417 47.2%
1960 55,337 60.8%
1970 64,897 17.3%
1980 57,648 −11.2%
1990 52,377 −9.1%
2000 52,354 0.0%
2010 51,692 −1.3%
2019 (est.) 50,055 −3.2%
U.S. Decennial Census

As of the census of 2000, there were 52,354 people, 22,247 households, and 14,327 families residing in the coterminous town-CDP. The population density was 3,447.4 per square mile (1,330.7/km2). There were 23,037 housing units at an average density of 1,516.9 per square mile (585.6/km2). The racial makeup of the town was 93.03% White, 3.55% Black or African American, 0.15% Native American, 0.98% Asian, 0.02% Pacific Islander, 1.02% from other races, and 1.25% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 3.06% of the population.

There were 22,247 households, out of which 26.7% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 50.7% were married couples living together, 10.4% had a female householder with no husband present, and 35.6% were non-families. 30.8% of all households were made up of individuals, and 16.7% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.32 and the average family size was 2.91.

In the town, the population was spread out, with 21.9% under the age of 18, 5.2% from 18 to 24, 26.6% from 25 to 44, 23.7% from 45 to 64, and 22.5% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 43 years. For every 100 females, there were 85.4 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 81.1 males.

The median income for a household in the town was $45,276, and the median income for a family was $55,493. Males had a median income of $41,463 versus $30,937 for females. The per capita income for the town was $23,638. About 3.8% of families and 5.4% of the population were below the poverty line, including 6.6% of those under age 18 and 6.8% of those age 65 or over.

Communities and locations in Irondequoit

Irondequoit Spring.jpg
Springtime on Thomas Avenue - Flowering Magnolia
  • Autumn View Estates – A neighborhood on a private road along Bayshore blvd.
  • Bayview – A community on the west shore of Irondequoit bay in the southeast part of the town.
  • Culver Meadows – A community immediately northwest of the interchange between the Keeler Expressway (NY 104) and the Sea Breeze Expressway (NY 590).
  • Durand-Eastman Park – A large park geographically surrounded by the town on three sides and Lake Ontario on the other. The park is part of the City of Rochester and is connected to the city by an easement along Culver Road.
  • German Village – A location in the northeast part of the town.
  • Glen Haven – A community on the west shore of Irondequoit bay in the southeast part of the town and south of Bayview.
  • Heyer - Bayer Park – Named after longtime Irondequoit residents Arthur F. Heyer and George Bayer who donated the land to the town
  • Irondequoit Cemetery – A cemetery along the west side of Culver Rd.
  • Joshua Park – new park and soccer fields named for Joshua Rojas, an 11-year-old boy who died during soccer practice in 2005. It was formerly "Irondequoit Plaza Park."
  • Laurelton - A neighborhood located in the southeast of Irondequoit featuring a portion of Irondequoit Bay; area was known for a variety of commercial farms pre-WWII. After WWII the area expanded greatly to accommodate young families looking for housing.
  • McAvoy Park – A Park with playing fields and playground equipment.
  • Newport – A community south of Route 104 by Irondequoit Bay.
  • Orchard Park – A neighborhood, situated in a former apple orchard, north of Empire Blvd., Route 404, and west of Irondequoit Bay.
  • Parkside – A location in the south western part of town that is densely populated and in close proximity to the river.
  • Seabreeze – A hamlet in the northern part of Irondequoit along Irondequoit Bay.
  • Seabreeze Amusement Park – Locally owned and run amusement park, one of the oldest in the nation.
  • Summerville – A neighborhood along the lakefront of Lake Ontario, formerly summer cottages, now year-round homes. Summerville is in the northwest corner of the town.
  • The Flats- A neighborhood formerly all farmland and horseradish fields now including the streets of Seneca Park Ave, St. Joseph Ave and surrounding streets
  • White City – A shoreside neighborhood near Summerville.
  • Windsor Beach – A shoreside neighborhood near Summerville.

Buildings, institutions, and other places of note

  • Bishop Kearney High School – A co-educational Catholic High School.
  • Camp Eastman –
  • Reuben A. Dake Jr. High School
  • Durand-Eastman Intermediate School – 95 Point Pleasant Road, Rochester, NY 14622
  • Eastridge High School – Home of the Eastridge Lancers and the Iron Lancers – 2350 East Ridge Road, Rochester, NY 14622
  • Helmer Nature Center – An outdoor learning facility visited by local school districts. Also open to general public with hiking trails and a pond with boardwalk
  • House of Guitars – A famous local business noted for its strange commercials on TV. – 645 Titus Ave, Rochester, NY 14617
  • Irondequoit Bay Outlet Bridge – The current seasonal bridge spans the bay outlet and connects Irondequoit and Webster. The bridge is in place for vehicular traffic during the winter. During the summer, usually beginning in late March, the bridge is removed to allow boats free passage between Irondequoit Bay and Lake Ontario.
Irondequoit Ukrainian.jpg
Monument to the 100 years of Ukrainian Settlement in the area – Located on the grounds of the Irondequoit Town Hall
  • Irondequoit Bay Bridge
  • Irondequoit High School – Nickname changed from Indians to Eagles. – 260 Cooper Road, Rochester, NY 14617
  • Medley Centre – formerly called the Irondequoit Mall.
  • Parkside Whispering Pines – the oldest miniature golf course still in existence. First opened in 1930. Listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
  • Point Pleasant Fire Department
  • Sea Breeze Volunteer Fire Department
  • St. Paul Blvd. Fire Department
  • Ridge-Culver Fire Department
  • The Reunion Inn – A local pub housed in a 19th-century building near Seabreeze Amusement Park. It is a popular place for good food.
  • Seabreeze Amusement Park – The fourth-oldest amusement park in the country.
  • St. Mary the Protectress, Ukrainian Autocephalous Orthodox Church
  • St. Salome's Church
  • The Flats – A valley by the Genesee River.
  • St. Josaphat Ukrainian Catholic Church; established in 1909 as the first Ukrainian Catholic Parish in Monroe County. The Parish organizes and hosts the popular St. Josaphat Ukrainian Festival (established in 1972) held each year on the third weekend of August on the church grounds.
  • United Congregational Church of Irondequoit, Listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

Education

Irondequoit is served by the West Irondequoit and East Irondequoit central school districts.

Additionally, there are several schools with religious affiliations:

  • Archangel School (Roman Catholic) operated by private individuals
  • Bay Knoll School operated by the Seventh-day Adventists
  • Derech Hatorah for Jewish education
  • Bishop Kearney High School (independently owned) but affiliated with the Diocese of Rochester.
  • Two schools operated by the Roman Catholic Diocese of Rochester:
  • Irondequoit is also the home of satellite campuses of two institutions of higher learning:
  • Empire State College's Genesee Valley Learning Center
  • Everest Institute's Rochester campus

Notable people

The following notable people were either born in Irondequoit or were long-time residents:

  • Richard Brookhiser - noted historian and biographer of various American founding fathers, is a 1973 graduate of Irondequoit High School.
  • Cito Culver - first round draft pick for the New York Yankees
  • Steve Gadd, world-famous session drummer who has played with Paul Simon, Eric Clapton, Frank Sinatra, and others. His most famous work was his drum work on Fifty Ways to Leave Your Lover.
  • Tom Golisano - founder of Paychex and a three-time New York State gubernatorial candidate is a graduate of Irondequoit High School. He was also the owner of the Buffalo Sabres hockey team from 2003 to 2011.
Irondequoit Spring.jpg
Springtime on Thomas Avenue - Flowering Magnolia
Irondequoit Ukrainian.jpg
Monument to the 100 years of Ukrainian Settlement in the area – Located on the grounds of the Irondequoit Town Hall

See also

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