For an area of the same name in East Hampton, New York see: Freetown (East Hampton)

Freetown is a town in Cortland County, New York, United States. The population was 789 at the 2000 census.

The Town of Freetown is in the southeast part of the county and is southeast of the City of Cortland.

History

Freetown was in the former Central New York Military Tract within a tract township called "Cincinnatus."

The region was first settled around 1800.

Freetown was formed from part of the Town of Cincinnatus in 1818. In 1820, the town was increased in size by an addition from the Town of Virgil.

Geography

According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 25.6 square miles (66.4 km²), of which, 25.5 square miles (66.2 km²) of it is land and 0.1 square miles (0.2 km²) of it (0.31%) is water.

Interstate 81, a north-south divided highway, crosses the southwest corner of Freetown. New York State Route 41 crosses the northeast part of Freetown. The Otselic River flows past the east town line, and the Tioghnioga River flows past the west town line, but both rivers are outside the town boundaries.

Demographics

As of the census of 2000, there were 789 people, 267 households, and 206 families residing in the town. The population density was 30.9 people per square mile (11.9/km²). There were 321 housing units at an average density of 12.6/sq mi (4.9/km²). The racial makeup of the town was 98.35% White, 0.13% African American, 0.13% Native American, and 1.39% from two or more races.

There were 267 households out of which 39.7% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 64.8% were married couples living together, 6.7% had a female householder with no husband present, and 22.5% were non-families. 14.6% of all households were made up of individuals and 4.1% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.96 and the average family size was 3.20.

In the town the population was spread out with 31.4% under the age of 18, 6.7% from 18 to 24, 30.8% from 25 to 44, 22.4% from 45 to 64, and 8.6% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 34 years. For every 100 females there were 116.2 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 106.5 males.

The median income for a household in the town was $34,327, and the median income for a family was $36,477. Males had a median income of $26,339 versus $14,946 for females. The per capita income for the town was $12,969. About 10.0% of families and 13.3% of the population were below the poverty line, including 23.2% of those under age 18 and 12.8% of those age 65 or over.

Communities and locations in Freetown

• East Freetown -- A hamlet on NY Route 41 in the northeast part of the town.
• Freetown Corners -- A hamlet near the center of the town.
• Galatia -- A hamlet at the south town line, south of Freetown Corners.
• Texas Valley -- A hamlet near the southeast part of the town at the town line.

References

External links

• Early history of Freetown, NY
• Town of Freetown
• Information on Freetown