Altamont, New York

For the town known by this name until 2004, see Tupper Lake (town), New York.

Altamont
Village
Hellerburgh, Knowersville
Etymology: means high mountain, referring to the Helderberg Escarpment
Location in Albany County and the state of New York.
Location of New York in the United States
Altamont Location in New York Show map of New York Altamont Altamont (the United States) Show map of the United States Altamont Altamont (North America) Show map of North America
Coordinates: 42°42′19″N74°2′1″W / 42.70528°N 74.03361°W / 42.70528; -74.03361
Country	United States
State	New York
County	Albany
Town	Guilderland
Settled	1790s
Incorporated	1890
Government
• Mayor	Kerry Dineen
Area [1]
• Total	1.27 sq mi (3.28 km2)
• Land	1.27 sq mi (3.28 km2)
• Water	0.00 sq mi (0.00 km2)
Elevation	451 ft (137 m)
Population  (2020)
• Total	1,675
• Density	1,323.06/sq mi (510.80/km2)
Time zone	UTC-5 (EST)
• Summer (DST)	UTC-4 (EDT)
ZIP Code	12009
Area code	518
FIPS code	36-01517
Website	Village website

Altamont is a village located in the town of Guilderland in Albany County, New York, United States. The village is in the western part of the town. The population was 1,675 at the 2020 census. The name means "high mountain." ^[2]

History

Perspective map of Altamont with list of landmarks published by L.R. Burleigh in 1890

In colonial times, this area was part of the Manor of Rensselaerwyck, granted by the Dutch West India Company to Killian Van Rensselaer in 1630. The area was known as Hellerburgh in the early 18th century. In the early 19th century Knowersville, was established in the rural part of Albany County, just below the Helderberg Mountains. This settlement eventually became known as Altamont. ^[3]

Altamont was a summer vacation spot that was reached by train. The train station which once served this formerly busy whistle stop is now the location of the Altamont Free Library. The old hotel in the town center burned down nearly a century ago^{[ when? ]}. A village fair has been held annually in the local fairgrounds since 1893. The fairground is also the site of other festivals.

The village incorporated in 1890. ^[3] Hiram Griggs (1836–1909) was the first mayor of the village of Altamont and his house was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2010. ^[4] Also listed on the National Register of Historic Places are the Delaware and Hudson Railroad Passenger Station, Fine Arts and Flower Building Altamont Fairground, Hayes House, and Lainhart Farm Complex and Dutch Barn. ^[5]

Geography

According to the United States Census Bureau, the village has a total area of 1.2 square miles (3.1 km²), all land. However, there are two major streams that run through the town center, the Joriohenen and the Ostenraakie.

Demographics

Historical population

Census	Pop.	Note	%±
1900	689		—
1910	674		−2.2%
1920	797		18.2%
1930	858		7.7%
1940	890		3.7%
1950	1,127		26.6%
1960	1,365		21.1%
1970	1,561		14.4%
1980	1,292		−17.2%
1990	1,519		17.6%
2000	1,737		14.4%
2010	1,720		−1.0%
2020	1,675		−2.6%
U.S. Decennial Census [6]

The Delaware and Hudson Railroad Passenger Station is listed on the National Register of Historic Places

As of the census of 2000, there were 1,737 people, 646 households, and 474 families residing in the village. The population density was 1,451.5 inhabitants per square mile (560.4/km²). There were 674 housing units at an average density of 563.2 per square mile (217.5/km²). The racial makeup of the village was 97.64% White, 1.09% African American, 0.12% Asian, 0.06% Pacific Islander, 0.17% from other races, and 0.92% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.04% of the population. ^[7]

There were 646 households, out of which 42.6% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 60.1% were married couples living together, 11.3% had a female householder with no husband present, and 26.5% were non-families. 22.0% of all households were made up of individuals, and 11.6% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.66 and the average family size was 3.14. ^[7]

In the village, the population was spread out, with 30.1% under the age of 18, 5.1% from 18 to 24, 30.2% from 25 to 44, 22.3% from 45 to 64, and 12.4% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 38 years. For every 100 females, there were 87.8 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 87.2 males. ^[7]

The median income for a household in the village was $52,500, and the median income for a family was $61,750. Males had a median income of $45,865 versus $32,721 for females. The per capita income for the village was $23,232. About 2.7% of families and 4.0% of the population were below the poverty line, including 3.5% of those under age 18 and 5.9% of those age 65 or over. ^[7]

Notable people

Lee Wallard (1910-1963), American race car driver, winner of the 1951 Indianapolis 500.

See also

• List of incorporated places in New York's Capital District

References

1. "ArcGIS REST Services Directory". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved September 20, 2022.
2. University of the State of New York Bulletin. University of the State of New York. 1914. p. 45.
3. "About Altamont Village". Village of Altamont. Archived from the original on September 13, 2010. Retrieved August 2, 2010.
4. "National Register of Historic Places". WEEKLY LIST OF ACTIONS TAKEN ON PROPERTIES: 7/19/10 THROUGH 7/23/10. National Park Service. July 30, 2010.
5. "National Register Information System". National Register of Historic Places . National Park Service. July 9, 2010.
6. "Census of Population and Housing". Census.gov. Retrieved June 4, 2015.
7. "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau . Retrieved January 31, 2008.

External links

• Altamont Fair information
• The Altamont Enterprise, the local weekly newspaper.
• Village Government Website