Malta, New York

Malta, New York
Name	Malta, New York
Settlement type	Town
Subdivision type	Country
Subdivision name	United States
Subdivision type1	State
Subdivision name1	New York
Subdivision type2	County
Subdivision name2	Saratoga
Government type	Town Council
Leader title	Town Supervisor
Leader name	Mark Hammond
Established title	Established
Established date	1802
Area total km2	103.0
Area land km2	90.8
Area water km2	12.2
Population total	17408
Population as of	2020
Population density km2	auto
Timezone	Eastern (EST)
Utc offset	-5
Timezone DST	EDT
Utc offset DST	-4
Postal code type	ZIP Code
Postal code	12020
Area code	518
Blank name	FIPS code
Blank info	36-091-44766
Website	www.malta-town.org

Malta, New York. Malta is a town in the northeastern part of Saratoga County, within the Capital District of the State of New York. The town is situated north of the city of Saratoga Springs and is a rapidly growing suburban community. It is known for its significant high-tech industrial park, historical sites related to the American Revolutionary War, and its proximity to the Adirondack Mountains.

History

The area was part of the Saratoga Patent granted by colonial governor Thomas Dongan in 1684 and was originally inhabited by the Mohawk people. Settlement by Europeans increased following the American Revolutionary War, particularly after the pivotal Battles of Saratoga were fought nearby. The town was formed from the town of Stillwater in 1802. Historically agricultural, the town's development accelerated in the late 20th century with the establishment of the Luther Forest Technology Campus, attracting major semiconductor manufacturers like GlobalFoundries. Key historical landmarks include the Malta Ridge Reformed Church, built in 1804, and sites associated with General Philip Schuyler.

Geography

According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 103.0 square kilometers, of which 90.8 square kilometers is land and 12.2 square kilometers is water. The town is bordered by the towns of Saratoga Springs to the south, Milton to the west, and Stillwater to the east. Major bodies of water include Round Lake and the Kayaderosseras Creek. The geography is characterized by rolling hills transitioning toward the Adirondack Park to the north. The Northway (Interstate 87) is the primary transportation artery through the town.

Demographics

As of the 2020 United States Census, the population was 17,408, reflecting substantial growth from 14,765 recorded in the 2010 United States Census. The population density was approximately 191.7 people per square kilometer. The racial makeup was predominantly White, with growing Asian and Hispanic or Latino communities. The median household income is significantly above the state average, correlating with the high-tech employment base. The town is part of the Albany-Schenectady-Troy, NY Metropolitan Statistical Area.

Government

Malta operates under a Town Council form of government, led by an elected Town Supervisor and four council members. The current supervisor is Mark Hammond. The town provides services including a police department through a contract with the Saratoga County Sheriff's Office, a department of public works, and planning and zoning boards. It is located within New York's 20th congressional district, represented in the United States House of Representatives by Paul Tonko. At the state level, it lies within the 44th New York State Senate district and the 113th New York State Assembly district.

Economy

The economy has been transformed by the development of the Luther Forest Technology Campus, a sprawling site anchored by the semiconductor fabrication plant of GlobalFoundries. This facility, one of the most advanced in the United States, has attracted a network of suppliers and technology firms. Other significant employers include Regeneron Pharmaceuticals, which has a major manufacturing and research presence. Despite this high-tech focus, the town retains some agricultural and retail sectors, with commercial centers located along Route 9 and near the Northway interchanges.

Education

Public education is administered by the Ballston Spa Central School District, which operates Malta Avenue Elementary School and the Ballston Spa High School. The district is known for its science and technology programs, often partnering with local industries like GlobalFoundries and Regeneron Pharmaceuticals for educational initiatives. Higher education opportunities are available nearby at Skidmore College in Saratoga Springs, SUNY Empire State College, and the University at Albany, SUNY. The town also has a public library, the Malta Branch of the Southern Adirondack Library System.

Notable people

Notable individuals associated with the town include John B. Varick, a 19th-century United States Congressman and New York State Senator; and James L. Quinn, a decorated officer in the United States Marine Corps who received the Navy Cross for heroism during the Battle of Iwo Jima. Contemporary figures include executives and scientists from the GlobalFoundries and Regeneron Pharmaceuticals facilities who are leaders in the semiconductor industry and biotechnology fields.

Category:Towns in New York (state) Category:Towns in Saratoga County, New York Category:1802 establishments in New York (state)