Marcy, New York

Marcy, New York is a town located in Oneida County, within the Central New York region of the state of New York. The town is situated north of the city of Utica and is part of the Utica–Rome, NY Metropolitan Statistical Area. Marcy is known for its significant state facilities and its location along the Mohawk River.

History

The area now comprising Marcy was originally part of the town of Whitestown, which was formed in 1788. The town of Marcy was officially established in 1832, named in honor of William L. Marcy, a prominent New York politician who served as Secretary of War under President James K. Polk and as Secretary of State under President Franklin Pierce. Early development was closely tied to the Erie Canal and the growth of the Mohawk Valley region. In the 20th century, the town's character was significantly shaped by the establishment of major state institutions, including the Mohawk Valley Psychiatric Center and the Marcy Correctional Facility.

Geography

According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 33.80 square miles, of which 33.20 square miles is land and 0.60 square miles is water. The northern town line is the border of Oneida County with Lewis County. The Mohawk River defines part of the southern boundary. Major transportation routes include State Route 49, State Route 291, and State Route 12, which connects to the New York State Thruway. The town contains several hamlets, including Marcy hamlet and Chadwicks.

Demographics

As of the 2020 United States Census, there were 8,982 people residing in the town. The population density was approximately 270 people per square mile. The racial makeup was predominantly White, with smaller populations of African American, Native American, Asian, and Hispanic or Latino residents. The median household income was slightly above the state average, with a significant portion of the workforce employed in education, healthcare, and public administration sectors, partly due to the presence of state facilities and proximity to institutions like the State University of New York Polytechnic Institute.

Government and infrastructure

Marcy operates under a Town Council form of government, with an elected Town Supervisor and council members. The town provides typical municipal services, including a Department of Public Works and its own police force. Critical infrastructure includes the Marcy Correctional Facility, a medium-security state prison, and the adjacent Central New York Psychiatric Center, which are major employers. The town is also home to a campus of the State University of New York system and is served by the Whitesboro Central School District. Utilities are provided by National Grid and the Mohawk Valley Water Authority.

Notable people

Notable individuals associated with Marcy include Annie Edson Taylor, the first person to survive a trip over Niagara Falls in a barrel, who was a schoolteacher in the town early in her life. Francis Bellamy, the author of the Pledge of Allegiance, spent part of his childhood in the area. More recently, professional athletes like Tim Hardaway, the NBA All-Star, and Dion Waiters, also an NBA player, have connections to the region through family or preparatory schooling.

Category:Towns in New York (state) Category:Towns in Oneida County, New York Category:1832 establishments in New York (state)