Pelham, New York
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| Pelham, New York | |
|---|---|
| Name | Pelham, New York |
| Settlement type | Town |
| Subdivision type | Country |
| Subdivision name | United States |
| Subdivision type1 | State |
| Subdivision name1 | New York |
| Subdivision type2 | County |
| Subdivision name2 | Westchester County |
| Leader title | Town Supervisor |
| Leader name | Dan McLaughlin |
| Area total sq mi | 2.20 |
| Population as of | 2020 |
| Population total | 13,078 |
| Population density sq mi | auto |
| Timezone | Eastern (EST) |
| Utc offset | -5 |
| Timezone DST | EDT |
| Utc offset DST | -4 |
| Postal code type | ZIP Codes |
| Postal code | 10803 |
| Area code | 914 |
| Blank name | FIPS code |
| Blank info | 36-56999 |
| Blank1 name | GNIS feature ID |
| Blank1 info | 0979355 |
| Website | www.pelhamgov.com |
Pelham, New York is a town in Westchester County, located just north of the border with New York City. It comprises two incorporated villages, Pelham Manor and Pelham, and several unincorporated hamlets. Known for its historic residential character and proximity to Manhattan, the community is served by the Metro-North Railroad and is part of the Pelham Union Free School District.
History
The area was part of the ancestral lands of the Siwanoy band of the Lenape people before European settlement. In 1654, English physician Thomas Pell purchased approximately 9,000 acres from the Siwanoy, a transaction formalized under the auspices of the New Netherland colony. This land, known as the Pelham Manor patent, was later inherited by John Pell. A key early event was the Battle of Pell's Point in 1776, where colonial forces led by John Glover delayed the advance of British troops under General William Howe. The modern Town of Pelham was incorporated in 1788, with its villages forming later; Pelham Manor incorporated in 1891 and Pelham in 1896. The arrival of the New York, New Haven and Hartford Railroad in the 19th century spurred residential development, transforming the area into a commuter town.
Geography
According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 2.2 square miles, of which 1.9 square miles is land and 0.3 square miles is water, including frontage on the Long Island Sound and the Hutchinson River. It is bordered by the New York City borough of the Bronx to the south, the village of Mount Vernon to the west, and the city of New Rochelle to the east. The topography is characterized by gentle rolling hills and several small parks, such as Pelham Bay Park, which is actually located within the Bronx. The town lies within the Atlantic coastal plain geological region.
Demographics
As of the 2020 United States Census, the population was 13,078. The racial makeup was predominantly White, with significant populations identifying as Asian and Hispanic or Latino. The median household income is significantly higher than the national average, consistent with surrounding communities in southern Westchester County. Housing primarily consists of single-family homes, with a high rate of homeownership. The town is part of the New York metropolitan area and the New York–Newark–Jersey City, NY–NJ–PA Metropolitan Statistical Area.
Government and infrastructure
Pelham operates under a town council form of government, led by a Town Supervisor and four council members. The current supervisor is Dan McLaughlin. Essential services include a dedicated Pelham Police Department and the volunteer Pelham Fire Department. Public works are managed by the town's Department of Public Works. For transportation, the town is served by the Pelham and Pelham Manor stations on the Metro-North Railroad's New Haven Line, providing direct access to Grand Central Terminal. Major roadways include the Boston Post Road and the Hutchinson River Parkway.
Education
Public education is administered by the Pelham Union Free School District, which operates Pelham Memorial High School, Pelham Middle School, and four elementary schools: Colonial, Hutchinson, Pelham Manor, and Prospect Hill. The district is known for high academic performance and is overseen by the New York State Education Department. Several private and parochial schools also serve the area, including the Pelham Country Day School and Our Lady of Perpetual Help School. The Town of Pelham Public Library provides community resources and programming.
Notable people
Notable current and former residents include actress and singer Annie Potts; former United States Secretary of the Army John O. Marsh Jr.; Major League Baseball player and manager Joe McCarthy; Pulitzer Prize-winning author Rick Atkinson; and financier John A. Levin. Famed illustrator Norman Rockwell once maintained a studio in Pelham, and pioneering aviator Harriet Quimby lived here briefly. The town is also the birthplace of United States Navy Admiral John S. McCain Jr., father of Senator John McCain.
Category:Towns in New York (state) Category:Towns in Westchester County, New York Category:Populated places established in 1788 Category:1788 establishments in New York (state)