Union (town), New York

Union (town), New York is a town in Broome County, located within the Southern Tier region of New York. The town is a major commercial and residential suburb of the city of Binghamton, which lies at its geographic center but is a separate political entity. Incorporated in 1791, Union is the most populous municipality in Broome County and serves as a central hub for retail, healthcare, and transportation in the Greater Binghamton area.

History

The town of Union was formed in 1791 from part of the Town of Tioga, predating the establishment of Broome County itself in 1806. Early settlement was spurred by the construction of the Great Warriors Trail and later the Chenango Canal, which connected the Susquehanna River to the Erie Canal. The community of Chenango Point, which would later become the core of the city of Binghamton, was located within Union and served as a vital river crossing and trade center. The arrival of the Delaware, Lackawanna and Western Railroad and the Erie Railroad in the 19th century solidified the area's industrial growth, attracting firms like the Endicott Johnson Corporation and IBM, whose facilities in nearby Endicott and Vestal employed many Union residents. The town's boundaries were significantly reduced in 1867 with the incorporation of the Village of Port Dickinson and again in 1900 when the Village of Johnson City was formed.

Geography

According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 36.99 square miles, of which 36.80 square miles is land and 0.19 square miles is water. The town completely surrounds the city of Binghamton and borders the towns of Vestal to the west, Maine and Barker to the north, Kirkwood to the east, and Conklin to the south. Major waterways include the Susquehanna River and the Chenango River, which converge in Binghamton. The Interstate 81 and Interstate 88 highway systems intersect in the town, and it is served by the Greater Binghamton Airport located in nearby Maine.

Demographics

As of the 2020 United States Census, the town had a population of 56,138, making it the most populous town in New York outside of Long Island. The population density was approximately 1,525 people per square mile. The racial makeup was predominantly White, with significant communities of African American, Asian, and Hispanic or Latino residents. The town is part of the Binghamton Metropolitan Statistical Area. Major educational institutions serving the population include the Binghamton City School District and Broome Community College, with many residents employed in the healthcare, education, and retail sectors anchored by facilities like United Health Services and the Oakdale Mall.

Government and infrastructure

Union operates under a Town council form of government, led by an elected Town Supervisor and a four-member Town Board. The town provides a full range of municipal services, including a police department through the Broome County Sheriff's Office, fire protection from several volunteer companies, and public works. Key infrastructure includes the Broome County Transit system, which provides public bus service, and the Broome County Veterans Memorial Arena. The town is also home to major utilities and corporate offices for Time Warner Cable (now Charter Communications) and Lockheed Martin. The New York State Office of General Services maintains a large facility in the town.

Notable people

Notable individuals associated with Union include inventor and businessman John B. Watson, a pioneer in behaviorism; Rod Serling, creator of The Twilight Zone, who attended Binghamton Central High School; and Richard L. Hanna, former U.S. Representative for New York's 22nd congressional district. Baseball player Johnny Antonelli, a Major League Baseball All-Star and World Series champion with the New York Giants, was born in the town. Academic and author Karen DeCrow, a former president of the National Organization for Women, also hailed from Union.

Category:Towns in Broome County, New York Category:1791 establishments in New York (state) Category:Southern Tier (New York)