Ossian, New York

Ossian is a town in Livingston County, New York, United States. The population was 789 at the 2010 census.[3] Ossian is a figure in the Celtic mythology of Scotland.

Ossian, New York
Town
Ossian Show map of New York Ossian Show map of the United States
Coordinates: 42°31′31″N 77°46′55″W
Country	United States
State	New York
County	Livingston
Government
• Type	Town Council
• Town Supervisor	Domenick Martello (R)
• Town Council	Members' List • John L. Van Heusen () • Dwight A. Knapp () • Raymond Bertalon (R) • Christopher Pero (D)
Area [1]
• Total	39.66 sq mi (102.73 km^2)
• Land	39.63 sq mi (102.65 km^2)
• Water	0.03 sq mi (0.07 km^2)
Elevation	1,365 ft (416 m)
Population  (2010)
• Total	789
• Estimate  (2016)[2]	763
• Density	19.25/sq mi (7.43/km^2)
Time zone	UTC-5 (Eastern (EST))
• Summer (DST)	UTC-4 (EDT)
FIPS code	36-051-55508
GNIS feature ID	0979322
Website	townofossianny.us

Ossian is the southernmost town in Livingston County.

History

The area was first settled around 1804 near Ossian Center. The town of Ossian was formed from the town of Angelica, while it was part of Allegany County. Ossian became part of Livingston County in 1856.

Geography

According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 39.7 square miles (102.7 km²), of which 0.03 square miles (0.07 km²), or 0.07%, are water.[4]

Part of the west town line and the south town line are the border of Allegany County. Part of the east town line is the border of Steuben County.

New York State Route 436 is a highway across the north part of the town.

Adjacent towns and areas

(Clockwise)

• West Sparta
• North Dansville; Dansville
• Burns
• Grove; Nunda

Demographics

Historical population
Census	Pop.		%±
1860	1,269		—
1870	1,168		−8.0%
1880	1,204		3.1%
1890	940		−21.9%
1900	780		−17.0%
1910	730		−6.4%
1920	596		−18.4%
1930	510		−14.4%
1940	532		4.3%
1950	507		−4.7%
1960	489		−3.6%
1970	551		12.7%
1980	667		21.1%
1990	797		19.5%
2000	751		−5.8%
2010	789		5.1%
Est. 2016	763	[2]	−3.3%
U.S. Decennial Census[5]

As of the census[6] of 2000, there were 751 people, 272 households, and 212 families residing in the town. The population density was 18.9 people per square mile (7.3/km²). There were 310 housing units at an average density of 7.8 per square mile (3.0/km²). The racial makeup of the town was 98.93% White, 0.13% African American, 0.13% Native American, and 0.80% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.13% of the population.

There were 272 households, out of which 36.0% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 70.2% were married couples living together, 4.8% had a female householder with no husband present, and 21.7% were non-families. 18.0% of all households were made up of individuals, and 9.2% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.75 and the average family size was 3.09.

In the town, the population was spread out, with 26.2% under the age of 18, 6.8% from 18 to 24, 30.0% from 25 to 44, 26.1% from 45 to 64, and 10.9% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 38 years. For every 100 females, there were 114.0 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 102.9 males.

The median income for a household in the town was $46,563, and the median income for a family was $50,938. Males had a median income of $32,313 versus $23,977 for females. The per capita income for the town was $20,252. About 3.2% of families and 6.5% of the population were below the poverty line, including 2.7% of those under age 18 and 9.4% of those age 65 or over.

Communities and locations in Ossian

• Ossian Center – A hamlet near the town center.
• Rattlesnake Hill Wildlife Management Area – A state conservation area in the western part of the town.
• Westview – A hamlet in the northwest corner of the town on Route 436.

Notable people

• Jasper Bisbee (1843-1935), one of the first rural musicians to produce a record, was born in and lived in Ossian until 1858.

References

1. "2016 U.S. Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved Jul 5, 2017.
2. "Population and Housing Unit Estimates". Retrieved June 9, 2017.
3. "Total Population: 2010 Census DEC Summary File 1 (P1), Ossian town, New York". data.census.gov. U.S. Census Bureau. Retrieved June 5, 2020.
4. "U.S. Gazetteer Files: 2019: Places: New York". U.S. Census Bureau Geography Division. Retrieved June 5, 2020.
5. "Census of Population and Housing". Census.gov. Retrieved June 4, 2015.
6. "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved 2008-01-31.

External links

• Official website
• Brief history of Ossian, NY