Demographics of Binghamton

As of the censusGR2 of 2000, there were 47,380 people, 21,089 households, and 10,417 families residing in the city. The population density was 1,752.3/km² (4,539.2/mi²). There were 23,971 housing units at an average density of 886.5/km² (2,296.5/mi²). The racial makeup of the city was 83.18% White, 8.41% Black or African American, 0.26% Native American, 3.33% Asian, 0.04% Pacific Islander, 1.71% from other races, and 3.07% from two or more races. 3.90% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There were 21,091 households out of which 23.3% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 31.6% were married couples living together, 13.8% had a female householder with no husband present, and 50.6% were non-families. 40.3% of all households were made up of individuals and 15.5% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.19 and the average family size was 2.96.

In the city the population was spread out with 21.5% under the age of 18, 13.2% from 18 to 24, 26.6% from 25 to 44, 21.0% from 45 to 64, and 17.6% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 37 years. For every 100 females there were 89.9 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 86.6 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $25,665, and the median income for a family was $36,137. Males had a median income of $28,774 versus $23,014 for females. The per capita income for the city was $17,067. 23.7% of the population and 16.5% of families were below the poverty line. 28.4% of those under the age of 18 and 10.3% of those 65 and older were living below the poverty line.

Binghamton is located at 42°6′8?N, 75°54′42?W (42.102225, -75.911797)GR1.According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 28.6 km² (11.0 mi²). 27.0 km² (10.4 mi²) of it is land and 1.6 km² (0.6 mi²) of it is water. The total area is 5.43% water.

The north branch Susquehanna River passes through downtown Binghamton. This branch rises in eastern New York and receives a number of tributaries above Binghamton, most notably the Chenango, which joins from the north just outside of the business district. Major floods occurred in the city during 1865 and 1936.

In 1935 the Chenango suffered a flash flood, which was damaging, but less severe once it joined the larger Susquehenna. So much water came from the Chenango, that the Susquehanna flowed backwards for some distance above the confluence. In 1972 the remnants of Hurricane Agnes flooded the entire Susquehanna basin downstream from Binghamton, but the damage in the city was minor.

History of Binghamton

Early history

The city was named after William Bingham, a wealthy Philadelphian who bought the surrounding land in 1792. Before that, the first known people of European descent to come to the area were the troops of Gen. John Sullivan in 1779, during the American Revolutionary War.

Binghamton was incorporated as a village in 1834 within the Town of Binghamton and became a city in 1867.

Binghamton was nicknamed the “Parlor City” for its neat streets and attractive homes, including many stately mansions. Now, ironically, many of those stately mansions are now “funeral parlors” (i.e., funeral homes.) During the late 1800s and early 1900s, many immigrants moved to the area, finding an abundance of jobs, leading them to call it the “Valley of Opportunity.”

Binghamton is noted as being the birthplace of both IBM and the Link flight simulator. Until the Cold War ended, the area never experienced an economic downfall, due in part to the generosity of employers (IBM and Endicott-Johnson) and also because of its defense-heavy industries. This concentration of the defense industry made the area the seventh most likely area in the nation for a nuclear attack during the Cold War, and the population peaked at around 85,000 in 1950.

Binghamton is known as the “Carousel Capital of the World” for its collection of historic carousels located in public parks around the area.

Famous residents

Famous people from Binghamton include Rod Serling (creator of The Twilight Zone) and Johnny Hart (cartoonist of B.C. and The Wizard of Id). Richard Deacon of The Dick Van Dyke Show also worked as an orderly in City Hospital, now known as Binghamton General Hospital. Artist Anthony Brunelli known for his photo-realistic landscapes of Broome County.

Binghamton scientist Edwin A. Link invented the flight simulator used for pilot training and video interface technology. David Sedaris (comedian), Anthony George (soap-opera actor) and Jack Sharkey (heavyweight boxing champion) were born in Binghamton. Elmar Oliveira also resided in Binghamton in his younger years and in 1979 when he became the first and only American ever to win the Gold Medal for violin at Moscow’s Tchaikowsky International Competition.

Binghamton is a city in upstate New York in the United States. It is the county seat of Broome County. The population of the City of Binghamton, according to the 2000 Census, is 47,380 (1990 Census: 53,008).

The City of Binghamton is nestled in the Southern Tier of New York, at the confluence of the Susquehanna and Chenango Rivers. The city is at the crossroads of Interstates 81 and 88, as well as the future Interstate 86 (also known as New York State Highway 17, The Southern Tier Expressway).

The Binghamton Metro Area includes approximately 252,000 residents. Binghamton is part of the “Triple Cities,” which also include Endicott and Johnson City, which are actually villages. It is the largest of the Triple Cities (Binghamton, Endicott, and Johnson City), which were famous for shoes. Manufactures include marking devices, foods, fabricated metal products, machinery, aerospace control systems, electronic equipment, photographic materials, and computers.

Binghamton grew mainly after the Chenango Canal connected it with Utica in 1837. The first railroad service began in 1869. The State Univ. of New York at Binghamton is there. The city’s Robertson Center and Museum Complex has a planetarium, theater, and holdings in art, science, and history.