Webster is a town in the northeastern corner of Monroe County, New York, United States. The town is named after orator and statesman Daniel Webster. The population was 42,641 at the 2010 census. The town's motto is "Where Life Is Worth Living." The town contains a village also named Webster. It is located in the Rochester Metropolitan Area.
Geography
The town of Webster is bordered on the north by Lake Ontario, on the east by Wayne County, on the west by Irondequoit Bay and the town of Irondequoit, and on the south by the town of Penfield.
According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 35.5 square miles (91.9 km2), of which 33.5 square miles (86.8 km2) is land and 2 square miles (5.2 km2) is water.
Webster Park covers of the town's land along the Lake Ontario waterfront.
Demographics
As of the 2020 United States Census, there were 45,327 people, 19,432 households, and 12,483 families residing in the town. The population density was . There were 20,132 housing units at an average density of . The racial makeup of the town was 89.2% White, 2.9% Black or African American, 0.0% Native American, 3.2% Asian, and 3.6% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 4.2% of the population.
Among the 19,432 households, 27.3% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 49.9% were married couples, 7.0% were cohabitating unmarried couples, 13.9% had a male householder with no spouse/partner present, and 29.2% had a female householder with no spouse/partner present. 30.6% of all households were made up of individuals, and 14.6% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.31 and the average family size was 2.86.
In the town, the population was spread out, with 20.4% under the age of 18, 5.5% from 18 to 24, 23.7% from 25 to 44, 29.3% from 45 to 64, and 20.8% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 45.1 years as of 2021. For every 100 females, there were 90.4 males.
In 2021, the median income for a household in the town was $81,345, and the median income for a family was $108,065. Males had a median income of $52,494 versus $33,943 for females. The per capita income for the town was $43,896. About 3.0% of families and 5.3% of the population were below the poverty line, including 5.0% of those under age 18 and 7.2% of those age 65 or over.
History
On July 25, 1837, orator and statesman Daniel Webster spoke to a gathering of Whigs in nearby Rochester about the economy. Whig farmers from North Penfield, who were part of Webster's audience, were so impressed by his eloquence that when they petitioned the state legislature for separate town status from Penfield, they chose to name it in his honor. On February 6, 1840, the northern part of Penfield was officially established as the town of Webster, with a population of 2,235. Webster has its own museum dedicated to sharing the town's history with its citizens. The museum has many permanent historical displays and also features changing displays for different times of the year.
Education
Webster's public schools are under the direction of the Webster Central School District (K-12). While all of its middle schools (Spry, Willink) and high schools (Thomas, Schroeder) are situated in the Town of Webster, only five of its seven elementary schools (DeWitt Road, Klem North, Klem South, Schlegel Road, State Road) are.
Additionally, there are several privately run schools: Hillside Children's Center Halpern Education Center (grades 6–12), secular Lakeside Alpha (grades 3–12), Christian Brethren Rochester Christian School (grades pre-K–8), Calvinist St. Rita School (grades pre-K–6), operated by the Roman Catholic Diocese of Rochester Webster Early Learning Center (grades pre-K–1), secular Webster Montessori School (elementary), ¾ mile south of the town line in Penfield, serves students in the Webster school district
Sports community
On May 15, 2005, Webster was awarded the title of "Number 1 Sportstown in New York" by Sports Illustrated. SI Publisher David Morris said that "Webster's commitment to finding creative and resourceful ways to enhance sports for the well-being of its community fits perfectly with the principles of our Sportstown program, as well as the overall mission of our anniversary celebration."
Webster is part of the section V (Five) New York State Public High School Athletic Association along with the rest of Monroe County, Wayne, Livingston, Yates, Seneca, Steuben, Wyoming, Genesee, Orleans and Allegany.