Haverstraw, New York 2025

Haverstraw, incorporated in 1847, is a town in Rockland County, New York, United States, located north of New York City. As of the 2020 census, the town's population was 38,685.

Demographics:

As of the 2000 census, there were 33,287 people, 11,114 households, and 8,028 families residing in the town. The population density was 2,434.9 people per square mile (939.0/km²). There were 11,347 housing units at an average density of 834.4 per square mile (321.8/km²).

The racial makeup of the town was 74.16% White, 14.32% African American, 0.24% Native American, 2.41% Asian, 0.04% Pacific Islander, 6.35% from other races, and 2.88% from two or more races. 15.64% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There were 11,114 households, out of which 32.0% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 57.5% were married couples living together, 11.0% had a female householder with no husband present, and 27.5% were non-families. 22.5% of all households were made up of individuals, and 8.9% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.83 and the average family size was 3.36.

The median age in the town was 34 years. For every 100 females, there were 91.4 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 86.6 males.

The median income for a household in the town was $51,570, and the median income for a family was $59,157. Males had a median income of $40,129 versus $32,207 for females. The per capita income for the town was $22,244. About 5.0% of families and 7.1% of the population were below the poverty line, including 6.7% of those under age 18 and 10.2% of those age 65 or over.

Attractions:

Haverstraw is home to various attractions and destinations. Some of these include:

Emeline Park, a county park that features walking/jogging trails, picnic areas, playing fields, a lake for fishing, and a playground for children.

The Old Haverstraw Village, a historic district with preserved buildings from the turn of the 20th century.

Bowline Point Park, where the Bowline Point Lighthouse is located.

Michael J. Peterson Preserve, a nature reserve and hiking trail.

High Falls, a waterfall.

St. Peter's Church, built by Irish immigrants in 1866.

Haverstraw is also home to various community events and traditions, including the annual Haverstraw RiverArts & Music Fest, held each June in downtown Haverstraw. A portion of Main St. is closed for the festival, featuring bands, vendors, food, crafts, and a Children's District.

History:

The first people to inhabit the area now known as Haverstraw were Native Americans who belonged to the Munsee tribe, part of the Delaware Nation. They called the area "Haverstroo," meaning "where the water narrows."

In 1615, Dutch explorer and fur trader Ejnar Junker establishes a fur trading post in the area.

In the 17th century, Dutch settlers are thought to have brought African slaves to work on their lands. When the English took control of New Netherlands, they renamed it to "Haverstraw." The Tappan Zee Bridge, which connects Rockland and Westchester Counties, was completed in 1955. It spans the Hudson at one of its widest points, and the area has been used as the backdrop to several major motion pictures, including the 1987 crime thriller "No Way Out" starring Kevin Costner and Gene Hackman, and the 1998 comedy-drama "Dancing at the Blue Iguana" starring Daryl Hannah.