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Moving to Watkins Glen, New York

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Watkins Glen, New York is a small village located in the Finger Lakes region of western New York. As of the 2010 census, the population was 1,859 people. The geography of Watkins Glen is dominated by Seneca Lake, one of the largest of the Finger Lakes. The village is nestled in a valley surrounded by hills and steep cliffs. The climate of Watkins Glen is typical for Upstate New York, with cold winters and warm summers.

The history of Watkins Glen dates back to 1779 when it was first settled by members of the Iroquois Nation. In 1793, it was officially incorporated as a village. Political representation for Watkins Glen comes from both Schuyler County and New York State governments.

The economy in Watkins Glen has historically been driven by tourism and agriculture due to its location on Seneca Lake and its proximity to several vineyards in the area. Recently however, there have been several developments that have brought new jobs to the area such as an expansion at Corning Glass Works and a new data center for IBM.

There are two schools in Watkins Glen: Watkins Glen High School and Elm Street Elementary School which serve students from kindergarten through 12th grade. Both schools are highly rated due to their dedicated teachers and staff who strive for excellence in academics and extra-curricular activities alike.

Some landmarks around Watkins Glen include Clute Park, which features a beach on Seneca Lake; Taughannock Falls State Park; She-Qua-Ga Falls; historic sites such as Montour Falls Lock 34; several wineries; and many more attractions that draw tourists each year from all over world!

Population: 2,149. Estimated population in July 2024: 2,099 (-2.3% change)
Males: 997 (46.4%), Females: 1,152 (53.6%)

Schuyler County

Zip code: 14891

Demographics

Median resident age: 39.6 years
Median household income: $30,094
Median house value: $67,200

Population by Race

Races in Watkins Glen:

  • White Non-Hispanic (96.8%)
  • Hispanic (1.3%)
  • American Indian (0.8%)
  • Two or more races (0.7%)
  • Chinese (0.6%)

Ancestries: Italian (23.5%), Irish (21.4%), German (19.4%), English (16.9%), United States (8.2%), Dutch (6.3%).

Land area: 1.9 square miles

Population by Education

Watkins Glen, New York is a small town located in the Finger Lakes Region of Upstate New York. It has a population of approximately 1,859 people and is known for its beautiful scenery and outdoor activities. The cost of living in Watkins Glen is higher than the national average due to its proximity to major cities like Rochester and Syracuse.

Housing costs are considerably higher than the national average, with median home prices around $200,000. Renting is also more expensive due to high demand for housing in this area. The median rent for an apartment or house is between $1,000 – $1,200 per month. Utilities can be costly as well due to the colder climate during winter months. On average, utilities cost around $150 – $200 per month depending on usage. Transportation costs are on par with the national average but can vary depending on your mode of transportation. Gas prices tend to be slightly lower than other parts of the state due to its rural location and lower traffic levels. Public transportation options are limited outside major cities so most people rely on personal vehicles when commuting or traveling within the region.

For population 25 years and over in Watkins Glen

  • High school or higher: 87.5%
  • Bachelor’s degree or higher: 19.5%
  • Graduate or professional degree: 9.7%
  • Unemployed: 10.6%
  • Mean travel time to work: 19.6 minutes

For population 15 years and over in Watkins Glen village

  • Never married: 24.6%
  • Now married: 46.9%
  • Separated: 4.1%
  • Widowed: 9.9%
  • Divorced: 14.5%

2.0% Foreign born (2.0% Europe).

Population change in the 1990s: -118 (-5.2%).

Hospitals

Hospitals/medical centers near Watkins Glen:

  • SCHUYLER HOSPITAL (about 3 miles; MONTOUR FALLS, NY)
  • ST JOSEPHS HOSPITAL (about 19 miles; ELMIRA, NY)
  • CORNING HOSPITAL (about 21 miles; CORNING, NY)

Airports

Airports certified for carrier operations nearest to Watkins Glen:

  • ELMIRA/CORNING REGIONAL (about 16 miles; ELMIRA/CORNING, NY; Abbreviation: ELM)
  • ITHACA TOMPKINS REGIONAL (about 30 miles; ITHACA, NY; Abbreviation: ITH)
  • GREATER BINGHAMTON/EDWIN A LINK FIELD (about 64 miles; BINGHAMTON, NY; Abbreviation: BGM)

Other public-use airports nearest to Watkins Glen:

  • DUNDEE FLYING CLUB (about 11 miles; DUNDEE, NY; Abbreviation: D48)
  • OVID (about 20 miles; OVID, NY; Abbreviation: D82)
  • GRUND FIELD (about 21 miles; ITHACA, NY; Abbreviation: 5N3)

Colleges and Universities

Colleges/universities with over 2000 students nearest to Watkins Glen:

  • CORNING COMMUNITY COLLEGE (about 21 miles; CORNING, NY; Full-time enrollment: 2,797)
  • ITHACA COLLEGE (about 27 miles; ITHACA, NY; Full-time enrollment: 6,052)
  • CORNELL UNIVERSITY-ENDOWED COLLEGES (about 28 miles; ITHACA, NY; Full-time enrollment: 12,036)
  • CORNELL UNIVERSITY-NY STATE STATUTORY COLLEGES (about 28 miles; ITHACA, NY; Full-time enrollment: 7,413)
  • MANSFIELD UNIVERSITY OF PENNSYLVANIA (about 42 miles; MANSFIELD, PA; Full-time enrollment: 2,831)
  • FINGER LAKES COMMUNITY COLLEGE (about 44 miles; CANANDAIGUA, NY; Full-time enrollment: 3,021)
  • SUNY COLLEGE AT CORTLAND (about 50 miles; CORTLAND, NY; Full-time enrollment: 6,187)

Schools

Public high school in Watkins Glen:

  • WATKINS GLEN CENTRAL HS (Students: 432; Location: 301 12TH ST; Grades: 09 – 12)

Public primary/middle schools in Watkins Glen:

  • WATKINS GLEN ES (Students: 530; Location: 612 S DECATUR ST; Grades: PK – 04)
  • WATKINS GLEN MS (Students: 426; Location: 200 10TH ST; Grades: 05 – 08)

Libraries

Library in Watkins Glen:

  • WATKINS GLEN CEN SCH DIS FREE PUB LIB (Operating income: $153,294; Location: 610 SOUTH DECATUR STREET; 25,881 books; 635 audio materials; 878 video materials; 48 serial subscriptions)

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