Dunkirk, New York

Niagara Mohawk Power plant along Lake Erie in Dunkirk

Dunkirk is a city in Chautauqua County, New York in the USA. The population was 13,131 at the 2000 census.

The City of Dunkirk is surrounded by the Town of Dunkirk. Dunkirk is on shore of Lake Erie and shares a border with the Village of Fredonia.

History

The City of Dunkirk was incorporated in 1880. The area was regarded at one time as the "Train wreck capital of the world" due to the number of collisions and other incidents. It is named after Dunkirk, France due to their similar harbor.

Geography

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 11.8 km² (4.6 mi²). 11.7 km² (4.5 mi²) of it is land and 0.1 km² (0.04 mi²) of it (0.88%) is water.

Dunkirk is the westernmost city in the state.

Demographics

As of the censusTemplate:GR of 2000, there were 13,131 people, 5,477 households, and 3,335 families residing in the city. The population density was 1,119.2/km² (2,899.6/mi²). There were 6,071 housing units at an average density of 517.4/km² (1,340.6/mi²). The racial makeup of the city was 82.68% White, 5.06% Black or African American, 0.52% Native American, 0.23% Asian, 0.04% Pacific Islander, 9.14% from other races, and 2.33% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 19.86% of the population.

There were 5,477 households out of which 28.2% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 39.4% were married couples living together, 16.7% had a female householder with no husband present, and 39.1% were non-families. 33.4% of all households were made up of individuals and 16.0% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.37 and the average family size was 3.02.

In the city the population was spread out with 25.3% under the age of 18, 9.0% from 18 to 24, 26.5% from 25 to 44, 21.5% 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 90.9 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 85.8 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $28,313, and the median income for a family was $35,058. Males had a median income of $29,462 versus $21,682 for females. The per capita income for the city was $15,482. About 18.5% of families and 22.3% of the population were below the poverty line, including 38.0% of those under age 18 and 11.1% of those age 65 or over.

Additional information about Dunkirk

The Chautauqua County-Dunkirk Airport (DKK) provides both training facilities and charter services.

A branch of Jamestown Community College is in Dunkirk.

The Observer newspaper is published in Dunkirk.

Dunkirk High School is home to the Dunkirk Marauders

H.B. Halicki director of Gone in 60 Seconds and The Junkman was born in Dunkirk, and part of Gone in 60 Seconds was filmed on Fourth Street in Dunkirk.

External links

• City of Dunkirk government
• Observer: local news