The town was first settled around 1795. The Town of Boonville was created in 1805 from the Town of Leyden.
Geography
According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 72.6 square miles, of which, 71.9 square miles of it is land and 0.7 square miles of it is water. The north town line is the border of Lewis County, and the east town line is the Black River.
Demographics
As of the census of 2000, there were 4,572 people, 1,781 households, and 1,209 families residing in the town. The population density was 63.6 people per square mile. There were 2,138 housing units at an average density of 29.7 per square mile. The racial makeup of the town was 99.21% White, 0.07% Black or African American, 0.15% Native American, 0.13% Asian, 0.02% Pacific Islander, and 0.42% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.17% of the population. There were 1,781 households of which 31.3% had children under 18 living with them, 53.7% were married couplesliving together, 9.0% had a female householder with no husband present, and 32.1% were non-families. 26.8% of all households were made up of individuals and 12.9% had someone living alone 65 or older. The average household size was 2.47 and the average family size 2.98. In the town, the population was 24.5% under 18, 6.4% from 18 to 24, 28.3% from 25 to 44, 22.9% from 45 to 64, and 18.0% age 65 or older. The median age was 39. For every 100 females, there were 95.9 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 91.5 males. The median income for a household was $36,744, and the median for a family $40,845. Males had a median income of $30,992 versus $21,362 for females. The per capita income for the town was $16,704. About 8.2% of families and 11.0% of the population were below the poverty line, including 13.1% of those under 18 and 9.9% of those 65 or over.
Recreation
Boonville is a snowmobile tourist destination and has revitalized the Snow Festivals. Consequently, it has accepted the nickname "The Snow Capital of the East." In 2008 more than 6,000 people traveled to the Oneida County Fairgrounds in Boonville to watch vintage and professional snowmobile races on a half-mile oval ice track. In 2013 over 44,000 people visited the fairgrounds to attend the annual Woodsmen's Field Days, setting a record for attendance. The fairgrounds in Boonville are also home of Oneida County Fair and the Woodsman Field Days. The former Black River Canal was constructed to connect to the Erie Canal.
Communities and locations in the Town of Boonville
Alder Creek - A hamlet at the junction of state routes 12 and 28.
Alder Creek Station - A location in the southeast part of the town, west of Alder Creek.
Boonville - The Village of Boonville is on NY 12 at 12D.
Hawkinsville - A hamlet east of Boonville village, near the Black River.
Hurlbutville - A hamlet in the southwest part of the town.
Jackson Hill - An elevation located south of Boonville.
Park Hill - An elevation located east of Boonville.
