The first settlement occurred around 1785 near the current Coventry village. Coventry was formed from the town of Greene in 1806. In 1843, the area of the town was increased from parts of Greene and the town of Oxford. Due to poor soil conditions, dairy herding was prominent from the pioneer days, leading to five butter and cheese factories in the town at one time in the past. The District School 4 was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2004.
As of the census of 2000, there were 1,589 people, 577 households, and 428 families residing in the town. The population density was 32.6 people per square mile. There were 757 housing units at an average density of 15.5 per square mile. The racial makeup of the town was 99.06% White, 0.25% African American, 0.19% Native American, 0.06% Asian, and 0.44% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.94% of the population. There were 577 households, out of which 36.7% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 62.0% were married couplesliving together, 5.4% had a female householder with no husband present, and 25.8% were non-families. 19.8% of all households were made up of individuals, and 5.9% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.75 and the average family size was 3.14. In the town, the population was spread out, with 28.8% under the age of 18, 6.5% from 18 to 24, 30.9% from 25 to 44, 24.4% from 45 to 64, and 9.5% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 36 years. For every 100 females, there were 105.0 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 104.3 males. The median income for a household in the town was $35,769, and the median income for a family was $38,906. Males had a median income of $30,272 versus $19,946 for females. The per capita income for the town was $14,807. About 10.7% of families and 14.9% of the population were below the poverty line, including 18.4% of those under age 18 and 10.0% of those age 65 or over.
Notable peoples
William Goodell, abolitionist
Communities and locations in Coventry
Blackesley Corner - A hamlet southeast of Coventry village and in the southeast part of the town, located on County Road 30.
Bowbell Hill - A location in the southwest part of the town, marked by a hill by that name, once a community in the town.
Coventry - The hamlet of Coventry is at the junction of NY-41 and NY-235.
Coventryville - A hamlet east of Coventry village on NY-206. The District School 2 was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2004.
