According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of, of which, of it is land and of it is water. The total area is 0.11% water. The major water features are:
The Unadilla River, which forms the entire western border of the town,
Wharton Creek, which meanders to the south and west through the southeastern corner of the town,
Mill Creek, which flows from north to south from the northern border of Edmeston to the Wharton Creek at the Edmeston hamlet.
Summit Lake in the northeastern corner of the town.
The elevation of the town varies by about : from just under above sea level at the Unadilla River in the southwest corner of the town, to just over at peaks near Taylor Hill and Summit Lake in the northeast corner. New York State Route 80 Passes through the southeast part of the town.
History
The town of Edmeston, in Otsego County, extends to the west as far as the Unadilla River, a line that was established by the 1768 Treaty of Fort Stanwix between the British and the Iroquois, negotiated by Sir William Johnson. The town's name came from the brothers, Robert and William Edmeston, who had been granted of land in what is now the northwest corner of the town. The hamlets of West Edmeston and South Edmeston are situated in the Unadilla Valley, while the hamlet of Edmeston lies in the Wharton Valley. Earlier settlers came from New England; for most of the settlers, it was planned as a stopover on their way west. A strong Baptist influence came with the settlers. Universalists, Methodists and Roman Catholics soon arrived. The town was established from the Town of Burlington in 1808. Dairy farming has historically been the main business of the area. Cheese factories, creameries, livery stables, blacksmith shops, and tanneries were created to support the dairy industry. One room schoolhouses were scattered throughout the town. By damming the creeks, power was created for foundries and mills. Hop growing and maple syrup production were seasonal occupations. Each of the town's communities developed business districts and became self-sufficient. The last spike of the Edmeston branch of the Ontario & Western RR from New Berlin, was driven at Edmeston in January, 1889, but a rumoured extension to Richfield Springs was never built. Then cars, buses and trucks arrived on the scene. Dams were washed out and electricity became available. The hamlets evolved into bedroom communities. The one room schoolhouses closed and the Central School was developed in the hamlet of Edmeston. Today residents go in all four directions for employment. NYCM Insurance not only provides positions for many of the locals but also for hundreds that commute into the community each day. On the Eastern side of the town is the that provides more employment. The population of the town has not increased much through the years. It still remains largely rural. Organizations like the local Rotary Club, American Legion and Fire and Emergency Squads have active volunteers that provide community needs in lieu of governments in the hamlets. Edmeston Central School is the center of activities.
Demographics
As of the census of 2000, the town of Edmeston contained:
Edmeston population distribution The median age was 37 years. For every 100 females, there were 100.0 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 97.6 males. In the town of Edmeston, median income:
per household was $36,800,
per family was $41,510,
per male was $27,546,
per female was $21,089.
The per capita income for the town was $17,507. 13.6% of the population and 8.3% of families were below the poverty line. Out of the total people living in poverty,
18.3% of those under the age of 18 and
7.5% of those 65 and older were living below the poverty line.
Communities and locations in Edmeston
Amblers Crossing - A hamlet south of Edmeston village.
Edmeston - The hamlet of Edmeston is in the south part of the town on NY-80.
Manchester Crossing - A hamlet east of South Edmeston.
South Edmeston - A hamlet at the west town line near the Unadilla River at the junction of County Roads 18 and 20.
Summit Lake - A small lake in the northeast part of the town.
West Edmeston - A hamlet near the west town line, located next to the Unadilla River. Partially in the Town of Brookfield.
