The region was part of the Central New York Military Tract used to pay soldiers of the American Revolution. Solon was first settled in 1794. The town was created from part of the town of Homer in 1798, before the formation of Cortland County. Solon lost territory to the towns of Truxton and Taylor. The population of the town reached a peak of 2,311 in 1840. By 1865, the population had dropped to 995. The Hatheway Homestead was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1978.
As of the year 2000 census, there were 1,108 people, 382 households, and 310 families residing in the town. The population density was 37.3 people per square mile. There were 419 housing units at an average density of 14.1 per square mile. The racial makeup of the town was 97.74% White, 0.09% African American, 0.72% Native American, 0.09% Asian, 0.09% from other races, and 1.26% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.81% of the population. There were 382 households out of which 43.7% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 64.9% were married couplesliving together, 9.2% had a female householder with no husband present, and 18.6% were non-families. 10.7% of all households were made up of individuals and 4.2% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.90 and the average family size was 3.08. In the town, the population was spread out with 30.4% under the age of 18, 6.7% from 18 to 24, 33.7% from 25 to 44, 20.8% from 45 to 64, and 8.5% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 35 years. For every 100 females, there were 98.9 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 101.8 males. The median income for a household in the town was $39,167, and the median income for a family was $36,875. Males had a median income of $27,143 versus $20,833 for females. The per capita income for the town was $14,555. About 6.4% of families and 9.1% of the population were below the poverty line, including 13.8% of those under age 18 and 4.2% of those age 65 or over.
Communities and locations in Solon
Mayberry Brook — A stream near the west town line that flows into Trout Brook at Mayberry Mills.
