The area was part of the former Central New York Military Tract. On February 26, 1830, the town of Skaneateles was formed from the town of Marcellus, and the town later annexed areas of the Town of Spafford in 1840. Early turnpikes facilitated development. The town was noted for participation in reform movements before the Civil War.
In 1843, the Skaneateles Community acquired and successfully operated a large farm and developed small industries. It ultimately failed because of internal difficulties, as well as external concern about its unorthodox social practices. Locals sometimes referred to it as "No God," because of the atheistic views of members. The Skaneateles Community published a newspaper, the "Comunitist" [sic] between 1844 and 1846 when the community dissolved. Buildings are extant, known as "Community Place," now serving as a bed-and-breakfast.
Some Skaneateles men volunteered for the ill-fated Upper Canada Rebellion (1837) to liberate Canada and were imprisoned by the British in Australia. Quaker congregations were involved in abolitionist activity. Underground Railroad sites have been documented in Skaneateles. Although the larger city of Syracuse nearby was known nationally as a center of abolition and Underground Railroad activity, Skaneateles was said (by Beauchamp, an early historian) to have "eclipsed Syracuse as an anti-slavery town."
On July 4, 1876, resident John Dodgson Barrow delivered the centennial address in Skaneateles recounting the history of the village up to that time.[5] In 1891, he had it printed in Syracuse as a 20-page book.[6]
According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 48.8 square miles (126 km2), of which 42.7 square miles (87.49%) is land and 6.1 square miles (12.51%) is water.
Farms and rolling hills surround Skaneateles Lake.
As of the 2020 United States census, there are 7,112 people and 1,998 families residing in the town. The population density is 166.91 people per square mile (64.44 people/km2). There are 3,233 housing units at an average density of 75.8 units per square mile (29.3 units/km2). The racial makeup of the town is 93.56% White, 0.15% Black or African-American, 0.25% Native American and Alaska Native, 0.96% Asian, 0.62% from other races, and 4.46% from two or more races.[9]Hispanic or Latino people of any race also make up 2.31% of the population.[10]
It was estimated in 2021 that there are 3,047 households in Skaneateles, with which 20.2% have children under the age of 18 living with them, 49.1% are married couples living together, 30.8% are non-families, and 25.9% are made up of individuals. The average household size is 2.33 and the average family size is 2.87.[11]
In 2021, it was also estimated that 21.1% of people in Skaneateles are under the age of 18, 3.5% from 18 to 24, 26.8% from 25 to 44, 25.8% from 45 to 64, and 29.7% who are 65 years of age or older. The median age is 51.1 years old.[12]
As of 2021, the median household income is estimated to be $90,762, and the median family income is estimated to be $120,667.[13] It is also estimated that 5.1% of the population and 1.9% of families are below the poverty line.[14]
High pasture on the west side of the lakeResidents and visitors stroll along Skaneateles' pier, just off Clift Park in the village of Skaneateles, for the best view of antique boats during Skaneateles' annual Antique and Classic Boat Show.
Communities and locations in the Town of Skaneateles
Highland Way – A neighborhood just east of Skaneateles village on Onondaga Rd.
Jones Beach – A hamlet on the east shore of Skaneateles Lake on NY-41.
Long Bridge – A hamlet at the north town line, north of Mottville.
Mandana – A hamlet down the west side of the lake.
Mottville – A hamlet two miles north of Skaneateles village on Jordan Street and north of Willow Glen.
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