# Parma, New York

Parma is a town in Monroe County, New York, United States. The population was 16,217 at the 2020 census.

## History

The town of Parma was established on April 8, 1808, in what was then Genesee County, from the town of Northampton. The new town was named after the city of Parma in Italy.

## Geography

Parma is in northwestern Monroe County and is bordered on the north by the shore of Lake Ontario, on the west by the towns of Hamlin, Clarkson and Sweden, on the south by the town of Ogden, and on the east by the town of Greece. Downtown Rochester is 16 miles (26 km) to the southeast.
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the town of Parma has a total area of 42.98 square miles (111.3 km$^2$), of which 42.02 square miles (108.8 km$^2$) are land and 0.97 square miles (2.51 km$^2$), or 2.25%, are water.

## Demographics

As of the census of 2000, there were 14,822 people, 5,283 households, and 4,030 families residing in the town. The population density was 353.2 inhabitants per square mile (136.4/km$^2$). There were 5,502 housing units at an average density of 131.1 per square mile (50.6/km$^2$). The racial makeup of the town was 97.08% white, 1.29% African American, .18% Native American, .52% Asian, .03% Pacific Islander, .24% from other races, and .67% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.12% of the population.
There were 5,283 households, out of which 38.7% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 64.1% were married couples living together, 8.4% had a female householder with no husband present, and 23.7% were non-families. 18.9% of all households were made up of individuals, and 6.2% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.77 and the average family size was 3.20.
In the town, the population was spread out, with 28.3% under the age of 18, 6.6% from 18 to 24, 30.2% from 25 to 44, 24.8% from 45 to 64, and 10.0% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 37 years. For every 100 females, there were 98.8 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 96.4 males.
The median income for a household in the town was $53,189, and the median income for a family was $60,686. Males had a median income of $42,566 versus $29,381 for females. The per capita income for the town was $22,431. About 2.2% of families and 4.1% of the population were below the poverty line, including 5.6% of those under age 18 and 5.0% of those age 65 or over.

## Government

The town is governed by a Town Board consisting of a Town Supervisor and four Councilpersons, all elected by registered town voters.

## Education

The Hilton Central School District comprises the majority of the town with the southern portion along the 104 Corridor in the Spencerport Central School District and a southwestern portion in the Brockport Central School District. http://www.hilton.k12.ny.us

## Communities and locations in Parma

* Hilton - village in the northern part of the town
* Parma Center
* Parma Corners

## Notable people

* John Baker, congressman from Indiana and federal judge
* George Baldwin Smith, mayor of Madison, Wisconsin, and fourth Attorney General of Wisconsin
* Cathy Turner, short-track speed skater and two-time Olympic gold medalist