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Where We Work

Colgate University is located in Hamilton, in Madison County, N.Y. COVE teams provide direct service to a wide range of communities in the immediate surrounding areas of Madison County and as far away as Utica, NY.

Madison County 

Fast Facts about Madison County

• Has an estimated population of 70,197 (42% urban, 58% rural) as of 2006.
• Is home to the largest wind power project in New York State 
• Ranks fourth in New York State for milk production. 48% of its lands are dedicated to farming. 
• Was rated by On Board LLC as the fourth best place to live in Northeastern Rural America. 
• Average commute to work: 22.6 minutes 
• Largest employer in Madison County: Oneida Indian Nation (5,000) 
• Second largest employer: Colgate University (750) 
• Persons below poverty rate: 9.8 %, 23rd in state (14.3% in N.Y., 12.5% in country) 
• County seat: Wampsville. Board of Supervisors type of government

Things to See and Do

• The Madison- Bouckville antique show is the largest of its kind in the Northeast. 
• Pratts Hollow is considered to be the geographic center of New York State
• Earlville Opera House: a historic landmark, houses a beautiful historic theater, two art galleries, an arts café, and an artisan gift shop.
• Chenango Canal Association in Bouckville offers a museum and several miles of walking trails alongside the 180-year-old canal that once stretched through central New York.
• The National Abolition Hall of Fame, located in Peterboro highlights Madison County's importance on the Underground Railroad
  

Town of Hamilton

The town of Hamilton was formed on March 5, 1795, and received its name in honor of Alexander Hamilton. On Feb. 19, 1895, the majority of Hamilton village was destroyed by a fire. It was subsequently rebuilt.
 
Local income: $48,798 compared to the national average, $41,994 (2000 Census) 

Population in 2000: 5,737

Square miles: 41.36

Average commute to work (by car): 14 minutes

52% of residents have achieved an Associate's degree or higher

Other Resources

Syracuse Post-Standard Madison County News 
The Mid-York Weekly, local news publication
Madison County website
Town of Hamilton website 

Utica is important to Colgate because it is the closest city to Hamilton.  Because of its unique history and socio-economic situation, Utica is an area the COVE sees as a concern but also an opportunity for farther-reaching service projects.  In fact, the COVE has staff specifically supervising the various Utica-based groups and serving as liaisons to community partners there.

Utica was settled in 1773 and incorporated as a city in 1824. Utica’s location on the Erie Canal stimulated industrial development that was enhanced with the growth of railroads and manufacturing. Like many industrial towns in the Northeast, Utica has experienced a major reduction in manufacturing activity and is experiencing financial difficulties. As a result, many public services have been curtailed and employment opportunities are limited.

In addition to large African-American, Asian and Hispanic communities, Utica serves as a refugee resettlement city. Through 1999, the Mohawk Valley Center for Refugees had resettled 8,759 refugees in the Utica area, arranging housing, education, employment, and social services. Refugees come from 22 countries with about 40% from Bosnia, 21% from the former Soviet Union, and 14% from Vietnam. The Bosnian community has settled in East Utica starting small business including restaurants and grocers.  One of the COVE's groups, Utica Refugee Tutoring, works specifically with this refugee population.

More than 1 in 6 children live in extreme poverty (50% of FPL or $7,501 for a family of 3), making Utica’s children twice as likely to be poor than the rest of New York’s. The Cornhill neighborhood in particular is known for its high drug and crime rates and sub-standard housing.  The conditions in such areas of Utica partially constitute the imperative to volunteer there.

Fast Facts

• Madison Square Garden in New York City is modeled after the Utica Memorial Auditorium, built in 1959. 
• Utica is the site of the annual Boilermaker Road Race, the largest 15K road race in the United States.
• The first color newspaper, "The Utica Saturday Globe" was published in Utica. 
• The Utica Zoo is home to the world’s largest watering can. The 2,000 pound can is 15 feet 6 inches in height and 12 feet in diameter.
• The 2003 population estimate for Utica was 59,947 and about 24.5% of that population lived below the poverty line. The median income for a family was $33,818.

Things to See and Do

• Utica hosts Snowfari, the largest winter festival in central New York, and has numerous museums and other historical and cultural offerings. 
• Munson-Williams-Proctor Arts Institute is a regional fine arts center founded in 1919.
• Sculpture Space is unique in North America for its service to sculptors and the individual support given to artists.
• The American Heart Association’s biggest America’s Great Heart Run and Walk is in Utica.
• The International Boxing Hall of Fame is located in Canastota.
• Visit the site dedicated to tourism in Madison County.