East Greenbush is a town in Rensselaer County, New York, USA. The population was 15,560 at the 2000 census. The name is derived from the Dutch "Green Bosch," referring to the pine woods that originally covered the land. The first settlement of the land now known as East Greenbush was made by tenants under Patroon Kiliaen Rensselaer prior to 1631, according to area history books.

The town is located in the western edge of the county.
Interstate 90 passes through the town. It contains the west end of US 4 as well as US 9 and US 20.

Geography

According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 24.4 square miles (63.1 km²), of which, 24.1 square miles (62.4 km²) of it is land and 0.2 square miles (0.6 km²) of it (1.03%) is water.

The west town line is partly defined by the Hudson River with Albany County, New York on the opposite shore.

Adjacent towns and areas

The Town of North Greenbush is to the north, the Town of Schodack is to the south, the City of Rensselaer is to the west, and the Town of Sand Lake is to the east.

Demographics

As of the census of 2000, there were 15,560 people, 6,084 households, and 4,185 families residing in the town. The population density was 645.8 people per square mile (249.4/km²). There were 6,281 housing units at an average density of 260.7/sq mi (100.7/km²). The racial makeup of the town was 94.01% White, 2.85% Black or African American, 0.13% Native American, 1.94% Asian, 0.02% Pacific Islander, 0.29% from other races, and 0.76% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.33% of the population.

There were 6,084 households out of which 32.9% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 55.2% were married couples living together, 10.1% had a female householder with no husband present, and 31.2% were non-families. 25.1% of all households were made up of individuals and 7.7% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.50 and the average family size was 3.02.

In the town the population was spread out with 24.1% under the age of 18, 6.4% from 18 to 24, 30.2% from 25 to 44, 25.7% from 45 to 64, and 13.6% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 39 years. For every 100 females there were 90.0 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 86.9 males.

The median income for a household in the town was $53,822, and the median income for a family was $62,917. Males had a median income of $43,028 versus $31,777 for females. The per capita income for the town was $25,503. About 1.7% of families and 3.0% of the population were below the poverty line, including 2.8% of those under age 18 and 3.3% of those age 65 or over.

Education

The East Greenbush Central School District serves the majority of the community, with the student population of approximately 4,600. Averill Park Central School District serves a very small portion of the eastern part of the town. The East Greenbush Central School District has five elementary schools, one middle school, and one high school.
Elementary Schools
Bell Top Elementary (Troy)

Citizen Genet Elementary (East Greenbush)

Donald P. Sutherland Elementary (Nassau)

Green Meadow Elementary (Castleton)

Red Mill Elementary (Rensselaer)
Middle School
Goff Middle School (East Greenbush)
High School
Columbia High School (East Greenbush)

Genet Elementary School

Formerly Genet Middle School (in addition to being the original Columbia High School, constructed as part of economic relief during the Great Depression) Genet Elementary School is named after Citizen Edmond Charles Edouard Genêt. The first Minister Plenipotentiary from the Republic of France to the United States, sent over in 1793, Genêt clashed with Alexander Hamilton and eventually George Washington over the Administration's stance of neutrality in the growing difficulties between France and England. Frustrated, he made several remarks about Congress and Washington that appear to have been misconstrued, and then printed in the press. A full retraction followed, but it was too late, and Genêt was recalled from his post after barely one year of employment. As the Terreur raged in Paris, Robespierre attempted to have Genêt extradited for execution, but Washington refused the request. Genêt married the daughter of George Clinton, first Governor of the State of New York, and eventually moved to Prospect Hill in East Greenbush, a farm estate on Hayes Road. Genêt continued to communicate with political leaders, he patented over thirty scientific inventions, and he advised on the defense of New York Harbor and the building of the Erie Canal. He died in 1834 in East Greenbush.

Communities and locations in or near East Greenbush

• Best — A hamlet in the northeast part of the town by the east town line on Routes 53 and 55.

• Clinton Heights — A suburban neighborhood in the west part of the town.

• Couse Corners — A hamlet located on Route 4 north of the hamlet of East Greenbush, south of Exit 9 of Interstate 90.

• East Greenbush — The hamlet of East Greenbush is by the south town line, located on Routes 9 and 20.

• East Greenbush Station — A location west of the hamlet of East Greenbush.

• Hampton Manor — A suburban neighborhood in the west part of the town.

• Luther — A hamlet on Route 151 and northeast of Greenbush village near the east town line.

• Prospect Heights — A suburban neighborhood in the west part of the town.

• Sherwood Park — A suburban neighborhood south of Columbia Turnpike (Routes 9 and 20) and west of Phillips Road (Rensselaer County Route 57).

• Woodland Park — A suburban neighborhood south of Columbia Turnpike (Routes 9 and 20) and east of Phillips Road (Rensselaer County Route 57).