Binghamton, NY

Binghamton, New York

Introduction to Binghamton, New York

Nestled in the southern tier of upstate New York is the city of Binghamton, which serves as the county seat of Broome County. The city is located only a few miles from the Pennsylvania border. Nearest big cities are Elmira (56 miles to the west), Syracuse (73 miles to the north) and Scranton, Pennsylvania (60 miles to the south).

Incorporated as a village in 1834 before becoming a city in 1867, Binghamton was named after William Bingham, a wealthy Philadelphia banker and area landowner of the late 1700s who provided the impetus for the creation of a new village at the meeting of the Susquehanna and Chenango Rivers. One of the most significant developments in the city's history was the evolution of a firm that started in 1889 as the Bundy Manufacturing Company. Initially focused on the production of time clocks, the company went through several mergers and a variety of name changes before the 1914 hiring of Thomas Watson, Sr., under whose corporate leadership the firm changed its name for the final time to International Business Machines. IBM has since become a corporate giant in addition to Binghamton's leading employer. Another major development came about during the Depression era when Binghamton resident Edwin A. Link developed the pilot trainer, or flight simulator. Since that time, Link Aviation and its successor companies have been world leaders in training of pilots, and the associated technology has spawned a bonanza of products on today's markets. Binghamton is also home to Binghamton University, the top ranked university in the New York State University system and a major force in the community in terms of employment, education, athletics, and arts.

Points of Interest in and around Binghamton

Binghamton is often referred to as the "carousel capital of the world". In the 1930s, George F. Johnson, a local manufacturer who was also a great benefactor to the Binghamton area, donated six antique Herschell carousels to local parks. Available for riding at no charge from Memorial Day to Labor Day, all six are now on the New York State Historic Register and the National Register of Historic Places. Binghamton is also home to the Ross Park Zoo, the fifth oldest zoo in the nation. Nearby Vestal, located 10 miles southwest of Binghamton, is home to Kopernik Observatory, the largest public observatory in the northeast. Other Binghamton area attractions include:

• Rod Serling Museum: Honoring the "Twilight Zone" creator and former Binghamton resident.
• The Discovery Center of the Southern Tier: A hands on, interactive museum for children and families.
• Galumpha: A cutting-edge theatrical presentation filled with comedy, dance, food, and audience participation.
• Roberson Museum and Science Center
• Cutler Botanic Garden
• The Art Mission: A non-profit community art center.
• Hanford Mills Museum
• North East Classic Car Museum
• Downtown Binghamton Farmers' Market
• Binghamton Philharmonic
• Binghamton University Orchestra

The sports scene in Binghamton is dominated by two professional teams. The Binghamton Mets are a Minor League Baseball franchise playing in the Eastern League. They are the Class-AA affiliate of the New York Mets. Hockey's Binghamton Senators are a team in the American Hockey League (AHL) affiliated with the National Hockey League's Ottawa Senators.

High Points

Binghamton strengths, compared to Peers (similar size places nationally) or State (other places in New York):

Category	Trophy
Affordability of Rents (vs. Peers)	Top 6%
Short Commute Times (vs. Peers)	Top 12%
Walking and Biking to Work (vs. Peers)	Top 12%
Public Transportation Use (vs. Peers)	Top 13%
Affordability of Property Taxes (vs. State)	Top 18%

Comparative Profile of Binghamton, NY

Comparing Binghamton to similar size places nationwide (Peers) and to other places in New York (State):

Ratings range from (lowest) to (highest).

The People

Characteristic	Compared to Peers	Compared to State
Senior Citizens
Female Share of the Population
Age of the Population
Racial Diversity
Children Under 5 Years Old
Male Share of the Population
Well-Paid Single Men

Families

Characteristic	Compared to Peers	Compared to State
Average Household Size
Portion of People Married

Wealth

Characteristic	Compared to Peers	Compared to State
College Educated Adults
Median Family Income
People in Middle Class or Better
People Above Poverty

Commute & Sprawl

Characteristic	Compared to Peers	Compared to State
Short Commute Times
Walking and Biking to Work
Public Transportation Use
Working at Home

Housing

Characteristic	Compared to Peers	Compared to State
People Living Alone
Affordability of Rents
Studio & One-Bedroom Rentals
Seasonal and Vacation Housing
Affordability of Property Taxes
Housing Recently Built

Crime

Characteristic	Compared to Peers	Compared to State
Low Violent Crime
Low Property Crime

Binghamton Almanac

Binghamton Climate

Nearest Weather Stations

• Temp ranges are avg daily min and max for the month
• Precipitation is rainfall (and rainfall equiv of snowfall)

Binghamton Public Libraries

More Information for Librarians

Binghamton Population (2000)

(From 2000 Census, as reported by individuals)

Political Contributions (2004)

Money donated by Binghamton residents to parties and candidates for the 2004 elections.

by Political Party

by Presidential Candidate

Neighborhood and Nearby Area Names

According to the US Postal Service, Binghamton, its neighborhoods, and/or surrounding areas are also referred to as:

Note that not all alternate names are acceptable for use in US Post Office addresses.

Nearby Cities and Towns

Binghamton Hospitals

OUR LADY OF LOURDES MEMORIAL HOSPITAL, INC
(Voluntary non-profit - Church)
169 RIVERSIDE DRIVE
(607) 798-5111
Emergency Service: Yes

Binghamton High Schools (2004)

BINGHAMTON HS
31 MAIN ST
607-762-8239
Title I eligible, not participating.
Serves 1,752 students.

CHENANGO VALLEY HS
1160 CHENANGO ST
607-779-4743
Serves 638 students.

CHENANGO FORKS HS
ONE GORDON DR
607-648-7544
Serves 590 students.

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