DeWitt, platted in 1854, was named after the sixth governor of the state of New York, DeWitt Clinton. A post office has been in operation at DeWitt since 1856. The city was incorporated in 1875.
Geography
DeWitt is located at . According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of, all land.
Demographics
As of the 2010 United States Census, there were 3,292 people living in the city. 74.5% were White, 21.4% African American, 0.3% Native American, 0.4% Asian, 2.1% from some other race and 1.4% from two or more races. 3.2% were Hispanic or Latino of any race. As of the census of 2000, there were 3,552 people, 1,419 households, and 977 families living in the city. The population density was 1,371.7 people per square mile. There were 1,552 housing units at an average density of 599.4 per square mile. The racial makeup of the city was 77.93% White, 20.92% Black or African American, 0.17% Native American, 0.23% Asian, 0.20% from other races, and 0.56% from two or more races. 0.53% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race. There were 1,419 households, out of which 32.2% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 47.2% were married couples living together, 18.3% had a female householder with no husband present, and 31.1% were non-families. 27.1% of all households were made up of individuals, and 14.4% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.35 and the average family size was 2.84. In the city, the population was spread out, with 24.5% under the age of 18, 8.3% from 18 to 24, 26.0% from 25 to 44, 22.1% from 45 to 64, and 19.0% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 39 years. For every 100 females, there were 87.1 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 79.1 males. The median income for a household in the city was $30,921, and the median income for a family was $42,917. Males had a median income of $30,536 versus $25,240 for females. The per capita income for the city was $18,993. About 10.6% of families and 18.2% of the population were below the poverty line, including 25.0% of those under age 18 and 14.4% of those age 65 or over.
Education
DeWitt is the center of the DeWitt School District and is home to DeWitt High School, DeWitt Middle School, DeWitt Elementary School, and Gillett Elementary School. Their mascot is the Dragons, and their school colors are blue and gold. DeWitt High School houses grades 9 through 12. DeWitt Middle School houses grades 6 through 8, and both DeWitt Elementary and Gillett Elementary provide kindergarten through 5th grade.
Notable people
Bobby Capps, keyboardist/vocalist for the southern rock band 38 Special, noted for vocals in concert on fan favorite "Second Chance", a song originally sung by Max Carl and first released on the album "Rock & Roll Strategy" in 1988
Frank Glasgow Tinker, combat flying ace with eight victories; first American fighter pilot to down a Nazi Messerschmitt Bf-109, during Spanish Civil War
