Forestport was created from the Town of Remsen in 1869. At the end of the 19th century, many of the town's population were found to be involved in a conspiracy to divert funds set aside for canal repair for the Black River Canal. Sections of the Black River Canal were pick axed so as to profit from repair work, infamously known as the "Forestport Breaks". The town population in 1920 was 862.
At the 2000 census, there were 1,692 people, 736 households and 479 families residing in the town. The population density was 21.9 per square mile. There were 2,027 housing units at an average density of 26.3 per square mile. The racial makeup of the town was 98.52% White, 0.35% African American, 0.30% Native American, 0.18% Asian, 0.06% from other races, and 0.59% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.06% of the population. There were 736 households of which 25.7% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 53.9% were married couplesliving together, 7.3% had a female householder with no husband present, and 34.8% were non-families. 30.7% of all households were made up of individuals and 12.9% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.30 and the average family size was 2.84. 22.5% of the population were under the age of 18, 4.6% from 18 to 24, 25.2% from 25 to 44, 30.2% from 45 to 64, and 17.6% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 43 years. For every 100 females, there were 103.4 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 103.7 males. The median household income was $34,455 and the median family income was $39,352. Males had a median income of $30,119 compared with $25,060 for females. The per capita income for the town was $18,494. About 7.1% of families and 8.9% of the population were below the poverty line, including 11.4% of those under age 18 and 9.8% of those age 65 or over.
Communities and locations in Forestport
Anos Siding - a location in the northeast part of the town.
Forestport - the hamlet of Forestport is located on the banks of the Black River off NY 28 in the southwest part of the town.
Forestport Reservoir - A reservoir located by the hamlet of Forestport.
Forestport Station - a hamlet east of Forestport.
Holiday House - a location on NY 28 north of Woodgate.
Long Lake - a lake in the northeast part of the town north of Woodgate.
Meyers Hill - An elevation located northeast of Woodhull.
Nichols Mills - a location in the northeast part of the town.
Otter Lake - a hamlet located on NY 28 in the northeast corner of the town.
Otter Lake - a lake located in the northeast corner of the town by the hamlet of Otter Lake.
Round Lake - A lake located southeast of Long Lake.
White Lake - a lake south of Long Lake and adjacent to Route 28.
Woodgate - located 7 miles north of the hamlet of Forestport on SR 28.
