The location was formerly called Payne's Corners. The Town of Hamilton was established in 1795, before the county was formed, from the Town of Paris in Oneida County, New York. The original town was reduced to create new towns in the county.
At the 2000 census there were 5,733 people, 1,546 households, and 935 families in the town. The population density was 138.6 people per square mile. There were 1,725 housing units at an average density of 41.7 per square mile. The racial makeup of the town was 93.65% White, 1.99% Black or African American, 0.07% Native American, 2.46% Asian, 0.03% Pacific Islander, 0.45% from other races, and 1.34% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.83%. Of the 1,546 households 28.7% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 49.1% were married couples living together, 8.2% had a female householder with no husband present, and 39.5% were non-families. 29.6% of households were one person and 12.4% were one person aged 65 or older. The average household size was 2.39 and the average family size was 2.96. The age distribution was 15.7% under the age of 18, 40.8% from 18 to 24, 16.8% from 25 to 44, 15.8% from 45 to 64, and 11.0% 65 or older. The median age was 22 years. For every 100 females, there were 88.9 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 86.5 males. The median household income was $38,917 and the median family income was $50,565. Males had a median income of $31,500 versus $26,643 for females. The per capita income for the town was $15,564. About 5.1% of families and 14.4% of the population were below the poverty line, including 10.4% of those under age 18 and 5.7% of those age 65 or over.
Communities and locations in Hamilton
Beekman Corners - A location between Hamilton village and East Hamilton.
Brooks Corners - A hamlet in the south part of the town on Route 12.
Darts Corner - A location between Hamilton village and East Hamilton.
Earlville - Part of the Village of Earlville is located on the south town line.
East Hamilton - A hamlet on Route 12, east of Hamilton village.
Excell Corners - A location northeast of South Hamilton.
Hamilton - The Village of Hamilton is in the northwest part of the town.
Hamilton Center - A hamlet southeast of Hamilton village.
Hubbardsville - A hamlet north of East Hamilton village.
Loomis Corners - A location northwest of South Hamilton.
Poolville - A hamlet north of Brooks corners.
Shores Corners - A location between Hamilton village and East Hamilton.
South Hamilton - A hamlet in the southeast part of the town.
Notable people
John Vincent Atanasoff, inventor of the digital computer
