Herkimer was first settled around 1722, in an area originally called "Stone Ridge", now the village of Herkimer. Early settlers were primarily German Palatines. Johan Jost Herchheimer, a farmer who also engaged in trade and transport on the Mohawk River, settled in the German Flatts District of Albany County in 1725, on the south side of the Mohawk River, within the present-day town of German Flatts, incorporated in 1788. He owned of the land, including a strategic portage around Little Falls on the Mohawk, where his eldest son Nicholas Herkimer established a farmstead. In 1788, the town of Herkimer, on the north side of the river, was incorporated and named after him. During the French and Indian War, the Mohawk Valley was ravaged by raids of the French and their native allies. By 1770, Nicholas had established great wealth through farming and trade during the wars, and had also gained military experience as a captain of a militia. He would later fight in the Battle of Oriskany. In 1906, the murder trial of Chester Gillette brought many spectators to the county courthouse in Herkimer village.
As of the census of 2000, there were 9,962 people, 4,114 households, and 2,386 families residing in the town. The population density was 315.6 people per square mile. There were 4,513 housing units at an average density of 143.0 per square mile. The racial makeup of the town was 96.83% White, 0.97% Black or African American, 0.18% Native American, 1.03% Asian, 0.01% Pacific Islander, 0.41% from other races, and 0.56% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.17% of the population. There were 4,114 households out of which 25.3% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 42.8% were married couplesliving together, 10.7% had a female householder with no husband present, and 42.0% were non-families. 32.0% of all households were made up of individuals and 16.5% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.29 and the average family size was 2.90. In the town, the population was spread out with 20.2% under the age of 18, 12.9% from 18 to 24, 23.0% from 25 to 44, 22.2% from 45 to 64, and 21.8% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 40 years. For every 100 females, there were 89.5 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 87.1 males. The median income for a household in the town was $28,763, and the median income for a family was $42,296. Males had a median income of $30,828 versus $20,845 for females. The per capita income for the town was $17,211. About 7.9% of families and 13.3% of the population were below the poverty line, including 8.9% of those under age 18 and 10.9% of those age 65 or over.
Communities and locations in the town of Herkimer
Beacon Light Corners - A location near the west town line.
East Herkimer - A hamlet east of Herkimer village on NY-5.
Eatonville - A hamlet near the northeast corner of the town.
Hasenclever Hill - An elevation located north of Herkimer.
Herkimer - The village of Herkimer is by the south town line, on NY-5 by the Mohawk River.
Kast Bridge - A hamlet north of Herkimer village on NY-28.
Mirror Lake - A small lake north of Herkimer village.
Oak Hill - An elevation located northwest of Herkimer. Located partially in the Town of Schuyler.
Osborne Hill - An elevation located northwest of Herkimer. Located partially in the Town of Schuyler.
Schrader Hill - An elevation located north of Herkimer. Partially in the Town of Newport.
Steuben Hill - An elevation located northwest of Herkimer.
