Chili ( ) is a town in Monroe County, New York, United States. The population was 29,123 at the 2020 census. It is a suburb of the city of Rochester, established in 1822 from part of the town of Riga. North Chili was a stop on the Underground Railroad. Black Creek Park is one of many parks in Chili where visitors can make use of nature trails that run along the creek.

History

The Chili area was once the hunting ground of the Seneca people. The first white settler was Captain Joseph Morgan, who purchased land from Peter Sheffer of neighboring Wheatland.

The area of Chili became part of the newly formed town of Northampton. With the formation of Monroe County the area became part of the town of Riga before splitting off into its own Town of Chili on February 22, 1822.

Chili's etymology is disputed. Two popular theories are that it was named after the country of Chile, which was striving for independence at the time, or after the Chiliast faith embraced by some of the early settlers of South Chili.

The Chili Mills Conservation Area was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1975.

Geography Chili is in southwestern Monroe County and is bordered at its northeastern corner by the city of Rochester. The town is bordered to the north by the towns of Gates and Ogden, to the west by the town of Riga, to the east by the town of Henrietta, and to the south by the town of Wheatland. Downtown Rochester is northeast of the hamlet of Chili Center.

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the town of Chili has a total area of , of which are land and , or 0.89%, are water. Both Interstate 490 and the New York State Thruway (Interstate 90) pass through Chili.

Demographics

As of the census of 2000, there were 27,638 people, 10,159 households, and 7,558 families residing in the town. The population density was . There were 10,466 housing units at an average density of . The racial makeup of the town was 91.14% White, 5.71% African American, 0.24% Native American, 1.12% Asian, 0.02% Pacific Islander, 0.52% from other races, and 1.25% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.65% of the population.

There were 10,159 households, out of which 34.7% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 61.7% were married couples living together, 9.1% had a female householder with no husband present, and 25.6% were non-families. 20.2% of all households were made up of individuals, and 7.5% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.67 and the average family size was 3.09.

In the town, the population was spread out, with 25.6% under the age of 18, 8.6% from 18 to 24, 29.4% from 25 to 44, 24.2% from 45 to 64, and 12.1% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 37 years. For every 100 females, there were 94.9 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 91.4 males.

The median income for a household in the town was $55,097, and the median income for a family was $61,481. Males had a median income of $45,156 versus $29,903 for females. The per capita income for the town was $23,887. About 2.0% of families and 3.6% of the population were below the poverty line, including 3.7% of those under age 18 and 2.5% of those age 65 or over.

Education Chili is served by the Churchville-Chili Central School District, Gates Chili Central School District, and Wheatland–Chili Central School District.

Government

The town is governed by a town board consisting of a supervisor and four board members, all elected by registered town voters.

The local government includes town supervisor David Dunning (R) and town councillors Mark Decory (R); James Valerio (R); Michael S. Slattery (R); and Mary C. Sperr (R). The appointed deputy town supervisor is Michael S. Slattery.

+ Supervisors Name Tenure Name Tenure Joseph Sibley 1822–1823 Thomas B. Steckel 1952–1959 Joshua Howell 1824–1825 George K. Lusk 1960–1965 Alfred Scofield 1826–1828 Samuel S. Kent 1966–1971 Isaac Lacey 18291840 James J. Powers 1972–1985 Benjamin Bowen 1830 Lorraine Anderson 1986–1987 William Pixley 1831–18321836-18371852-1853 John Hannah 1988–1989 George Brown 1833-1834 Donald Ramsey 1990–1991 Moses Sperry 18351838-183918441854 Jerome P. Brixner 1992–1993 John T. Lacey 184118431845-1846 William C. Kelly 1994–1999 Isaac Burritt 1842 Stephen W. Hendershott 2000–2003 William P. Hill 1847-18481861-186418671878 (part year)1880-1881 Tracy L. Logel 2004–2007 Franklin Cate 1849-1851 David J. Dunning 2008–present David Starkey 1855–1858 Edward J. Reed 1859–1860 A. S. Litle 1865 Albert H. King 18661871 William Voke 1868–1870 Frederick Fellows 1872–1877 William Fellows 1878 (part year) Edwin A. Loder 1879 Benjamin Fellows 1882–1884 Byron D. Beal 1885–1886 Lewis B. Carpenter 1887-18901896-1898 Myron Sperry 1891 John B. Johnston 1892–1895 Arthur A. Sickles 1899–1901 Cornelius A. Nichols 1902–1907 Charles G. Voke 1908–1915 Warren R. Henderson 1916–1929 W. H. Wickins 1930–1935 Gage M. Miller 1936–1949 Oakley Decker 1950–1951

Communities and locations Chili Center – The centre of town government and the most urbanized portion of the town. Genesee River – Part of the east border of the town. North Chili – A hamlet in the northwest part of the town and home to Roberts Wesleyan College. South Chili – A rural area in Chili running along the New York State Thruway. The first business was located here called the Checker Tavern West Chili – A small community located just north of Black Creek Park. Originally called Buckbee's Corners. East Chili - A small community in the eastern part of the town. This does not exist in present day. Clifton- A small rural hamlet in the southern part of the town. Originally called Hardscrabble, it produced a world award-winning type of flour.

Places of local interest Roberts Wesleyan University is a private, Christian, liberal arts university in North Chili. The school enrolls approximately 2,000 students. The school hosts various community events on its facilities, including soccer games, swimming lessons, dance recitals, fireworks, concerts, drama productions and many other events.

Notable people Homer G. Balcom, structural engineer of the Empire State Building; born in Chili in 1870 Brittanee Drexel, murder victim who disappeared in 2009; lived in Chili with her mother and step-father

Sister cities Agropoli - Italy

References

External links official site