The town was established in 1785, but parts were later removed to form other county towns: Peru (1792), Beekmantown (1820), Saranac (1824), and Schuyler Falls (1848). The village of Plattsburgh was incorporated within the town in 1815, then made a city in 1902.
According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 68.2 square miles (176.7 km2), of which 45.9 square miles (118.9 km2) is land and 22.3 square miles (57.7 km2), or 32.68%, is water.
As of the census[3] of 2000, there were 11,190 people, 4,367 households, and 3,091 families residing in the town. The population density was 244.9 inhabitants per square mile (94.6/km2). There were 4,875 housing units at an average density of 106.7 per square mile (41.2/km2). The racial makeup of the town was 96.68% white, 1.07% black or African American, .38% Native American, .55% Asian, .01% Pacific Islander, .44% from other races, and .88% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.04% of the population.
There were 4,367 households, out of which 33.8% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 55.0% were married couples living together, 10.9% had a female householder with no husband present, and 29.2% were non-families. 21.9% of all households were made up of individuals, and 7.9% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.53 and the average family size was 2.94.
In the town, the population was spread out, with 25.6% under the age of 18, 7.6% from 18 to 24, 29.7% from 25 to 44, 25% from 45 to 64, and 12.2% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 37 years. For every 100 females, there were 98.4 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 94.1 males.
The median income for a household in the town was $41,713, and the median income for a family was $50,277. Males had a median income of $36,542 versus $25,565 for females. The per capita income for the town was $19,385. About 8.8% of families and 11.9% of the population were below the poverty line, including 14.2% of those under age 18 and 14.4% of those age 65 or over.
Communities and locations in the town
Cadyville – A hamlet in the southwestern part of the town, on NY-3 and the Saranac River.
Champlain Park – A hamlet on Cumberland Head in the northeastern part of the town.
Cliff Haven – A neighborhood on the shore of Lake Champlain south of the city of Plattsburgh.
Clinton County Airport (PLB) – A closed airport west of the city by NY-22B.
Colligan Point – A location on the eastern shore of Cumberland Head.
Crab Island – A small island and undeveloped state park in Lake Champlain, east of Cliff Haven.
Cumberland Bay – A bay of Lake Champlain formed by Cumberland Head on its east side. The city of Plattsburgh is sited on the west shore of the bay.