Cato

History

The town was in the Central New York Military Tract, reserved for veterans of the American Revolution. Settlers trickled in during the early 19th century. After the War of 1812, the population increased more quickly. The town was formed in 1802 from part of the town of Aurelius. Cato was subsequently reduced in size when new towns were formed: Sterling in 1812, and in 1821 Conquest, Ira, and Victory. Part of the town of Ira was returned to Cato in 1824.

Geography

According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of , of which is land and , or 7.03%, is water. The town of Cato is on the eastern side of Cayuga County, so that the eastern town line is the border of Onondaga County. The southern town boundary is defined by the Seneca River/Erie Canal. Cato village is located along the northern border of the town; half of it extends into the town of Ira to the north. The village of Meridian is to the east of Cato village and is entirely within the town of Cato. New York State Route 34, a north–south highway, intersects New York State Route 370, an east–west highway, in Cato village. The southern terminus of New York State Route 176 is at NY-370, east of Meridian.

Race & ethnicity

Most-observed species

• Canada Goose (canadensis Group)

  Branta canadensis (Linnaeus, 1758) · Aves
  8,915
• Song Sparrow

  Melospiza melodia (A.Wilson, 1810) · Aves
  8,532
• Red-winged Blackbird

  Agelaius phoeniceus (Linnaeus, 1766) · Aves
  8,427
• American Robin

  Turdus migratorius Linnaeus, 1766 · Aves
  8,423
• Northern Cardinal

  Cardinalis cardinalis (Linnaeus, 1758) · Aves
  8,062
• American Crow

  Corvus brachyrhynchos C.L.Brehm, 1822 · Aves
  7,544
• American Goldfinch

  Spinus tristis (Linnaeus, 1758) · Aves
  7,437
• Black-capped Chickadee

  Poecile atricapillus (Linnaeus, 1766) · Aves
  6,312

Most recent

• M 2.8 — 2026-03-21
  28 km WSW of Henderson, New York
• M 3.3 — 2024-06-29
  14 km W of Ellisburg, New York
• M 3.6 — 2023-04-23
  New York
• M 2.6 — 2023-04-14
  1 km W of Adams Center, New York
• M 2.59 — 2007-04-11
  6 km NNE of Sodus Point, New York
• M 2.59 — 2005-10-31
  7 km NNW of Ontario, New York