Hamden, NY

Hamden is a city located in southwestern New York in the United States. The population was 106,811 at the 2010 census. Hamden is part of the Greater New Haven metropolitan area and is home to Yale University.

The city was founded in 1784 by Nicholas Bayard and named for his father-in-law, General James Clinton, who had been Governor of New York. The city's growth was stimulated by its location on the Connecticut River at a point where goods could be transported easily to other parts of New England and beyond. Manufacturing became an important part of Hamden's economy in the late 19th century, with companies such as Eastman Kodak and American Tobacco establishing plants here. However, the decline of manufacturing led to economic difficulties for Hamden beginning in the 1970s; this has since been reversed through revitalization efforts spearheaded by local leaders such as Mayor John DeStefano III.

Today, Hamden is a thriving community with a diversified economy that includes health care, education, information technology, and biotechnology businesses. The city has invested heavily in infrastructure over the past few years, including new parks and public squares, expanded transportation options (including light rail), and new housing developments. The downtown area has seen significant redevelopment thanks to investments from private developers and municipal authorities; today it features high-end restaurants and retail stores as well as lively nightlife scenes.