The region was first settled around 1800. Early pioneers chose the southeast part of the town. The town was formed in 1848 from the town of Moriah. Early industry was based on tanning, owing to the presence of hemlock bark from the forests. Later, the trees were harvested for wood pulp. By the end of the 19th century, the tourist trade began to predominate, especially at Underwood and Elk Lake. The theme park Frontier Town, a Wild West themed family tourist attraction, operated here from 1952 to 1998. The closure of Frontier Town had a severe negative impact on the town's economy. In 2018, Frontier Town reopened as Adirondack campground and day-use area.
Geography
According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of, of which is land and, or 1.74%, is water. Two branches of the Schroon River, a south-flowing tributary of the Hudson River, arise in North Hudson. The Adirondack Northway and U.S. 9 traverse the town as north-south highways. I-87 Exits 29 and 30 are within the town.
Demographics
As of the census of 2000, there were 266 people, 114 households, and 76 families residing in the town. The population density was 1.5 people per square mile. There were 279 housing units, at an average density of 1.5 per square mile. The racial makeup of the town was 94.74% White, 1.13% Native American, 0.38% Asian, and 3.76% from two or more races. There were 114 households, of which 27.2% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 55.3% were married couplesliving together, 6.1% had a female householder with no husband present, and 32.5% were nonfamilies. 28.1% of all households were made up of individuals and 11.4% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.33 and the average family size was 2.88. In the town, the population was spread out, with 24.4% under the age of 18, 7.1% from 18 to 24, 22.6% from 25 to 44, 28.6% from 45 to 64, and 17.3% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 41 years. For every 100 females, there were 101.5 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 95.1 males. The median income for a household in the town was $28,977, and the median family income was $40,833. Males had a median income of $36,250 versus $20,833 for females. The per capita income for the town was $16,075. About 9.7% of families and 10.1% of the population were below the poverty line, including 6.0% of those under the age of eighteen and 10.5% of those 65 or over.
Communities and locations in North Hudson
Blue Ridge — A location west of North Hudson hamlet, on County Road 84.
