George Scriba bought the Town of Constantia's land from John and Nicholas Roosevelt in 1793. Mr. Scriba named the settlement, on Scriba Creek, Rotterdam. Throughout the 1790's and 1800's the settlement grew along with settlements in Cleveland and Bernhards Bay. On April 14, 1814 the Town of Constantia, consisting of 57.9 sq. miles, was formed from the Town of Mexico. At that time, George Scriba changed the name from Rotterdam to Constantia. In 1836 two villages were incorporated in the town, Constantia and Cleveland. Constantia gave up its incorporation in 1929 while Cleveland's continues to this date.

New York State Route 49 is the major highway through the town. It runs parallel to the north shore of Oneida Lake. The southern boundary of the town is the south shore of Oneida Lake. The northern boundary runs through the southern edge of the Tug Hill Plateau. The New York State Barge Canal runs through the town on Oneida Lake. The population, according to the 2000 Census, is 5,141; 2,652 male (51.6%) and 48.4% female (2,489). The town is primarily residential in nature, with some light industry in Bernhards Bay and Cleveland .The surface is nearly level, and is slightly inclined toward the south. The principal streams are Scriba and Black Creeks, flowing into Oneida Lake. Iron ore is found in the Clinton group of rocks, which extend through the south part. The soil consists of clay, gravel, sand, and vegetable mold, and in general is fertile. Most of the interior is unsettled. Frenchmans Island, in Oneida Lake, about 4 miles from Constantia, belongs to this town; it contains about 28 acres.5 Lumber, leather, glass, and iron are extensively manufactured