Van Buren, New York, in Onondaga County, sits approximately six miles northwest of the City of Syracuse in Central New York. Van Buren is named after President Martin Van Buren, who was governor of New York in 1829 when Van Buren was established. The Town of Van Buren was, and is, an agricultural community, with over half the land classified as agricultural.

The 12,667 residents of Van Buren, New York (U.S. Census Bureau year 2000 data) are likely to be most familiar with Town Court, located at 7575 Van Buren Road in Baldwinsville, NY. Baldwinsville is a village within Van Buren. The Town Court handles most general civil claims for less than $3,000 and misdemeanors and traffic offenses.

The Onondaga County Courthouse is located at 401 Montgomery St. in Syracuse, NY. The County Court has jurisdiction over all criminal and some civil cases in the county, but typically only handles cases from Van Buren that are beyond the jurisdiction of the Town Court, such as personal injury claims up to $25,000.

In Van Buren, personal injury cases are heard in civil court, at the Town Court or County Court level. Civil cases typically heard by the Supreme Court, also in Syracuse, include general civil claims for more than $25,000. Cases heard by the Onondaga County Commercial Division of the Supreme Court include commercial class actions and certain malpractice cases. NY Court Help can help determine which courts handle specific civil legal problems.

Van Buren is well served by several highway systems, and most of the town's major employers, such as FedEx, and J.B. Hunt, are located in close proximity to the New York State Thruway, aka Interstate 90, which crosses the south part of the town. Interstate 690 is a major highway intersecting the Thruway in the eastern part of Van Buren. Hancock International Airport is easily accessible from Van Buren as well.

Several nearby hospitals in Syracuse serve the residents of Van Buren, NY. They include St. Joseph's Hospital Health Center, the Upstate Medical University Hospital, and for veterans living in Van Buren, the Syracuse VA Medical Center. Residents of Van Buren, NY have access to Syracuse University, Le Moyne College, Onondaga Community College, State University of New York College of Environmental Science and Forestry, and the Crouse Hospital School of Nursing for higher education. All are located in Onondaga County, NY.

The northern boundary of Van Buren, New York is the Seneca River. Because the river is now part of the Erie Canal system, a certain depth is maintained, making the river suitable for paddling and motorboats. In Van Buren, a popular restaurant, Jack's Reef Port of Call, allows boaters to use its property free of charge, and boaters have direct access to the river. Locals enjoy swimming and sunbathing there as well. The river then winds to the east. A small island, Maloney Island, is visible before the Village of Baldwinsville.

Van Buren Central Park is located immediately south of the Village of Baldwinsville. The park is home to an outdoor swimming pool and year-round programs and activities. Van Buren Pond enjoys an excellent fishing season.