Cato is a town in Cayuga County, New York, United States.

[1] The town is named after Cato the Elder, a Roman statesman.

The town was in the Central New York Military Tract, reserved for veterans of the American Revolution.

[4][5] Cato was subsequently reduced in size when new towns were formed: Sterling in 1812, and in 1821 Conquest, Ira, and Victory.

The southern town boundary is defined by the Seneca River/Erie Canal.

The southern terminus of New York State Route 176 is at NY-370, east of Meridian.

19.6% of all households were made up of individuals, and 9.9% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older.