Yates is a town in Orleans County, New York, United States.

Yates was incorporated in 1822 from part of the Town of Ridgeway and was briefly called "Northton."

According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 37.5 square miles (97 km2), all land.

The northern part of the Town of Yates borders Lake Ontario.

22.2% of all households were made up of individuals, and 11.1% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older.