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Schuyler County, New York

Coordinates: 42°23′N 76°53′W / 42.39°N 76.88°W / 42.39; -76.88
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Not to be confused with Schuyler, New York.

Schuyler County
County
Schuyler County Courthouse
Schuyler County Courthouse
Flag of Schuyler County
Flag
Official seal of Schuyler County
Seal
Map of New York highlighting Schuyler County
Location within the U.S. state of New York
Map of the United States highlighting New York
New York's location within the U.S.
Coordinates: 42°23′N 76°53′W / 42.39°N 76.88°W / 42.39; -76.88
Country United States
State New York
Founded1854
Named forPhilip Schuyler
SeatWatkins Glen
Largest communityWatkins Glen
Area
 • Total342 sq mi (890 km2)
 • Land328 sq mi (850 km2)
 • Water14 sq mi (40 km2)  4.1%
Population
 (2020)
 • Total17,898 [1]
 • Density54.5/sq mi (21.0/km2)
Time zoneUTC−5 (Eastern)
 • Summer (DST)UTC−4 (EDT)
Congressional district23rd
Websitewww.schuylercounty.us

Schuyler County is a county in the U.S. state of New York. As of the 2020 census, the population was 17,898,[2] making it the second-least populous county in New York. The county seat is the village of Watkins Glen.[3] The name is in honor of General Philip Schuyler, one of the four major generals in the Continental Army in the American Revolutionary War. The county is part of the Southern Tier region of the state.

History

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When counties were established in New York State in 1683, the present Schuyler County was part of Albany County. This was an enormous county, including the northern part of New York State as well as all of the present State of Vermont and, in theory, extending westward to the Pacific Ocean. This county was reduced in size on July 3, 1766, by the creation of Cumberland County, and further on March 16, 1770, by the creation of Gloucester County, both containing territory now in Vermont.

On March 12, 1772, what was left of Albany County was split into three parts, one remaining under the name Albany County. One of the other pieces, Tryon County, contained the western portion (and thus, since no western boundary was specified, theoretically still extended west to the Pacific). Tryon County's eastern boundary was approximately five miles west of the present city of Schenectady, and the county included the western part of the Adirondack Mountains and the area west of the West Branch of the Delaware River. The area then designated as Tryon County now includes 37 counties of New York State. The county was named for William Tryon, colonial governor of New York.

In the years prior to 1776, most of the Loyalists in Tryon County fled to Canada. In 1784, following the peace treaty that ended the American Revolutionary War, Tryon County's name was changed to Montgomery County in honor of the general, Richard Montgomery, who had captured several places in Canada and died attempting to capture the city of Quebec, replacing the name of the hated British governor.

In 1789, Ontario County was split off from Montgomery. The actual area split off from Montgomery County was much larger than the present county, also including the present Allegany, Cattaraugus, Chautauqua, Erie, Genesee, Livingston, Monroe, Niagara, Orleans, Steuben, Wyoming, Yates, and part of Schuyler and Wayne counties.

Herkimer and Tioga counties were two of three counties split off from Montgomery County (the other being Otsego County) in 1791.

In 1794, Onondaga County was formed by the splitting of Herkimer County. This county was larger than the present Onondaga County, however, including the present Cayuga, Seneca, and Tompkins counties.

On March 8, 1796, Steuben County was created, split off from Ontario County. It was larger than the present county, however.

In 1798, Chemung County was formed from Tioga County, but the county at that time was rather larger than the present county, containing a portion of what would later become Schuyler County.

In 1799, Cayuga County was formed by the splitting of Onondaga County. This county was, however, much larger than the present Cayuga County. It then included the present Seneca and Tompkins counties, as well as part of what would become Schuyler County.

In 1804, Seneca County was formed by the splitting of Cayuga County. Then in 1817, in turn, a portion of Seneca County was combined with a piece of the remainder of Cayuga County to form Tompkins County.

In 1823, Steuben County was reduced in size by the combination of a portion of the county with a portion of Ontario County to form Yates County.

On April 17, 1854, portions of Steuben, Chemung and Tompkins counties were combined to form Schuyler County.

Geography

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According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 342 square miles (890 km2), of which 328 square miles (850 km2) is land and 14 square miles (36 km2) (4.1%) is water.[4]

Schuyler County is in the western part of New York State, west of Ithaca at the southern end of Seneca Lake.

The Finger Lakes National Forest is in the north part of the county.

Adjacent counties

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National protected area

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Demographics

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Historical population
CensusPop.Note%±
186018,840—
187018,9890.8%
188018,842−0.8%
189016,711−11.3%
190015,811−5.4%
191014,004−11.4%
192013,098−6.5%
193012,909−1.4%
194012,9790.5%
195014,1829.3%
196015,0446.1%
197016,73711.3%
198017,6865.7%
199018,6625.5%
200019,2243.0%
201018,343−4.6%
202017,898−2.4%
U.S. Decennial Census[5]
1790-1960[6] 1900-1990[7]
1990-2000[8] 2010-2020[2]

As of the census[9] of 2000, there were 19,224 people, 7,374 households, and 5,191 families residing in the county. The population density was 58 people per square mile (22 people/km2). There were 9,181 housing units at an average density of 28 units per square mile (11/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 96.48% White, 1.45% African American, 0.40% Native American, 0.29% Asian, 0.03% Pacific Islander, 0.36% from other races, and 0.99% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.22% of the population. 17.3% were of German, 15.5% English, 13.9% Irish, 11.8% American and 11.4% Italian ancestry according to Census 2000. 97.1% spoke English and 1.1% Spanish as their first language.

There were 7,374 households, out of which 32.30% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 55.70% were married couples living together, 9.70% had a female householder with no husband present, and 29.60% were non-families. 23.60% of all households were made up of individuals, and 10.70% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.52 and the average family size was 2.96.

In the county, the population was spread out, with 25.30% under the age of 18, 7.90% from 18 to 24, 26.60% from 25 to 44, 25.40% from 45 to 64, and 14.60% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 39 years. For every 100 females there were 100.50 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 96.60 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $36,010, and the median income for a family was $41,441. Males had a median income of $31,549 versus $21,928 for females. The per capita income for the county was $17,039. About 8.80% of families and 11.80% of the population were below the poverty line, including 17.10% of those under age 18 and 6.20% of those age 65 or over.

2020 Census

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Schuyler County Racial Composition[10]
Race Num. Perc.
White (NH) 16,618 93%
Black or African American (NH) 91 0.51%
Native American (NH) 38 0.21%
Asian (NH) 108 0.6%
Pacific Islander (NH) 1 0.01%
Other/Mixed (NH) 713 4%
Hispanic or Latino 329 1.83%

Transportation

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Schuyler County has eight private airstrips[11] and its nearest major airport is Elmira Corning Regional Airport. Schuyler County Transit provides bus service.[12] The county's Highway Department is headquartered in Watkins Glen and is charged with maintaining roads, including:[13]

  • Overseeing road construction and repair
  • Issuing hauling and road construction permits
  • Removing snow and ice

Each town and village within Schuyler County maintains its own highway department.

Major roadways

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The former Chemung Canal was partially located in Schuyler County. The former New York State Route 419 and New York State Route 962C were located in Schuyler County.

Communities

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Larger Settlements

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All larger settlements are villages

# Location Population
1 †Watkins Glen 1,859
2 Montour Falls 1,711
3 Odessa 591
4 Burdett 357

† - County Seat

Towns

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Villages

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Hamlets

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Politics

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United States presidential election results for Schuyler County, New York[14]
Year Republican Democratic Third party(ies)
No.  % No.  % No.  %
2020 5,621 57.56% 3,903 39.97% 242 2.48%
2016 5,050 57.57% 3,091 35.24% 631 7.19%
2012 4,281 52.55% 3,674 45.10% 191 2.34%
2008 4,542 52.81% 3,933 45.73% 125 1.45%
2004 4,960 57.74% 3,445 40.10% 185 2.15%
2000 4,381 53.73% 3,301 40.49% 471 5.78%
1996 3,134 41.05% 3,303 43.26% 1,198 15.69%
1992 3,226 39.35% 2,859 34.87% 2,114 25.78%
1988 4,291 59.25% 2,900 40.04% 51 0.70%
1984 5,207 67.98% 2,422 31.62% 31 0.40%
1980 3,838 55.17% 2,514 36.14% 605 8.70%
1976 4,267 59.35% 2,885 40.13% 37 0.51%
1972 4,945 71.76% 1,937 28.11% 9 0.13%
1968 4,105 61.31% 2,034 30.38% 557 8.32%
1964 2,925 40.31% 4,326 59.62% 5 0.07%
1960 5,201 69.10% 2,315 30.76% 11 0.15%
1956 5,795 78.23% 1,613 21.77% 0 0.00%
1952 5,604 75.68% 1,784 24.09% 17 0.23%
1948 4,452 69.23% 1,868 29.05% 111 1.73%
1944 4,506 71.76% 1,767 28.14% 6 0.10%
1940 4,936 68.83% 2,211 30.83% 24 0.33%
1936 4,819 64.64% 2,551 34.22% 85 1.14%
1932 4,491 65.27% 2,255 32.77% 135 1.96%
1928 4,749 72.10% 1,731 26.28% 107 1.62%
1924 4,301 70.81% 1,555 25.60% 218 3.59%
1920 3,827 71.29% 1,231 22.93% 310 5.77%
1916 1,956 52.38% 1,629 43.63% 149 3.99%
1912 1,649 43.26% 1,416 37.15% 747 19.60%
1908 2,417 56.60% 1,695 39.70% 158 3.70%
1904 2,570 58.78% 1,621 37.08% 181 4.14%
1900 2,598 55.45% 1,889 40.32% 198 4.23%
1896 2,692 59.89% 1,619 36.02% 184 4.09%
1892 2,410 55.39% 1,486 34.15% 455 10.46%
1888 2,704 55.16% 1,975 40.29% 223 4.55%
1884 2,616 53.17% 2,039 41.44% 265 5.39%
1880 2,790 53.35% 2,293 43.84% 147 2.81%
1876 2,860 54.34% 2,255 42.85% 148 2.81%
1872 2,478 54.96% 1,996 44.27% 35 0.78%
1868 2,771 57.60% 2,040 42.40% 0 0.00%
1864 2,576 57.64% 1,893 42.36% 0 0.00%
1860 2,551 59.90% 1,708 40.10% 0 0.00%
1856 2,542 63.81% 981 24.62% 461 11.57%

Schuyler County is strongly Republican, having backed the Republican presidential candidate in all but two elections since the Civil War, with 1912 and 1964 being the sole exceptions.

Gubernatorial elections results
Gubernatorial elections results[15]
Year Republican Democratic Third parties
2018 54.52% 4,024 32.71% 2,414 12.77% 942
2014 61.19% 3,660 31.6% 1,890 7.21% 431
2010 47.52% 2,829 49.08% 2,922 3.4% 202
2006 42.28% 2,514 55.79% 3,317 1.93% 115
2002 60.93% 3,535 17.98% 1,043 21.1% 1,224

See also

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References

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  1. ^ "US Census 2020 Population Dataset Tables for New York". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 2, 2022.
  2. ^ a b "U.S. Census Bureau QuickFacts: Schuyler County, New York". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on June 7, 2011. Retrieved January 2, 2022.
  3. ^ "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Retrieved June 7, 2011.
  4. ^ "2010 Census Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. August 22, 2012. Archived from the original on May 19, 2014. Retrieved January 7, 2015.
  5. ^ "U.S. Decennial Census". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 7, 2015.
  6. ^ "Historical Census Browser". University of Virginia Library. Retrieved January 7, 2015.
  7. ^ "Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 7, 2015.
  8. ^ "Census 2000 PHC-T-4. Ranking Tables for Counties: 1990 and 2000" (PDF). United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 7, 2015.
  9. ^ "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 31, 2008.
  10. ^ "P2 HISPANIC OR LATINO, AND NOT HISPANIC OR LATINO BY RACE – 2020: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171) – Schuyler County, New York".
  11. ^ "Schuyler County Public and Private Airports, New York". tollfreeairline.com. Retrieved June 1, 2024.
  12. ^ "Home". Schuyler County Transit. Retrieved June 1, 2024.
  13. ^ "HIGHWAY". Schuyler County Government. Retrieved June 1, 2024.
  14. ^ Leip, David. "Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections". uselectionatlas.org. Retrieved April 2, 2018.
  15. ^ Leip, David. "Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections - State Data". uselectionatlas.org.

Further reading

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42°23′N 76°53′W / 42.39°N 76.88°W / 42.39; -76.88

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