Schenectady County, New York

Schenectady County (/skəˈnɛktədi/) is a county located in the U.S. state of New York. As of the 2010 census, the population was 154,727.[2] The county seat is Schenectady.[3] The name is from a Mohawk language word meaning "on the other side of the pine lands," a term that originally applied to Albany.

Schenectady County
County
Flag
Seal
Location within the U.S. state of New York
New York's location within the U.S.
Coordinates: 42°49′N 74°04′W
Country United States
State New York
Founded1809
SeatSchenectady
Largest citySchenectady
Area
 • Total209 sq mi (540 km2)
 • Land205 sq mi (530 km2)
 • Water4.9 sq mi (13 km2)  2.3%
Population
 • Estimate 
(2019)
155,299[1]
 • Density759/sq mi (293/km2)
Time zoneUTC−5 (Eastern)
 • Summer (DST)UTC−4 (EDT)
Congressional district20th
Websitewww.schenectadycounty.com

Schenectady County is part of the Albany-Schenectady-Troy, NY Metropolitan Statistical Area, and is located west of the confluence of the Mohawk with the Hudson River. It includes territory on both the north and the south sides of the Mohawk River.

History

This area of the river valley was historically occupied by the Mohawk people, the easternmost of the Five Nations comprising the Iroquois Confederacy or Haudenosaunee. They cultivated maize fields in the flats along the Mohawk River and had villages in the hills.

European settlement started in the present-day county by Dutch colonists in the 17th century; the village of Schenectady was founded in 1661. The fur traders in Albany kept a monopoly and prohibited settlers in Schenectady from the trade; those residents mostly became farmers. Other areas of the county were also developed for farming. The English enforced the Albany monopoly on the fur trade when they took over the New Netherland colony in 1664.

The English organized counties in the Province of New York in 1683; the area of the present-day Schenectady County was included in Albany County. Albany County contained an enormous area, 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 within the state of Vermont.

On March 12, 1772, Albany County was divided to form two other counties. The area of Schenectady County was still within the reduced Albany.

From 1772 to 1786 Albany County included, besides the present territory of Albany County, all of the present Columbia, Rensselaer, Saratoga, and Schenectady counties, parts of the present Greene and Washington counties, and a piece of what is now southwestern Vermont.

In 1786 Albany County was reduced in size when Columbia County was organized; and again in 1791 by the splitting off of Rensselaer and Saratoga counties and the transfer of the Town of Cambridge to Washington County. It was further reduced in size in 1795 by the splitting off of a part that was combined with a portion of Otsego County to create Schoharie County. It was further reduced in size in 1800 by the splitting off of a part that was combined with a portion of Ulster County to create Greene County.

In 1809, Schenectady County was split from Albany County and has kept its current borders. The city of Schenectady was designated as the county seat and is the only city in the county. Major European immigration began in the mid-19th century, with the arrival of Irish refugees from the Great Famine. More immigrants were attracted to the city for its industrial jobs, including those from Italy and Poland. In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, the city became an industrial powerhouse and center of innovation, the headquarters of General Electric and other national corporations.

The city of Schenectady reached its peak of population in 1930 but the county reached its peak in 1970, according to US Census data (see table below for county data.) These differences reflect different settlement patterns and the development of suburban housing outside the city limits. The city of Schenectady lost many jobs and population in the late 20th century due to industrial and railroad restructuring; some people stayed in the county working at alternative positions, including commuting to the capital of Albany.

Geography

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 209 square miles (540 km2), of which 205 square miles (530 km2) is land and 4.9 square miles (13 km2) (2.3%) is water.[4]

Schenectady County is located in east central New York State, northwest of Albany, an area usually considered "Upstate".

Adjacent counties

Demographics
Historical population
CensusPop.%±
181010,201—
182013,08128.2%
183012,347−5.6%
184017,38740.8%
185020,05415.3%
186020,002−0.3%
187021,3476.7%
188023,53810.3%
189029,79726.6%
190046,85257.2%
191088,23588.3%
1920109,36323.9%
1930125,02114.3%
1940122,494−2.0%
1950142,49716.3%
1960152,8967.3%
1970160,9795.3%
1980149,946−6.9%
1990149,285−0.4%
2000146,555−1.8%
2010154,7275.6%
2019 (est.)155,299[5]0.4%
U.S. Decennial Census[6]
1790-1960[7] 1900-1990[8]
1990-2000[9] 2010-2019[2]

As of the census[10] of 2010, there were 154,727 people, 60,684 households, and 39,918 families residing in the county. The population density was 275/km2 (711/sq mi). There were 68,032 housing units at an average density of 122/km2 (316/sq mi). The racial makeup of the county was 79.77% White, 9.79% Black or African American, 0.23% Native American, 3.97% Asian, 0.03% Pacific Islander, 1.21% from other races, and 2.00% from two or more races. 6.17% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race. 24.3% were of Italian, 14.7% Irish, 8.7% German, 6.4% Polish, 4.0 Puerto Rican, 3.9% English ancestry according to Census 2010.[11] 87.6% spoke English, 4.7% Spanish and 1.1% Italian as their first language.

There were 60,684 households, out of which 30.00% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 45.50% were married couples living together, 14.30% had a female householder with no husband present, and 36.30% were non-families. 30.60% of all households were made up of individuals, and 12.60% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.58 and the average family size was 3.17.

In the county, the population was spread out, with 24.30% under the age of 18, 7.90% from 18 to 24, 28.10% from 25 to 44, 23.00% from 45 to 64, and 16.60% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 39 years. For every 100 females there were 92.60 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 88.30 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $53,399 ($41,739-2000), and the median income for a family was $57,670. Males had a median income of $41,840 versus $29,339 for females. The per capita income for the county was $24,992. About 7.80% of families and 11.90% of the population were below the poverty line, including 17.70% of those under age 18 and 5.50% of those age 65 or over.

Government and politics
Presidential election results
Presidential elections results[12]
Year Republican Democratic Third parties
2020 41.1% 30,741 56.7% 42,465 2.2% 1,656
2016 43.0% 28,953 50.2% 33,747 6.8% 4,580
2012 40.9% 26,568 56.7% 36,844 2.3% 1,521
2008 42.6% 29,758 55.3% 38,611 2.1% 1,473
2004 46.2% 32,066 51.8% 35,971 2.1% 1,432
2000 41.8% 27,961 53.1% 35,534 5.2% 3,459
1996 33.1% 22,106 53.1% 35,404 13.8% 9,199
1992 35.6% 26,258 43.8% 32,335 20.7% 15,277
1988 47.4% 33,364 51.8% 36,483 0.8% 539
1984 58.1% 42,808 41.5% 30,612 0.4% 277
1980 45.4% 32,003 42.4% 29,932 12.2% 8,599
1976 54.6% 40,789 42.6% 31,838 2.8% 2,105
1972 61.5% 47,529 38.3% 29,619 0.3% 191
1968 46.8% 33,687 48.3% 34,786 4.9% 3,529
1964 29.6% 21,848 70.3% 51,892 0.1% 80
1960 52.0% 40,180 47.9% 37,003 0.1% 70
1956 73.0% 58,540 27.0% 21,673 0.0% 0
1952 66.5% 54,272 33.3% 27,157 0.3% 208
1948 52.6% 35,495 41.8% 28,225 5.6% 3,765
1944 51.1% 35,178 48.5% 33,397 0.4% 294
1940 51.3% 34,101 48.2% 32,041 0.5% 334
1936 45.3% 26,914 52.2% 31,027 2.5% 1,466
1932 52.8% 28,187 41.7% 22,230 5.5% 2,954
1928 56.6% 29,428 40.9% 21,277 2.5% 1,304
1924 61.8% 24,514 23.1% 9,167 15.2% 6,018
1920 57.2% 19,208 26.0% 8,741 16.8% 5,633
1916 47.5% 9,759 43.6% 8,962 9.0% 1,845
1912 30.7% 5,230 31.4% 5,345 37.9% 6,452[13]
1908 52.7% 9,944 37.8% 7,129 9.5% 1,789
1904 57.7% 9,535 36.2% 5,981 6.1% 999
1900 56.5% 6,769 39.9% 4,783 3.6% 432
1896 55.1% 4,903 41.7% 3,711 3.3% 293
1892 43.2% 3,481 50.7% 4,081 6.1% 493
1888 51.0% 3,633 46.8% 3,328 2.2% 158
1884 51.1% 3,260 46.6% 2,977 2.3% 146

Voters in Schenectady County have typically leaned Democratic since the mid-20th century. They have given small to moderate leads to Democrats since 1988 in presidential elections. The congressman Paul Tonko is a Democrat. Legislative authority is vested in the County Legislature, which consists of 15 members representing 8 communities, separated into four districts. The current composition of the Legislature is as follows (10 Democrats, 2 Republicans, and 3 Conservatives who caucus with the Democrats):

District 1 - Schenectady:

  •    Karen B. Johnson (D), Vice Chair
  •    Richard Patierne (D)
  •    Richard Ruzzo (D)

District 2 - Schenectady:

  •    Philip Fields (D), Deputy Chair
  •    Gary Hughes (D), Majority Leader
  •    Jeffrey M. McDonald (D)

District 3 - Glenville, Niskayuna, and Scotia:

  •    James Buhrmaster (R), Minority Leader
  •    Thomas Constantine (D)
  •    Rory Fluman (D)
  •    Cathy Gatta (D)
  •    Grant Socha (C)

District 4 - Duanesburg, Princetown, and Rotterdam:

  •    Anthony Jasenski (D), Chair
  •    Brian McGarry (R)
  •    Randy Pascarella (C)
  •    Holly Vellano (C)

County government

Schenectady County was governed by an elected Board of Supervisors until 1966, after voters approved a new county charter under New York's home rule law.

On January 2, 1966 a Board of Representatives replaced the county supervisors. In 1987, a 15-member legislature replaced the Board of Representatives. The legislature hires a county manager to oversee day-to-day government operations.

Schenectady County Managers
NameTerm
Theodore BirbilisJanuary 2, 1966 – December 31, 1967
Robert W. WilliamsJanuary 1, 1968 – June 30, 1968 (interim)
Carl F. SanfordJuly 1, 1968 – November 30, 1977
Robert D. McEvoy1978 – December 31, 2000
George A. DavidsonJanuary 1, 2001 – February 10, 2002 (interim)
Kevin D. DeFebboFebruary 11, 2002 – December 31, 2005
Kathleen A. RooneyJanuary 1, 2006 – June 6, 2019
Dr. Rory L. FlumanJune 7, 2019 – present

County services

The county operates the Schenectady County Public Library (SCPL), which consists of a central library and eight branches. http://www.scpl.org

Communities

City

Towns

Villages

Census-designated places

Hamlets

See also

References
  1. Bureau, U.S. Census. "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved 2018-04-22.
  2. "State & County QuickFacts". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved October 13, 2013.
  3. "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Retrieved 2011-06-07.
  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. "Population and Housing Unit Estimates". Retrieved May 21, 2020.
  6. "U.S. Decennial Census". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 7, 2015.
  7. "Historical Census Browser". University of Virginia Library. Retrieved January 7, 2015.
  8. "Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 7, 2015.
  9. "Census 2000 PHC-T-4. Ranking Tables for Counties: 1990 and 2000" (PDF). United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 7, 2015.
  10. "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved 2008-01-31.
  11. U.S. Census website . Factfinder.census.gov. Retrieved on 2013-08-16.
  12. Leip, David. "Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections". uselectionatlas.org.
  13. There were only 3,456 votes for the leading "other" candidate, Socialist Eugene Debs, plus 2,640 for Progressive Theodore Roosevelt, 245 for the Prohibition Party's Eugene Chafin, and 111 for Socialist Labor candidate Arthur Reimer.

Further reading

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