Montgomery County, New York

Montgomery County, New York
Seal
Location in the state of New York
New York's location in the U.S.
Founded	March 12, 1772
Seat	Fonda
Area  - Total  - Land  - Water	410 sq mi (1,062 km²) 405 sq mi (1,049 km²) 6 sq mi (16 km²), 1.34%
Population  - (2010)  - Density	50,219 124/sq mi (47.8/km²)
Website	www.co.montgomery.ny.us

Montgomery County is a county located in the U.S. state of New York bordering the north bank of the Mohawk River. It was named in honor of Richard Montgomery, an American Revolutionary War general killed in 1775 at the Battle of Quebec. The county seat is Fonda.

History

For the history of Montgomery County prior to 1784 see Tryon County, New York

In 1784, following end of the American Revolutionary War, the name of Tryon County was changed to Montgomery County. This change was to honor 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 British governor.

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

In 1791, Herkimer, Otsego, and Tioga counties were split off from Montgomery.

In 1802, portions of Clinton, Herkimer, and Montgomery counties were combined to form St. Lawrence County.

In 1816, Hamilton County was split off from Montgomery.

In 1838, Fulton County was split off from Montgomery.

Congressional Districts

• 1789-1797 - None
• 1797-1803 - NY9
• 1803-1809 - NY13
• 1809-1813 - NY9
• 1813-1823 - NY14
• 1823-1833 - NY16
• 1833-1843 - NY15
• 1843-1853 - NY17
• 1853-1873 - NY18
• 1873-1875 - NY19
• 1875-1893 - NY20
• 1893-1913 - ?
• 1913-1945 - NY30
• 1945-1953 - NY31
• 1953-1963 - NY32
• 1963-1971 - NY35
• 1971-1973 - NY28 & NY29
• 1973-1983 - NY28 & NY31
• 1983-1993 - NY23 & ?
• 1993-2003 - NY21 & NY23
• 2003-Present - NY21

Geography

Montgomery County is located in the central part of the state, west of the city of Schenectady and northwest of Albany.

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 410 square miles (1,100 km²), of which 405 square miles (1,050 km²) is land and 6 square miles (16 km²) (1.34%) is water.

Adjacent counties

• Fulton County, New York - north
• Saratoga County, New York - east
• Schenectady County, New York - east
• Schoharie County, New York - south
• Otsego County, New York - southwest
• Herkimer County, New York - west

The Erie Canal runs through Montgomery County parallel to the Mohawk River and went west through the state to the Wood River. It connected Great Lakes shipping with the Hudson River. Several towns and villages grew up along the canal, as it carried much trade and passenger traffic during its peak years. After the railroad was built through the state, along the same river plain, it superseded the canal, which was filled in in some areas. In the mid-twentieth century, the NYS Thruway was constructed parallel to the former east-west routes of the canal and railroad.

Today the Erie Canal and its lock system is used primarily for recreational boat use among locals and tourists. At the time of the canal's construction, Montgomery County was the only place where there was a break in the Appalachian Mountains. Called 'The Noses,' because of canal construction, it became known as "the gateway to the West".

Demographics

Historical populations
Census	Pop.		%±
1790	28,848		—
1800	22,051		−23.6%
1810	41,214		86.9%
1820	37,569		−8.8%
1830	43,715		16.4%
1840	35,818		−18.1%
1850	31,992		−10.7%
1860	30,866		−3.5%
1870	34,457		11.6%
1880	38,315		11.2%
1890	45,699		19.3%
1900	47,488		3.9%
1910	57,567		21.2%
1920	57,928		0.6%
1930	60,076		3.7%
1940	59,142		−1.6%
1950	59,594		0.8%
1960	57,240		−4.0%
1970	55,883		−2.4%
1980	53,439		−4.4%
1990	51,981		−2.7%
2000	49,708		−4.4%
2010	50,219		1.0%
[1]

Montgomery County population distribution by age and sex (2000 census)

As of the census^[2] of 2000, there were 49,708 people, 20,038 households, and 13,104 families residing in the county. The population density was 123 people per square mile (47/km²). There were 22,522 housing units at an average density of 56 per square mile (21/km²). The racial makeup of the county was 94.87% White, 1.15% African American, 0.25% Native American, 0.53% Asian, 0.01% Pacific Islander, 1.92% from other races, and 1.27% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 6.91% of the population. 19.0% were of Italian, 15.9% German, 13.5% Polish, 9.1% Irish, 7.9% American and 6.4% English ancestry according to Census 2000. 89.8% spoke English, 6.3% Spanish and 1.5% Polish as their first language.

There were 20,038 households out of which 29.40% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 49.00% were married couples living together, 11.60% had a female householder with no husband present, and 34.60% were non-families. 29.50% of all households were made up of individuals and 14.90% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.42 and the average family size was 2.98.

In the county the population was spread out with 24.50% under the age of 18, 7.20% from 18 to 24, 26.30% from 25 to 44, 22.90% from 45 to 64, and 19.20% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 40 years. For every 100 females there were 91.40 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 87.90 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $32,128, and the median income for a family was $40,688. Males had a median income of $30,818 versus $23,359 for females. The per capita income for the county was $17,005. About 9.00% of families and 12.00% of the population were below the poverty line, including 16.80% of those under age 18 and 10.00% of those age 65 or over.

Cities and towns

• Ames (village)
• Amsterdam (city)
• Amsterdam (town)
• Canajoharie (town)
• Canajoharie (village)
• Charleston (town)
• Florida (town)
• Fonda (village)
• Fort Johnson (village)
• Fort Plain (village)
• Fultonville (village)
• Glen (town)
• Hagaman (village)
• Minden (town)
• Mohawk (town)
• Nelliston (village)
• Palatine Bridge (village)
• Palatine (town)
• Root (town)
• St. Johnsville (town)
• St. Johnsville (village)

Labels in parentheses are official designations.

See also

New York portal

• List of counties in New York
• National Register of Historic Places listings in Montgomery County, New York

References

1. ^ http://factfinder2.census.gov
2. ^ "American FactFinder". United States Census Bureau. http://factfinder.census.gov. Retrieved 2008-01-31. 

External links

• Montgomery County, NY
• Montgomery County at the Open Directory Project
• Summary history of Montgomery County
• "Fulton-Montgomery Photo Archives"
• "Glovers and Tanners"

Coordinates: 42°55′N 74°26′W / 42.91°N 74.44°W / 42.91; -74.44