Essex County, New York

Infobox U.S. County
county = Essex County
state = New York




map size = 250
founded = 1799
seat = Elizabethtown | area_total_sq_mi =1916
area_water_sq_mi =120
area percentage = 6.25%
census yr = 2000
pop = 38851
density_km2 =8
web =
|

Essex County is a county located in the U.S. state of New York. As of the 2000 census, the population was 38,851. Its name is from the English county of Essex. Its county seat is Elizabethtown. Along with Hamilton County, Essex is entirely within the Adirondack Park.

History

When counties were established in New York State in 1683, the present Essex 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, Charlotte County, contained the eastern portion.

In 1784, the name "Charlotte County" was changed to Washington County to honor George Washington, the American Revolutionary War general and later President of the United States of America.

In 1788, Clinton County was split off from Washington County. This was a much larger area than the present Clinton County, including several other counties or county parts of the present New York State. (near Clunes)

Essex County was split from Clinton County in 1799.

Notable people, past and present

*Vincent Colyer (1825-1888), a successful Nineteenth-century artist and humanitarian, was born in Bloomingdale.
*James Renwick, Jr. (1818-1895), a successful Nineteenth-century architect, was born in Bloomingdale.
*Johnny Podres (1932-2008), Pitcher for Brooklyn Dodgers and 1955 World Series MVP, was born in Witherbee.

Geography

Essex County is in the northeastern part of New York State, just west of Vermont along the eastern boundary of the State. The eastern boundary of Essex County is Lake Champlain, which serves as the New York-Vermont border. The highest point in New York, Mount Marcy is in the Town of Keene.

The Ausable River forms a partial northern boundary for the county.

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 1,916 square miles (4,964 km²), of which, 1,797 square miles (4,654 km²) of it is land and 120 square miles (310 km²) of it (6.25%) is water.

Adjacent counties

*Clinton County, New York - north
*Chittenden County, Vermont - northeast
*Addison County, Vermont - east
*Washington County, New York - south
*Warren County, New York - south
*Hamilton County, New York - southwest
*Franklin County, New York - northwest

Demographics

USCensusPop
1810 = 9477
1820 = 12811
1830 = 19287
1840 = 23634
1850 = 31148
1860 = 28214
1870 = 29042
1880 = 34515
1890 = 33052
1900 = 30707
1910 = 33458
1920 = 31871
1930 = 33959
1940 = 34178
1950 = 35086
1960 = 35300
1970 = 34631
1980 = 36176
1990 = 37152
2000 = 38851
estyear = 2007 [ [http://www.census.gov/popest/counties/tables/CO-EST2007-01-36.xls Population Estimates as of July 1, 2007 by U.S. Census Bureau] ]
estimate = 38119
footnote = Source [ [http://www.empire.state.ny.us/nysdc/StateCountyPopests/CountyPopHistory.PDF New York State Department of Economic Development] ] As of the censusGR|2 of 2000, there were 38,851 people, 15,028 households, and 9,828 families residing in the county. The population density was 22 people per square mile (8/km²). There were 23,115 housing units at an average density of 13 per square mile (5/km²). The racial makeup of the county was 94.84% White, 2.81% Black or African American, 0.31% Native American, 0.41% Asian, 0.07% Pacific Islander, 0.69% from other races, and 0.86% from two or more races. 2.19% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race. 22.0% were of French, 16.3% Irish, 13.0% English, 8.6% German, 7.1% American and 6.2% Italian ancestry according to Census 2000. 95.2% spoke English, 2.2% Spanish and 1.3% French as their first language.

There were 15,028 households out of which 29.20% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 52.20% were married couples living together, 8.90% had a female householder with no husband present, and 34.60% were non-families. 28.30% 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 2.39 and the average family size was 2.93.

In the county the population was spread out with 22.80% under the age of 18, 6.90% from 18 to 24, 29.80% from 25 to 44, 24.50% from 45 to 64, and 16.00% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 39 years. For every 100 females there were 107.60 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 108.60 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $34,823, and the median income for a family was $41,927. Males had a median income of $30,952 versus $22,205 for females. The per capita income for the county was $18,194. 11.60% of the population and 7.80% of families were below the poverty line. 14.50% of those under the age of 18 and 8.60% of those 65 and older were living below the poverty line.

Cities, towns, villages, and other locations

*Chesterfield (town)
*Crown Point (town)
*Elizabethtown (town)
*Elizabethtown
*Essex (town)
*Jay (town)
*Keene (town)
*Keeseville (village)
*Lake Placid (village)
*Lewis (town)
*Minerva (town)
*Mineville-Witherbee
*Moriah (town)
*Newcomb (town)
*North Elba (town)
*North Hudson (town)
*Port Henry (village)
*Saranac Lake (village)
*Schroon (town)
*St. Armand (town)
*Ticonderoga (town)
*Ticonderoga
*Westport (town)
*Willsboro (town)
*Wilmington (town): "Note: Designation in parentheses is the official political level. "

Education

*Post-Secondary Education
**North Country Community College

*Private secondary schools:
** Mountain Lake Academy
** National Sports Academy
** North Country School
** Northwood School
** St. Agnes School

ee also

*List of Registered Historic Places in Essex County, New York
*Adirondack County, New York - a proposed new county

References

External links

* [http://www.co.essex.ny.us Essex County]
* [http://www.usgennet.org/usa/ny/state/his/bk6/ch1.html Historical information on Essex County]
* [http://history.rays-place.com/ny/cty-essex.htm Essex County history pages]
* [http://WWW.NCCC.EDU North Country Community College]
* [http://users.westelcom.com/gestus/philcan.htm Essex County Philatelic Cancellations]

* [http://www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~kscomanc/ferrin_arthur_bio.html Arthur Ferrin, born in Essex County, New York]

* [http://www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~kscomanc/ferrin_loren.html Loren Ferrin, born in Essex County, New York]

* [http://www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~kscomanc/ferrin_reuben.html Rueben & Philura Hannah (Murch) Ferrin of Essex County, New York]

* [http://www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~kscomanc/ferrin_wesley_clay.html Wesley Clay Ferrin of Essex County, New York] Includes photos of several gravestones in North Jay Cemetery.

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