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Schenectady County, New York

Coordinates: 42°49′N 74°04′W / 42.81°N 74.07°W / 42.81; -74.07
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Schenectady County
County
The Nott Memorial
The Nott Memorial
Flag of Schenectady County
Flag
Official seal of Schenectady County
Seal
Map of New York highlighting Schenectady 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°49′N 74°04′W / 42.81°N 74.07°W / 42.81; -74.07
Country United States
State New York
Founded1809
Named forMohawk skahn-éht-ati, "beyond the pines"
SeatSchenectady
Largest citySchenectady
Area
 • Total
209 sq mi (540 km2)
 • Land205 sq mi (530 km2)
 • Water4.9 sq mi (13 km2)  2.3%
Population
 (2020)
 • Total
158,061[1]
 • Density772.3/sq mi (298.2/km2)
Time zoneUTC−5 (Eastern)
 • Summer (DST)UTC−4 (EDT)
Congressional district20th
Websitewww.schenectadycounty.com

Schenectady County (/skəˈnɛktədi/) is a county in the U.S. state of New York. As of the 2020 census, the population was 158,061.[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. The county is part of the Capital District region of the state.

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

History

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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

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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

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Demographics

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Historical population
CensusPop.Note%±
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%
2020158,0612.2%
U.S. Decennial Census[5]
1790-1960[6] 1900-1990[7]
1990-2000[8] 2010-2020[2]

As of the census[9] of 2010, there were 154,727 people, 60,684 households, and 39,918 families residing in the county. The population density was 275/km2 (710/sq mi). There were 68,032 housing units at an average density of 122/km2 (320/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.[10] 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.

2020 census

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Schenectady County racial composition[11]
Race Num. Perc.
White (NH) 104,878 66.4%
Black or African American (NH) 15,943 10.1%
Native American (NH) 930 0.6%
Asian (NH) 8,281 5.23%
Pacific Islander (NH) 130 0.08%
Other/Mixed (NH) 15,394 9.8%
Hispanic or Latino 12,505 7.9%

Government and politics

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United States presidential election results for Schenectady County, New York[12][13]
Year Republican Democratic Third party(ies)
No.  % No.  % No.  %
2024 31,975 44.06% 39,733 54.75% 864 1.19%
2020 30,741 40.96% 42,465 56.58% 1,841 2.45%
2016 28,953 43.03% 33,747 50.16% 4,580 6.81%
2012 26,568 40.92% 36,844 56.74% 1,521 2.34%
2008 29,758 42.61% 38,611 55.28% 1,473 2.11%
2004 32,066 46.16% 35,971 51.78% 1,432 2.06%
2000 27,961 41.76% 35,534 53.07% 3,459 5.17%
1996 22,106 33.14% 35,404 53.07% 9,199 13.79%
1992 26,258 35.55% 32,335 43.77% 15,277 20.68%
1988 33,364 47.40% 36,483 51.83% 539 0.77%
1984 42,808 58.09% 30,612 41.54% 277 0.38%
1980 32,003 45.37% 29,932 42.44% 8,599 12.19%
1976 40,789 54.58% 31,838 42.60% 2,105 2.82%
1972 47,529 61.46% 29,619 38.30% 191 0.25%
1968 33,687 46.79% 34,786 48.31% 3,529 4.90%
1964 21,848 29.60% 51,892 70.30% 80 0.11%
1960 40,180 52.01% 37,003 47.90% 70 0.09%
1956 58,540 72.98% 21,673 27.02% 0 0.00%
1952 54,272 66.48% 27,157 33.27% 208 0.25%
1948 35,495 52.60% 28,225 41.82% 3,765 5.58%
1944 35,178 51.08% 33,397 48.49% 294 0.43%
1940 34,101 51.30% 32,041 48.20% 334 0.50%
1936 26,914 45.30% 31,027 52.23% 1,466 2.47%
1932 28,187 52.81% 22,230 41.65% 2,954 5.53%
1928 29,428 56.58% 21,277 40.91% 1,304 2.51%
1924 24,514 61.75% 9,167 23.09% 6,018 15.16%
1920 19,208 57.20% 8,741 26.03% 5,633 16.77%
1916 9,759 47.45% 8,962 43.58% 1,845 8.97%
1912 5,230 31.49% 5,345 32.19% 6,032 36.32%
1908 9,944 52.72% 7,129 37.80% 1,789 9.48%
1904 9,535 59.04% 5,981 37.03% 634 3.93%
1900 6,769 56.48% 4,783 39.91% 432 3.60%
1896 4,903 55.05% 3,711 41.66% 293 3.29%
1892 3,481 43.22% 4,081 50.66% 493 6.12%
1888 3,633 51.03% 3,328 46.75% 158 2.22%
1884 3,260 51.07% 2,977 46.64% 146 2.29%

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. Schenectady County is a statewide bellwether in presidential elections, as it has voted for the statewide presidential winner in every presidential election since 1980. This is the longest such streak of any county in the state. 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:

  •    Richard Patierne (D)
  •    Richard Ruzzo (D)
  •    Margaret King (D)

District 2 - Schenectady:

  •    Philip Fields (D), deputy chair
  •    Gary Hughes (D), majority leader
  •    Jeffrey M. McDonald (D), vice chair

District 3 - Glenville, Niskayuna, and Scotia:

  •    Thomas Constantine (D)
  •    Cathy Gatta (D)
  •    Grant Socha (C)
  •    Sara Mae Pratt (D)
  •    Michelle Ostrelich (D)

District 4 - Duanesburg, Princetown, and Rotterdam:

  •    Anthony Jasenski (D), chair
  •    Brian McGarry (R), minority leader
  •    Randy Pascarella (C)
  •    Holly Vellano (C)

County government

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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
Name Term
Theodore Birbilis January 2, 1966 – December 31, 1967
Robert W. Williams January 1, 1968 – June 30, 1968 (interim)
Carl F. Sanford July 1, 1968 – November 30, 1977
Robert D. McEvoy 1978 – December 31, 2000
George A. Davidson January 1, 2001 – February 10, 2002 (interim)
Kevin D. DeFebbo February 11, 2002 – December 31, 2005
Kathleen A. Rooney January 1, 2006 – June 6, 2019
Dr. Rory L. Fluman June 7, 2019 – present

County services

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The county operates the Schenectady County Public Library (SCPL), which consists of a central library and eight branches.

Communities

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Larger settlements

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# Location Population Type Sector
1 †Schenectady 66,135 City East
2 Niskayuna 23,278 CDP East
3 Rotterdam 20,652 CDP East
4 Scotia 7,729 Village East
5 East Glenville 6,616 CDP East
6 Mariaville Lake 722 CDP West
7 Duanesburg 391 CDP West
8 Delanson 377 Village West
9 Duane Lake 323 CDP West

† - County seat

Towns

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Hamlets

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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: Schenectady County, New York". United States Census Bureau. 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. ^ U.S. Census website . Factfinder.census.gov. Retrieved on August 16, 2013.
  11. ^ "P2 HISPANIC OR LATINO, AND NOT HISPANIC OR LATINO BY RACE – 2020: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171) – Schenectady County, New York".
  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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Wikimedia Commons has media related to Schenectady County, New York.

42°49′N 74°04′W / 42.81°N 74.07°W / 42.81; -74.07

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