Schenectady County is a county located in the state of New York. As of 2000, the population is 146,555. The county seat is Schenectady. The name is from a Mohawk Indian word meaning "on the other side of the pine lands."

History

When counties were established in New York State in 1683, the present Schenectady County was included in Albany County. Albany County 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.

Then, on March 12, 1772, Albany County was divided into the counties of Albany, Tryon (now Montgomery), and Charlotte (now Washington).

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.

Albany County was reduced in size in 1786 by the splitting off of Columbia County; 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.

Geography

Schenectady County is located in east central New York State, north of Albany.

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 543 km² (210 mi²). 534 km² (206 mi²) of it is land and 9 km² (4 mi²) of it is water. The total area is 1.68% water. Unlike many of the upstate New York counties, Schenectady County is small in area.

Demographics

As of the census² of 2000, there are 146,555 people, 59,684 households, and 38,018 families residing in the county. The population density is 275/km² (711/mi²). There are 65,032 housing units at an average density of 122/km² (316/mi²). The racial makeup of the county is 87.77% White, 6.79% Black or African American, 0.23% Native American, 1.97% Asian, 0.03% Pacific Islander, 1.21% from other races, and 2.00% from two or more races. 3.17% of the population are Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There are 59,684 households out of which 30.00% have children under the age of 18 living with them, 47.50% are married couples living together, 12.30% have a female householder with no husband present, and 36.30% are non-families. 30.60% of all households are made up of individuals and 12.60% have someone living alone who is 65 years of age or older. The average household size is 2.38 and the average family size is 2.97.

In the county the population is 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 are 65 years of age or older. The median age is 39 years. For every 100 females there are 92.60 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there are 88.30 males.

The median income for a household in the county is $41,739, and the median income for a family is $53,670. Males have a median income of $38,840 versus $27,339 for females. The per capita income for the county is $21,992. 10.90% of the population and 7.80% of families are below the poverty line. Out of the total population, 15.70% of those under the age of 18 and 6.50% of those 65 and older are living below the poverty line.

Cities, Towns, and Villages

• Delanson (village)
• Duane Lake
• Duanesburg (town)
• East Glenville
• Glenville (town)
• Mariaville Lake
• Niskayuna (town)
• Pattersonville-Rotterdam Junction
• Princetown (town)
• Rotterdam (town)
• Schenectady (city)
• Scotia (village)

=> Labels is parentheses indicate official political level.

External links

• Official Schenectady County government site (http://govt.co.schenectady.ny.us/)