Schuyler County | |
|---|---|
 Schuyler County Courthouse | |
 Flag  Seal | |
 Location within the U.S. state ofNew York | |
 New York's location within theU.S. | |
| Coordinates:42°23′N76°53′W / 42.39°N 76.88°W /42.39; -76.88 | |
| Country |  United States |
| State |  New York |
| Founded | 1854 |
| Named after | Philip Schuyler |
| Seat | Watkins Glen |
| Largest community | Watkins Glen |
| Area | |
• Total | 342 sq mi (890 km2) |
| • Land | 328 sq mi (850 km2) |
| • Water | 14 sq mi (40 km2) 4.1% |
| Population (2020) | |
• Total | 17,898[1] |
| • Density | 54.5/sq mi (21.0/km2) |
| Time zone | UTC−5 (Eastern) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC−4 (EDT) |
| Congressional district | 23rd |
| Website | www |
Schuyler County is acounty in theU.S. state ofNew York. As of the2020 census, the population was 17,898,[2] making it the second-least populous county in New York. Thecounty seat is the village ofWatkins Glen.[3] The name is in honor of GeneralPhilip Schuyler, one of the fourmajor generals in theContinental Army in theAmerican Revolutionary War. The county is part of theSouthern Tier region of the state.
When counties were established in New York State in 1683, the present Schuyler County was part ofAlbany County. This was an enormous county, including the northern part of New York State as well as all of the present State ofVermont and, in theory, extending westward to thePacific Ocean. This county was reduced in size on July 3, 1766, by the creation ofCumberland County, and further on March 16, 1770, by the creation ofGloucester 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,Tryon County, contained the western portion (and thus, since no western boundary was specified, theoretically still extended west to the Pacific). Tryon County's eastern boundary was approximately five miles west of the present city ofSchenectady, and the county included the western part of theAdirondack Mountains and the area west of the West Branch of theDelaware River. The area then designated as Tryon County now includes 37 counties of New York State. The county was named forWilliam Tryon, colonial governor of New York.
In the years prior to 1776, most of the Loyalists in Tryon County fled toCanada. In 1784, following the peace treaty that ended theAmerican Revolutionary War, Tryon County's name was changed toMontgomery County in honor of the general,Richard Montgomery, who had captured several places in Canada and died attempting to capture the city ofQuebec, replacing the name of the hated British governor.
In 1789,Ontario County was split off from Montgomery. The actual area split off from Montgomery County was much larger than the present county, also including the presentAllegany,Cattaraugus,Chautauqua,Erie,Genesee,Livingston,Monroe,Niagara,Orleans,Steuben,Wyoming,Yates, and part of Schuyler andWayne counties.
Herkimer andTioga counties were two of three counties split off from Montgomery County (the other beingOtsego County) in 1791.
In 1794,Onondaga County was formed by the splitting of Herkimer County. This county was larger than the present Onondaga County, however, including the presentCayuga,Seneca, andTompkins counties.
On March 8, 1796,Steuben County was created, split off from Ontario County. It was larger than the present county, however.
In 1798,Chemung County was formed from Tioga County, but the county at that time was rather larger than the present county, containing a portion of what would later become Schuyler County.
In 1799,Cayuga County was formed by the splitting of Onondaga County. This county was, however, much larger than the present Cayuga County. It then included the presentSeneca andTompkins counties, as well as part of what would become Schuyler County.
In 1804,Seneca County was formed by the splitting of Cayuga County. Then in 1817, in turn, a portion of Seneca County was combined with a piece of the remainder of Cayuga County to formTompkins County.
In 1823, Steuben County was reduced in size by the combination of a portion of the county with a portion ofOntario County to formYates County.
On April 17, 1854, portions ofSteuben,Chemung andTompkins counties were combined to form Schuyler County.
According to theU.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 342 square miles (890 km2), of which 328 square miles (850 km2) is land and 14 square miles (36 km2) (4.1%) is water.[4]
Schuyler County is in the western part of New York State, west ofIthaca at the southern end ofSeneca Lake.
TheFinger Lakes National Forest is in the north part of the county.
| Census | Pop. | Note | %± |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1860 | 18,840 | — | |
| 1870 | 18,989 | 0.8% | |
| 1880 | 18,842 | −0.8% | |
| 1890 | 16,711 | −11.3% | |
| 1900 | 15,811 | −5.4% | |
| 1910 | 14,004 | −11.4% | |
| 1920 | 13,098 | −6.5% | |
| 1930 | 12,909 | −1.4% | |
| 1940 | 12,979 | 0.5% | |
| 1950 | 14,182 | 9.3% | |
| 1960 | 15,044 | 6.1% | |
| 1970 | 16,737 | 11.3% | |
| 1980 | 17,686 | 5.7% | |
| 1990 | 18,662 | 5.5% | |
| 2000 | 19,224 | 3.0% | |
| 2010 | 18,343 | −4.6% | |
| 2020 | 17,898 | −2.4% | |
| U.S. Decennial Census[5] 1790-1960[6] 1900-1990[7] 1990-2000[8] 2010-2020[2] | |||
As of thecensus[9] of 2000, there were 19,224 people, 7,374 households, and 5,191 families residing in the county. Thepopulation density was 58 people per square mile (22 people/km2). There were 9,181 housing units at an average density of 28 units per square mile (11/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 96.48%White, 1.45%African American, 0.40%Native American, 0.29%Asian, 0.03%Pacific Islander, 0.36% fromother races, and 0.99% from two or more races.Hispanic orLatino of any race were 1.22% of the population. 17.3% were ofGerman, 15.5%English, 13.9%Irish, 11.8%American and 11.4%Italian ancestry according toCensus 2000. 97.1% spokeEnglish and 1.1%Spanish as their first language.
There were 7,374 households, out of which 32.30% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 55.70% weremarried couples living together, 9.70% had a female householder with no husband present, and 29.60% were non-families. 23.60% of all households were made up of individuals, and 10.70% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.52 and the average family size was 2.96.
In the county, the population was spread out, with 25.30% under the age of 18, 7.90% from 18 to 24, 26.60% from 25 to 44, 25.40% from 45 to 64, and 14.60% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 39 years. For every 100 females there were 100.50 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 96.60 males.
The median income for a household in the county was $36,010, and the median income for a family was $41,441. Males had a median income of $31,549 versus $21,928 for females. Theper capita income for the county was $17,039. About 8.80% of families and 11.80% of the population were below thepoverty line, including 17.10% of those under age 18 and 6.20% of those age 65 or over.
| Race | Num. | Perc. |
|---|---|---|
| White (NH) | 16,618 | 93% |
| Black or African American (NH) | 91 | 0.51% |
| Native American (NH) | 38 | 0.21% |
| Asian (NH) | 108 | 0.6% |
| Pacific Islander (NH) | 1 | 0.01% |
| Other/Mixed (NH) | 713 | 4% |
| Hispanic orLatino | 329 | 1.83% |
Schuyler County has eight private airstrips[11] and its nearest major airport isElmira Corning Regional Airport. Schuyler County Transit provides bus service.[12] The county's Highway Department is headquartered in Watkins Glen and is charged with maintaining roads, including:[13]
Each town and village within Schuyler County maintains its own highway department.
New York State Route 13
New York State Route 14
New York State Route 14A
New York State Route 79
New York State Route 224
New York State Route 226
New York State Route 227
New York State Route 228
New York State Route 230
New York State Route 329
New York State Route 409
New York State Route 414The formerChemung Canal was partially located in Schuyler County. The formerNew York State Route 419 andNew York State Route 962C were located in Schuyler County.
All larger settlements are villages
| # | Location | Population |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | †Watkins Glen | 1,859 |
| 2 | Montour Falls | 1,711 |
| 3 | Odessa | 591 |
| 4 | Burdett | 357 |
† - County Seat
| Year | Republican | Democratic | Third party(ies) | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| No. | % | No. | % | No. | % | |
| 2024 | 5,717 | 59.98% | 3,736 | 39.19% | 79 | 0.83% |
| 2020 | 5,621 | 57.56% | 3,903 | 39.97% | 242 | 2.48% |
| 2016 | 5,050 | 57.57% | 3,091 | 35.24% | 631 | 7.19% |
| 2012 | 4,281 | 52.55% | 3,674 | 45.10% | 191 | 2.34% |
| 2008 | 4,542 | 52.81% | 3,933 | 45.73% | 125 | 1.45% |
| 2004 | 4,960 | 57.74% | 3,445 | 40.10% | 185 | 2.15% |
| 2000 | 4,381 | 53.73% | 3,301 | 40.49% | 471 | 5.78% |
| 1996 | 3,134 | 41.05% | 3,303 | 43.26% | 1,198 | 15.69% |
| 1992 | 3,226 | 39.35% | 2,859 | 34.87% | 2,114 | 25.78% |
| 1988 | 4,291 | 59.25% | 2,900 | 40.04% | 51 | 0.70% |
| 1984 | 5,207 | 67.98% | 2,422 | 31.62% | 31 | 0.40% |
| 1980 | 3,838 | 55.17% | 2,514 | 36.14% | 605 | 8.70% |
| 1976 | 4,267 | 59.35% | 2,885 | 40.13% | 37 | 0.51% |
| 1972 | 4,945 | 71.76% | 1,937 | 28.11% | 9 | 0.13% |
| 1968 | 4,105 | 61.31% | 2,034 | 30.38% | 557 | 8.32% |
| 1964 | 2,925 | 40.31% | 4,326 | 59.62% | 5 | 0.07% |
| 1960 | 5,201 | 69.10% | 2,315 | 30.76% | 11 | 0.15% |
| 1956 | 5,795 | 78.23% | 1,613 | 21.77% | 0 | 0.00% |
| 1952 | 5,604 | 75.68% | 1,784 | 24.09% | 17 | 0.23% |
| 1948 | 4,452 | 69.23% | 1,868 | 29.05% | 111 | 1.73% |
| 1944 | 4,506 | 71.76% | 1,767 | 28.14% | 6 | 0.10% |
| 1940 | 4,936 | 68.83% | 2,211 | 30.83% | 24 | 0.33% |
| 1936 | 4,819 | 64.64% | 2,551 | 34.22% | 85 | 1.14% |
| 1932 | 4,491 | 65.27% | 2,255 | 32.77% | 135 | 1.96% |
| 1928 | 4,749 | 72.10% | 1,731 | 26.28% | 107 | 1.62% |
| 1924 | 4,301 | 70.81% | 1,555 | 25.60% | 218 | 3.59% |
| 1920 | 3,827 | 71.29% | 1,231 | 22.93% | 310 | 5.77% |
| 1916 | 1,956 | 52.38% | 1,629 | 43.63% | 149 | 3.99% |
| 1912 | 1,649 | 43.26% | 1,416 | 37.15% | 747 | 19.60% |
| 1908 | 2,417 | 56.60% | 1,695 | 39.70% | 158 | 3.70% |
| 1904 | 2,570 | 58.78% | 1,621 | 37.08% | 181 | 4.14% |
| 1900 | 2,598 | 55.45% | 1,889 | 40.32% | 198 | 4.23% |
| 1896 | 2,692 | 59.89% | 1,619 | 36.02% | 184 | 4.09% |
| 1892 | 2,410 | 55.39% | 1,486 | 34.15% | 455 | 10.46% |
| 1888 | 2,704 | 55.16% | 1,975 | 40.29% | 223 | 4.55% |
| 1884 | 2,616 | 53.17% | 2,039 | 41.44% | 265 | 5.39% |
| 1880 | 2,790 | 53.35% | 2,293 | 43.84% | 147 | 2.81% |
| 1876 | 2,860 | 54.34% | 2,255 | 42.85% | 148 | 2.81% |
| 1872 | 2,478 | 54.96% | 1,996 | 44.27% | 35 | 0.78% |
| 1868 | 2,771 | 57.60% | 2,040 | 42.40% | 0 | 0.00% |
| 1864 | 2,576 | 57.64% | 1,893 | 42.36% | 0 | 0.00% |
| 1860 | 2,551 | 59.90% | 1,708 | 40.10% | 0 | 0.00% |
| 1856 | 2,542 | 63.81% | 981 | 24.62% | 461 | 11.57% |
Schuyler County is strongly Republican, having backed the Republican presidential candidate in all but two elections since the Civil War, with 1912 and 1964 being the sole exceptions.
| Year | Republican | Democratic | Third parties |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 65.47%5,092 | 34.21%2,661 | 0.32%25 |
| 2018 | 54.52%4,024 | 32.71%2,414 | 12.77%942 |
| 2014 | 61.19%3,660 | 31.6%1,890 | 7.21%431 |
| 2010 | 47.52%2,829 | 49.08%2,922 | 3.4%202 |
| 2006 | 42.28%2,514 | 55.79%3,317 | 1.93%115 |
| 2002 | 60.93%3,535 | 17.98%1,043 | 21.1%1,224 |
Places adjacent to Schuyler County, New York | ||||||||||||||||
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Municipalities and communities ofSchuyler County, New York,United States | ||
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| Towns |  | |
| Villages | ||
| Hamlets | ||
42°23′N76°53′W / 42.39°N 76.88°W /42.39; -76.88
| International | |
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| National | |
| Geographic | |
