Yates County, New York | |
|---|---|
 Yates County Courthouse | |
 Location within the U.S. state ofNew York | |
| Coordinates:42°38′N77°06′W / 42.64°N 77.1°W /42.64; -77.1 | |
| Country |  United States |
| State |  New York |
| Founded | February 5, 1823 |
| Named after | Joseph C. Yates |
| Seat | Penn Yan |
| Largest village | Penn Yan |
| Area | |
• Total | 376 sq mi (970 km2) |
| • Land | 338 sq mi (880 km2) |
| • Water | 38 sq mi (98 km2) 10% |
| Population (2020) | |
• Total | 24,774 |
• Estimate (2024) | 24,387 |
| • Density | 73.3/sq mi (28.3/km2) |
| Time zone | UTC−5 (Eastern) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC−4 (EDT) |
| Congressional district | 24th |
| Website | www |
Yates County is acounty in theU.S. state ofNew York. As of the2020 Census, the population was 24,774,[1] making it the third-least populous county in New York. Thecounty seat isPenn Yan.[2] The name is in honor ofJoseph C. Yates, who asGovernor of New York signed the act establishing the county. The county is part of theFinger Lakes region of the state.
Yates County is included in theRochester, New York Metropolitan Area.
When counties were established in New York State in 1683, the present Yates 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 again 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). The eastern boundary of Tryon County 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, the name of Tryon County was changed to honor 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.
On January 27, 1789, 10,480 square miles (27,140 km2) of Montgomery County was split off to createOntario County, including the lands of the presentAllegany,Cattaraugus,Chautauqua,Erie,Genesee,Livingston,Monroe,Niagara,Orleans,Steuben,Wyoming, and Yates counties, and part ofSchuyler andWayne counties.
On March 18, 1796, 1,800 square miles (4,700 km2) of Ontario County was partitioned to form Steuben County.
On April 3, 1801, Ontario County exchanged land withCayuga County, and lost 190 square miles (490 km2) as a result.
On March 30, 1802, Ontario County lost 6,540 square miles (16,940 km2) of land through the partition of Genesee County, including the present Allegany, Cattaraugus, Chautauqua,Erie, Niagara, Orleans and Wyoming counties and parts of Livingston and Monroe counties.
In 1821, Ontario County was reduced in size by combining portions of Genesee and Ontario counties to create Livingston and Monroe counties.
On February 5, 1823, Yates County was formed from 310 square miles (800 km2) of Ontario County, including the area that includedVine Valley,Middlesex,Penn Yan, andDresden, New York.[3]
On January 1, 1826, 60 square miles (160 km2) of Steuben County was partitioned and added to Yates, which includedStarkey,Dundee, andLakemont, New York.[4]
On April 15, 1828, 10 square miles (26 km2) was partitioned from Yates, and passed to Seneca and Tompkins counties, mostly in the forest.[5]
On March 17, 1860, Ontario County was authorized to gain land from Yates, but it was never put into effect.[6]
On April 18, 1946, Yates gained 10 square miles (26 km2) from Schuyler and Seneca counties, which produced the current borders of Yates County.[7]
In 1790 thePublic Universal Friend and their society moved to the area from their original base in Rhode Island, forming a community atNew Jerusalem, south west of Penn Yan, whereThe Friend's house can still be seen.[8]
In 1974 a new Mennonite settlement was started in Yates County. It grew quickly and steadily and with a population of more than 3,000 in 2015 it was almost as large as theLancaster County, Pennsylvania settlement.[9]
According to theU.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 376 square miles (970 km2), of which 338 square miles (880 km2) is land and 38 square miles (98 km2) (10%) is water.[10]
Yates County is in the western part of New York State, northwest ofIthaca and southeast ofRochester. It is in theFinger Lakes Region.
| Census | Pop. | Note | %± |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1830 | 19,009 | — | |
| 1840 | 20,444 | 7.5% | |
| 1850 | 20,590 | 0.7% | |
| 1860 | 20,290 | −1.5% | |
| 1870 | 19,595 | −3.4% | |
| 1880 | 21,087 | 7.6% | |
| 1890 | 21,001 | −0.4% | |
| 1900 | 20,318 | −3.3% | |
| 1910 | 18,642 | −8.2% | |
| 1920 | 16,641 | −10.7% | |
| 1930 | 16,848 | 1.2% | |
| 1940 | 16,381 | −2.8% | |
| 1950 | 17,615 | 7.5% | |
| 1960 | 18,614 | 5.7% | |
| 1970 | 19,831 | 6.5% | |
| 1980 | 21,459 | 8.2% | |
| 1990 | 22,810 | 6.3% | |
| 2000 | 24,621 | 7.9% | |
| 2010 | 25,348 | 3.0% | |
| 2020 | 24,774 | −2.3% | |
| 2024 (est.) | 24,387 | [11] | −1.6% |
| U.S. Decennial Census[12] 1790-1960[13] 1900-1990[14] 1990-2000[15] 2010-2020[1] 2020-2030[16] | |||
| Race / Ethnicity(NH = Non-Hispanic) | Pop 1980[17] | Pop 1990[18] | Pop 2000[19] | Pop 2010[20] | Pop 2020[21] | % 1980 | % 1990 | % 2000 | % 2010 | % 2020 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| White alone (NH) | 21,149 | 22,330 | 23,983 | 24,371 | 23,049 | 98.56% | 97.90% | 97.41% | 96.15% | 93.04% |
| Black or African American alone (NH) | 128 | 139 | 130 | 196 | 145 | 0.60% | 0.61% | 0.53% | 0.77% | 0.59% |
| Native American orAlaska Native alone (NH) | 20 | 46 | 32 | 35 | 28 | 0.09% | 0.20% | 0.13% | 0.14% | 0.11% |
| Asian alone (NH) | 26 | 64 | 66 | 96 | 93 | 0.12% | 0.28% | 0.27% | 0.38% | 0.38% |
| Native Hawaiian orPacific Islander alone (NH) | x[22] | x[23] | 4 | 1 | 8 | x | x | 0.02% | 0.00% | 0.03% |
| Other race alone (NH) | 21 | 1 | 11 | 13 | 77 | 0.10% | 0.00% | 0.04% | 0.05% | 0.31% |
| Mixed race or Multiracial (NH) | x[24] | x[25] | 167 | 215 | 700 | x | x | 0.68% | 0.85% | 2.83% |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 115 | 230 | 228 | 421 | 674 | 0.54% | 1.01% | 0.93% | 1.66% | 2.72% |
| Total | 21,459 | 22,810 | 24,621 | 25,348 | 24,774 | 100.00% | 100.00% | 100.00% | 100.00% | 100.00% |
The most reported ancestries in2020 were:[26]
As of thecensus[27] of 2000, there were 24,621 people, 9,029 households, and 6,284 families residing in the county. Thepopulation density was 73 people per square mile (28 people/km2). There were 12,064 housing units at an average density of 36 units per square mile (14/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 97.90%White, 0.56%African American, 0.15%Native American, 0.28%Asian, 0.02%Pacific Islander, 0.36% fromother races, and 0.74% from two or more races.Hispanic orLatino of any race were 0.93% of the population. 21.3% were ofEnglish, 16.5%German, 11.4%Irish, 10.7%American, 5.3%Danish and 5.3%Italian ancestry according toCensus 2000.
5.46% of the population over 5 years old, mostlyWenger Old Order Mennonites,[28] report speakingPennsylvania Dutch,German, orDutch at home, a further 1.54% speakSpanish.[29]
There were 9,029 households, out of which 31.50% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 56.00% weremarried couples living together, 9.40% had a female householder with no husband present, and 30.40% were non-families. 24.60% of all households were made up of individuals, and 11.60% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.59 and the average family size was 3.08.
In the county, the population was spread out, with 26.70% under the age of 18, 9.30% from 18 to 24, 24.70% from 25 to 44, 23.90% from 45 to 64, and 15.50% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 38 years. For every 100 females there were 95.30 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 91.30 males.
The median income for a household in the county was $34,640, and the median income for a family was $40,681. Males had a median income of $29,671 versus $21,566 for females. Theper capita income for the county was $16,781. About 8.90% of families and 13.10% of the population were below thepoverty line, including 20.90% of those under age 18 and 7.10% of those age 65 or over.
Keuka College is in this county.
Yates County has one private airstrip and two public-use airports:[30]
Yates Transit Service provides bus service to Yates County.[31] The county's Highway Department is headquartered in Penn Yan and is charged with maintaining roads, including:[32]
Each town and village within Yates County maintains its own highway department.
The formerNew York State Route 961H was located in Yates County.
| # | Location | Population | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | †Penn Yan | 5,159 | Village |
| 2 | Dundee | 1,725 | Village |
| 3 | Keuka Park | 1,137 | CDP |
| 4 | ‡Rushville | 655 | Village |
| 5 | Dresden | 308 | Village |
† - County Seat
‡ - Not Wholly in this county
Yates County has been a Republican bastion, voting for a Democrat only twice since 1856. AlthoughMitt Romney won the county by only 3.3% in 2012,Donald Trump had won the county by a decisive 19.9% in 2016. In 2020, however, Trump won by a slightly lower margin, of 18.5%. In 2024, Trump won again, but by a reduced margin of 15.9%, bucking the national trend.
| Year | Republican / Whig | Democratic | Third party(ies) | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| No. | % | No. | % | No. | % | |
| 2024 | 6,098 | 57.48% | 4,401 | 41.48% | 110 | 1.04% |
| 2020 | 6,208 | 57.89% | 4,219 | 39.35% | 296 | 2.76% |
| 2016 | 5,660 | 56.23% | 3,659 | 36.35% | 747 | 7.42% |
| 2012 | 4,798 | 50.82% | 4,488 | 47.53% | 156 | 1.65% |
| 2008 | 5,269 | 51.25% | 4,890 | 47.57% | 121 | 1.18% |
| 2004 | 6,309 | 58.90% | 4,205 | 39.26% | 197 | 1.84% |
| 2000 | 5,565 | 55.32% | 3,962 | 39.39% | 532 | 5.29% |
| 1996 | 3,925 | 42.08% | 4,066 | 43.59% | 1,336 | 14.32% |
| 1992 | 4,366 | 43.26% | 3,242 | 32.12% | 2,484 | 24.61% |
| 1988 | 5,488 | 60.48% | 3,507 | 38.65% | 79 | 0.87% |
| 1984 | 6,367 | 70.26% | 2,670 | 29.46% | 25 | 0.28% |
| 1980 | 4,694 | 55.99% | 2,828 | 33.73% | 862 | 10.28% |
| 1976 | 5,796 | 66.30% | 2,903 | 33.21% | 43 | 0.49% |
| 1972 | 6,639 | 77.04% | 1,958 | 22.72% | 21 | 0.24% |
| 1968 | 5,482 | 67.54% | 2,158 | 26.59% | 477 | 5.88% |
| 1964 | 3,675 | 42.42% | 4,983 | 57.52% | 5 | 0.06% |
| 1960 | 6,892 | 74.04% | 2,409 | 25.88% | 7 | 0.08% |
| 1956 | 7,910 | 83.12% | 1,606 | 16.88% | 0 | 0.00% |
| 1952 | 7,831 | 81.07% | 1,820 | 18.84% | 9 | 0.09% |
| 1948 | 5,997 | 73.37% | 2,040 | 24.96% | 137 | 1.68% |
| 1944 | 6,338 | 75.89% | 2,005 | 24.01% | 9 | 0.11% |
| 1940 | 7,084 | 76.38% | 2,170 | 23.40% | 21 | 0.23% |
| 1936 | 6,897 | 74.32% | 2,257 | 24.32% | 126 | 1.36% |
| 1932 | 6,048 | 70.46% | 2,399 | 27.95% | 137 | 1.60% |
| 1928 | 7,386 | 78.62% | 1,950 | 20.76% | 59 | 0.63% |
| 1924 | 6,334 | 77.69% | 1,568 | 19.23% | 251 | 3.08% |
| 1920 | 5,638 | 76.28% | 1,571 | 21.26% | 182 | 2.46% |
| 1916 | 2,940 | 61.78% | 1,666 | 35.01% | 153 | 3.21% |
| 1912 | 1,795 | 41.10% | 1,456 | 33.34% | 1,116 | 25.56% |
| 1908 | 3,275 | 60.98% | 1,927 | 35.88% | 169 | 3.15% |
| 1904 | 3,380 | 63.63% | 1,752 | 32.98% | 180 | 3.39% |
| 1900 | 3,432 | 58.97% | 2,199 | 37.78% | 189 | 3.25% |
| 1896 | 3,370 | 59.86% | 2,086 | 37.05% | 174 | 3.09% |
| 1892 | 3,014 | 55.18% | 1,711 | 31.33% | 737 | 13.49% |
| 1888 | 3,410 | 58.26% | 2,150 | 36.73% | 293 | 5.01% |
| 1884 | 3,191 | 58.67% | 1,918 | 35.26% | 330 | 6.07% |
| 1880 | 3,432 | 59.79% | 2,197 | 38.28% | 111 | 1.93% |
| 1876 | 3,227 | 60.97% | 2,046 | 38.65% | 20 | 0.38% |
| 1872 | 2,760 | 59.75% | 1,808 | 39.14% | 51 | 1.10% |
| 1868 | 3,136 | 64.18% | 1,750 | 35.82% | 0 | 0.00% |
| 1864 | 3,036 | 64.20% | 1,693 | 35.80% | 0 | 0.00% |
| 1860 | 3,014 | 67.28% | 1,466 | 32.72% | 0 | 0.00% |
| 1856 | 2,994 | 70.28% | 915 | 21.48% | 351 | 8.24% |
| 1852 | 1,974 | 44.35% | 2,153 | 48.37% | 324 | 7.28% |
| 1848 | 1,651 | 40.13% | 862 | 20.95% | 1,601 | 38.92% |
| 1844 | 2,056 | 47.02% | 2,110 | 48.25% | 207 | 4.73% |
| 1840 | 2,072 | 49.30% | 2,087 | 49.66% | 44 | 1.05% |
| 1836 | 1,472 | 46.61% | 1,686 | 53.39% | 0 | 0.00% |
| 1832 | 1,325 | 40.76% | 1,926 | 59.24% | 0 | 0.00% |
| 1828 | 1,101 | 41.17% | 1,573 | 58.83% | 0 | 0.00% |
Places adjacent to Yates County, New York | ||||||||||||||||
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Municipalities and communities ofYates County, New York,United States | ||
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| Towns |  | |
| Villages | ||
| CDP | ||
| Hamlets | ||
| Footnotes | ‡This populated place also has portions in an adjacent county or counties | |
| International | |
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| National | |
| Geographic | |
| Other | |
