Genesee County, New York
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Genesee County is a county located in the state of New York. As of 2000, the population is 60,370. Its name is from a Seneca Indian word meaning "good valley." Its county seat is Batavia.
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History
When counties were established in New York State in 1683, the present Genesee 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, 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 of Schenectady, and the county included the western part of the Adirondack Mountains and the area west of the West Branch of the Delaware River. The area then designated as Tryon County now includes 37 counties of New York State. The county was named for William Tryon, colonial governor of New York.
In the years prior to 1776, most of the Loyalists in Tryon County fled to Canada. In 1784, following the peace treaty that ended the American Revolutionary War, the name of Tryon County was changed to Montgomery County in order to honor the general, Richard Montgomery, who had captured several places in Canada and died attempting to capture the city of Quebec, replacing the name of the hated British governor.
In 1789, Ontario County was split off from Montgomery.
All of the land of present day Genesee County was part of the Holland Land Purchase in 1793 and was sold through the Holland Land Company's office in Batavia, starting in 1801.
Genesee County was created by a splitting of Ontario County in 1802. This was much larger than the present Genesee County, however.
In 1806, Allegany County was created from Genesee County.
In 1808, Cattaraugus, Chautauqua, and Niagara Counties were created from Genesee County. Niagara County at that time also included the present Erie County.
In 1821, portions of Genesee County were combined with portions of Ontario County to create Livingston and Monroe Counties.
In 1824, Orleans County was created from Genesee County.
In 1841, Wyoming County was created from Genesee County.
Geography
Genesee County is in the western portion of the state, east of Buffalo and southwest of Rochester.
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 1,283 km² (495 mi²). 1,280 km² (494 mi²) of it is land and 3 km² (1 mi²) of it is water. The total area is 0.25% water.
Demographics
As of the census2 of 2000, there are 60,370 people, 22,770 households, and 15,825 families residing in the county. The population density is 47/km² (122/mi²). There are 24,190 housing units at an average density of 19/km² (49/mi²). The racial makeup of the county is 94.69% White, 2.13% Black or African American, 0.78% Native American, 0.48% Asian, 0.02% Pacific Islander, 0.71% from other races, and 1.18% from two or more races. 1.50% of the population are Hispanic or Latino of any race.
There are 22,770 households out of which 33.30% have children under the age of 18 living with them, 55.40% are married couples living together, 9.80% have a female householder with no husband present, and 30.50% are non-families. 24.80% of all households are made up of individuals and 11.10% have someone living alone who is 65 years of age or older. The average household size is 2.59 and the average family size is 3.10.
In the county the population is spread out with 26.10% under the age of 18, 7.50% from 18 to 24, 29.50% from 25 to 44, 22.60% from 45 to 64, and 14.30% who are 65 years of age or older. The median age is 37 years. For every 100 females there are 96.90 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there are 95.00 males.
The median income for a household in the county is $40,542, and the median income for a family is $47,771. Males have a median income of $34,430 versus $23,788 for females. The per capita income for the county is $18,498. 7.60% of the population and 5.60% of families are below the poverty line. Out of the total population, 9.00% of those under the age of 18 and 6.80% of those 65 and older are living below the poverty line.
Cities, towns, and villages
- Alabama (town)
- Alexander (village)
- Alexander (town)
- Attica (village)
- Batavia (city)
- Batavia (town)
- Bergen (village)
- Bergen (town)
- Bethany (town)
- Byron (town)
- Corfu (village)
- Darien (town)
- Elba (village)
- Elba (town)
- Le Roy (village)
- Le Roy (town)
- Oakfield (village)
- Oakfield (town)
- Pavilion (town)
- Pembroke (town)
- Stafford (town)
- Label in parentheses indicates official governmental status.
Indian reservations
Educational Institutions
Genesee Community College has its main campus in the Town of Batavia.
Adjacent Counties
Orleans County is the northern boundary. Erie and Niagara Counties form the western boundary. Monroe County forms the northeast boundary. Livingston County is the eastern boundary, and Wyoming County is the southern boundary.
External links
- Genesee County webpage (http://www.co.genesee.ny.us/)
