Greene County, New York

History When counties were established in New York State in 1683, the present Greene County was divided between Albany and Ulster Counties.

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. On July 3, 1766, Cumberland County was created from a part of Albany County now in Vermont, followed on March 16, 1770 by Gloucester County, also 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.

Ulster County was an original county of New York State, considerably larger than the present Ulster County. It was reduced in size by the splitting off in 1797 of a part that was combined with a portion of Otsego County to create Delaware County.

In 1800 Greene County was created from portions of Albany and Ulster Counties.

Geography Greene County is located in southeast central New York State, just west of the Hudson River and south of Albany.

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 1,705 km² (658 mi²). 1,678 km² (648 mi²) of it is land and 27 km² (10 mi²) of it is water. The total area is 1.58% water.

Demographics As of the census of 2000, there are 48,195 people, 18,256 households, and 12,067 families residing in the county. The population density is 29/km² (74/mi²). There are 26,544 housing units at an average density of 16/km² (41/mi²). The racial makeup of the county is 90.76% White, 5.53% African American, 0.28% Native American, 0.54% Asian, 0.02% Pacific Islander, 1.52% from other races, and 1.36% from two or more races. 4.31% of the population are Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There are 18,256 households out of which 29.20% have children under the age of 18 living with them, 51.20% are married couples living together, 10.30% have a female householder with no husband present, and 33.90% are non-families. 27.90% of all households are made up of individuals and 12.20% have someone living alone who is 65 years of age or older. The average household size is 2.42 and the average family size is 2.97.

In the county the population is spread out with 23.00% under the age of 18, 9.50% from 18 to 24, 27.00% from 25 to 44, 24.80% from 45 to 64, and 15.70% who are 65 years of age or older. The median age is 39 years. For every 100 females there are 106.50 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there are 108.20 males.

The median income for a household in the county is $36,493, and the median income for a family is $43,854. Males have a median income of $35,598 versus $25,346 for females. The per capita income for the county is $18,931. 12.20% of the population and 8.60% of families are below the poverty line. Out of the total people living in poverty, 15.70% are under the age of 18 and 10.40% are 65 or older.

Cities and Towns

• Ashland
• Athens[?]
• Cairo[?]
• Catskill[?]
• Coxsackie[?]
• Durham
• Greenville
• Halcott
• Hunter[?]
• Jefferson Heights
• Jewett
• Leeds
• Lexington
• New Baltimore
• Palenville
• Prattsville
• Tannersville
• Windham[?]