Niagara County, New York

History When counties were established in New York State in 1683, the present Niagara 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 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. In turn, Genesee County was created from Ontario County in 1802.

Niagara County was created from Genesee County in 1808. It was, however, larger than the present Niagara County.

From 1814 to 1817, records of Cattaraugus County were divided between Belmont (the seat of Allegany County) and Buffalo (then in Niagara County).

In 1821, Erie County was created from Niagara County.

Geography Niagara County is in the extreme western part of New York State, just north of Buffalo and adjacent to Lake Ontario.

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 2,952 km² (1,140 mi²). 1,354 km² (523 mi²) of it is land and 1,598 km² (617 mi²) of it is water. The total area is 54.12% water.

Demographics As of the census of 2000, there are 219,846 people, 87,846 households, and 58,593 families residing in the county. The population density is 162/km² (420/mi²). There are 95,715 housing units at an average density of 71/km² (183/mi²). The racial makeup of the county is 90.70% White, 6.15% African American, 0.94% Native American, 0.58% Asian, 0.02% Pacific Islander, 0.40% from other races, and 1.21% from two or more races. 1.33% of the population are Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There are 87,846 households out of which 30.90% have children under the age of 18 living with them, 50.30% are married couples living together, 12.30% have a female householder with no husband present, and 33.30% are non-families. 28.60% of all households are made up of individuals and 12.00% have someone living alone who is 65 years of age or older. The average household size is 2.45 and the average family size is 3.03.

In the county the population is spread out with 24.70% under the age of 18, 8.50% from 18 to 24, 28.40% from 25 to 44, 23.10% from 45 to 64, and 15.40% who are 65 years of age or older. The median age is 38 years. For every 100 females there are 93.30 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there are 89.50 males.

The median income for a household in the county is $38,136, and the median income for a family is $47,817. Males have a median income of $37,468 versus $24,668 for females. The per capita income for the county is $19,219. 10.60% of the population and 8.20% of families are below the poverty line. Out of the total people living in poverty, 15.00% are under the age of 18 and 7.30% are 65 or older.

Cities and Towns

• Barker
• Cambria
• Gasport
• Hartland
• Lewiston[?]
• Lockport[?]
• Middleport
• Newfane[?]
• Niagara Falls
• Niagara
• North Tonawanda
• Olcott
• Pendleton
• Porter
• Ransomville
• Rapids
• Royalton
• Somerset
• South Lockport
• Wheatfield
• Wilson[?]
• Youngstown

Indian reservations

• Tuscarora Reservation
• Tonawanda Reservation