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Oswego County, New York

Oswego County is a county located in the U.S. State of New York. As of 2000, the population is 122,377. Two cities serve as the county seats: Oswego and Pulaski. The name is from the Iroquois word meaning "the outpouring," referring to the mouth of the Oswego River[?].

Table of contents

1 History

History When counties were established in New York State in 1683, the present Oneida 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 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, the size of Montgomery County was reduced by the splitting off of Ontario County from Montgomery. The actual area split off from Montgomery County was much larger than the present county, also including the present Allegany, Cattaraugus, Chautauqua, Erie, Genesee, Livingston, Monroe, Niagara, Orleans, Steuben, Wyoming, Yates, and part of Schuyler and Wayne Counties.

In 1791, Herkimer County was one of three counties split off from Montgomery (the other two being Otsego, and Tioga County). This was much larger than the present county, however, and was reduced by a number of subsequent splits.

In 1794, Onondaga County was created from a part of Herkimer County. This county was larger than the current Onondaga County, including the present Cayuga, Cortland, and part of Oswego Counties.

In 1798, Oneida County was created from a part of Herkimer County. This county was larger than the current Oneida County, including the present Jefferson, Lewis, and part of Oswego Counties.

In 1805, Oneida County was reduced in size by the splitting off of Jefferson and Lewis Counties.

In 1816, Oswego County was created as New York State's 48th county from parts of Oneida and Onondaga Counties.

In 1841, businessmen in Oswego attempted to divide Oswego County into two counties. They failed to persuade the State to do so, however.

At various times, beginning in 1847 and as late as 1975, attempts were made to meve the county seat to Mexico[?]. None of these attempts succeeded, however.

Law and Government The Oswego County legislature has 25 members, elected from equal population districts, reduced from 36 in 1993.

Geography Oswego County is in northwestern New York State, just north of Syracuse and northwest of Utica, on the eastern shore of Lake Ontario.

The county has a total area of 3,399 km² (1,312 mi²). 2,469 km² (953 mi²) of it is land and 929 km² (359 mi²) of it is water. The total area is 27.35% water.

Demographics As of 2000, there are 122,377 people, 45,522 households, and 31,228 families residing in the county. The population density is 50/km² (128/mi²). There are 52,831 housing units at an average density of 21 persons/km² (55 persons/mi²). The racial makeup of the county is 97.17% White, 0.59% African American, 0.41% Native American, 0.42% Asian, 0.01% Pacific Islander, 0.48% from other races, and 0.93% from two or more races. 1.30% of the population are Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There are 45,522 households out of which 35.00% have children under the age of 18 living with them, 52.80% are married couples living together, 10.80% have a woman whose husband does not live with her, and 31.40% are non-families. 24.30% of all households are made up of individuals and 9.70% have someone living alone who is 65 years of age or older. The average household size is 2.60 and the average family size is 3.08.

In the county the population is spread out with 26.80% under the age of 18, 10.90% from 18 to 24, 28.90% from 25 to 44, 22.10% from 45 to 64, and 11.30% who are 65 years of age or older. The median age is 35 years. For every 100 females there are 97.50 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there are 94.40 males.

The median income for a household in the county is $36,598, and the median income for a family is $43,821. Males have a median income of $34,976 versus $23,938 for females. The per capita income for the county is $16,853. 14.00% of the population and 9.70% of families are below the poverty line. Out of the total people living in poverty, 17.10% are under the age of 18 and 9.50% are 65 or older.

Cities and Towns

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