Herkimer County, New York
Encyclopedia
Herkimer County is a county located in the U.S. state
of New York
. It was created in 1791 north of the Mohawk River out of part of Montgomery County. As of the 2010 census, the population was 64,519. It is named after General Nicholas Herkimer
, who died from battle wounds in 1777 after taking part in the Battle of Oriskany
during the Revolutionary War. Its county seat
is the Village of Herkimer
.
Herkimer County is part of the Utica-Rome, NY Metropolitan Statistical Area
.
.
In 1791, Herkimer County was created as one of three counties split off from Montgomery (the other two being Otsego
and Tioga
counties, as New York State was developed after the American Revolutionary War
. Its area was much larger than the present county, however, and was reduced subsequently as more counties were organized.
Part of Herkimer County was included in the Macomb's Purchase
of 1791, during the wide-scale sale of public lands after the state forced Iroquois
tribes allied with the British during the war to cede their territory. Suddenly the state was selling 5 million acres (20,234.3 km²) of land in upstate, central and western New York.
In 1794, Onondaga County
was split off from Herkimer County. This county was larger than the current Onondaga County, and included the present Cayuga
, Cortland
, and part of Oswego
counties.
In 1798, portions of Herkimer and Tioga counties were taken to form Chenango County
.
Another part of Herkimer was split off to form Oneida County
. It was then larger than the current Oneida County, including the present Jefferson
, Lewis
, and part of Oswego
counties.
In 1802, parts of Herkimer, Clinton
and Montgomery
counties were combined to form the new St. Lawrence County.
, and east of Syracuse
. The northern part of the county is in the Adirondack Park. The Mohawk River
flows across the south part of the county.
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 1458 square miles (3,776.2 km²), of which 1411 square miles (3,654.5 km²) is land and 47 square miles (121.7 km²) (3.23%) is water.
crystals, marketed as Herkimer diamond
s.
Ilion
in Herkimer County has one of two production sites of the Remington Arms Company, where many of the company's firearms are produced.
of 2000, there were 64,427 people, 25,734 households, and 17,113 families residing in the county. The population density
was 46 people per square mile (18/km²). There were 32,026 housing units at an average density of 23 per square mile (9/km²). The racial makeup of the county was 97.83% White
, 0.51% Black
or African American
, 0.22% Native American
, 0.41% Asian
, 0.02% Pacific Islander
, 0.18% from other races
, and 0.84% from two or more races. 0.90% of the population were Hispanic or Latino
of any race. 20.6% were of Italian
, 16.3% German
, 13.9% Irish
, 9.3% English
, 7.7% Polish, 6.2% American
and 5.2% French
ancestry according to Census 2000. 95.2% spoke English
, 1.2% Spanish
and 1.1% Italian
as their first language.
There were 25,734 households out of which 30.60% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 51.20% were married couples
living together, 10.30% had a female householder with no husband present, and 33.50% were non-families. 27.60% of all households were made up of individuals and 13.70% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.46 and the average family size was 2.99.
In the county the population was spread out with 24.40% under the age of 18, 8.30% from 18 to 24, 26.60% from 25 to 44, 24.00% from 45 to 64, and 16.80% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 39 years. For every 100 females there were 94.20 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 91.70 males.
The median income for a household in the county was $32,924, and the median income for a family was $40,570. Males had a median income of $29,908 versus $21,518 for females. The per capita income
for the county was $16,141. About 8.90% of families and 12.50% of the population were below the poverty line, including 15.60% of those under age 18 and 10.40% of those age 65 or over.
U.S. state
A U.S. state is any one of the 50 federated states of the United States of America that share sovereignty with the federal government. Because of this shared sovereignty, an American is a citizen both of the federal entity and of his or her state of domicile. Four states use the official title of...
of New York
New York
New York is a state in the Northeastern region of the United States. It is the nation's third most populous state. New York is bordered by New Jersey and Pennsylvania to the south, and by Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont to the east...
. It was created in 1791 north of the Mohawk River out of part of Montgomery County. As of the 2010 census, the population was 64,519. It is named after General Nicholas Herkimer
Nicholas Herkimer
Nicholas Herkimer was a militia general in the American Revolutionary War, who died of wounds after the Battle of Oriskany.-Career:...
, who died from battle wounds in 1777 after taking part in the Battle of Oriskany
Battle of Oriskany
The Battle of Oriskany, fought on August 6, 1777, was one of the bloodiest battles in the North American theater of the American Revolutionary War and a significant engagement of the Saratoga campaign...
during the Revolutionary War. Its county seat
County seat
A county seat is an administrative center, or seat of government, for a county or civil parish. The term is primarily used in the United States....
is the Village of Herkimer
Herkimer (village), New York
Herkimer is a village in Herkimer County, New York, United States, about southeast of Utica. As of the 2000 census, it had a population of 7,498 people. The village is named after the Herkimers, Palatine German immigrants who settled in this area in 1723...
.
Herkimer County is part of the Utica-Rome, NY Metropolitan Statistical Area
Utica-Rome metropolitan area
The Utica-Rome Metropolitan Statistical Area, as defined by the United States Census Bureau, is an area consisting of two counties in central New York, anchored by the cities of Utica and Rome...
.
History
For the history of Herkimer County before 1791, see Montgomery CountyMontgomery County, New York
As of the census of 2000, there were 49,708 people, 20,038 households, and 13,104 families residing in the county. The population density was 123 people per square mile . There were 22,522 housing units at an average density of 56 per square mile...
.
In 1791, Herkimer County was created as one of three counties split off from Montgomery (the other two being Otsego
Otsego County, New York
Otsego County is a county located in the U.S. state of New York. The 2010 population was 62,259. The county seat is Cooperstown. The name Otsego is from a Mohawk word meaning "place of the rock."-History:...
and Tioga
Tioga County, New York
As of the census of 2010, there were 51,125 people residing in the county, with 22,203 housing units, of these 20,350 occupied, 1,853 vacant. The population density was 98 people per square mile...
counties, as New York State was developed after the American Revolutionary War
American Revolutionary War
The American Revolutionary War , the American War of Independence, or simply the Revolutionary War, began as a war between the Kingdom of Great Britain and thirteen British colonies in North America, and ended in a global war between several European great powers.The war was the result of the...
. Its area was much larger than the present county, however, and was reduced subsequently as more counties were organized.
Part of Herkimer County was included in the Macomb's Purchase
Macomb's Purchase
Macomb's Purchase is a large historical area of northern New York, USA purchased from the state in 1791 by Alexander Macomb, who had become rich as a merchant in the American Revolution.-History and geography:...
of 1791, during the wide-scale sale of public lands after the state forced Iroquois
Iroquois
The Iroquois , also known as the Haudenosaunee or the "People of the Longhouse", are an association of several tribes of indigenous people of North America...
tribes allied with the British during the war to cede their territory. Suddenly the state was selling 5 million acres (20,234.3 km²) of land in upstate, central and western New York.
In 1794, Onondaga County
Onondaga County, New York
Onondaga County is a county located in the U.S. state of New York. As of the 2010 census, the population was 467,026. The county seat is Syracuse.Onondaga County is part of the Syracuse, NY Metropolitan Statistical Area....
was split off from Herkimer County. This county was larger than the current Onondaga County, and included the present Cayuga
Cayuga County, New York
Cayuga County is a county located in the U.S. state of New York. It was named for one of the tribes of Indians in the Iroquois Confederation. Its county seat is Auburn.- History :...
, Cortland
Cortland County, New York
Cortland County is a county located in the U.S. state of New York, named after Federico Van Cortlandt, president of the convention at Kingston that wrote the first New York State Constitution in 1777, and first lieutenant governor of the state. The county seat is Cortland...
, and part of Oswego
Oswego County, New York
Oswego County is a county located in the U.S. state of New York. As of the 2010 Census, the estimated population was 122,109. The City of Oswego and the Village of Pulaski serve as the dual county seats in a two shire system of government...
counties.
In 1798, portions of Herkimer and Tioga counties were taken to form Chenango County
Chenango County, New York
Chenango County is a county located in the U.S. state of New York. As of the 2010 census, the population was 50,477. The county's name originates from an Oneida word meaning "large bull-thistle." Its county seat is Norwich.-History:...
.
Another part of Herkimer was split off to form Oneida County
Oneida County, New York
Oneida County is a county located in the U.S. state of New York. As of the 2010 census, the population was 234,878. The county seat is Utica. The name is in honor of the Oneida, an Iroquoian tribe that formerly occupied the region....
. It was then larger than the current Oneida County, including the present Jefferson
Jefferson County, New York
Jefferson County is a county located in the U.S. state of New York. As of the 2010 census, the population was 116,229. It is named after Thomas Jefferson, third President of the United States of America, and president at the time the county was created in 1805...
, Lewis
Lewis County, New York
As of the census of 2000, there were 26,944 people, 10,040 households, and 7,309 families residing in the county. The population density was 21 people per square mile . There were 15,134 housing units at an average density of 12 per square mile...
, and part of Oswego
Oswego County, New York
Oswego County is a county located in the U.S. state of New York. As of the 2010 Census, the estimated population was 122,109. The City of Oswego and the Village of Pulaski serve as the dual county seats in a two shire system of government...
counties.
In 1802, parts of Herkimer, Clinton
Clinton County, New York
Clinton County is a county located in the U.S. state of New York. As of the 2010 census, the population was 82,128. Its name is in honor of the first Governor of New York as a state, George Clinton. Its county seat is Plattsburgh.-History:...
and Montgomery
Montgomery County, New York
As of the census of 2000, there were 49,708 people, 20,038 households, and 13,104 families residing in the county. The population density was 123 people per square mile . There were 22,522 housing units at an average density of 56 per square mile...
counties were combined to form the new St. Lawrence County.
Geography
Herkimer County is in central New York State, northwest of AlbanyAlbany, New York
Albany is the capital city of the U.S. state of New York, the seat of Albany County, and the central city of New York's Capital District. Roughly north of New York City, Albany sits on the west bank of the Hudson River, about south of its confluence with the Mohawk River...
, and east of Syracuse
Syracuse, New York
Syracuse is a city in and the county seat of Onondaga County, New York, United States, the largest U.S. city with the name "Syracuse", and the fifth most populous city in the state. At the 2010 census, the city population was 145,170, and its metropolitan area had a population of 742,603...
. The northern part of the county is in the Adirondack Park. The Mohawk River
Mohawk River
The Mohawk River is a river in the U.S. state of New York. It is the largest tributary of the Hudson River. The Mohawk flows into the Hudson in the Capital District, a few miles north of the city of Albany. The river is named for the Mohawk Nation of the Iroquois Confederacy...
flows across the south part of the county.
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 1458 square miles (3,776.2 km²), of which 1411 square miles (3,654.5 km²) is land and 47 square miles (121.7 km²) (3.23%) is water.
Economy
Herkimer County is known for producing unusual clear, doubly terminated quartzQuartz
Quartz is the second-most-abundant mineral in the Earth's continental crust, after feldspar. It is made up of a continuous framework of SiO4 silicon–oxygen tetrahedra, with each oxygen being shared between two tetrahedra, giving an overall formula SiO2. There are many different varieties of quartz,...
crystals, marketed as Herkimer diamond
Herkimer diamond
Herkimer diamond is a generic name for a double-terminated quartz crystal discovered within exposed outcrops of dolostone in and around Herkimer County, New York and the Mohawk River Valley...
s.
Ilion
Ilion, New York
Ilion is a village in Herkimer County, New York, United States. The population was 8,610 at the 2000 census. Ilion is a name for the ancient city of Troy.The Village of Ilion is at the north town line of the Town of German Flatts...
in Herkimer County has one of two production sites of the Remington Arms Company, where many of the company's firearms are produced.
Demographics
As of the censusCensus
A census is the procedure of systematically acquiring and recording information about the members of a given population. It is a regularly occurring and official count of a particular population. The term is used mostly in connection with national population and housing censuses; other common...
of 2000, there were 64,427 people, 25,734 households, and 17,113 families residing in the county. The population density
Population density
Population density is a measurement of population per unit area or unit volume. It is frequently applied to living organisms, and particularly to humans...
was 46 people per square mile (18/km²). There were 32,026 housing units at an average density of 23 per square mile (9/km²). The racial makeup of the county was 97.83% White
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
, 0.51% Black
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
or African American
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
, 0.22% Native American
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
, 0.41% Asian
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
, 0.02% Pacific Islander
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
, 0.18% from other races
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
, and 0.84% from two or more races. 0.90% of the population were Hispanic or Latino
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
of any race. 20.6% were of Italian
Italian people
The Italian people are an ethnic group that share a common Italian culture, ancestry and speak the Italian language as a mother tongue. Within Italy, Italians are defined by citizenship, regardless of ancestry or country of residence , and are distinguished from people...
, 16.3% German
Germans
The Germans are a Germanic ethnic group native to Central Europe. The English term Germans has referred to the German-speaking population of the Holy Roman Empire since the Late Middle Ages....
, 13.9% Irish
Irish people
The Irish people are an ethnic group who originate in Ireland, an island in northwestern Europe. Ireland has been populated for around 9,000 years , with the Irish people's earliest ancestors recorded having legends of being descended from groups such as the Nemedians, Fomorians, Fir Bolg, Tuatha...
, 9.3% English
English people
The English are a nation and ethnic group native to England, who speak English. The English identity is of early mediaeval origin, when they were known in Old English as the Anglecynn. England is now a country of the United Kingdom, and the majority of English people in England are British Citizens...
, 7.7% Polish, 6.2% American
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
and 5.2% French
French people
The French are a nation that share a common French culture and speak the French language as a mother tongue. Historically, the French population are descended from peoples of Celtic, Latin and Germanic origin, and are today a mixture of several ethnic groups...
ancestry according to Census 2000. 95.2% spoke English
English language
English is a West Germanic language that arose in the Anglo-Saxon kingdoms of England and spread into what was to become south-east Scotland under the influence of the Anglian medieval kingdom of Northumbria...
, 1.2% Spanish
Spanish language
Spanish , also known as Castilian , is a Romance language in the Ibero-Romance group that evolved from several languages and dialects in central-northern Iberia around the 9th century and gradually spread with the expansion of the Kingdom of Castile into central and southern Iberia during the...
and 1.1% Italian
Italian language
Italian is a Romance language spoken mainly in Europe: Italy, Switzerland, San Marino, Vatican City, by minorities in Malta, Monaco, Croatia, Slovenia, France, Libya, Eritrea, and Somalia, and by immigrant communities in the Americas and Australia...
as their first language.
There were 25,734 households out of which 30.60% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 51.20% were married couples
Marriage
Marriage is a social union or legal contract between people that creates kinship. It is an institution in which interpersonal relationships, usually intimate and sexual, are acknowledged in a variety of ways, depending on the culture or subculture in which it is found...
living together, 10.30% had a female householder with no husband present, and 33.50% were non-families. 27.60% of all households were made up of individuals and 13.70% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.46 and the average family size was 2.99.
In the county the population was spread out with 24.40% under the age of 18, 8.30% from 18 to 24, 26.60% from 25 to 44, 24.00% from 45 to 64, and 16.80% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 39 years. For every 100 females there were 94.20 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 91.70 males.
The median income for a household in the county was $32,924, and the median income for a family was $40,570. Males had a median income of $29,908 versus $21,518 for females. The per capita income
Per capita income
Per capita income or income per person is a measure of mean income within an economic aggregate, such as a country or city. It is calculated by taking a measure of all sources of income in the aggregate and dividing it by the total population...
for the county was $16,141. About 8.90% of families and 12.50% of the population were below the poverty line, including 15.60% of those under age 18 and 10.40% of those age 65 or over.
Government and politics
The Herkimer County Legislature consists of 17 members each elected from single member districts.Cities, Towns and Villages
- Cold BrookCold Brook, New YorkCold Brook is a village in Herkimer County, New York, United States. The population was 336 at the 2000 census. The village is named after a stream passing through the village....
(village) - ColumbiaColumbia, New YorkColumbia is a town in Herkimer County, New York, United States. As of the 2000 census, the town population was 1,630 .The Town of Columbia is at the south border of the county and is southeast of Utica.-History:...
(town) - DanubeDanube, New YorkDanube is a town in Herkimer County, New York, United States. The population was 1,098 at the 2000 census. Early Palatine German immigrants in the eighteenth century named the town after the Danube River in Europe....
(town) - DolgevilleDolgeville, New YorkDolgeville is a village in Herkimer County, New York, United States. The population was 2,166 at the 2000 census. The village is named after Alfred Dolge , industrialist....
(village) - FairfieldFairfield, New YorkFairfield is a town in Herkimer County, New York, United States. The population was 1,607 at the 2000 census. The town is named after Fairfield, Connecticut.The Town of Fairfield is north of the Village of Herkimer and east of Utica...
(town) - FrankfortFrankfort (town), New YorkFrankfort is a town in Herkimer County, New York, United States. The population was 7,478 at the 2000 census. The town is named after one of its earliest settlers, Lawrence Frank. The town of Frankfort includes a village also called Frankfort. The town is east of Utica...
(town) - FrankfortFrankfort (village), New YorkFrankfort is a village in Herkimer County, New York, USA. The population was 2,537 at the 2000 census. Like the town, the village is named after early settler, Lawrence Frank....
(village) - German FlattsGerman Flatts, New YorkGerman Flatts is a town in Herkimer County, New York, United States. The population was 13,629 at the 2000 census.The Town of German Flatts is in the south part of Herkimer County, across from the of Village of Herkimer on the south side of the Mohawk River, and southeast of Utica.-Herkimer:This...
(town) - HerkimerHerkimer (village), New YorkHerkimer is a village in Herkimer County, New York, United States, about southeast of Utica. As of the 2000 census, it had a population of 7,498 people. The village is named after the Herkimers, Palatine German immigrants who settled in this area in 1723...
(village) - HerkimerHerkimer (town), New YorkHerkimer is a town in Herkimer County, New York, United States, southeast of Utica. It is named after Nicholas Herkimer. The population was 9,962 at the 2000 census.The town contains a village also called Herkimer...
(town) - IlionIlion, New YorkIlion is a village in Herkimer County, New York, United States. The population was 8,610 at the 2000 census. Ilion is a name for the ancient city of Troy.The Village of Ilion is at the north town line of the Town of German Flatts...
(village) - LitchfieldLitchfield, New YorkLitchfield is a town in Herkimer County, New York, United States. The population was 1,453 at the 2000 census. The town is named after Litchfield, Connecticut, the source of some early settlers....
(town) - Little FallsLittle Falls (town), New YorkLittle Falls is a town in Herkimer County, New York, United States. The population was 1,544 at the 2000 census. The town is named after a waterfall located nearby.The Town of Little Falls has on its eastern end a small city called Little Falls...
(town) - Little FallsLittle Falls (city), New YorkLittle Falls is a city in Herkimer County, New York, USA. The population was 5,188 at the 2000 census. The name is derived from a small cataract near the city....
(city) - ManheimManheim, New YorkManheim is a town in Herkimer County, New York, United States. The population was 3,171 at the 2000 census. The town name is derived from Mannheim, in Baden, Germany....
(town) - MiddlevilleMiddleville, New YorkMiddleville is a village in Herkimer County, New York, New York. The population was 550 at the 2000 census.The Village of Middleville is on the boundary of the Towns of Newport and Fairfield. The village is north of the Village of Herkimer and is east of Utica.- History :The community was first...
(village) - MohawkMohawk, Herkimer County, New York----Mohawk is a village in Herkimer County, New York, United States. The population was 2,660 at the 2000 census. The village was named after the adjacent river....
(village) - NewportNewport (town), New YorkNewport is a town in Herkimer County, New York, United States. The population was 2,192 at the 2000 census.The Town of Newport, located on the western edge of the county, contains the village called Newport...
(town) - NewportNewport (village), New YorkNewport is a village in Herkimer County, New York, USA. The population was 640 at the 2000 census.The Village of Newport is near the eastern town line of the Town of Newport and is northeast of Utica.- History :...
(village) - NorwayNorway, New YorkNorway is a town in Herkimer County, New York, United States. The population was 711 at the 2000 census.The Town of Norway is located in the east-central part of the county and is northeast of Utica.The town borders the Adirondack Park.- History :...
(town) - OhioOhio, New YorkOhio is a town in Herkimer County, New York, United States. The population was 922 at the 2000 census. The town is named after the state of Ohio. The town is in the northwest part of the county and northeast of Utica. Part of Ohio is within the Adirondack Park....
(town) - PolandPoland, Herkimer County, New York----Poland is a village in Herkimer County, New York, United States. The population was 451 at the 2000 census.The Village of Poland is at the town line shared by the Town of Newport and the Town of Russia. The village is 16 miles north of the county seat in Herkimer and is northeast of Utica...
(village) - RussiaRussia, New YorkRussia is a town in Herkimer County, New York, United States. The population was 2,487 at the 2000 census.The Town of Russia is located in the northwest part of the county...
(town) - SalisburySalisbury, Herkimer County, New York----Salisbury is a town in Herkimer County, New York, United States. The population was 1,953 at the 2000 census.The Town of Salisbury is on the eastern edge of the county. Salisbury is north of the City of Little Falls...
(town) - SchuylerSchuyler, New York----Schuyler is a town in Herkimer County, New York, United States. The population was 3,385 at the 2000 census.The Town of Schuyler is located in the western part of Herkimer County. The town is east of Utica, New York.- History :...
(town) - StarkStark, New YorkStark is a town in Herkimer County, New York, United States. The population was 767 at the 2000 census. The town was named after a Revolutionary War General named John Stark.The Town of Stark is in the eastern part of Herkimer County.- History :...
(town) - WarrenWarren, New York----Warren is a town in Herkimer County, New York, United States. The population was 1,136 at the 2000 census. The town is named after General Joseph Warren, who was killed at the Battle of Bunker Hill....
(town) - WebbWebb, New YorkWebb is a the northernmost town in Herkimer County, New York, United States. The town is named after William Seward Webb, President of the Raquette Lake Transportation Company, the Fulton Chain Railway Company, Fulton Navigation Company, and the Mohawk and Malone Railway; his railroads were...
(town) - West WinfieldWest Winfield, New YorkWest Winfield is a village in the town of Winfield in Herkimer County, New York, United States. The population was 862 at the 2000 census. The village is indirectly named after General Winfield Scott, for whom the town is named...
(village) - Winfield (town)
- Label in parentheses indicates official level of government
See also
- List of counties in New York
- National Register of Historic Places listings in Herkimer County, New York