Fulton County, New York
U.S. County|
county = Fulton County|
state = New York |
seal = |
map size = 250|
founded =
1838| seat =
Johnstown | area = 1,380
km² (533
mi²) |
area land = 1,285 km² (496 mi²) |
area water = 95 km² (37 mi²) |
area percentage = 6.89% |
census yr = 2000|
pop = 55,073 |
density = 43|
web = www.fulton.ny.us|}}
Fulton County is a
county located in the
U.S. state of
New York. As of 2000, the population was 55,073. Its name is in honor of
Robert Fulton, inventor of the first commercially-practical
steamboat. Its
county seat is
Johnstown.
When counties were established in New York State in
1683, the present Fulton 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, Montgomery County was reduced in size by the splitting off of
Ontario County. 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, Montgomery County was further reduced in size by the splitting off of
Herkimer,
Otsego, and
Tioga Counties; in
1802, Montgomery County was further reduced in size by the splitting off of a portion, which was combined with portions of
Clinton and
Herkimer Counties to form
St. Lawrence County. In
1816, Montgomery County was further reduced in size by the splitting off of
Hamilton County.
Finally, in
1838, Fulton County was split off from Montgomery.
Fulton County is in the central part of the state, northwest of
Albany.
According to the
U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 1,380
km² (533
mi²). 1,285 km² (496 mi²) of it is land and 95 km² (37 mi²) of it (6.89%) is water.
As of the
census² of 2000, there were 55,073 people, 21,884 households, and 14,509 families residing in the county. The
population density was 43/km² (111/mi²). There were 27,787 housing units at an average density of 22/km² (56/mi²). The racial makeup of the county was 95.99%
White, 1.80%
Black or
African American, 0.19%
Native American, 0.53%
Asian, 0.02%
Pacific Islander, 0.56% from
other races, and 0.91% from two or more races. 1.61% of the population were
Hispanic or
Latino of any race.
There were 21,884 households out of which 30.50% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 50.00% were
married couples living together, 11.30% had a female householder with no husband present, and 33.70% were non-families. 27.70% of all households were made up of individuals and 12.90% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.43 and the average family size was 2.94.
In the county the population was spread out with 24.90% under the age of 18, 7.20% from 18 to 24, 28.10% from 25 to 44, 23.60% from 45 to 64, and 16.30% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 39 years. For every 100 females there were 97.10 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 93.60 males.
The median income for a household in the county was $33,663, and the median income for a family was $39,801. Males had a median income of $29,538 versus $22,173 for females. The
per capita income for the county was $16,844. About 9.20% of families and 12.50% of the population were below the
poverty line, including 17.50% of those under age 18 and 7.50% of those age 65 or over.
*
Bleecker (town)
*
Broadalbin (town)
*
Broadalbin (village)
*
Caroga (town)
*
Dolgeville (village)
*
Ephratah (town)
*
Gloversville (city)
*
Johnstown (town)
*
Johnstown (city)
*
Mayfield (town)
*
Mayfield (village)
*
Northampton (town)
*
Northville (village)
*
Oppenheim (town)
*
Perth (town)
*
Stratford (town) :
=> Label in parentheses is official political designation.
*
Fulton County webpage *
Early history of Fulton County 
