Clinton County, New York facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Clinton County
County
Clinton County Courthouse
Flag Seal
Location within the U.S. state of New York
New York's location within the U.S.
Country	United States
State	New York
Founded	1788
Named for	George Clinton
Seat	Plattsburgh
Largest city	Plattsburgh
Area
• Total	1,117.53 sq mi (2,894.4 km2)
• Land	1,037.85 sq mi (2,688.0 km2)
• Water	80 sq mi (200 km2)  7.1%
Population  (2020)
• Total	79,843
• Density	71/sq mi (27/km2)
Time zone	UTC−5 (Eastern)
• Summer (DST)	UTC−4 (EDT)
Congressional district	21st

Clinton County is the northeastern most county in the northeastern corner of the state of New York, in the United States and bordered by the Canadian province of Quebec. As of the 2020 United States Census, the population was 79,843. Its county seat is the city of Plattsburgh. The county lies just south of the border with the Canadian province of Quebec and to the west of the State of Vermont. The county is named for George Clinton, the first Governor of New York, who later was elected as Vice President. He had been a Founding Father who represented New York in the Continental Congress. Clinton County comprises the Plattsburgh, New York micropolitan statistical area. The county is part of the North Country region of the state.

History

George Clinton, namesake of Clinton County. First Governor of New York, Vice President under Thomas Jefferson and James Madison, and representative of New York in the Continental Congress

When counties were established in New York State in 1683, the present Clinton 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, Charlotte County, contained the eastern portion.

In 1784, the name "Charlotte County" was changed to Washington County to honor George Washington, the American Revolutionary War General and later the first President of the United States of America.

In 1788, Clinton County split off from Washington County.

In 1799, Essex County split from Clinton County.

In 1802, parts of Clinton, Herkimer, and Montgomery counties formed the new St. Lawrence County.

In 1808, Franklin County split from Clinton County.

Geography

Clinton County lies at the northeast corner of New York state. Its northern border abuts the Canadian province of Quebec. Its eastern border abuts the state of Vermont (across Lake Champlain). The encompassing region is referred to as the Adirondack Coast.

The Saranac River flows easterly through the central part of the county, discharging into Lake Champlain at Plattsburgh, and the Great Chazy River flows northeastward through the upper part of the county, discharging into Lake Champlain at Coopersville. The Ausable River forms a large part of the southern county line. The county's highest point is Lyon Mountain, in the town of Dannemora, at 3,830 ft (1,170 m) ASL. According to the US Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 1,117.53 square miles (2,894.4 km²), of which 1,037.85 square miles (2,688.0 km²) is land and 79.67 square miles (206.3 km²) (7.1%) is water.

Adjacent counties and municipalities

Protected areas

Lakes

Demographics

2020 census

Education

School districts include:

The State University of New York at Plattsburgh is located in the City of Plattsburgh. The county is also served by Clinton Community College, which is located in the Town of Plattsburgh.

Infrastructure

Clinton Correctional Facility, a maximum-security prison is located in the village of Dannemora. Altona Correctional Facility is a medium-security prison in the town of Altona.

Transportation

Highways

Airports

• Plattsburgh International Airport (PBG) – Plattsburgh
• Clinton County Airport (PLB) – Plattsburgh
• Rouses Point Seaplane Base (K21) – Rouses Point

Rail

Amtrak's Adirondack Train travels through the county, connecting Montreal to New York City. Two trains a day (one north and one south) stop in the county in Plattsburgh and Rouses Point.

Mass transit

The Clinton County Public Transit runs bus routes that branch from Plattsburgh to towns in the county.

Communities

Larger settlements

† - County seat

†† - Former village

‡ - Not wholly in this county

Towns

Hamlets

• Churubusco
• Coopersville
• Swastika
• Morrisonville

See also

In Spanish: Condado de Clinton (Nueva York) para niños