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Hamilton County, New York facts for kids

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Hamilton County
Hamilton County Courthouse in Lake Pleasant
Hamilton County Courthouse in Lake Pleasant
Flag of Hamilton County
Flag
Official seal of Hamilton County
Seal
Map of New York highlighting Hamilton County
Location within the U.S. state of New York
Map of the United States highlighting New York
New York's location within the U.S.
Country  United States
State  New York
Founded 1847
Named for Alexander Hamilton
Seat Lake Pleasant
Largest CDP Long Lake
Area
 • Total 1,808 sq mi (4,680 km2)
 • Land 1,717 sq mi (4,450 km2)
 • Water 90 sq mi (200 km2)  5.0%
Population
 (2020)
 • Total 5,107
 • Density 3.0/sq mi (1.2/km2)
Time zone UTC−5 (Eastern)
 • Summer (DST) UTC−4 (EDT)
Congressional district 21st

Hamilton County is a county in the U.S. state of New York. As of the 2020 census, the population was 5,107, making it the least populous county in New York. With an area nearly the size of Delaware, it is the least densely populated county east of the Mississippi River. Its county seat is Lake Pleasant. The county is named after Alexander Hamilton, the only member of the New York State delegation who signed the United States Constitution in 1787 and later the first United States Secretary of the Treasury. The county was created in 1816 and organized in 1847.

Hamilton County is one of only two counties that lie entirely within the Adirondack Park (Essex being the other). Because of its location in the park, any development in the county is restricted by the New York State Constitution, which designates the park as "forever wild." There is no permanent traffic light in the county, and much of the county has no cell phone service.

History

On April 12, 1816, Hamilton County was created by partitioning 1,800 square miles (4,700 km2) from Montgomery County, but due to low population it remained unorganized and administered from Montgomery County, N.Y. until it was recognized as sufficiently prepared for self-government on January 1, 1838. The organization process was completed by summer 1847.

On April 6, 1860, Fulton County was partitioned, with 10 square miles (26 km2) of land in Sacandaga Park transferred to Hamilton County. On May 24, 1915, land was swapped between Hamilton and Essex counties, with Hamilton ceding Fishing Brook Mountain for Indian Lake. Hamilton gained an additional 20 square miles (52 km2), whereas Essex County lost 30 square miles (78 km2). This left Hamilton with its present size of 1,830 square miles (4,700 km2).

The former town of Gilman was dissolved in 1860. The original county seat was Sageville, now part of Lake Pleasant.

Geography

Hamilton County N.Y
Road map of Hamilton County

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 1,808 square miles (4,680 km2), of which 1,717 square miles (4,450 km2) is land and 90 square miles (230 km2) (5.0%) is water. It is New York's third-largest county by land area and fifth-largest by total area.

Hamilton County is in state's north central part, northwest of Albany. It lies entirely within Adirondack Park and consists mostly of publicly owned parkland.

Adjacent counties

Demographics

Historical population
Census Pop.
1820 1,251
1830 1,325 5.9%
1840 1,907 43.9%
1850 2,188 14.7%
1860 3,024 38.2%
1870 2,960 −2.1%
1880 3,923 32.5%
1890 4,762 21.4%
1900 4,947 3.9%
1910 4,373 −11.6%
1920 3,970 −9.2%
1930 3,929 −1.0%
1940 4,188 6.6%
1950 4,105 −2.0%
1960 4,267 3.9%
1970 4,714 10.5%
1980 5,034 6.8%
1990 5,279 4.9%
2000 5,379 1.9%
2010 4,836 −10.1%
2020 5,107 5.6%
U.S. Decennial Census
1790-1960 1900-1990
1990-2000 2010-2020

As of the 2020 census, among the 5,107 residents the racial makeup of the county was 93.69% White, 0.61% Black or African American, 0.27% Native American, 0.23% Asian, 0.02% Pacific Islander, 0.43% from other races, and 4.74% from two or more races. 1.96% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race. Additional demographics are based on older data. As of the census of 2000, there were 5,379 people, 2,362 households, and 1,558 families residing in the county. The population density was 3 inhabitants per square mile (1.2/km2); both the total population and population density rank lowest in the state of New York. There were 7,965 housing units at an average density of 5/sq mi (1.9/km2). 16.9% were of Irish, 15.7% German, 15.2% English, 10.9% French, 7.3% American and 5.7% Italian ancestry. 97.5% spoke English and 1.7% French as their first language.

There were 2,362 households, out of which 23.60% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 55.70% were married couples living together, 6.70% had a female householder with no husband present, and 34.00% were non-families. 29.60% 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 2.24 and the average family size was 2.74.

In the county, the population was spread out, with 19.70% under the age of 18, 5.20% from 18 to 24, 24.20% from 25 to 44, 30.90% from 45 to 64, and 20.00% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 45 years. For every 100 females there were 100.00 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 99.40 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $32,287, and the median income for a family was $39,676. Males had a median income of $29,177 versus $21,849 for females. The per capita income for the county was $18,643. About 6.00% of families and 10.40% of the population were below the poverty line, including 10.50% of those under age 18 and 8.70% of those age 65 or over.

Transportation

Airports

The following public use airports are located in the county:

  • Piseco Airport (K09) – Piseco
  • Long Lake Helms Seaplane Base (NY9) – Long Lake
  • Long Lake Sagamore Seaplane Base (K03) – Long Lake

Ground

  • NY-8.svgNY-8
  • NY-10.svgNY-10
  • NY-28.svgNY-28
  • NY-28N.svgNY-28N
  • NY-30.svgNY-30

Communities

Towns

Village

Census-designated places

Other hamlets

Former hamlet

  • Sabattis (formerly Long Lake West)

See also

Kids robot.svg In Spanish: Condado de Hamilton (Nueva York) para niños

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