Wyoming County, New York facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Wyoming County
County
Old Wyoming 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	1841
Seat	Warsaw
Largest village	Warsaw
Area
• Total	596 sq mi (1,540 km2)
• Land	593 sq mi (1,540 km2)
• Water	3.5 sq mi (9 km2)  0.6%
Population  (2020)
• Total	40,531
• Estimate  (2025)	39,741
• Density	68.4/sq mi (26.4/km2)
Time zone	UTC−5 (Eastern)
• Summer (DST)	UTC−4 (EDT)
Congressional district	24th

Wyoming County is a beautiful area in western New York. It's known for its farms and lovely countryside. In 2020, about 40,531 people lived here. The main town, or county seat, is Warsaw. The name "Wyoming" comes from a Lenape Native American word. It means "broad bottom lands," describing the wide, flat areas of land. Wyoming County was created in 1841 from Genesee County. It's a big farming area, with more dairy cows than people! This county is also part of the famous Finger Lakes region.

Exploring Wyoming County's Past

Early Days and Native American Heritage

Long ago, the land that is now Wyoming County was home to Native American tribes. It was also claimed by different European colonies. These included Massachusetts Bay Colony, Connecticut Colony, Province of Pennsylvania, New York Colony, and New France. Eventually, in 1786, New York's claim to the land was officially recognized.

The Holland Land Purchase

A big part of Wyoming County's history involves the Holland Land Purchase. In 1793, almost all the land west of the Genesee River was bought. This land was then sold to settlers starting in 1801. The sales happened through the Holland Land Company's office in Batavia.

How Wyoming County Was Formed

Over many years, the area changed hands and was divided into smaller counties.

• In 1683, this land was part of a huge Albany County.
• Later, it became part of Tryon County. After the American Revolutionary War, Tryon County was renamed Montgomery County. This honored General Richard Montgomery.
• In 1789, Ontario County was created from Montgomery County.
• Then, in 1802, Genesee County was formed from Ontario County. This new county was much larger than Genesee County is today.
• Finally, in 1841, Wyoming County was officially created. It was made from the southern part of Genesee County. It also included small pieces of Allegany County and Cattaraugus County.

Discovering Wyoming County's Geography

Location and Landscape

Wyoming County covers about 596 square miles. Most of this is land, with a small part being water. It's located in western New York State. You can find it east of Buffalo and southwest of Rochester. The county is mostly rural, meaning it has lots of open land and small towns. Even Warsaw, the county seat, is a small community.

The land here is often hilly and has rich soil. Many areas are covered in forests. These forests provide timber, and some maple trees are tapped for delicious maple syrup each spring.

Farming and Outdoor Fun

Agriculture is very important to Wyoming County's economy. While apple orchards were once common, now only a few remain. The county is also a great place for outdoor activities. People enjoy fishing, hunting, and snowmobiling here.

Rivers, Creeks, and Natural Resources

The Genesee River forms part of the county's southeastern border. Many smaller streams, like Tonawanda Creek and Buffalo River, flow through the area. Oatka Creek, an important stream that flows into the Genesee River, starts in the Town of Gainesville within the county.

Wyoming County also has interesting geology. A geologic fault runs through the Dale valley. This fault sometimes causes small earthquakes. The Dale Valley is also a source of salt, which is extracted from underground wells. A pipeline carries this salt to Niagara Falls for use in the chemical industry.

Adjacent Counties

Wyoming County shares borders with these other counties:

• Genesee County - north
• Livingston County - east
• Allegany County - south
• Cattaraugus County - southwest
• Erie County - west

Major Highways for Travel

Many important roads help people travel through Wyoming County:

Who Lives in Wyoming County?

Population Overview

Wyoming County is home to a diverse group of people. The population has changed over the years. In 2020, the county had 40,531 residents.

Historical population
Census	Pop.		%±
1850	31,981		—
1860	31,968		0.0%
1870	29,164		−8.8%
1880	30,907		6.0%
1890	31,193		0.9%
1900	30,413		−2.5%
1910	31,880		4.8%
1920	30,314		−4.9%
1930	28,764		−5.1%
1940	31,394		9.1%
1950	32,822		4.5%
1960	34,793		6.0%
1970	37,688		8.3%
1980	39,895		5.9%
1990	42,507		6.5%
2000	43,424		2.2%
2010	42,155		−2.9%
2020	40,531		−3.9%
2025 (est.)	39,741		−5.7%
U.S. Decennial Census 1790-1960 1900-1990 1990-2000 2010-2020

How Wyoming County is Governed

Wyoming County is managed by a Board of Supervisors. This board has 16 members. Each member is a supervisor from one of the towns in the county. They work together to make decisions for the community.

Political Landscape

Wyoming County has a history of supporting the Republican Party in many elections. This is a bit different from the overall voting patterns in New York State, which often lean towards the Democratic Party.

Fun Places to Visit in Wyoming County

Wyoming County has many interesting places to explore!

• Letchworth State Park: This amazing park is sometimes called the "Grand Canyon of the East." It has a deep gorge and three big waterfalls. It was formed by a glacier during the last Ice Age. The park is also connected to the story of Mary Jemison, known as the White Woman of the Genesee. She was captured by the Seneca tribe and later helped with land discussions.
• Middlebury Academy: Located in Wyoming village, this was the first high school in the area west of the Genesee River. Its historic building is still standing.
• Hillside Inn: This old inn opened around 1841 as a spa. Many important people have stayed there, including President Theodore Roosevelt and Susan B. Anthony.
• Arcade and Attica Railroad: You can take a ride on a restored steam locomotive here! It's a fun way to experience history.
• Attica Prison: This is a maximum-security prison located in the northern part of the county.
• Bliss Wind Farm: In the town of Eagle, you can see large wind turbines that generate clean energy.
• Gaslight Village: Downtown Wyoming village is special because it's lit by old-fashioned gas streetlamps. This area has a rich history tied to natural gas and salt discoveries.
• Silver Lake: This small, beautiful lake was formed by a glacier. It's the only one of the famous Finger Lakes that is west of the Genesee River.
• Morton Salt: In Silver Springs, you'll find one of the largest salt mines in the Northeast. It has been operating for a very long time, since the mid-1800s.

Communities in Wyoming County

Map showing the Hamlets, Census Designated Places, and municipalities of Wyoming County. Wyoming County does not have any cities or reservations.

Larger Settlements

Towns in Wyoming County

Hamlets in Wyoming County

• North Java
• Portageville
• Silver Lake

Education in Wyoming County

Students in Wyoming County attend schools in these districts:

• Alden Central School District
• Alexander Central School District
• Attica Central School District
• Dalton-Nunda Central School District (Keshequa)
• Fillmore Central School District
• Holland Central School District
• Iroquois Central School District
• Letchworth Central School District
• Pavilion Central School District
• Perry Central School District
• Warsaw Central School District
• Wyoming Central School District
• York Central School District
• Yorkshire-Pioneer Central School District

Famous People from Wyoming County

Many interesting people have connections to Wyoming County:

• James H. Agen (1847–1921): A Wisconsin State Assemblyman.
• Joseph M. Bailey (1833–1895): Born in Middlebury, he became a Chief Justice of the Illinois Supreme Court.
• Daniel F. Bakeman: The last known surviving veteran of the American Revolutionary War.
• Calvin Fairbank (1816–1898): Born in what is now Wyoming County, he was a Methodist clergyman and a strong supporter of ending slavery.
• Ed Don George (1905–1985): Born in North Java, he was a professional wrestler and a naval commander.
• John Victor Skiff (1908–1964): From Gainesville, he was an important environmental conservationist.
• David Starr Jordan (1851–1931): Born in Gainesville, he was a scientist who studied fish, an educator, and a peace activist.
• Barber Conable: Born in Warsaw, he was a U.S. Representative and later led the World Bank.
• Chester A. Arthur: A former U.S. President who lived for a time in Perry.
• Thomas Aquinas Daly (born 1937): An artist who lives in Arcade.
• Ray Witter (1896–1983): An American football player.

See also

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

• List of counties in New York
• National Register of Historic Places listings in Wyoming County, New York