Clinton County, New York
Clinton County | |
---|---|
Coordinates:44°44′N73°41′W/ 44.74°N 73.68°W | |
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 |
Website | www |
Clinton Countyis the northeastern mostcountyin the northeastern corner of thestateofNew York,in the United States and bordered by the Canadian province ofQuebec.As of the2020 United States Census,the population was 79,843.[1]Itscounty seatis the city ofPlattsburgh.[2]The county lies just south of theborderwith theCanadian provinceofQuebecand to the west of theStateofVermont.The county is named forGeorge Clinton,the firstGovernor of New York,who later was elected asVice President.He had been aFounding Fatherwho represented New York in theContinental Congress.Clinton County comprises the Plattsburgh, New YorkMicropolitan statistical area.The county is part of theNorth Countryregion of the state.
History
[edit]When counties were established in New York State in 1683, the present Clinton County was part ofAlbany County.This was an enormous county, including the northern part of New York State as well as all of the present state ofVermontand, in theory, extending westward to the Pacific Ocean. This county was reduced in size on July 3, 1766, by the creation ofCumberland County,and further on March 16, 1770, by the creation ofGloucester 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 toWashington Countyto honorGeorge Washington,theAmerican Revolutionary WarGeneral and later the firstPresident of the United States of America.
In 1788, Clinton County split off from Washington County.
In 1799,Essex Countysplit from Clinton County.
In 1802, parts of Clinton,Herkimer,andMontgomery countiesformed the newSt. Lawrence County.
In 1808,Franklin Countysplit from Clinton County.[3]
Geography
[edit]Clinton County lies at thenortheast corner of New York state.Its northern border abuts theCanadian provinceofQuebec.Its eastern border abuts the state ofVermont(across Lake Champlain). The encompassing region is referred to as theAdirondack Coast.[4]
TheSaranac Riverflows easterly through the central part of the county, discharging into Lake Champlain atPlattsburgh,and theGreat Chazy Riverflows northeastward through the upper part of the county, discharging into Lake Champlain atCoopersville.TheAusable Riverforms a large part of the southern county line.[5]The county's highest point isLyon Mountain,in the town of Dannemora, at 3,830 ft (1,170 m) ASL.[6]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.[7]
Adjacent counties and municipalities
[edit]- Grand Isle County, Vermont— east
- Chittenden County, Vermont— southeast
- Essex County— south
- Franklin County— west
- Le Haut-Richelieu Regional County Municipality, Quebec— north
- Le Haut-Saint-Laurent Regional County Municipality, Quebec— north
- Les Jardins-de-Napierville Regional County Municipality, Quebec— north
Protected areas
[edit]- Adirondack Park(part)
- Ausable Marsh Wildlife Management Area
- Cadyville State Forest
- Chazy Fossil Reef National Natural Landmark(part)
- Dannemora State Forest
- Dunkin's Reserve State Forest
- Flat Rock State Forest
- Kings Bay Wildlife Management Area
- Macomb State Forest
- Miner Lake State Park[8]
- Monty's Bay Wildlife Management Area
- Point au Roche State Park
- Valcour Island
Lakes
[edit]- Chazy Lake[5]
- Fern Lake
- Lake Champlain(along east border)
- Mead Reservoir
- Military Pond
- Miner Lake
- Mud Pond
- Newberry Pond
- Patterson Reservoir
- Silver Lake
- Slush Pond
- Taylor Pond
- Union Falls Pond (part)
- Upper Chateaugay Lake
Government and politics
[edit]Year | Republican | Democratic | Third party(ies) | |||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
No. | % | No. | % | No. | % | |
2020 | 16,514 | 46.60% | 18,364 | 51.82% | 559 | 1.58% |
2016 | 14,449 | 45.01% | 15,059 | 46.91% | 2,597 | 8.09% |
2012 | 11,115 | 36.26% | 18,961 | 61.85% | 580 | 1.89% |
2008 | 12,579 | 37.73% | 20,216 | 60.64% | 542 | 1.63% |
2004 | 15,330 | 45.44% | 17,624 | 52.24% | 782 | 2.32% |
2000 | 13,274 | 43.44% | 15,542 | 50.86% | 1,743 | 5.70% |
1996 | 9,759 | 33.58% | 15,386 | 52.95% | 3,915 | 13.47% |
1992 | 13,455 | 42.06% | 12,881 | 40.27% | 5,652 | 17.67% |
1988 | 15,702 | 54.97% | 12,670 | 44.36% | 191 | 0.67% |
1984 | 19,549 | 64.22% | 10,804 | 35.49% | 90 | 0.30% |
1980 | 13,120 | 48.79% | 11,498 | 42.76% | 2,272 | 8.45% |
1976 | 15,433 | 56.94% | 11,555 | 42.63% | 115 | 0.42% |
1972 | 17,048 | 63.60% | 9,703 | 36.20% | 53 | 0.20% |
1968 | 11,951 | 51.58% | 10,153 | 43.82% | 1,064 | 4.59% |
1964 | 6,078 | 24.82% | 18,398 | 75.12% | 16 | 0.07% |
1960 | 11,154 | 44.70% | 13,782 | 55.24% | 15 | 0.06% |
1956 | 16,295 | 70.46% | 6,833 | 29.54% | 0 | 0.00% |
1952 | 14,535 | 64.50% | 7,963 | 35.34% | 37 | 0.16% |
1948 | 9,694 | 49.07% | 9,357 | 47.37% | 704 | 3.56% |
1944 | 8,775 | 46.66% | 9,996 | 53.15% | 35 | 0.19% |
1940 | 10,369 | 47.56% | 11,378 | 52.19% | 53 | 0.24% |
1936 | 10,521 | 48.85% | 10,898 | 50.60% | 119 | 0.55% |
1932 | 8,263 | 42.67% | 11,027 | 56.94% | 75 | 0.39% |
1928 | 7,824 | 41.68% | 10,888 | 58.00% | 59 | 0.31% |
1924 | 7,918 | 57.80% | 5,138 | 37.51% | 642 | 4.69% |
1920 | 9,062 | 67.70% | 4,110 | 30.71% | 213 | 1.59% |
1916 | 4,986 | 53.68% | 4,130 | 44.47% | 172 | 1.85% |
1912 | 3,903 | 44.74% | 3,323 | 38.09% | 1,497 | 17.16% |
1908 | 5,474 | 55.54% | 3,866 | 39.22% | 516 | 5.24% |
1904 | 6,327 | 59.06% | 3,988 | 37.23% | 397 | 3.71% |
1900 | 6,326 | 58.81% | 4,287 | 39.86% | 143 | 1.33% |
1896 | 6,005 | 65.35% | 3,074 | 33.45% | 110 | 1.20% |
1892 | 5,135 | 50.60% | 4,773 | 47.03% | 241 | 2.37% |
1888 | 6,271 | 56.72% | 4,724 | 42.73% | 61 | 0.55% |
1884 | 5,973 | 53.44% | 5,151 | 46.08% | 54 | 0.48% |
Like much of the North Country region, Clinton County has historically been aRepublicancounty. However, it has voted forDemocraticcandidates at the state and national level in recent times. Since 1996, it has voted for the Democratic candidate for president in every election. In the2008 U.S. presidential election,Barack Obamacarried the county by a 22.9% margin overJohn McCain(Obama won every municipality in the county), and won by a 26.9% margin over McCain statewide.[10]In 2006, bothEliot SpitzerandHillary Clintoncarried the county, winning 63% and 64% of vote, respectively. In 2010, GovernorAndrew Cuomo,and SenatorsChuck SchumerandKirsten Gillibrandwon the county, each receiving more than 60% of the vote.
Republicans still win most local races. The county's Congressional district did not elect a Democrat to Congress until 2009 whenBill OwensdefeatedDoug Hoffmanin thespecial electionto replaceJohn McHugh,who resigned to serve as theObama Administration'sSecretary of the Army.The special election received nationwide attention due to Hoffman, a third-party candidate andTea Partyfavorite, polling higher than the Republican nominee,Dede Scozzafava,which ultimately led to her dropping out of the race and supporting Owens. It had not elected a Democrat to theState SenateorState Assemblyin over a half-century untilBilly Joneswas elected to the State Assembly in 2016.
The Clinton County Legislature is the lawmaking body of the county. It consists of 10 members, each elected fromsingle member districts.[11]As of 2021, the County Legislature consists of five Republicans and four Democrats and a vacancy.[12]
Demographics
[edit]Census | Pop. | Note | %± |
---|---|---|---|
1790 | 1,615 | — | |
1800 | 8,514 | 427.2% | |
1810 | 8,002 | −6.0% | |
1820 | 12,070 | 50.8% | |
1830 | 19,344 | 60.3% | |
1840 | 28,157 | 45.6% | |
1850 | 40,047 | 42.2% | |
1860 | 45,735 | 14.2% | |
1870 | 47,947 | 4.8% | |
1880 | 50,897 | 6.2% | |
1890 | 46,437 | −8.8% | |
1900 | 47,430 | 2.1% | |
1910 | 48,230 | 1.7% | |
1920 | 43,898 | −9.0% | |
1930 | 46,687 | 6.4% | |
1940 | 54,006 | 15.7% | |
1950 | 53,622 | −0.7% | |
1960 | 72,722 | 35.6% | |
1970 | 72,934 | 0.3% | |
1980 | 80,750 | 10.7% | |
1990 | 85,969 | 6.5% | |
2000 | 79,894 | −7.1% | |
2010 | 82,128 | 2.8% | |
2020 | 79,843 | −2.8% | |
US Decennial Census[13] 1790-1960[14]1900-1990[15] 1990-2000[16]2010-2020[1] |
2020 census
[edit]Race | Num. | Perc. |
---|---|---|
White(NH) | 69,251 | 86.73% |
Black or African American(NH) | 2,753 | 3.45% |
Native American(NH) | 238 | 0.3% |
Asian(NH) | 957 | 1.2% |
Pacific Islander(NH) | 24 | 0.03% |
Other/Mixed(NH) | 3,764 | 4.71% |
HispanicorLatino | 2,856 | 3.6% |
2000 census
[edit]As of the2000 United States Census,[18]there were 79,894 people, 29,423 households, and 19,272 families in the county. Thepopulation densitywas 77.0 people per square mile (29.7 people/km2). There were 33,091 housing units at an average density of 31.9 units per square mile (12.3/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 93.33%White,3.58%BlackorAfrican American,0.36%Native American,0.67%Asian,0.02%Pacific Islander,1.10% fromother races,and 0.93% from two or more races. 2.46% of the population wereHispanicorLatinoof any race. 23.7% were of French, 15.0%French Canadian,12.5% American, 11.8% Irish, 7.6% English and 5.5% German ancestry according toCensus 2000.94.1% spoke English, 2.8% French and 1.7% Spanish as their first language.
There were 29,423 households, out of which 32.00% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 51.00% weremarried couplesliving together, 10.20% had a female householder with no husband present, and 34.50% were non-families. 26.30% of all households were made up of individuals, and 10.00% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.47 and the average family size was 2.98.
The county population contained 23.00% under the age of 18, 12.40% from 18 to 24, 30.60% from 25 to 44, 22.10% from 45 to 64, and 11.90% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 36 years. For every 100 females there were 104.90 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 104.60 males.
The median household income was $37,028, and the median income for a family was $45,732. Males had a median income of $33,788 versus $25,520 for females. Theper capita incomefor the county was $17,946. About 9.40% of families and 13.90% of the population were below thepoverty line,including 15.30% of those under age 18 and 11.40% of those age 65 or over.
Education
[edit]TheState University of New York at Plattsburghis located in theCity of Plattsburgh.The county is also served byClinton Community College,which is located in theTown of Plattsburgh.
Infrastructure
[edit]Clinton Correctional Facility,a maximum-security prison is located in the village of Dannemora.Altona Correctional Facilityis a medium-security prison in the town of Altona.
Transportation
[edit]Highways
[edit]Airports
[edit]- Plattsburgh International Airport(PBG) –Plattsburgh
- Clinton County Airport(PLB) – Plattsburgh
- Rouses Point Seaplane Base(K21) –Rouses Point[20]
Rail
[edit]Amtrak'sAdirondack Traintravels through the county, connectingMontrealtoNew York City.Two trains a day (one north and one south) stop in the county inPlattsburghandRouses Point.[21]
Mass transit
[edit]The Clinton County Public Transit runs bus routes that branch from Plattsburgh to towns in the county.[22]
Communities
[edit]Larger settlements
[edit]# | Location | Population | Type | Area |
---|---|---|---|---|
1 | †Plattsburgh | 19,989 | City | Champlain Shore |
2 | Dannemora | 3,936 | Village | Mainland |
3 | Rouses Point | 2,209 | Village | Champlain Shore |
4 | ‡Keeseville | 1,815 | CDP | Adirondack Park |
5 | Cumberland Head | 1,627 | CDP | Champlain Shore |
6 | Peru | 1,591 | CDP | Adirondack Park |
7 | Morrisonville | 1,545 | CDP | Mainland |
8 | Plattsburgh West | 1,364 | CDP | Mainland |
9 | Champlain | 1,101 | Village | Mainland |
10 | Altona | 730 | CDP | Mainland |
11 | Chazy | 565 | CDP | Champlain Shore |
12 | Au Sable Forks | 559 | CDP | Adirondack Park |
13 | West Chazy | 529 | CDP | Mainland |
14 | Cadyville | 479 | CDP | Mainland |
15 | Redford | 477 | CDP | Adirondack Park |
16 | ††Mooers | 442 | CDP | Mainland |
17 | Lyon Mountain | 423 | CDP | Adirondack Park |
18 | Parc | 254 | CDP | Champlain Shore |
† - County seat
†† - Former village
‡ - Not wholly in this county
Towns
[edit]Hamlets
[edit]- Churubusco
- Coopersville
- Swastika
- Morrisonville
See also
[edit]- Lake Champlain
- Cumberland Head
- SUNY Plattsburgh
- List of counties in New York
- National Register of Historic Places listings in Clinton County, New York
References
[edit]- ^ab"U.S.Census Bureau QuickFacts: Clinton County, New York".United States Census Bureau.RetrievedJanuary 3,2022.
- ^"Find a County".National Association of Counties. Archived fromthe originalon May 31, 2011.RetrievedJune 7,2011.
- ^A Gazetteer of New York State, Horace Spafford, first edition, 1814, p. 78
- ^"GoAdirondack.com-About The Adirondack Coast".goadirondack.com.Archived fromthe originalon July 21, 2018.RetrievedJuly 6,2019.
- ^abClinton County NY - Google Maps (accessed 6 July 2019)
- ^Lyon Mountain, New York. PeakBagger.com (accessed 6 July 2019)
- ^"2010 Census Gazetteer Files".US Census Bureau. Archived fromthe originalon May 19, 2014.RetrievedJuly 6,2010.
- ^Miner Lake State Park. stateparks.com (accessed 6 July 2019)
- ^Leip, David."Atlas of US Presidential Elections".uselectionatlas.org.RetrievedOctober 22,2018.
- ^US Election Atlas
- ^Legislative District Maps
- ^(accessed 6 July 2019)
- ^"US Decennial Census".US Census Bureau.RetrievedJanuary 3,2015.
- ^"Historical Census Browser".University of Virginia Library. Archived fromthe originalon August 11, 2012.RetrievedJanuary 3,2015.
- ^"Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990".US Census Bureau.RetrievedJanuary 3,2015.
- ^"Census 2000 PHC-T-4. Ranking Tables for Counties: 1990 and 2000"(PDF).US Census Bureau.RetrievedJanuary 3,2015.
- ^"P2 HISPANIC OR LATINO, AND NOT HISPANIC OR LATINO BY RACE – 2020: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171) – Clinton County, New York".
- ^"U.S. Census website".US Census Bureau.RetrievedJanuary 31,2008.
- ^I-87 Multimodal Corridor StudyArchivedSeptember 8, 2015, at theWayback Machine,New York State Department of Transportation,Retrieved June 13, 2016.
- ^Clinton County Public and Private Airports, New York.Retrieved June 13, 2013.
- ^AMTRAK/Plattsburgh, New York station (accessed 6 July 2019)
- ^Welcome to Clinton County Public Transit (accessed 6 July 2019)
Further reading
[edit]- Sullivan, James; Williams, Melvin E.; Conklin, Edwin P.; Fitzpatrick, Benedict, eds. (1927), "Chapter III. Clinton County.",History of New York State, 1523–1927(PDF),vol. 2, New York City, Chicago: Lewis Historical Publishing Co., p. 591-94,hdl:2027/mdp.39015019994048,WikidataQ114149636