Albany County, New York
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- For the county in Wyoming, see Albany County, Wyoming.
| Albany County, New York | |
| |
| Map | |
 Location in the state of New York | |
| Statistics | |
| Formed | November 1,1683 |
|---|---|
| Seat | Albany |
| Area - Total - Land - Water | 1,381 km² (533 mi²) 1,356 km² (523 mi²) 25 km² (10 mi²), 1.83% |
| Population - (2000) - Density | 294,565 217/km² |
| Website: www.albanycounty.com | |
Albany County is a county located in the U.S. state of New York, generally located in the vicinity of Albany, New York, the capital of New York State. Albany is also the county seat of Albany County. It is part of the Albany-Schenectady-Troy Metropolitan Statistical Area. The name is from the title of the Duke of York and Albany, who became James II of England. As of 2000, the population was 294,565. As originally established, Albany County had an indefinite amount of land, but has only 530 square miles (1,372.69 km²) as of March 3, 1888. Albany County is governed by a County Executive and a 39-member County Legislature. The current County Executive is Michael G. Breslin (D) and the Chair of the Legislature is Charles Houghtailing (D). Other county elected officials include County Sheriff James Campbell, County District Attorney David Soares, and County Comptroller Michael Conners.
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[edit] History
Albany County was one of the original twelve counties created by the Province of New York in 1683. At that time it included all of the present State of Vermont, all of New York State north of the counties of Dutchess and Ulster, and theoretically stretched west to the Pacific Ocean.
On July 3, 1766, Cumberland County was created from a part of Albany County now in Vermont, followed on March 16, 1770 by Gloucester County, also now in Vermont.
Then, on March 12, 1772, Albany County was divided into the counties of Albany, Tryon (now Montgomery), and Charlotte (now Washington). From 1772 to 1786 Albany County included, besides the present territory of Albany County, all of the present Columbia, Rensselaer, Saratoga, and Schenectady Counties, parts of the present Greene and Washington Counties, and a piece of what is now southwestern Vermont.
On April 4, 1786, Columbia County was created from 650 square miles (1,685 km²) of Albany County land.
On February 7, 1791, Rensselaer and Saratoga Counties were split off from Albany County. Rensselaer received 660 square miles (1,700 km²), while Saratoga received 850 square miles (2,200 km²). Also the Town of Cambridge was transferred to Washington County.
On June 1, 1795, Schoharie County was created from 630 square miles (1,630 km²) of Albany and Otsego Counties land.
On March 25, 1800, Greene County was created from 620 square miles (1,600 km²) of Albany and Ulster Counties land.
On March 7, 1809, Schenectady County was created from 210 square miles (540 km²) of Albany County land.
[edit] Geography
Albany County is in the east central part of New York State, extending southward and westward from the point where the Mohawk River joins the Hudson. Its eastern boundary is the Hudson River; a portion of its northern boundary is the Mohawk River.
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 1,381 km² (533 mi²). 1,356 km² (523 mi²) of it is land and 25 km² (10 mi²) of it (1.83%) is water.
The terrain of the county ranges from flat near the Hudson and Mohawks to high and hilly to the southwest, where the Catskills begin. The highest point is one of several summits near Henry Hill at approximately 2,160 feet (658 m) above sea level; the lowest point is slightly above sea level along the Hudson.
[edit] Adjacent Counties
- Schenectady County, New York - north
- Saratoga County, New York - northeast
- Rensselaer County, New York - east
- Columbia County, New York - southeast
- Greene County, New York - south
- Schoharie County, New York - west
[edit] Demographics
As of the census² of 2000, there were 294,565 people, 120,512 households, and 70,981 families residing in the county. The population density was 217/km² (563/mi²). There were 129,972 housing units at an average density of 96/km² (248/mi²). The racial makeup of the county was 83.19% White, 11.08% Black or African American, 0.21% Native American, 2.75% Asian, 0.03% Pacific Islander, 1.05% from other races, and 1.70% from two or more races. 3.08% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.
There were 120,512 households out of which 27.90% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 43.20% were married couples living together, 12.20% had a female householder with no husband present, and 41.10% were non-families. 33.00% of all households were made up of individuals and 11.30% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.32 and the average family size was 2.99.
In the county the population was spread out with 22.60% under the age of 18, 11.30% from 18 to 24, 28.80% from 25 to 44, 22.80% from 45 to 64, and 14.50% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 37 years. For every 100 females there were 91.70 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 87.80 males.
The median income for a household in the county was $42,935, and the median income for a family was $56,724. Males had a median income of $39,838 versus $30,127 for females. The per capita income for the county was $23,345. About 7.20% of families and 10.60% of the population were below the poverty line, including 12.90% of those under age 18 and 7.30% of those age 65 or over.
[edit] Educational institutions
- Albany College of Pharmacy
- Albany Law School
- Albany Medical College
- The College of Saint Rose
- Sage College of Albany
- Sage Graduate School
- Siena College
- State University of New York at Albany
| North: Mohawk River Schenectady and Saratoga Counties | ||
| West: Schoharie County | Albany County | East: Hudson River Rensselaer County |
| South: Greene County |
[edit] External links
- Albany County official website
- Additional information about Albany County
- Summary early history of Albany County, NY
- Early history of Albany County towns
- Albany County Page at Hudson Valley Directory
- Traffic and Criminal Courts in Albany County
| Municipalities and Communities of Albany County, New York (County seat: Albany) | |
|---|---|
| Cities | Albany | Cohoes | Watervliet |
| Villages | Altamont | Colonie | Green Island | Menands | Ravena | Voorheesville |
| Towns | Berne | Bethlehem | Coeymans | Colonie | Green Island | Guilderland | Knox | New Scotland | Rensselaerville | Westerlo |
| Communities/CDPs | Boght Corners | Coeymans | Crescent Station | Delmar | Dunsbach Ferry | Elsmere | Feura Bush | Glenmont | Latham | Loudonville | Medusa | Preston-Potter Hollow | Selkirk | Slingerlands | Verdoy | Westmere |
no:Albany County i New York pl:Hrabstwo Albany (Nowy Jork) pt:Condado de Albany
