Niagara County, New York

History

When western New York became part of the New York colony in 1763, the present Niagara County was part of Albany County. Prior to the British, the area was part of New France.

Albany 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, Tryon County, contained the western portion (and thus, since no western boundary was specified, theoretically still extended west to the Pacific). The eastern boundary of Tryon County was approximately five miles west of the present city of Schenectady, and the county included the western part of the Adirondack Mountains and the area west of the West Branch of the Delaware River. The area then designated as Tryon County now includes 37 counties of New York State. The county was named for William Tryon, colonial governor of New York.

In the years prior to 1776, most of the Loyalists in Tryon County fled to Canada including the likes of local judge John Butler and militia commander Sir John Johnson. In 1784, following the peace treaty that ended the American Revolutionary War, the name of Tryon County was changed to honor the general, Richard Montgomery, who had captured several places in Canada and died attempting to capture the city of Quebec, replacing the name of the hated British governor.

In 1789, Ontario County was split off from Montgomery. In turn, Genesee County was created from Ontario County in 1802.

Niagara County was created from Genesee County in 1808. It was, however, larger than the present Niagara County even though it consisted of only the Town of Cambria.

From 1814 to 1817, records of Cattaraugus County were divided between Belmont (the seat of Allegany County) and Buffalo (then in Niagara County). Niagara County governed the western portion of Cattaraugus County, then known as the town of Perry.

In 1821, Erie County was created from Niagara County.

The county has a number of properties on the National Register of Historic Places.

Geography

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 1,139 square miles, of which 522 sqmi is land and 617 sqmi (54%) is water.

Niagara County is in the most western part of New York State, just north of the city Buffalo and1140 sqmi bordering Lake Ontario on its northern border, and the Niagara River Canada on its western border.

The county's primary geographic feature is Niagara Falls, the riverbed of which has eroded seven miles south over the past 12,000 years since the last ice age. The Niagara River and Niagara Falls, are in effect, the drainage ditch for four of the Great Lakes which constitute the world's largest supply of fresh water. The water flows north from Lake Erie, then through the Niagara River, goes over Niagara Falls, and then on to Lake Ontario and the St. Lawrence River, eventually emptying into the North Atlantic Ocean. Today, tourists and visitors to the Falls see a diminished flow of water over the Falls, since a portion of the flow has been diverted for hydroelectric power purposes. Both the American and Canadian side of the Niagara River have massive electrical power plants.

The Niagara Gorge is the path Niagara Falls has taken over thousands of years as it continues to erode. Niagara Falls started at the Niagara Escarpment which cuts Niagara County in half in an east–west direction. North of the Escarpment lies the Lake Plain, which is a fertile flatland used to grow grapes, apples, peaches and other fruits and vegetables. The grape variety Niagara, source of most American white grape juice but not esteemed for wine, was first grown in the county, in 1868. Viticulture, or wine culture has begun to take place, with several wineries below the escarpment. This has helped to improve the depressed economy of the region.

Adjacent counties and areas

• Orleans County - east
• Genesee County - southeast
• Erie County - south
• Regional Municipality of Niagara, Ontario, Canada - west

Major highways

Main article: Highways in Niagara County, New York, List of county routes in Niagara County, New York

• [[Image:I-190 (long).svg|22px]] Interstate 190 (Niagara Thruway)
• [[Image:US 62.svg|20px]] U.S. Route 62
• [[Image:Business plate.svg|20px]]
• [[Image:NY-18.svg|20px]] New York State Route 18
• [[Image:NY-31.svg|20px]] New York State Route 31
• [[Image:NY-78.svg|20px]] New York State Route 78
• [[Image:NY-93.svg|20px]] New York State Route 93
• [[Image:NY-104.svg|22px]] New York State Route 104
• [[Image:NY-265.svg|22px]] New York State Route 265
• [[Image:NY-384.svg|22px]] New York State Route 384
• [[Image:NY-425.svg|22px]] New York State Route 425
• [[Image:Niagara_Scenic_Pkwy_Shield.svg|22px]] Niagara Scenic Parkway
• [[Image:LaSalle Expy.svg|22px]] LaSalle Expressway

State protected areas

• De Veaux Woods State Park, north of the City of Niagara Falls.
• Devil's Hole State Park, immediately north of the City of Niagara Falls.
• Fort Niagara State Park, located at the mouth of the Niagara River.
• Earl W. Brydges Artpark State Park, in the Town of Lewiston.
• Four Mile Creek State Park, on the shore of Lake Ontario.
• Golden Hill State Park, on the shore of Lake Ontario.
• Hartland Swamp Wildlife Management Area—a conservation area in the Town of Hartland.
• Joseph Davis State Park, along the Niagara River.
• Niagara Reservation State Park, in the City of Niagara Falls.
• Reservoir State Park, south of the power reservoir.
• Tonawanda Wildlife Management Area, partly in the Town of Royalton.
• Wilson-Tuscarora State Park, on the shore of Lake Ontario.

Government and politics

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Structure

Niagara County is governed by a 15-member Legislature, with the Chairman of the Legislature as the de facto head of county government. The 2024 Legislature, consists of 12 members of the Republican-led Majority Caucus and three members of the Democratic-led Minority Caucus. The Legislature formerly consisted of 19 members, but was downsized to 15 seats effective January 1, 2012, based on the results of a public referendum.

A subordinate county manager reports to the County Legislature. Governing functions of the Legislature rely on a committee system. There are five standing committees and one long-term ad hoc committee: Administration; Community Services; Community Safety and Security; Economic Development; Public Works; and the ad hoc Refuse Disposal District Committee.

The dominant political party in the Niagara County Legislature is currently the Republican Party, which is ancestrally the dominant party in Niagara County.

2024 Legislature

Chairman: Rebecca J. Wydysh

Vice Chairman: Anthony J. Nemi

Majority Leader: Randy R. Bradt

Minority Leader: Christopher A. Robins

1st District: Irene M. Myers

2nd District: Rebecca J. Wydysh

3rd District: Christopher J. McKimmie

4th District: Jeffrey Elder

5th District: Christopher A. Robins

6th District: Christopher Voccio

7th District: Jesse P. Gooch

8th District: Richard L. Andres

9th District: Randy R. Bradt

10th District: David E. Godfrey

11th District: Anthony J. Nemi

12th District: Carla L. Speranza

13th District: Richard E. Abbott

14th District: Shawn A. Foti

15th District: Michael A. Hill

Other entities

In addition to the areas mentioned above, much of Niagara County is serviced by a Water District and a Sewer District. Both bodies are subordinate to the County Legislature; the former has a direct relationship, while the latter is currently under limited oversight of the town supervisors within the district.

State and federal government

Niagara County is part of:

• The 8th Judicial District of the New York Supreme Court
• The 4th Division of the New York Supreme Court, Appellate Division

Demographics

|align-fn=center 1790-1960 1900-1990 1990-2000 2010-2019

2020 census

2000 census

As of the census of 2010, there were 216,469 people, 87,846 households, and 58,593 families residing in the county. The population density was 420 PD/sqmi. There were 95,715 housing units at an average density of 183 /mi2. The racial makeup of the county was 90.70% White, 6.15% Black or African American, 0.94% Native American, 0.58% Asian, 0.02% Pacific Islander, 0.40% from other races, and 1.21% from two or more races. 1.33% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race. 23.6% were of German, 18.1% Italian, 11.3% Irish, 11.2% Polish and 8.3% English ancestry. 94.5% spoke English, 1.6% Spanish and 1.0% Italian as their first language.

There were 87,846 households, out of which 30.90% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 50.30% were married couples living together, 12.30% had a female householder with no husband present, and 33.30% were non-families. 28.60% of all households were made up of individuals, and 12.00% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.45 and the average family size was 3.03.

In the county, the population was spread out, with 24.70% under the age of 18, 8.50% from 18 to 24, 28.40% from 25 to 44, 23.10% from 45 to 64, and 15.40% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 38 years. For every 100 females there were 93.30 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 89.50 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $38,136, and the median income for a family was $47,817. Males had a median income of $37,468 versus $24,668 for females. The per capita income for the county was $19,219. About 8.20% of families and 10.60% of the population were below the poverty line, including 15.00% of those under age 18 and 7.30% of those age 65 or over.

Education

Niagara University is located in Lewiston, New York. SUNY Niagara is located in Sanborn, New York. Many Niagara County residents also attend Erie and other Western New York County Schools. In the Buffalo Metro area there are more than 20 public and private colleges and universities offering programs in technical and vocational training, graduate, and professional studies.

K-12 school districts

School districts include:

• Barker Central School District
• Lewiston-Porter Central School District
• Lockport City School District
• Newfane Central School District
• Niagara Falls City School District
• Niagara-Wheatfield Central School District
• North Tonawanda City School District
• Royalton-Hartland Central School District
• Starpoint Central School District
• Wilson Central School District

Communities

Larger settlements

Towns

• Cambria
• Hartland
• Lewiston
• Lockport
• Newfane
• Niagara
• Pendleton
• Porter
• Royalton
• Somerset
• Wheatfield
• Wilson

Hamlets

• Nashville
• Orangeport
• Pekin

CDPs

• Newfane
• Niagara University
• Olcott
• Ransomville
• Rapids
• Sanborn
• South Lockport

Indian reservations

• Tuscarora Reservation
• Tonawanda Reservation

Footnotes

References

1. "State & County QuickFacts". United States Census Bureau.
2. "Find a County". National Association of Counties.
3. "The Region: Ongiara".
4. Clute, Penelope D.. (2010). "The Historical Society of the New York Courts County Legal History". [[Northern New York American- Canadian Genealogical Society]].
5. (October 21, 2016). "Onondaga County".
6. "Flashes of Duplin's history and government - ECU Digital Collections".
7. (November 17, 2017). "The Unveiling of Canadian History Vol 2: FORLORN HOPE – Quebec, Nova Scotia, and the War for Independence".
8. and Archives Center, Ontario County Records. (2014). "A Guide for Family and Local History Research". [[Ontario County Records and Archives Center]].
9. "Niagara County > County Information".
10. "Early History of Cattaraugus County: A Brief Overview".
11. "Erie County History Article – New York Roots".
12. {{NRISref. 2008a
13. (August 22, 2012). "2010 Census Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau.
14. "Niagara {{!}} The State of New York".
15. Warren, Earl. (March 4, 2010). "History of the landmarked Niagara Falls".
16. "Where Does the Water of Niagara Falls Come From?".
17. Hotels, Niagara Falls. (March 18, 2020). "Why Does Water Keep Flowing Over Niagara Falls?".
18. "Top Five: Niagara Gorge Views".
19. Leip, David. "Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections".
20. "New York - Congressional District 23 - Representative Nicholas A. Langworthy".
21. "New York - Congressional District 24 - Representative Claudia Tenney".
22. "New York - Congressional District 26 - Representative Timothy M. Kennedy".
23. (March 2, 2012). "Senate District 62". The New York State Legislative Task Force on Demographic Research and Reapportionment.
24. (January 25, 2012). "Assembly District 140". The New York State Legislative Task Force on Demographic Research and Reapportionment.
25. (January 25, 2012). "Assembly District 144". The New York State Legislative Task Force on Demographic Research and Reapportionment.
26. (January 25, 2012). "Assembly District 145". The New York State Legislative Task Force on Demographic Research and Reapportionment.
27. (January 25, 2012). "Assembly District 146". The New York State Legislative Task Force on Demographic Research and Reapportionment.
28. "Population and Housing Unit Estimates".
29. "U.S. Decennial Census". United States Census Bureau.
30. "Historical Census Browser". University of Virginia Library.
31. "Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990". United States Census Bureau.
32. "Census 2000 PHC-T-4. Ranking Tables for Counties: 1990 and 2000". United States Census Bureau.
33. "1980 Census of Population - General Population Characteristics - New York - Table 15 - Persons by Race and Table 16 - Total Persons and Spanish Origin Persons by Type of Spanish Origin and Race (p. 34/29-34/70)".
34. "1990 Census of Population - General Population Characteristics - New York - Table 3 - Race and Hispanic Origin".
35. "P004: Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race – 2000: DEC Summary File 1 – Niagara County, New York".
36. "P2: Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race – 2010: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171) – Niagara County, New York".
37. "P2: Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race – 2020: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171) – Niagara County, New York".
38. included in the Asian category in the 1980 Census
39. included in the Asian category in the 1990 Census
40. not an option in the 1980 Census
41. not an option in the 1990 Census
42. Geography Division. (January 12, 2021). "2020 CENSUS - SCHOOL DISTRICT REFERENCE MAP: Niagara County, NY". [[U.S. Census Bureau]].