Oswego County, New York

Oswego County is a county in the U.S. state of New York. As of the 2010 census, the population was 122,109.[1] The county seat is Oswego.[2] The county name is from a Mohawk language word meaning "the outpouring", referring to the mouth of the Oswego River.

Oswego County
County
Oswego County Courthouse
Seal
Location within the U.S. state of New York
New York's location within the U.S.
Coordinates: 43°28′N 76°12′W
Country United States
State New York
Founded1816
SeatOswego
Largest cityOswego
Area
 • Total1,312 sq mi (3,400 km2)
 • Land952 sq mi (2,470 km2)
 • Water360 sq mi (900 km2)  27%
Population
 (2010)
 • Total122,109
 • Density128/sq mi (49/km2)
Time zoneUTC−5 (Eastern)
 • Summer (DST)UTC−4 (EDT)
Congressional districts22nd, 24th
Websitewww.oswegocounty.com

Oswego County is part of the Syracuse, NY Metropolitan Statistical Area.

History

When counties were established in the British colony of New York in 1683, the present Oswego County was part of Albany County. This was an enormous county, including the northern part of what is now 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 in the British colony, 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. In 1784, following the peace treaty that ended the American Revolutionary War, the name of Tryon County was changed to Montgomery County 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, the size of Montgomery County was reduced by the splitting off of Ontario County from Montgomery. The actual area split off from Montgomery County was much larger than the present county, also including the present Allegany, Cattaraugus, Chautauqua, Erie, Genesee, Livingston, Monroe, Niagara, Orleans, Steuben, Wyoming, Yates, and part of Schuyler and Wayne counties.

Oswego County was partly in Macomb's Purchase of 1791.

In 1791, Herkimer County was one of three counties split off from Montgomery (the other two being Otsego, and Tioga County). This was much larger than the present county, however, and was reduced by a number of subsequent splits.

In 1794, Onondaga County was created from a part of Herkimer County. This county was larger than the current Onondaga County, including the present Cayuga, Cortland, and part of Oswego counties.

In 1798, Oneida County was created from a part of Herkimer County. This county was larger than the current Oneida County, including the present Jefferson, Lewis, and part of Oswego counties.

In 1805, Oneida County was reduced in size by the splitting off of Jefferson and Lewis counties.

In 1816, Oswego County was created as New York State's 48th county from parts of Oneida and Onondaga counties.

In 1841, businessmen in Oswego attempted to divide Oswego County into two counties. They failed to persuade the State to do so, however. Occasionally, the topic still comes up today by dividing the county into an east part and a west part, with the east portion being renamed "Salmon County".

At various times, beginning in 1847 and as late as 1975, attempts were made to move the county seat to the Village of Mexico. However, none of these attempts succeeded.

On April 20, 2002, around 6:50 am, many residents of Oswego County were shaken awake by a magnitude 5.2 earthquake centered near Plattsburgh, New York. Minor damage to a Fire Hall in Altmar was the only report of damage. No injuries were sustained.

During 1–12 February 2007, a major lake effect snowfall dumped over ten feet of snow in many places in Oswego County, resulting in several roof collapses, some communities being cut off, and some people being snowed-in in their homes. A state of emergency was declared for the county, and the National Guard was sent in to help clear the snow.

Government and politics
Presidential election results
Presidential elections results[3]
Year Republican Democratic Third parties
2016 57.5% 27,688 35.5% 17,095 7.1% 3,397
2012 44.8% 19,980 52.7% 23,515 2.5% 1,096
2008 47.8% 23,571 50.2% 24,777 2.0% 1,001
2004 51.0% 26,325 46.8% 24,133 2.2% 1,149
2000 48.0% 23,249 47.2% 22,857 4.9% 2,373
1996 37.6% 17,159 44.8% 20,440 17.7% 8,074
1992 36.4% 18,530 33.4% 16,990 30.3% 15,411
1988 57.4% 25,362 41.7% 18,430 1.0% 419
1984 68.4% 31,481 31.2% 14,347 0.5% 206
1980 53.6% 22,816 36.1% 15,343 10.3% 4,382
1976 59.2% 23,949 40.4% 16,332 0.5% 182
1972 71.8% 29,109 27.9% 11,317 0.2% 92
1968 54.4% 20,041 39.7% 14,636 5.9% 2,168
1964 33.4% 12,415 66.6% 24,788 0.1% 23
1960 60.7% 24,013 39.3% 15,544 0.0% 11
1956 76.9% 29,277 23.1% 8,809 0.0% 0
1952 70.7% 27,609 29.3% 11,444 0.1% 19
1948 58.0% 19,095 39.0% 12,820 3.0% 989
1944 61.0% 19,733 38.9% 12,593 0.1% 29
1940 62.6% 22,688 37.2% 13,459 0.2% 83
1936 66.3% 22,803 32.2% 11,068 1.5% 505
1932 56.9% 18,322 41.4% 13,314 1.8% 565
1928 64.4% 21,849 34.3% 11,639 1.3% 442
1924 65.1% 18,576 27.6% 7,864 7.4% 2,102
1920 66.4% 17,905 29.8% 8,045 3.8% 1,029
1916 57.7% 9,854 36.4% 6,210 5.9% 1,008
1912 37.5% 5,996 32.8% 5,256 29.7% 4,751
1908 58.2% 10,447 34.4% 6,172 7.4% 1,326
1904 60.6% 11,174 33.4% 6,152 6.0% 1,104
1900 60.4% 11,160 35.8% 6,605 3.8% 699
1896 62.8% 11,411 35.2% 6,401 2.0% 356
1892 56.4% 10,012 37.9% 6,729 5.6% 998
1888 58.4% 11,296 38.4% 7,429 3.3% 629
1884 54.7% 9,976 40.8% 7,434 4.5% 825

The Oswego County Legislature has 25 members, elected from equal population districts, reduced from 36 in 1993. The legislators are split between seven committees that meet monthly and also attend a general meeting once per month. The seven standing committees as of December 2019 were Government, Courts and Consumer Affairs; Public Safety; Infrastructure, Facilities and Technology; Economic Development and Planning; Health; Human Services; and Finance and Personnel.[4]

In the 2019 general election, the county GOP won three more seats previously occupied by Democrats, expanding its control of the legislature to 23-2. The two Democratic candidates who were elected ran unopposed, and there was only one other Democrat running for any of the 25 seats. Meanwhile, a proposition that sought to expand legislator terms from two years to four years was rejected, with 65.06 percent of 17,701 total votes countywide going against the proposition.[5]

District Representation (2020)[6]
District Number Municipality Representative
1 Sandy Creek, Redfield, Boylston Michael G. Yerdon (R)
2 Orwell, Albion, Williamstown, Richland Herbert G. Yerdon (R)
3 Pulaski, Richland Edward Gilson (R)
4 Amboy, Hastings, Parish, Williamstown, West Monroe David Holst (R)
5 Constantia Roy Reehil (R)
6 Hastings, West Monroe John Martino (R)
7 Mexico Brad Trudell (R)
8 Palermo, Hastings, Schroeppel Paul House (R, C, I)
9 Central Square, Hastings James Weatherup, Legislature Chairman (R, I)
10 Volney, Granby, Schroeppel Mary Chesbro (R, C)
11 Volney Linda Lockwood, Legislature Vice Chairwoman (R)
12 Schroeppel, Hastings Richard Kline (R, C)
13 New Haven, Scriba Patrick Twiss (R)
14 Scriba Stephen Walpole (R, I)
15 City of Oswego Nathan Emmons (R, C, I)
16 City of Oswego Thomas Drumm, Minority Leader (D, WOR)
17 City of Oswego, Scriba Laurie Mangano Cornelius (R, C, I)
18 City of Oswego Robert Wilmott (R, C, I)
19 Minetto, Oswego (Town), Hannibal, Granby Marie Schadt, Minority Whip (D, C)
20 Oswego Town Tim Stahl, Majority Whip (R, C)
21 Hannibal Terry Bucky Wilbur, Majority Leader (R, C, I)
22 Granby, City of Fulton James Karasek (R)
23 Granby Morris Sorbello Jr. (R, C)
24 City of Fulton, Granby Marc Greco (R, I)
25 City of Fulton Ralph Edward Stacy Jr. (R)

Oswego County has two representatives in the state assembly, with Republicans Will Barclay and Brian Manktelow[7] both serving as assemblymen for portions of the county. Barclay, of Pulaski was unanimously elected by a vote of his GOP Assembly peers to lead the State Assembly Republicans on Jan. 7, 2020.[8]

Sen. Patty Ritchie, R-Oswegatchie, represents the 48th district that includes Oswego County in the state senate.

Geography

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 1,312 square miles (3,400 km2), of which 952 square miles (2,470 km2) is land and 360 square miles (930 km2) (27%) is water.[9]

Oswego County is in northwestern New York State, just north of Syracuse and northwest of Utica, on the eastern shore of Lake Ontario. Part of the Tug Hill Plateau is in the eastern part of the county and, at 1,550 feet (470 m), is the highest point.[10] The Salmon River Falls, a 110-foot (34 m) waterfall, is a popular sightseeing destination in the northeastern portion of the county.[11]

There are two harbors in the county, Oswego Harbor at the mouth of the Oswego River and Port Ontario on the Salmon River. The first major port of call on the Great Lakes is the Port of Oswego Authority dock.

Adjacent counties

Major highways

Demographics
Historical population
CensusPop.%±
182012,374—
183027,119119.2%
184043,61960.8%
185062,19842.6%
186075,95822.1%
187077,9412.6%
188077,9110.0%
189071,883−7.7%
190070,881−1.4%
191071,6641.1%
192071,045−0.9%
193069,645−2.0%
194071,2752.3%
195077,1818.3%
196086,11811.6%
1970100,89717.2%
1980113,90112.9%
1990121,7716.9%
2000122,3770.5%
2010122,109−0.2%
Est. 2019117,124[12]−4.1%
U.S. Decennial Census[13]
1790–1960[14] 1900–1990[15]
1990–2000[16] 2010–2019[1]

As of the census[17] of 2000, there were 122,377 people, 45,522 households, and 31,228 families residing in the county. The population density was 128 people per square mile (50/km²). There were 52,831 housing units at an average density of 55 per square mile (21/km²). The racial makeup of the county was 97.17% White, 0.59% Black or African American, 0.41% Native American, 0.42% Asian, 0.01% Pacific Islander, 0.48% from other races, and 0.93% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.30% of the population. 15.5% were of Irish, 14.0% German, 13.7% Italian, 13.3% English, 9.6% American, 7.9% French and 5.3% Polish ancestry according to Census 2000. 96.2% spoke English and 1.7% Spanish as their first language.

There were 45,522 households out of which 35.00% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 52.80% were married couples living together, 10.80% had a female householder with no husband present, and 31.40% were non-families. 24.30% of all households were made up of individuals and 9.70% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.60 and the average family size was 3.08.

In the county, the population was spread out with 26.80% under the age of 18, 10.90% from 18 to 24, 28.90% from 25 to 44, 22.10% from 45 to 64, and 11.30% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 35 years. For every 100 females there were 97.50 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 94.40 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $36,598, and the median income for a family was $43,821. Males had a median income of $34,976 versus $23,938 for females. The per capita income for the county was $16,853. About 9.70% of families and 14.00% of the population were below the poverty line, including 17.10% of those under age 18 and 9.50% of those age 65 or over.

Oswego County is also home to two colleges: State University of New York at Oswego in the Town of Oswego and the Fulton Branch Campus of Cayuga County Community College in the City of Fulton.

Communities
A map of towns, cities and villages in Oswego County, New York

Oswego County has 22 towns, 2 cities, and 10 villages.

Cities

Towns

Villages

Census-designated places

Recreation

Swimming places in the county include

on Lake Ontario[18]
Unofficial swimming places include
  • "The Rocks" in the city of Oswego, on the west side of the west breakwater defining Oswego Harbor (so outside of the harbor)
Swimming on Oneida Lake
  • Taft Bay Park[18] at Bernhards Bay, New York and other swimming on Oneida Lake. Oswego County includes the majority of the northern shore of the lake, running east to the hamlet of Cleveland, New York. It also includes all of the lake surface from the north shore to the south shore, which is the northern edge of Onondaga and Madison counties. So swimming out from beaches on the southern shore, even, puts you in Oswego County. Oswego County runs east along the south shore almost to the hamlet of Lakeport.
Pool swimming includes

Economy

Oswego's economy is most prominent as industry; in 2012, manufactured shipments made up $2.1 billion of the local economy. Retail made up the next most prominent sector, totaling $1.2 billion or more than $10,000 per resident. Wholesale merchants also made $368 million sales the same year. Services made up the final total, equal to over $500 million in food service, healthcare, accommodation, and social services.[20]

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See also

References
  1. "State & County QuickFacts". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on June 7, 2011. Retrieved October 12, 2013.
  2. "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Retrieved 2011-06-07.
  3. Leip, David. "Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections". uselectionatlas.org.
  4. "2019 Legislative Standing Committees". Oswego County Government. Retrieved 2 January 2020.
  5. Reitz, Matthew. "County term length prop fails, GOP adds to supermajority". Oswego County News Now. Retrieved 2 January 2020.
  6. White, Shannon. "Oswego County Legislature". oswegocounty.com. Retrieved 2016-08-10.
  7. New York State Assembly https://nyassembly.gov/mem/Brian-Manktelow. Missing or empty |title= (help)
  8. "Barclay elected state Assembly GOP leader". OswegoCountyNewsNow.com. The Palladium-Times. Retrieved 8 January 2020.
  9. "2010 Census Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. August 22, 2012. Archived from the original on May 19, 2014. Retrieved January 6, 2015.
  10. Oswego County Clerk's Office, NY Archived 2012-02-06 at the Wayback Machine
  11. Minetor, Randi (2014). Hiking waterfalls in New York: a guide to the state's best waterfall hikes. Guildford, Conn.: Falcon Guides. pp. 67–69. ISBN 0762787503. Retrieved 20 February 2015.
  12. "Population and Housing Unit Estimates". Retrieved May 21, 2020.
  13. "U.S. Decennial Census". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 6, 2015.
  14. "Historical Census Browser". University of Virginia Library. Retrieved January 6, 2015.
  15. "Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 6, 2015.
  16. "Census 2000 PHC-T-4. Ranking Tables for Counties: 1990 and 2000" (PDF). United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 6, 2015.
  17. "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved 2008-01-31.
  18. "Visit Oswego County's Beaches and Pools". visitoswegocounty.com.
  19. "Oswego County Division of Promotion and Tourism: Swimming". oswego.ny.us. Archived from the original on 2008-05-10. Retrieved 2015-09-04.
  20. "Quickfacts: Oswego County, New York". U.S. Census Bureau. 1 July 2017. Retrieved 6 November 2018.

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