Familypedia
Familypedia
Advertisement
This article is based on the corresponding article in another wiki. For Familypedia purposes, it requires significantly more historical detail on phases of this location's development. The ideal article for a place will give the reader a feel for what it was like to live at that location at the time their relatives were alive there. Also desirable are links to organizations that may be repositories of genealogical information..
Please help to improve this page yourself if you can.


Niagara County, New York
Niagara County Clerks Office Jun 09
Niagara County Clerks Office
Flag of Niagara County, New York
Flag
Map of New York highlighting Niagara County
Location in the state of New York (state)
Map of the U.S
New York's location in the U.S.
Founded March 11, 1808
Seat Lockport
Largest city Niagara Falls
Area
 - Total
 - Land
 - Water

1,140 sq mi (2,953 km²)
522 sq mi (1,352 km²)
617 sq mi (1,598 km²), 54
Population
 - (2020)
 - Density

212,666
338/sq mi (131/km²)
Congressional districts 26th, 27th
Time zone Eastern: UTC-5/-4
Website www.niagaracounty.com

Niagara County is in the U.S. state of New York. As of the 2020 census, the population was 212,666.[1] The county seat is Lockport.[2] The county name is from the Iroquois word Onguiaahra; meaning the strait or thunder of waters.[3]

Niagara County is part of the Buffalo–Niagara Falls metropolitan area, and across the Canada–US border is the province of Ontario.

It is the location of Niagara Falls and Fort Niagara, and has many parks and lake shore recreation communities. In the summer of 2008, Niagara County celebrated its 200th birthday with the first settlement of the county, of Niagara Falls.

History[]

When counties were established in the New York colony in 1683, the present Niagara County was part of Albany County. Prior to the British, the area was part of New Netherland.

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.[4]

Geography[]

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 1,140 square miles (3,000 km2), of which 522 square miles (1,350 km2) is land and 617 square miles (1,600 km2) (54%) is water.[5]

Niagara County is in the extreme western part of New York State, just north of Buffalo and adjacent to Lake Ontario on its northern border and the Niagara River and 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 Ontario 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[]

Major highways[]

  • I-190 (long) Interstate 190 (Niagara Thruway)
  • US 62 U.S. Route 62
  • Business plate
    US 62 US 62 Business
  • NY-18 New York State Route 18
  • NY-31 New York State Route 31
  • NY-78 New York State Route 78
  • NY-93 New York State Route 93
  • NY-104 New York State Route 104
  • NY-265 New York State Route 265
  • NY-384 New York State Route 384
  • NY-425 New York State Route 425
  • Niagara Scenic Pkwy Shield Niagara Scenic Parkway
  • LaSalle Expy 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[]

Niagara County was long a Democratic county, voting Democratic since 1980 with the exception of Reagan's 1984 landslide. However, in 2016, Trump's appeal with white-working class voters flipped this county to a decisive 18-point Republican win, bigger than Reagan's 11-point win.

Structure[]

Niagara County is governed by a 15-member Legislature, with the Chairman of the Legislature as the de facto head of county government. Currently, there are 11 members of the Republican-led Majority Caucus and four members of the Democrat-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.

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[]

United States presidential election results for Niagara County, New York[6]
Year Republican Democratic Third party
No.  % No.  % No.  %
2020 56,068 53.85% 46,029 44.21% 2,026 1.95%
2016 51,961 56.23% 35,559 38.48% 4,882 5.28%
2012 43,240 48.58% 43,986 49.42% 1,787 2.01%
2008 46,348 48.65% 47,303 49.65% 1,621 1.70%
2004 47,111 48.78% 47,602 49.29% 1,867 1.93%
2000 40,952 43.91% 47,781 51.23% 4,537 4.86%
1996 31,438 35.15% 44,203 49.42% 13,803 15.43%
1992 30,401 31.48% 35,649 36.91% 30,534 31.61%
1988 42,537 48.97% 43,801 50.42% 530 0.61%
1984 51,289 55.23% 41,368 44.55% 201 0.22%
1980 38,760 44.86% 40,405 46.77% 7,229 8.37%
1976 46,101 51.09% 43,667 48.39% 471 0.52%
1972 54,777 58.22% 38,991 41.44% 323 0.34%
1968 38,796 44.12% 41,999 47.77% 7,130 8.11%
1964 28,663 29.86% 67,260 70.07% 62 0.06%
1960 50,001 49.13% 51,680 50.78% 84 0.08%
1956 62,433 67.43% 30,161 32.57% 0 0.00%
1952 54,843 59.97% 36,504 39.91% 108 0.12%
1948 35,858 49.65% 34,119 47.24% 2,242 3.10%
1944 37,614 51.76% 34,850 47.96% 202 0.28%
1940 36,729 52.39% 33,207 47.37% 165 0.24%
1936 30,144 49.08% 29,207 47.56% 2,064 3.36%
1932 30,852 58.33% 20,765 39.26% 1,274 2.41%
1928 33,229 63.35% 16,881 32.18% 2,343 4.47%
1924 25,874 67.98% 7,993 21.00% 4,195 11.02%
1920 21,193 68.29% 7,416 23.90% 2,423 7.81%
1916 12,212 57.54% 8,367 39.42% 645 3.04%
1912 5,654 30.06% 7,647 40.66% 5,507 29.28%
1908 11,145 54.75% 8,574 42.12% 637 3.13%
1904 10,881 56.81% 7,550 39.42% 724 3.78%
1900 9,352 53.13% 7,726 43.90% 523 2.97%
1896 8,626 55.69% 6,441 41.58% 423 2.73%
1892 6,663 45.83% 6,850 47.12% 1,024 7.04%
1888 6,886 49.19% 6,429 45.92% 684 4.89%
1884 5,875 46.49% 6,193 49.01% 569 4.50%



Office District Area of the county Officeholder Party First took office Residence
Congressman New York's 26th congressional district North Tonawanda, Tonawanda, Niagara Falls[7] Brian Higgins Democratic 2013 Buffalo, Erie County
Congressman New York's 27th congressional district All points not in 26th[8] Chris Jacobs Republican 2020 Orchard Park, Erie County
State Senator 62nd State Senate District All[9] Robert G. Ortt Republican 2015 Newfane, Niagara County
State Assemblyman 140th State Assembly District North Tonawanda[10] Robin L. Schimminger Democratic 1977 Kenmore, Erie County
State Assemblyman 144th State Assembly District Roughly the north and east parts of the county (Towns of Hartland, Lockport, Newfane, Porter, Royalton, Somerset, Wilson)[11] Michael Norris Republican 2017 Lockport, Niagara County
State Assemblyman 145th State Assembly District Roughly the west part of the county (Towns of Cambria, Lewiston, Niagara, Wheatfield, City of Niagara Falls, Tuscarora Reservation)[12] Angelo Morinello Republican 2017 Niagara Falls, Niagara County
State Assemblyman 146th State Assembly District Pendleton[13] Raymond W. Walter Republican 2013 East Amherst, Erie County

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[]

Historical populations
Census Pop.
1810 8,971
1820 22,990 156.3%
1830 18,482 −19.6%
1840 31,132 68.4%
1850 42,276 35.8%
1860 50,399 19.2%
1870 50,437 0.1%
1880 54,173 7.4%
1890 62,491 15.4%
1900 74,961 20.0%
1910 92,036 22.8%
1920 118,705 29.0%
1930 149,329 25.8%
1940 160,110 7.2%
1950 189,992 18.7%
1960 242,269 27.5%
1970 235,720 −2.7%
1980 227,354 −3.5%
1990 220,756 −2.9%
2000 219,846 −0.4%
2010 216,469 −1.5%
U.S. Decennial Census[14]
1790-1960[15] 1900-1990[16]
1990-2000[17] 2010-2020[1]

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 people per square mile (162/km2). There were 95,715 housing units at an average density of 183 per square mile (71/km2). 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. Niagara County Community College 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.

Communities[]

Niagara County NY map labeled

Map of Niagara County's municipalities

Larger settlements[]

# Location Population Type Area
1 Niagara Falls 50,193 City Greater Niagara
2 North Tonawanda 31,568 City Greater Niagara
3 Lockport 21,165 City Southeast
4 South Lockport 8,234 CDP Southeast
5 Newfane 3,822 CDP Lake Shore
6 Lewiston 2,701 Village Greater Niagara
7 Youngstown 1,935 Village Greater Niagara
8 Middleport 1,840 Village Southeast
9 Sanborn 1,645 CDP Greater Niagara
10 Rapids 1,636 CDP Southeast
11 Ransomville 1,419 CDP Lake Shore
12 Wilson 1,264 Village Lake Shore
13 Gasport 1,248 CDP/Hamlet Southeast
14 Olcott 1,241 CDP Lake Shore
15 Barker 533 Village Lake Shore

Towns[]

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

Hamlets[]

Map of Niagara County, New York

Also a map showing Niagara County's municipalities, but with Census Designated Places and Hamlets

  • Nashville
  • Orangeport
  • Pekin

CDPs[]

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

Indian reservations[]

  • Tuscarora Reservation
  • Tonawanda Reservation

See also[]

Footnotes[]

  1. ^ a b "State & County QuickFacts". United States Census Bureau. http://quickfacts.census.gov/qfd/states/36/36063.html. 
  2. ^ "Find a County". National Association of Counties. http://www.naco.org/Counties/Pages/FindACounty.aspx. 
  3. ^ "Archived copy". http://www.ongiaracollege.ca/webpages/ongiara_region.shtml.  Retrieved 9 October 2008
  4. ^ "National Register Information System". National Register of Historic Places. National Park Service. 2008-04-15. http://nrhp.focus.nps.gov/natreg/docs/All_Data.html. 
  5. ^ "2010 Census Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. August 22, 2012. https://www.census.gov/geo/maps-data/data/docs/gazetteer/counties_list_36.txt. 
  6. ^ Leip, David. "Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections". http://uselectionatlas.org/RESULTS. 
  7. ^ W, Eric (2012-04-02). "Congressional District 26". View 2012 Congressional Maps. Albany, New York: The New York State Legislative Task Force on Demographic Research and Reapportionment. http://www.latfor.state.ny.us/maps/2012c/fc26.pdf. 
  8. ^ W, Eric (2012-04-02). "Congressional District 27". View 2012 Congressional Maps. Albany, New York: The New York State Legislative Task Force on Demographic Research and Reapportionment. http://www.latfor.state.ny.us/maps/2012c/fc27.pdf. 
  9. ^ W, Eric (2012-03-02). "Senate District 62". View 2012 Senate District Maps. Albany, New York: The New York State Legislative Task Force on Demographic Research and Reapportionment. http://www.latfor.state.ny.us/maps/2012s/fs62.pdf. 
  10. ^ W, Eric (2012-01-25). "Assembly District 140". View Proposed 2012 Assembly District Maps. Albany, New York: The New York State Legislative Task Force on Demographic Research and Reapportionment. http://www.latfor.state.ny.us/maps/prop2012a/pa140.pdf. 
  11. ^ W, Eric (2012-01-25). "Assembly District 144". View Proposed 2012 Assembly District Maps. Albany, New York: The New York State Legislative Task Force on Demographic Research and Reapportionment. http://www.latfor.state.ny.us/maps/prop2012a/pa144.pdf. 
  12. ^ W, Eric (2012-01-25). "Assembly District 145". View Proposed 2012 Assembly District Maps. Albany, New York: The New York State Legislative Task Force on Demographic Research and Reapportionment. http://www.latfor.state.ny.us/maps/prop2012a/pa145.pdf. 
  13. ^ W, Eric (2012-01-25). "Assembly District 146". View Proposed 2012 Assembly District Maps. Albany, New York: The New York State Legislative Task Force on Demographic Research and Reapportionment. http://www.latfor.state.ny.us/maps/prop2012a/pa146.pdf. 
  14. ^ "U.S. Decennial Census". United States Census Bureau. https://www.census.gov/prod/www/decennial.html. 
  15. ^ "Historical Census Browser". University of Virginia Library. http://mapserver.lib.virginia.edu. 
  16. ^ "Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990". United States Census Bureau. https://www.census.gov/population/cencounts/ny190090.txt. 
  17. ^ "Census 2000 PHC-T-4. Ranking Tables for Counties: 1990 and 2000". United States Census Bureau. https://www.census.gov/population/www/cen2000/briefs/phc-t4/tables/tab02.pdf. 

Further reading[]

External links[]

Template:Buffalo-Niagara Falls metropolitan area

Coordinates: 43°19′N 78°47′W / 43.32, -78.79

This page uses content from the English language Wikipedia. The original content was at Niagara County, New York. The list of authors can be seen in the page history. As with this Familypedia wiki, the content of Wikipedia is available under the Creative Commons License.
Advertisement