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Schoharie County, New York

Coordinates: 42°35′N 74°26′W / 42.59°N 74.44°W / 42.59; -74.44
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Schoharie County
County
Left to right, from top: Schoharie County Courthouse, Old Stone Fort (Schoharie, New York), Lean-to at the summit of Huntersfield Mountain, Dr. Christopher S. Best House and Office, Lansing Manor House, view from Vroman's Nose
Official seal of Schoharie County
Seal
Map of New York highlighting Schoharie County
Location within the U.S. state of New York
Map of the United States highlighting New York
New York's location within the U.S.
Coordinates: 42°35′N 74°26′W / 42.59°N 74.44°W / 42.59; -74.44
Country United States
State New York
Founded1795
SeatSchoharie
Largest villageCobleskill
Area
 • Total
626 sq mi (1,620 km2)
 • Land622 sq mi (1,610 km2)
 • Water4.5 sq mi (12 km2)  0.7%
Population
 (2020)
 • Total
29,714 Decrease
 • Density47.5/sq mi (18.3/km2)
Time zoneUTC−5 (Eastern)
 • Summer (DST)UTC−4 (EDT)
Congressional district21st
Websitewww.schohariecounty-ny.gov

Schoharie County (/skoʊˈhɛəriː/ skoh-HAIR-ee) is a county in the U.S. state of New York. As of the 2020 census, the population was 29,714, making it the state's fifth-least populous county.[1][2] The county seat is Schoharie.[3] "Schoharie" comes from a Mohawk word meaning "floating driftwood." Schoharie County is part of the Albany-Schenectady-Troy, NY Metropolitan Statistical Area. The county is part of the Mohawk Valley region of the state.

History

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See also: Schoharie County in the American Revolution
The Gilboa Dam, at the northern end of the Schoharie Reservoir

The large territory of the county was long occupied by the Mohawk Nation and, to the west, the other four tribes of the Iroquois (Haudenosaunee) Confederacy (increased to six with the migration of the Tuscarora). After European colonization of the Northeast started, the Mohawk had a lucrative fur trade with the French coming down from Canada, as well as the early Dutch colonists, and later British and German colonists.

Some Palatine Germans, who worked in camps on the Hudson to pay off their passage in 1710, later settled in this county in the 1720s and 30s. In addition, Scots-Irish immigrants settled in the present Schoharie County area before the American Revolutionary War, especially near Cherry Creek.

Political organization

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After Great Britain defeated the Dutch in the Second Anglo-Dutch War and received New Netherland via the Treaty of Breda, they began to establish counties in the New York territory in 1683. The present Schoharie County was first part of Albany County. In theory, it extended westward to the Pacific Ocean, as the colonists wanted to keep their options open. 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 part of Vermont.

On March 12, 1772, what was left of Albany County was split into three parts, one retaining the name Albany County. Tryon County was formed from the western portion of the territory (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 Tryon County was eventually organized into what are now 37 counties of New York State. The county was named for William Tryon, colonial governor of New York.

In the years preceding 1776, as social and political tensions rose in the colony, most of the Loyalists in Tryon County, then on the frontier, fled to Canada. In 1784, after the peace treaty that ended the Revolutionary War and the establishment of states, the new government changed Tryon County's name to Montgomery County to honor United States General Richard Montgomery, who had captured several places in Canada and died trying to capture the city of Quebec.

The state continued to organize new counties. In 1789, Montgomery County was reduced in size by the splitting off of Ontario County. It was originally much larger than the present county, including present-day Allegany, Cattaraugus, Chautauqua, Erie, Genesee, Livingston, Monroe, Niagara, Orleans, Steuben, Wyoming, Yates, and part of Schuyler and Wayne counties.

In 1791, Otsego County was one of three counties split off from Montgomery (the other two being Herkimer and Tioga County).

In 1795, Schoharie County was created by joining portions of Otsego and Albany counties.

Revolutionary War

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This was an area of fighting during the American Revolutionary War. On the frontier, colonists were subject to raids by British and their Iroquois allies. Four of the six tribes allied with the British, hoping to repel the colonists from their territory.

Geography

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According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 626 square miles (1,620 km2), of which 622 square miles (1,610 km2) is land and 4.5 square miles (12 km2) (0.7%) is water.[4]

Schoharie County is in central New York State, west of Albany and southeast of Utica.

Much of the southern portion of the county lies within the Catskill Mountains. Land rises in both directions quite rapidly from Schoharie Creek in the middle of the county. In contrast, the northern part of the county is predominately small hills and valleys. More than 75% of the county's population lives in the north, closer to the Mohawk River, the historic transportation route east and west through the state. Schoharie Creek is a northward-flowing tributary of the Mohawk River. The Schoharie Creek watershed spans an area of approximately 950 square miles (2,500 km2). The course of Schoharie Creek includes two reservoir-dam systems.

The Gilboa Dam and the Schoharie Reservoir are part of the New York City Water Supply System. The New York Power Authority operates the Blenheim-Gilboa Dam and its reservoir to produce hydroelectric power. The headwaters of the Delaware River are located in the town of Jefferson. Tributaries of the Susquehanna River are located in the towns of Jefferson and Summit.

The highest point is at the summit of Huntersfield Mountain on the southern boundary with Greene County, at 3,423 feet (1,043 m) above sea level. The lowest point is where the Montgomery County line meets Schoharie Creek, 520 feet (160 m) above sea level. The most prominent geological feature is Vroman's Nose, near the village of Middleburgh in the town of Fulton.

Adjacent counties

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Demographics

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Historical population
CensusPop.Note%±
18009,808—
181018,94593.2%
182023,15422.2%
183027,90220.5%
184032,35816.0%
185033,5483.7%
186034,4692.7%
187033,340−3.3%
188032,910−1.3%
189029,164−11.4%
190026,854−7.9%
191023,855−11.2%
192021,303−10.7%
193019,667−7.7%
194020,8125.8%
195022,7039.1%
196022,616−0.4%
197024,7509.4%
198029,71020.0%
199031,8597.2%
200031,582−0.9%
201032,7493.7%
202029,714−9.3%
U.S. Decennial Census[5]
1790-1960[6] 1900-1990[7]
1990-2000[8] 2010-2020[1]
Main street in the hamlet of Breakabeen

As of the census[9] of 2000, there were 31,582 people, 11,991 households and 8,177 families residing in the county. The population density was 51 inhabitants per square mile (20/km2). There were 15,915 housing units at an average density of 26 units per square mile (10/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 95.06% White, 2.14% Black or African American, 0.30% Native American, 0.49% Asian, 0.02% Pacific Islander, 0.36% from other races, and 0.93% from two or more races. 1.86% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race. 20.9% were of German, 15.6% Irish, 11.5% American, 10.8% Italian and 9.7% English ancestry according to Census 2000. 95.5% spoke English, 1.7% Spanish and 1.0% German as their first language.

There were 11,991 households, out of which 31.20% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 54.20% were married couples living together, 9.30% had a female householder with no husband present, and 31.80% were non-families. 25.80% of all households were made up of individuals, and 11.70% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.49 and the average family size was 2.98.

In the county, the population was spread out, with 24.00% under the age of 18, 10.60% from 18 to 24, 26.20% from 25 to 44, 24.40% from 45 to 64, and 14.90% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 38 years. For every 100 females there were 99.00 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 97.80 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $36,585, and the median income for a family was $43,118. Males had a median income of $31,725 versus $24,475 for females. The per capita income for the county was $17,778. About 7.90% of families and 11.40% of the population were below the poverty line, including 13.70% of those under age 18 and 8.60% of those age 65 or over.

2020 Census

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Schoharie County Racial Composition[10]
Race Num. Perc.
White (NH) 26,658 89.7%
Black or African American (NH) 277 0.9%
Native American (NH) 68 0.2%
Asian (NH) 210 0.7%
Pacific Islander (NH) 3 0.01%
Other/Mixed (NH) 1,423 4.8%
Hispanic or Latino 1,075 3.62%

Economy

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Schoharie County's primary industry is agriculture. Farms are situated all over the county and farm stands and other agriculture-related businesses are operated throughout the county. Many residents work in the Capital District, New York. Walmart has a distribution center in the Village of Sharon Springs. The I-88 corridor is growing due to the short commute to Schenectady and Albany.

The Catskills-area villages have a number of historic hotels, as it was a vacation destination in the early 20th century. Second homes are common in the county.

A growing tourist industry attracts visitors for recreation, the landscape and historic destinations. Visitors come to Howe Caverns, Vroman's Nose, the Old Stone Fort, and the Iroquois Indian Museum among other locales. The Old Blenheim Bridge was among the attractions until it was destroyed by Hurricane Irene in August 2011. Work to rebuild the covered bridge began in 2017.

Government

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As of 2024, Schoharie County is part of New York's 21st congressional district, represented by Republican Elise Stefanik; part of New York's 51st State Senate district, represented by Republican Peter Oberacker; and part of New York's 102nd Assembly district, represented by Republican Christopher Tague.

The sheriff of Schoharie County, Tony Desmond, received national attention for publicly stating during the 2013 election that he would not enforce the NY SAFE Act.[11] The current sheriff, Ronald R. Stevens, succeeded Desmond in 2018.[12]

From 1884 to 1916, Schoharie County consistently backed Democratic Party candidates in presidential elections; it was the only county in the state to support William Jennings Bryan over William McKinley in 1896. After 1916, the county has backed the Democratic candidate only twice, in 1964 and 1996.

United States presidential election results for Schoharie County, New York[13]
Year Republican Democratic Third party(ies)
No.  % No.  % No.  %
2024 10,423 64.22% 5,547 34.18% 261 1.61%
2020 9,903 63.04% 5,345 34.02% 462 2.94%
2016 8,831 62.85% 4,240 30.18% 979 6.97%
2012 7,467 56.54% 5,427 41.09% 313 2.37%
2008 8,071 56.04% 6,009 41.72% 322 2.24%
2004 8,591 59.01% 5,630 38.67% 338 2.32%
2000 7,459 55.03% 5,390 39.77% 705 5.20%
1996 5,353 40.37% 5,902 44.51% 2,006 15.13%
1992 5,678 40.14% 4,997 35.32% 3,472 24.54%
1988 7,008 55.90% 5,389 42.99% 139 1.11%
1984 8,692 67.97% 3,996 31.25% 100 0.78%
1980 6,382 52.05% 4,715 38.45% 1,165 9.50%
1976 7,154 57.16% 5,250 41.95% 111 0.89%
1972 8,644 69.68% 3,730 30.07% 32 0.26%
1968 6,166 57.21% 3,883 36.03% 728 6.76%
1964 4,193 36.81% 7,187 63.09% 11 0.10%
1960 7,644 63.69% 4,342 36.18% 16 0.13%
1956 8,851 73.28% 3,227 26.72% 0 0.00%
1952 8,972 71.78% 3,509 28.07% 18 0.14%
1948 6,751 61.27% 4,032 36.59% 236 2.14%
1944 6,546 60.61% 4,219 39.06% 36 0.33%
1940 7,316 64.10% 4,073 35.68% 25 0.22%
1936 6,895 60.30% 4,229 36.99% 310 2.71%
1932 5,513 53.43% 4,684 45.40% 121 1.17%
1928 6,906 67.65% 2,926 28.66% 377 3.69%
1924 6,142 62.17% 3,413 34.55% 324 3.28%
1920 5,572 58.43% 3,697 38.76% 268 2.81%
1916 2,851 43.50% 3,457 52.75% 246 3.75%
1912 2,391 36.76% 3,355 51.58% 759 11.67%
1908 3,393 45.22% 3,841 51.19% 270 3.60%
1904 3,672 46.22% 4,010 50.47% 263 3.31%
1900 3,860 46.19% 4,317 51.66% 180 2.15%
1896 3,838 46.58% 4,203 51.01% 199 2.42%
1892 3,236 39.48% 4,531 55.28% 430 5.25%
1888 3,696 41.36% 5,006 56.01% 235 2.63%
1884 3,472 38.49% 5,339 59.18% 210 2.33%

Communities

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Towns

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Villages

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Census-designated places

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Other hamlets

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Transportation

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A commuter coach bus of Schoharie County Public Transportation

Interstate and other major highways

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Schoharie County is served by Interstate 88, which is paralleled by Route 7 as well as U.S. Route 20 in the north of the county running in the east–west direction. Route 10, Route 30 (which splits into Route 30A north of Schoharie) and Route 145 run in the north–south direction in the county.

Eastbound on I-88 in Schoharie County

Bus

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Bus service is provided by Schoharie County Public Transportation, with commuter routes to Albany as well as local and demand-responsive services.[14]

Rail (Former)

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Passenger rail service in Schoharie County was formerly provided by the Delaware and Hudson Railway on their Susquehanna Division until passenger service was discontinued in the 1960s. Today, freight service continues along the Susquehanna Division provided by Norfolk Southern.

Airports

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The nearest commercial airport to Schoharie County is Albany International Airport.

Notable sites

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A prominent site in the county is the Old Stone Fort, used for defense against British and allied Indian attacks during the Revolution. It was later used as an armory during the Civil War.[15]

During the 19th century, the Middleburgh-Schoharie Railroad was constructed through the county.

In 1981 the Iroquois Indian Museum opened in a new building near Howe Caverns in Cobleskill. It has the largest collection of Iroquois art in the United States and includes a performance center where Iroquois present traditional and contemporary music and dance.

The Gilboa Fossil Forest is home to one of the earth's oldest forests, with petrified tree trunks dating back over 380 million years to the Devonian period. Numerous fossils are on display at the Gilboa Museum near the Schoharie Reservoir.

Notable people

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Notable people who were born or lived in Schoharie County include:

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See also

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References

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  1. ^ a b "U.S. Census Bureau QuickFacts: Schoharie County, New York". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 2, 2022.
  2. ^ "US Census 2020 Population Dataset Tables for New York". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 2, 2022.
  3. ^ "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Retrieved June 7, 2011.
  4. ^ "2010 Census Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. August 22, 2012. Archived from the original on May 19, 2014. Retrieved January 7, 2015.
  5. ^ "U.S. Decennial Census". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 7, 2015.
  6. ^ "Historical Census Browser". University of Virginia Library. Archived from the original on August 11, 2012. Retrieved January 7, 2015.
  7. ^ "Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 7, 2015.
  8. ^ "Census 2000 PHC-T-4. Ranking Tables for Counties: 1990 and 2000" (PDF). United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 7, 2015.
  9. ^ "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 31, 2008.
  10. ^ "P2 HISPANIC OR LATINO, AND NOT HISPANIC OR LATINO BY RACE – 2020: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171) – Schoharie County, New York".
  11. ^ "Some sheriffs protest gun restrictions; others refuse to enforce the laws". News21. Archived from the original on August 27, 2021. Retrieved October 31, 2021.
  12. ^ "Sheriff's Office – Schoharie County, New York". Retrieved October 31, 2021.
  13. ^ Leip, David. "Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections". uselectionatlas.org. Retrieved October 24, 2018.
  14. ^ "Schoharie County Public Transportation". ridescpt.
  15. ^ "History of Schoharie", Jumping in Pools blog (February 17, 2009). Retrieved on August 16, 2013

Further reading

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42°35′N 74°26′W / 42.59°N 74.44°W / 42.59; -74.44

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