Fulton County, New York
Encyclopedia
Fulton County is a county located in the U.S. state
of New York
. As of the 2010 census, the population was 55,531. Its name is in honor of Robert Fulton
, who is widely credited with developing the first commercially successful steamboat
. Its county seat
is Johnstown
.
, New York
In 1838, Fulton County was split off from Montgomery, shortly after the Montgomery county seat was moved to Fonda
, New York
. The creation of Fulton County was engineered by Johnstown lawyer Daniel Cady
, whose wife was a cousin of Robert Fulton.
Fulton County was created on April 18, 1838 by a partition of Montgomery
County, resulting in a county with an area of 550 square miles (1,424.5 km²).
The old Tryon County
courthouse, later the Montgomery County courthouse, became the Fulton County Courthouse
, where it is the oldest operating courthouse in New York.
One adjustment has been made to the area of Fulton County. On April 6, 1860, 10 square miles (25.9 km²) on the northern border was transferred to Hamilton
in the vicinity of Sacandaga Park. This resulted in the Fulton County that exists today.
In the mid-18th century, Sir William Johnson
, founder of Fort Johnson
in Montgomery County
and of Johnstown
, arrived in the area that would become Fulton County. Sir William Johnson, 1st Baronet, was an Irish pioneer and army officer in colonial New York, and the British Superintendent of Indian Affairs from 1755 to 1774. His homes, Fort Johnson and Johnson Hall are current New York State Historic Sites.
Fulton County was also home to Elizabeth Cady Stanton
, a central pioneer in the women's rights movement in America.
Shortly after the American Revolutionary War
, the manufacture of gloves and leather became the primary industry of the area. At one point, Johnstown and Gloversville were known as the Glove and Leather capital of the world. The largest rise in population and growth came as a result of the fruits of these businesses.
Many residents of Fulton County can trace their ancestry back to the glove and leather trades. Today few glovers, tanners and leather dressers still exist in the area, although some companies have adapted to the changes in the market and kept themselves competitive.
.
According to the U.S. Census Bureau
, the county has a total area of 533 square miles (1,380.5 km²), of which 496 square miles (1,284.6 km²) is land and 37 square miles (95.8 km²) (6.89%) is water.
of 2000, there were 55,073 people, 21,884 households, and 14,509 families residing in the county. The population density
was 111 people per square mile (43/km²). There were 27,787 housing units at an average density of 56 per square mile (22/km²). The racial makeup of the county was 95.99% White
, 1.80% Black
or African American
, 0.19% Native American
, 0.53% Asian
, 0.02% Pacific Islander
, 0.56% from other races
, and 0.91% from two or more races. 1.61% of the population were Hispanic
or Latino
of any race. 17.2% were of Italian
, 16.4% German
, 13.2% Irish
, 10.0% English
, 8.3% American
, 5.8% French
and 5.7% Polish ancestry according to Census 2000. 96.1% spoke English
and 1.6% Spanish
as their first language.
There were 21,884 households out of which 30.50% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 50.00% were married couples
living together, 11.30% had a female householder with no husband present, and 33.70% were non-families. 27.70% of all households were made up of individuals and 12.90% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.43 and the average family size was 2.94.
In the county the population was spread out with 24.90% under the age of 18, 7.20% from 18 to 24, 28.10% from 25 to 44, 23.60% from 45 to 64, and 16.30% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 39 years. For every 100 females there were 97.10 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 93.60 males.
The median income for a household in the county was $33,663, and the median income for a family was $39,801. Males had a median income of $29,538 versus $22,173 for females. The per capita income
for the county was $16,844. About 9.20% of families and 12.50% of the population were below the poverty line, including 17.50% of those under age 18 and 7.50% of those age 65 or over.
U.S. state
A U.S. state is any one of the 50 federated states of the United States of America that share sovereignty with the federal government. Because of this shared sovereignty, an American is a citizen both of the federal entity and of his or her state of domicile. Four states use the official title of...
of New York
New York
New York is a state in the Northeastern region of the United States. It is the nation's third most populous state. New York is bordered by New Jersey and Pennsylvania to the south, and by Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont to the east...
. As of the 2010 census, the population was 55,531. Its name is in honor of Robert Fulton
Robert Fulton
Robert Fulton was an American engineer and inventor who is widely credited with developing the first commercially successful steamboat...
, who is widely credited with developing the first commercially successful steamboat
Steamboat
A steamboat or steamship, sometimes called a steamer, is a ship in which the primary method of propulsion is steam power, typically driving propellers or paddlewheels...
. Its county seat
County seat
A county seat is an administrative center, or seat of government, for a county or civil parish. The term is primarily used in the United States....
is Johnstown
Johnstown (city), New York
Johnstown is a city and the county seat of Fulton County in the U.S. state of New York. As of the 2000 Census, the city had population of 8,511. Recent estimates put the figure closer to 8,100. The city was named by its founder, Sir William Johnson after his son John Johnson...
.
History
For the history of Fulton County prior to 1838 see Montgomery CountyMontgomery County, New York
As of the census of 2000, there were 49,708 people, 20,038 households, and 13,104 families residing in the county. The population density was 123 people per square mile . There were 22,522 housing units at an average density of 56 per square mile...
, New York
New York
New York is a state in the Northeastern region of the United States. It is the nation's third most populous state. New York is bordered by New Jersey and Pennsylvania to the south, and by Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont to the east...
In 1838, Fulton County was split off from Montgomery, shortly after the Montgomery county seat was moved to Fonda
Fonda, New York
Fonda is a village in Montgomery County, New York, United States. The population was 810 at the 2000 census. Fonda is the county seat of Montgomery County...
, New York
New York
New York is a state in the Northeastern region of the United States. It is the nation's third most populous state. New York is bordered by New Jersey and Pennsylvania to the south, and by Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont to the east...
. The creation of Fulton County was engineered by Johnstown lawyer Daniel Cady
Daniel Cady
Daniel Cady was a prominent lawyer and judge in upstate New York. While perhaps better known today as the father of Elizabeth Cady Stanton, Judge Cady had a full and accomplished life of his own.-Life:Cady was born in that part of Canaan, Columbia County, New York which was later split off to form...
, whose wife was a cousin of Robert Fulton.
Fulton County was created on April 18, 1838 by a partition of Montgomery
Montgomery County, New York
As of the census of 2000, there were 49,708 people, 20,038 households, and 13,104 families residing in the county. The population density was 123 people per square mile . There were 22,522 housing units at an average density of 56 per square mile...
County, resulting in a county with an area of 550 square miles (1,424.5 km²).
The old Tryon County
Tryon County
Tryon County is the name of two former counties in the United States:*Tryon County, New York- 1772-1784*Tryon County, North Carolina- 1768-1779...
courthouse, later the Montgomery County courthouse, became the Fulton County Courthouse
Fulton County Courthouse (New York)
Fulton County Courthouse, originally known as Tryon County Courthouse, is a historic courthouse building located at Johnstown in Fulton County, New York. It was built in 1772–1773 and is a Late Georgian style public building. It is a -story brick structure, five bays wide and three bays deep. It...
, where it is the oldest operating courthouse in New York.
One adjustment has been made to the area of Fulton County. On April 6, 1860, 10 square miles (25.9 km²) on the northern border was transferred to Hamilton
Hamilton County, New York
Hamilton County is a county located in the U.S. state of New York. It is named after Alexander Hamilton, the only member of the New York State delegation who signed the United States Constitution in 1787 and later the first United States Secretary of the Treasury. Its county seat is Lake Pleasant...
in the vicinity of Sacandaga Park. This resulted in the Fulton County that exists today.
In the mid-18th century, Sir William Johnson
Sir William Johnson, 1st Baronet
Sir William Johnson, 1st Baronet was an Anglo-Irish official of the British Empire. As a young man, Johnson came to the Province of New York to manage an estate purchased by his uncle, Admiral Peter Warren, which was located amidst the Mohawk, one of the Six Nations of the Iroquois League...
, founder of Fort Johnson
Fort Johnson, New York
Fort Johnson, formerly known as Akin, is a village in Montgomery County, New York, United States. The population was 491 at the 2000 census.The Village of Fort Johnson is in the south part of the town of Amsterdam, west of the city of Amsterdam....
in Montgomery County
Montgomery County, New York
As of the census of 2000, there were 49,708 people, 20,038 households, and 13,104 families residing in the county. The population density was 123 people per square mile . There were 22,522 housing units at an average density of 56 per square mile...
and of Johnstown
Johnstown (city), New York
Johnstown is a city and the county seat of Fulton County in the U.S. state of New York. As of the 2000 Census, the city had population of 8,511. Recent estimates put the figure closer to 8,100. The city was named by its founder, Sir William Johnson after his son John Johnson...
, arrived in the area that would become Fulton County. Sir William Johnson, 1st Baronet, was an Irish pioneer and army officer in colonial New York, and the British Superintendent of Indian Affairs from 1755 to 1774. His homes, Fort Johnson and Johnson Hall are current New York State Historic Sites.
Fulton County was also home to Elizabeth Cady Stanton
Elizabeth Cady Stanton
Elizabeth Cady Stanton was an American social activist, abolitionist, and leading figure of the early woman's movement...
, a central pioneer in the women's rights movement in America.
Shortly after the American Revolutionary War
American Revolutionary War
The American Revolutionary War , the American War of Independence, or simply the Revolutionary War, began as a war between the Kingdom of Great Britain and thirteen British colonies in North America, and ended in a global war between several European great powers.The war was the result of the...
, the manufacture of gloves and leather became the primary industry of the area. At one point, Johnstown and Gloversville were known as the Glove and Leather capital of the world. The largest rise in population and growth came as a result of the fruits of these businesses.
Many residents of Fulton County can trace their ancestry back to the glove and leather trades. Today few glovers, tanners and leather dressers still exist in the area, although some companies have adapted to the changes in the market and kept themselves competitive.
Geography
Fulton County is in the central part of the state, northwest of AlbanyAlbany, New York
Albany is the capital city of the U.S. state of New York, the seat of Albany County, and the central city of New York's Capital District. Roughly north of New York City, Albany sits on the west bank of the Hudson River, about south of its confluence with the Mohawk River...
.
According to the U.S. Census Bureau
United States Census Bureau
The United States Census Bureau is the government agency that is responsible for the United States Census. It also gathers other national demographic and economic data...
, the county has a total area of 533 square miles (1,380.5 km²), of which 496 square miles (1,284.6 km²) is land and 37 square miles (95.8 km²) (6.89%) is water.
Adjacent counties
- Hamilton CountyHamilton County, New YorkHamilton County is a county located in the U.S. state of New York. It is named after Alexander Hamilton, the only member of the New York State delegation who signed the United States Constitution in 1787 and later the first United States Secretary of the Treasury. Its county seat is Lake Pleasant...
, New YorkNew YorkNew York is a state in the Northeastern region of the United States. It is the nation's third most populous state. New York is bordered by New Jersey and Pennsylvania to the south, and by Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont to the east...
- north - Saratoga CountySaratoga County, New YorkSaratoga County is a county located in the U.S. state of New York. As of the 2010 census, the population was 219,607. It is part of the Albany-Schenectady-Troy Metropolitan Statistical Area. The county seat is Ballston Spa...
, New YorkNew YorkNew York is a state in the Northeastern region of the United States. It is the nation's third most populous state. New York is bordered by New Jersey and Pennsylvania to the south, and by Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont to the east...
- east - Montgomery CountyMontgomery County, New YorkAs of the census of 2000, there were 49,708 people, 20,038 households, and 13,104 families residing in the county. The population density was 123 people per square mile . There were 22,522 housing units at an average density of 56 per square mile...
, New YorkNew YorkNew York is a state in the Northeastern region of the United States. It is the nation's third most populous state. New York is bordered by New Jersey and Pennsylvania to the south, and by Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont to the east...
- south - Herkimer CountyHerkimer County, New YorkHerkimer County is a county located in the U.S. state of New York. It was created in 1791 north of the Mohawk River out of part of Montgomery County. As of the 2010 census, the population was 64,519. It is named after General Nicholas Herkimer, who died from battle wounds in 1777 after taking part...
, New YorkNew YorkNew York is a state in the Northeastern region of the United States. It is the nation's third most populous state. New York is bordered by New Jersey and Pennsylvania to the south, and by Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont to the east...
- west
Demographics
As of the censusCensus
A census is the procedure of systematically acquiring and recording information about the members of a given population. It is a regularly occurring and official count of a particular population. The term is used mostly in connection with national population and housing censuses; other common...
of 2000, there were 55,073 people, 21,884 households, and 14,509 families residing in the county. The population density
Population density
Population density is a measurement of population per unit area or unit volume. It is frequently applied to living organisms, and particularly to humans...
was 111 people per square mile (43/km²). There were 27,787 housing units at an average density of 56 per square mile (22/km²). The racial makeup of the county was 95.99% White
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
, 1.80% Black
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
or African American
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
, 0.19% Native American
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
, 0.53% Asian
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
, 0.02% Pacific Islander
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
, 0.56% from other races
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
, and 0.91% from two or more races. 1.61% of the population were Hispanic
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
or Latino
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
of any race. 17.2% were of Italian
Italian people
The Italian people are an ethnic group that share a common Italian culture, ancestry and speak the Italian language as a mother tongue. Within Italy, Italians are defined by citizenship, regardless of ancestry or country of residence , and are distinguished from people...
, 16.4% German
Germans
The Germans are a Germanic ethnic group native to Central Europe. The English term Germans has referred to the German-speaking population of the Holy Roman Empire since the Late Middle Ages....
, 13.2% Irish
Irish people
The Irish people are an ethnic group who originate in Ireland, an island in northwestern Europe. Ireland has been populated for around 9,000 years , with the Irish people's earliest ancestors recorded having legends of being descended from groups such as the Nemedians, Fomorians, Fir Bolg, Tuatha...
, 10.0% English
English people
The English are a nation and ethnic group native to England, who speak English. The English identity is of early mediaeval origin, when they were known in Old English as the Anglecynn. England is now a country of the United Kingdom, and the majority of English people in England are British Citizens...
, 8.3% American
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
, 5.8% French
French people
The French are a nation that share a common French culture and speak the French language as a mother tongue. Historically, the French population are descended from peoples of Celtic, Latin and Germanic origin, and are today a mixture of several ethnic groups...
and 5.7% Polish ancestry according to Census 2000. 96.1% spoke English
English language
English is a West Germanic language that arose in the Anglo-Saxon kingdoms of England and spread into what was to become south-east Scotland under the influence of the Anglian medieval kingdom of Northumbria...
and 1.6% Spanish
Spanish language
Spanish , also known as Castilian , is a Romance language in the Ibero-Romance group that evolved from several languages and dialects in central-northern Iberia around the 9th century and gradually spread with the expansion of the Kingdom of Castile into central and southern Iberia during the...
as their first language.
There were 21,884 households out of which 30.50% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 50.00% were married couples
Marriage
Marriage is a social union or legal contract between people that creates kinship. It is an institution in which interpersonal relationships, usually intimate and sexual, are acknowledged in a variety of ways, depending on the culture or subculture in which it is found...
living together, 11.30% had a female householder with no husband present, and 33.70% were non-families. 27.70% of all households were made up of individuals and 12.90% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.43 and the average family size was 2.94.
In the county the population was spread out with 24.90% under the age of 18, 7.20% from 18 to 24, 28.10% from 25 to 44, 23.60% from 45 to 64, and 16.30% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 39 years. For every 100 females there were 97.10 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 93.60 males.
The median income for a household in the county was $33,663, and the median income for a family was $39,801. Males had a median income of $29,538 versus $22,173 for females. The per capita income
Per capita income
Per capita income or income per person is a measure of mean income within an economic aggregate, such as a country or city. It is calculated by taking a measure of all sources of income in the aggregate and dividing it by the total population...
for the county was $16,844. About 9.20% of families and 12.50% of the population were below the poverty line, including 17.50% of those under age 18 and 7.50% of those age 65 or over.
Cities, towns, and villages
- BleeckerBleecker, New YorkBleecker is a town in Fulton County, New York, USA. The population was 573 at the 2000 census. The name is from Barent Bleecker, one of the original landowners of the region....
(town) - BroadalbinBroadalbin (town), New YorkBroadalbin is a town in Fulton County, New York, USA. The population was 5,066 at the 2000 census. The town was named after the Breadalbane Region in Scotland by an early settler.The Town of Broadalbin contains a village also called Broadalbin...
(town) - BroadalbinBroadalbin (village), New YorkBroadalbin is a village in Fulton County, New York, United States. The population was 1,411 at the 2000 census. The name is derived from a region in Scotland....
(village) - CarogaCaroga, New YorkCaroga is a town in Fulton County, New York, USA. The population was 1,407 at the 2000 census. The town was named after a local creek.The Town of Caroga is in the northern part of the county and is north of Gloversville and Johnstown....
(town) - DolgevilleDolgeville, New YorkDolgeville is a village in Herkimer County, New York, United States. The population was 2,166 at the 2000 census. The village is named after Alfred Dolge , industrialist....
(village) - EphratahEphratah, New YorkEphratah is a town in Fulton County, New York, United States. The population was 1,693 at the 2000 census. The name is from the Bible and means "fruitful."...
(town) - GloversvilleGloversville, New YorkGloversville is a city in Fulton County, New York, that was once the hub of America's glovemaking industry with over two hundred manufacturers in Gloversville and Johnstown. In 2000, Gloversville had a population of 15,413. Ten years later, the population had increased to 15,665- History :The...
(city) - JohnstownJohnstown (town), New YorkJohnstown is a town located in Fulton County, New York, United States. As of the 2000 U.S. Census, the town had a population of 7,166. The name of the town is from landowner William Johnson....
(town) - JohnstownJohnstown (city), New YorkJohnstown is a city and the county seat of Fulton County in the U.S. state of New York. As of the 2000 Census, the city had population of 8,511. Recent estimates put the figure closer to 8,100. The city was named by its founder, Sir William Johnson after his son John Johnson...
(city) - MayfieldMayfield (town), New YorkMayfield is a town in Fulton County, New York, United States. The population of the town is 6,432 according to the 2000 US Census. The Town of Mayfield contains a village also called Mayfield...
(town) - MayfieldMayfield (village), New YorkMayfield is a village in Fulton County, New York, United States. As of the 2000 census, the village population was 800.The Village of Mayfield is located in the east-central part of Town of Mayfield and is northeast of Gloversville.-Geography:...
(village) - NorthamptonNorthampton, Fulton County, New YorkNorthampton is a town in Fulton County, New York, United States. The population was 2,760 at the 2000 census. The name comes from an original land patent...
(town) - NorthvilleNorthville, Fulton County, New YorkNorthville is a village in Fulton County, New York, United States. The population was 1,139 at the 2000 census.The Village of Northville is in the northern part of the Town of Northampton and is northeast of Gloversville.-History:...
(village) - OppenheimOppenheim, New YorkOppenheim is a town in Fulton County, New York, United States. The town is at the western border of the county and is east of Utica. The population was 1,774 at the 2000 census.- History :...
(town) - PerthPerth, New YorkPerth is a town in Fulton County, New York, United States. The population was 3,638 at the 2000 census. The town is named after Perth, Scotland.The Town of Perth is in the eastern part of the county, north of Amsterdam, New York.- History :...
(town) - StratfordStratford, New YorkStratford is a town in Fulton County, New York, United States. The population was 640 at the 2000 census. The town was named after a community in Connecticut...
(town)
- => Label in parentheses is official political designation.
See also
- Fulton County Sheriff's Department
- List of counties in New York
- National Register of Historic Places listings in Fulton County, New York