Counties of New York
LocationState of New York
Number62
Populations5,118 (Hamilton) – 2,590,516 (Kings)
Areas33.77 square miles (87.5 km2) (New York) – 2,821 square miles (7,310 km2) (St. Lawrence)
Government
Subdivisions

There are 62 counties in the U.S. state of New York.

The first 12 were created immediately after the British took over the Dutch colony of New Amsterdam; two of these counties were later abolished, their land going to Massachusetts.[1] The newest is Bronx County, created in 1914 from the portions of New York City that had been annexed from Westchester County in the late 19th century and added to New York County.[2] New York's counties are named for various Native American words; British provinces, counties, cities, and royalty; early American statesmen and military personnel; and New York State politicians.[3]

The county boundaries in New York state were last changed in 1964, when the Bronx gained South Brother Island from Queens.[4]

Authority

Excepting the five boroughs of New York City, New York counties are governed by New York County Law and have governments run by either a Board of Supervisors or a County Legislature, and either an elected County Executive or appointed county manager. Counties without charters are run by a Board of Supervisors, in which Town Supervisors from towns within the county also sit on the county Board of Supervisors. For counties with a charter, the executives generally have powers to veto acts of the county legislature. The legislatures have powers of setting policies, levying taxes and distributing funds.

Five boroughs of New York City

Five of New York's counties are each coextensive with New York City's five boroughs. They are New York County (Manhattan), Kings County (Brooklyn), Bronx County (The Bronx), Richmond County (Staten Island), and Queens County (Queens).

In contrast to other counties of New York, the powers of the five boroughs of New York City are very limited and in nearly all respects are governed by the city government.[5] Only a few officials are elected on a borough-wide basis, such as the five borough presidents, district attorneys, and all county and state supreme court judges. There are no official county seats, but the locations of borough halls and courthouses bestow certain neighborhoods an informal designation as county seats within their boroughs:

List of counties

County
FIPS Code
[6]
County seat
[7]
Est.
[7][8]
Formed from
[2]
Named for
[3]
Density (Pop./mi2)
Pop. (2022)
[9]
Area
[7]
Map
 
Albany County 001 AlbanyNovember 1, 1683One of 12 original counties created in the New York colonyJames II of England (James VII of Scotland) (16331701), who was Duke of York (English title) and Duke of Albany (Scottish title) before becoming King of England, Ireland, and Scotland.592.52 315,811 533 sq mi
(1,380 km2)
State map highlighting Albany County
Allegany County 003 BelmontApril 7, 1806Genesee CountyA variant spelling of the Allegheny River45.16 46,694 1,034 sq mi
(2,678 km2)
State map highlighting Allegany County
Bronx County 005 none (sui generis)January 1, 1914[10]New York CountyJonas Bronck (1600?1643), an early settler of the Dutch colony of New Netherland24,028.31 1,379,946 57.43 sq mi
(149 km2)
State map highlighting Bronx County
Broome County 007 BinghamtonMarch 28, 1806Tioga CountyJohn Broome (17381810), fourth Lieutenant Governor of New York275.69 197,117 715 sq mi
(1,852 km2)
State map highlighting Broome County
Cattaraugus County 009 Little ValleyMarch 11, 1808Genesee CountyA word from an uncertain Iroquoian language meaning "bad smelling banks", referring to the odor of natural gas which leaked from Cattaraugus Creek58.35 76,439 1,310 sq mi
(3,393 km2)
State map highlighting Cattaraugus County
Cayuga County 011 AuburnMarch 8, 1799Onondaga CountyThe Cayuga tribe of Native Americans86.80 74,998 864 sq mi
(2,238 km2)
State map highlighting Cayuga County
Chautauqua County 013 MayvilleMarch 11, 1808Genesee CountyLoanword from the Erie language describing Chautauqua Lake; language now lost and cannot be translated84.02 126,027 1,500 sq mi
(3,885 km2)
State map highlighting Chautauqua County
Chemung County 015 ElmiraMarch 20, 1836Tioga CountyA Lenape word meaning "big horn", which was the name of a local Native American village198.21 81,426 410.81 sq mi
(1,064 km2)
State map highlighting Chemung County
Chenango County 017 NorwichMarch 15, 1798Tioga County and Herkimer CountyAn Onondaga word meaning "large bull-thistle"51.69 46,458 898.85 sq mi
(2,328 km2)
State map highlighting Chenango County
Clinton County 019 PlattsburghMarch 4, 1788Washington CountyGeorge Clinton (17391812), fourth Vice President of the United States and first and third Governor of New York70.44 78,753 1,118 sq mi
(2,896 km2)
State map highlighting Clinton County
Columbia County 021 HudsonApril 1, 1786Albany CountyChristopher Columbus (14511506), the European explorer94.58 61,286 648 sq mi
(1,678 km2)
State map highlighting Columbia County
Cortland County 023 CortlandApril 8, 1808Onondaga CountyPierre Van Cortlandt (17211814), first Lieutenant Governor of New York91.88 46,126 502 sq mi
(1,300 km2)
State map highlighting Cortland County
Delaware County 025 DelhiMarch 10, 1797Otsego County and Ulster CountyThomas West, 3rd Baron De La Warr (15771618), an early colonial leader in Virginia. Name applied to the bay, river, and Lenape Native Americans30.48 44,740 1,468 sq mi
(3,802 km2)
State map highlighting Delaware County
Dutchess County 027 PoughkeepsieNovember 1, 1683One of 12 original counties created in the New York colonyMary of Modena (16581718), Duchess of York and wife of King James II of England360.66 297,545 825 sq mi
(2,137 km2)
State map highlighting Dutchess County
Erie County 029 BuffaloApril 2, 1821Niagara CountyThe Erie tribe of Native Americans774.50 950,312 1,227 sq mi
(3,178 km2)
State map highlighting Erie County
Essex County 031 ElizabethtownMarch 1, 1799Clinton CountyThe county of Essex in England19.26 36,910 1,916 sq mi
(4,962 km2)
State map highlighting Essex County
Franklin County 033 MaloneMarch 11, 1808Clinton CountyBenjamin Franklin (17061790), the early American printer, scientist, and statesman27.33 46,373 1,697 sq mi
(4,395 km2)
State map highlighting Franklin County
Fulton County 035 JohnstownApril 18, 1838Montgomery CountyRobert Fulton (17651815), inventor of the steamship98.82 52,669 533 sq mi
(1,380 km2)
State map highlighting Fulton County
Genesee County 037 BataviaMarch 30, 1802Ontario County and land acquired in the Holland PurchaseA Seneca phrase meaning "good valley"116.23 57,535 495 sq mi
(1,282 km2)
State map highlighting Genesee County
Greene County 039 CatskillMarch 25, 1800Albany County and Ulster CountyNathanael Greene (17421786), the American Revolutionary War general73.04 48,061 658 sq mi
(1,704 km2)
State map highlighting Greene County
Hamilton County 041 Lake PleasantApril 12, 1816Montgomery CountyAlexander Hamilton (17551804), the early American political theorist and first Secretary of the Treasury2.83 5,118 1,808 sq mi
(4,683 km2)
State map highlighting Hamilton County
Herkimer County 043 HerkimerFebruary 16, 1791Montgomery CountyNicholas Herkimer (17281777), the American Revolutionary War general41.03 59,822 1,458 sq mi
(3,776 km2)
State map highlighting Herkimer County
Jefferson County 045 WatertownMarch 28, 1805Oneida CountyThomas Jefferson (17431826), the early American statesman, author of the Declaration of Independence, and third President of the United States62.81 116,637 1,857 sq mi
(4,810 km2)
State map highlighting Jefferson County
Kings County 047 none (sui generis)November 1, 1683One of 12 original counties created in the New York colonyKing Charles II of England (16301685)26,733.91 2,590,516 96.9 sq mi
(251 km2)
State map highlighting Kings County
Lewis County 049 LowvilleMarch 28, 1805Oneida CountyMorgan Lewis (17541844), the fourth Governor of New York20.70 26,699 1,290 sq mi
(3,341 km2)
State map highlighting Lewis County
Livingston County 051 GeneseoFebruary 23, 1821Genesee County and Ontario CountyRobert Livingston (17461813), the early American statesman and New York delegate to the Continental Congress96.12 61,516 640 sq mi
(1,658 km2)
State map highlighting Livingston County
Madison County 053 WampsvilleMarch 21, 1806Chenango CountyJames Madison (17511836), the early American statesman, principal author of the Constitution of the United States, and fourth President of the United States101.35 67,097 662 sq mi
(1,715 km2)
State map highlighting Madison County
Monroe County 055 RochesterFebruary 23, 1821Genesee County and Ontario CountyJames Monroe (17581831), the early American statesman and fifth President of the United States550.54 752,035 1,366 sq mi
(3,538 km2)
State map highlighting Monroe County
Montgomery County 057 FondaMarch 12, 1772Albany CountyOriginally Tryon County after colonial governor William Tryon (17291788), renamed after the American Revolutionary War general Richard Montgomery (17381775) in 1784121.03 49,623 410 sq mi
(1,062 km2)
State map highlighting Montgomery County
Nassau County 059 MineolaJanuary 1, 1899Queens CountyThe Princes of Orange-Nassau ruled the Netherlands when Long Island was a Dutch colony3,054.58 1,383,726 453 sq mi
(1,173 km2)
State map highlighting Nassau County
New York County 061 none (sui generis)November 1, 1683One of 12 original counties created in the New York colonyKing James II of England (16331701), who was Duke of York and Albany before he ascended the throne of England, Duke of York being his English title47,268.97 1,596,273 33.77 sq mi
(87 km2)
State map highlighting New York County
Niagara County 063 LockportMarch 11, 1808Genesee CountyThe Iroquoian name of a tribe within the Neutral Nation, the exact translation of which remains disputed184.98 210,880 1,140 sq mi
(2,953 km2)
State map highlighting Niagara County
Oneida County 065 UticaMarch 15, 1798Herkimer CountyThe Oneida tribe of Native Americans188.66 228,846 1,213 sq mi
(3,142 km2)
State map highlighting Oneida County
Onondaga County 067 SyracuseMarch 5, 1794Herkimer CountyThe Onondaga tribe of Native Americans580.95 468,249 806 sq mi
(2,088 km2)
State map highlighting Onondaga County
Ontario County 069 CanandaiguaJanuary 27, 1789Land acquired in the Phelps and Gorham PurchaseAn Iroquoian word meaning "beautiful lake"170.25 112,707 662 sq mi
(1,715 km2)
State map highlighting Ontario County
Orange County 071 GoshenNovember 1, 1683One of 12 original counties created in the New York colonyWilliam of Orange-Nassau (16501702), who became King William III of England483.84 405,941 839 sq mi
(2,173 km2)
State map highlighting Orange County
Orleans County 073 AlbionNovember 12, 1824Genesee CountyThe French Royal House of Orléans48.12 39,318 817 sq mi
(2,116 km2)
State map highlighting Orleans County
Oswego County 075 OswegoMarch 1, 1816Oneida County and Onondaga CountyThe Oswego River, from an Iroquoian word meaning "the outpouring", referring to the mouth of the river90.16 118,287 1,312 sq mi
(3,398 km2)
State map highlighting Oswego County
Otsego County 077 CooperstownFebruary 16, 1791Montgomery CountyA Native American word meaning "place of the rock"60.45 60,636 1,003 sq mi
(2,598 km2)
State map highlighting Otsego County
Putnam County 079 Carmel HamletJune 12, 1812Dutchess CountyIsrael Putnam (17181790), an American Revolutionary War general398.56 98,045 246 sq mi
(637 km2)
State map highlighting Putnam County
Queens County 081 none (sui generis)November 1, 1683One of 12 original counties created in the New York colonyCatherine of Braganza (16381705), Queen of England and wife of King Charles II of England12,777.82 2,278,029 178.28 sq mi
(462 km2)
State map highlighting Queens County
Rensselaer County 083 TroyFebruary 7, 1791Albany CountyIn honor of the family of Kiliaen van Rensselaer (before 1596 – after 1643), the early landholder in the Dutch New Netherland colony240.38 159,853 665 sq mi
(1,722 km2)
State map highlighting Rensselaer County
Richmond County 085 none (sui generis)November 1, 1683One of 12 original counties created in the New York colonyCharles Lennox, 1st Duke of Richmond (16721723), the illegitimate son of King Charles II of England4,791.54 491,133 102.5 sq mi
(265 km2)
State map highlighting Richmond County
Rockland County 087 New CityFebruary 23, 1798Orange CountyEarly settlers' description of terrain as "rocky land"1,703.63 339,022 199 sq mi
(515 km2)
State map highlighting Rockland County
St. Lawrence County 089 CantonMarch 3, 1802Clinton County, Herkimer County, and Montgomery CountyThe St Lawrence River, which forms the northern border of the county and New York State38.19 107,733 2,821 sq mi
(7,306 km2)
State map highlighting St. Lawrence County
Saratoga County 091 Ballston SpaFebruary 7, 1791Albany CountyA corruption of a Native American word meaning "the hill beside the river"282.93 238,797 844 sq mi
(2,186 km2)
State map highlighting Saratoga County
Schenectady County 093 SchenectadyMarch 27, 1809Albany CountyA Mohawk word meaning "on the other side of the pine lands"762.35 160,093 210 sq mi
(544 km2)
State map highlighting Schenectady County
Schoharie County 095 SchoharieApril 6, 1795Albany County and Otsego CountyA Mohawk word meaning "floating driftwood"48.02 30,063 626 sq mi
(1,621 km2)
State map highlighting Schoharie County
Schuyler County 097 Watkins GlenApril 17, 1854Chemung County, Steuben County, and Tompkins CountyPhilip Schuyler (17331804), the American Revolutionary War general and Senator from New York51.61 17,650 342 sq mi
(886 km2)
State map highlighting Schuyler County
Seneca County 099 WaterlooMarch 24, 1804Cayuga CountyThe Seneca tribe of Native Americans101.18 32,882 325 sq mi
(842 km2)
State map highlighting Seneca County
Steuben County 101 BathMarch 18, 1796Ontario CountyFriedrich Wilhelm von Steuben (17301794), the Prussian general who assisted the Continental Army during the American Revolutionary War65.95 92,599 1,404 sq mi
(3,636 km2)
State map highlighting Steuben County
Suffolk County 103 RiverheadNovember 1, 1683One of 12 original counties created in the New York colonyThe county of Suffolk in England642.84 1,525,465 2,373 sq mi
(6,146 km2)
State map highlighting Suffolk County
Sullivan County 105 MonticelloMarch 27, 1809Ulster CountyJohn Sullivan (17401795), an American Revolutionary War general79.90 79,658 997 sq mi
(2,582 km2)
State map highlighting Sullivan County
Tioga County 107 OwegoFebruary 16, 1791Montgomery CountyA Native American word meaning "at the forks", describing a meeting place91.34 47,772 523 sq mi
(1,355 km2)
State map highlighting Tioga County
Tompkins County 109 IthacaApril 7, 1817Cayuga County and Seneca CountyDaniel D. Tompkins (17741825), the 6th Vice President of the United States220.12 104,777 476 sq mi
(1,233 km2)
State map highlighting Tompkins County
Ulster County 111 KingstonNovember 1, 1683One of 12 original counties created in the New York colonyThe Irish province of Ulster, then an earldom of the Duke of York, later King James II of England157.04 182,319 1,161 sq mi
(3,007 km2)
State map highlighting Ulster County
Warren County 113 QueensburyMarch 12, 1813Washington CountyJoseph Warren (17411775), the early American patriot and American Revolutionary War general75.40 65,599 870 sq mi
(2,253 km2)
State map highlighting Warren County
Washington County 115 Fort EdwardMarch 12, 1772Albany CountyOriginally Charlotte County, renamed in 1784 after George Washington (17321799), the American Revolutionary War general and first President of the United States71.92 60,841 846 sq mi
(2,191 km2)
State map highlighting Washington County
Wayne County 117 LyonsApril 11, 1823Ontario County and Seneca CountyGeneral Anthony Wayne (17451796), the American Revolutionary War general65.84 91,125 1,384 sq mi
(3,585 km2)
State map highlighting Wayne County
Westchester County 119 White PlainsNovember 1, 1683One of 12 original counties created in the New York colonyThe city of Chester in England1,980.854 990,427 500 sq mi
(1,295 km2)
State map highlighting Westchester County
Wyoming County 121 WarsawMay 14, 1841Genesee CountyA modification of a word from the Lenape language meaning "broad bottom lands"66.55 39,666 596 sq mi
(1,544 km2)
State map highlighting Wyoming County
Yates County 123 Penn YanFebruary 5, 1823Ontario County and Steuben CountyJoseph C. Yates (17681837), eighth Governor of New York65.03 24,451 376 sq mi
(974 km2)
State map highlighting Yates County

Defunct counties

County
Created
[2]
Abolished
[2]
Fate[2]
Charlotte County 1772 1784 Partitioned. Western part renamed as Washington County and eastern part transferred to Vermont.
Cornwall County 1665 1686 Transferred to the part of Massachusetts that later became the state of Maine and partitioned; one of the 12 original counties created in the New York colony
Cumberland County 1766 1777 Transferred to Vermont and partitioned
Dukes County November 1, 1683 1692 Transferred to Massachusetts; one of 12 original counties created in the New York colony
Gloucester County 1770 1777 Transferred to Vermont and partitioned
Mexico County 1792 1796 Never settled or incorporated, reallocated to Oneida, Oswego and Jefferson Counties.
Tryon County 1772 1784 Renamed as Montgomery County

Proposed new counties

County
Note
Adirondack County Would hypothetically consist of portions of northern Essex County and southern Franklin County[11]
Peconic County Would hypothetically consist of the five easternmost towns in Suffolk County on Long Island.[12]

Clickable map

See also

References

  1. "The 12 Original Counties of New York State - Cliff Lamere". genealogy.clifflamere.com. Retrieved April 3, 2022.
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 "New York Formation Maps". Genealogy, Inc. Archived from the original on December 30, 2007. Retrieved January 20, 2008.
  3. 1 2 Beatty, Michael (2001). County Name Origins of the United States. McFarland Press. ISBN 0-7864-1025-6.
  4. "NY: Consolidated Chronology". digital.newberry.org. Retrieved June 8, 2023.
  5. Benjamin, Gerald; Nathan, Richard P. (1990). Regionalism and realism: A Study of Government in the New York Metropolitan Area. Brookings Institution. p. 59.
  6. "EPA County FIPS Code Listing". US Environmental Protection Agency. Archived from the original on October 8, 2012. Retrieved July 24, 2007.
  7. 1 2 3 "Find A County". National Association of Counties. Archived from the original on August 4, 2010. Retrieved August 9, 2010.
  8. Mitchell, George (1987–1988). The New York Red Book: An Illustrated Yearbook of Authentic Information Concerning New York State, Its Departments and Political Subdivisions and the Officials Who Administer Its Affairs (89th ed.). Albany, New York: Williams Press, Inc. pp. 987–988.
  9. "U.S. Census Bureau QuickFacts: New York". U.S. Census Bureau. July 2022. Archived from the original on March 9, 2023. Retrieved April 2, 2023.
  10. Legislation splitting off Bronx County from New York County was enacted in 1912 with an effective date of January 1, 1914. Prior to 1874 the entire area had been part of Westchester County. See McCarthy, Thomas C. "A 5-Borough Centennial Preface for the Katharine Bement Davis Mini-History". New York City Department of Corrections. Retrieved January 25, 2008.
  11. Lynch, Mike (October 30, 2007). "North Elba Supervisor Candidate Debate". Plattsburgh Press Republican. Retrieved January 20, 2008.
  12. Healy, Patrick (February 11, 2004). "Growth Pains and Clout Heading East in Suffolk". The New York Times. Retrieved January 20, 2008.

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