Clinton County is a county located in the U.S. State of New York. As of 2000, the population is 79,894. Its name is in honor of the first Governor of New York as a state, George Clinton. Its county seat is Plattsburgh.
History
When counties were established in New York State in 1683, the present Clinton County was part of Albany County. This 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, Charlotte County, contained the eastern portion.
In 1784, the name "Charlotte County" was changed to Washington County to honor George Washington, the American Revolutionary War general and later President of the United States of America.
In 1788, Clinton County was split off from Washington County. This was a much larger area than the present Clinton County, including several other counties or county parts of the present New York State.
In 1799, Essex County was split off from Clinton County.
In 1802, parts of Clinton, Herkimer, and Montgomery Counties were taken to form the new St. Lawrence County.
In 1808, Franklin County was split off from Clinton County.
Geography
Clinton County is in the northeastern part of New York State, just west of Vermont and south of the Canadian province of Quebec. The eastern boundary of Clinton County is Lake Champlain, which serves as the New York-Vermont border.
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 2,895 km² (1,118 mi²). 2,691 km² (1,039 mi²) of it is land and 204 km² (79 mi²) of it is water. The total area is 7.04% water.
Demographics
As of the census2 of 2000, there are 79,894 people, 29,423 households, and 19,272 families residing in the county. The population density is 30/km² (77/mi²). There are 33,091 housing units at an average density of 12/km² (32/mi²). The racial makeup of the county is 93.33% White, 3.58% Black or African American, 0.36% Native American, 0.67% Asian, 0.02% Pacific Islander, 1.10% from other races, and 0.93% from two or more races. 2.46% of the population are Hispanic or Latino of any race.
There are 29,423 households out of which 32.00% have children under the age of 18 living with them, 51.00% are married couples living together, 10.20% have a female householder with no husband present, and 34.50% are non-families. 26.30% of all households are made up of individuals and 10.00% have someone living alone who is 65 years of age or older. The average household size is 2.47 and the average family size is 2.98.
In the county the population is spread out with 23.00% under the age of 18, 12.40% from 18 to 24, 30.60% from 25 to 44, 22.10% from 45 to 64, and 11.90% who are 65 years of age or older. The median age is 36 years. For every 100 females there are 104.90 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there are 104.60 males.
The median income for a household in the county is $37,028, and the median income for a family is $45,732. Males have a median income of $33,788 versus $25,520 for females. The per capita income for the county is $17,946. 13.90% of the population and 9.40% of families are below the poverty line. Out of the total people living in poverty, 15.30% are under the age of 18 and 11.40% are 65 or older.
Cities and towns