Oneida County, New York

Oneida County is a county in the state of New York, in the United States. As of the 2010 census, the population was 234,878.[1] The county seat is Utica.[2] The name is in honor of the Oneida, one of the Five Nations of the Iroquois League or Haudenosaunee, which had long occupied this territory at the time of European encounter and colonization. The federally recognized Oneida Indian Nation has had a reservation in the region since the late 18th century, after the American Revolutionary War.

Not to be confused with Oneida, New York.

Oneida County
County
Oneida County Courthouse
Seal
Location within the U.S. state of New York
New York's location within the U.S.
Coordinates: 43°14′N 75°26′W
Country United States
State New York
Founded1798
Named forOneida people
SeatUtica
Largest cityUtica
Area
 • Total1,258 sq mi (3,260 km2)
 • Land1,212 sq mi (3,140 km2)
 • Water45 sq mi (120 km2)  3.6%
Population
 (2010)
 • Total234,878
 • Density194/sq mi (75/km2)
Time zoneUTC−5 (Eastern)
 • Summer (DST)UTC−4 (EDT)
Congressional district22nd
Websiteocgov.net

Oneida County is part of the Utica–Rome, NY Metropolitan Statistical Area.

History

When England established colonial counties in the Province of New York in 1683, the territory of present Oneida County was included in a very large, mostly undeveloped Albany County. This county included the northern part of present-day New York State as well as all of the present state of Vermont and, in theory, extended westward to the Pacific Ocean. This county was reduced in size on July 3, 1766 to create 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. 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 in the Mohawk River Valley, and the county included the western part of the Adirondack Mountains and the area west of the West Branch of the Delaware River. Tryon County was later divided to organize 37 distinct counties of New York State. The county was named for William Tryon, colonial governor of New York.

During and after the Revolution, most of the Loyalists in Tryon County fled to Canada. In 1784, following the peace treaty that ended the American Revolutionary War, Americans changed the name of Tryon County to Montgomery County to honor the general, Richard Montgomery, who had captured several places in Canada and died attempting to capture the city of Quebec. They replaced the name of the British governor.

In 1789, Montgomery County was reduced by the splitting off of Ontario County from Montgomery. The area taken from Montgomery County contained all of present-day Allegany, Cattaraugus, Chautauqua, Erie, Genesee, Livingston, Monroe, Niagara, Orleans, Steuben, Wyoming, Yates, and part of Schuyler and Wayne counties, as well as Ontario County.

After continued new settlement, in 1791 Herkimer County was one of three counties taken from Montgomery (the other two being Otsego, and Tioga County). It was much larger than the present Herkimer County, however, and was reduced by a number of subsequent splits.

In 1794, Herkimer County was reduced in size by the creation of Onondaga County. This county was larger than the current Onondaga County, including the present Cayuga, Cortland, and part of Oswego counties.

In 1798, Oneida County was created from another part of Herkimer County. This county was larger than the current Oneida County, as it included the present-day Jefferson (which extends along Lake Ontario), Lewis, and part of Oswego counties.

In 1805, Jefferson and Lewis counties were split off from Oneida. In 1816, parts of Oneida and Onondaga counties were taken to form the new Oswego County.

In 1848, John Humphrey Noyes founded a religious and Utopian community, the Oneida Community, near Oneida. Its unconventional views on religion and relations between the sexes generated much controversy. The community lasted until 1881. The Oneida Silver Company was founded here to manufacture sterling silver, silverplate holloware and, later, stainless steel flatware.

Geography

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 1,258 square miles (3,260 km2), of which 1,212 square miles (3,140 km2) is land and 45 square miles (120 km2) (3.6%) is water.[3]

Oneida County is in the central portion of New York State, east of Syracuse, and west of Albany. Oneida Lake is on the northwestern corner of the county, and the Adirondack Park is on the northeast. Part of the Tug Hill Plateau is in the northern part of the county. Oneida County's highest point lies neither on the plateau nor in the Adirondack Park, but in the county's southern extremity. The peak's name is Tassel Hill. It is located slightly southeast of Hardscrabble Road (Tassel Hill Road), between the villages of Waterville and Cassville.

The Erie Canal, completed in 1825, runs east–west along the Mohawk River through the county. It stimulated considerable trade and settlement. Oneida Lake and Oneida Creek form part of the western boundary.

In the early 21st century, Oneida is the only county in New York state documented as having Chronic wasting disease among its wild White-tailed deer.[4]

Adjacent counties

National protected area

Demographics
Historical population
CensusPop.%±
180022,047—
181033,79253.3%
182050,99750.9%
183071,32639.9%
184085,31019.6%
185099,56616.7%
1860105,2025.7%
1870110,0084.6%
1880115,4755.0%
1890122,9226.4%
1900132,8008.0%
1910154,15716.1%
1920182,83318.6%
1930198,7638.7%
1940203,6362.5%
1950222,8559.4%
1960264,40118.6%
1970273,0373.3%
1980253,466−7.2%
1990250,836−1.0%
2000235,469−6.1%
2010234,878−0.3%
2019 (est.)228,671[5]−2.6%
U.S. Decennial Census[6]
1790-1960[7] 1900-1990[8]
1990-2000[9] 2010-2019[1]

As of the census[10] of 2000, there were 235,469 people, 90,496 households, and 59,184 families residing in the county. The population density was 194 people per square mile (75/km2). There were 102,803 housing units at an average density of 85 per square mile (33/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 90.21% White, 5.74% African American, 0.23% Native American, 1.16% Asian, 0.02% Pacific Islander, 1.11% from other races, and 1.52% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 3.20% of the population.

21.7% were of Italian, 13.1% Irish, 12.1% German, 9.9% Polish, 8.5% English and 5.6% American ancestry according to self-identification of ethnic background in Census 2000. 90.6% spoke English, 2.7% Spanish, 1.3% Italian, 1.2% Serbo-Croatian and 1.1% Polish as their first language.

There were 90,496 households, out of which 30.40% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 49.10% were married couples living together, 12.00% had a female householder with no husband present, and 34.60% were non-families. 29.50% of all households were made up of individuals, and 13.10% 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 3.02.

In the county, the population was spread out, with 23.90% under the age of 18, 8.60% from 18 to 24, 28.20% from 25 to 44, 22.90% from 45 to 64, and 16.50% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 38 years. For every 100 females there were 98.60 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 96.30 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $35,909, and the median income for a family was $45,341. Males had a median income of $32,194 versus $24,295 for females. The per capita income for the county was $18,516. About 9.80% of families and 13.00% of the population were below the poverty line, including 18.90% of those under age 18 and 8.50% of those age 65 or over.

Government and politics
Presidential election results
Presidential election results[11]
Year Republican Democratic Third parties
2020 56.8% 57,180 41.3% 41,567 2.0% 1,999
2016 56.5% 51,437 37.1% 33,743 6.4% 5,829
2012 51.4% 44,530 46.7% 40,468 2.0% 1,702
2008 52.2% 49,256 46.1% 43,506 1.7% 1,603
2004 54.9% 52,392 42.8% 40,792 2.3% 2,197
2000 49.6% 47,603 45.8% 43,933 4.7% 4,474
1996 40.0% 37,996 46.8% 44,399 13.2% 12,534
1992 40.4% 43,806 37.8% 40,966 21.8% 23,570
1988 53.2% 55,039 46.1% 47,665 0.7% 757
1984 60.4% 65,377 39.4% 42,603 0.3% 289
1980 49.6% 51,968 42.3% 44,292 8.2% 8,539
1976 54.4% 57,655 45.1% 47,779 0.5% 554
1972 69.9% 78,549 29.9% 33,642 0.2% 253
1968 51.0% 52,875 43.1% 44,685 6.0% 6,201
1964 35.1% 39,737 64.8% 73,359 0.1% 114
1960 48.4% 59,513 51.5% 63,368 0.1% 100
1956 69.8% 80,178 30.2% 34,649 0.0% 0
1952 61.0% 69,652 38.9% 44,438 0.1% 134
1948 47.9% 46,755 49.5% 48,332 2.6% 2,526
1944 50.1% 48,749 49.7% 48,371 0.2% 224
1940 51.5% 52,362 48.3% 49,109 0.3% 271
1936 50.8% 46,317 47.7% 43,439 1.5% 1,355
1932 50.8% 41,193 47.3% 38,413 1.9% 1,542
1928 52.8% 44,782 45.1% 38,231 2.1% 1,773
1924 61.8% 37,545 29.8% 18,124 8.3% 5,065
1920 66.3% 36,311 28.4% 15,560 5.3% 2,920
1916 52.5% 18,813 44.9% 16,070 2.6% 922
1912 33.4% 11,245 36.2% 12,182 30.4% 10,249
1908 54.6% 19,346 42.2% 14,968 3.2% 1,123
1904 55.7% 19,243 40.7% 14,064 3.7% 1,264
1900 57.9% 19,204 38.7% 12,820 3.4% 1,128
1896 60.8% 18,855 35.5% 11,003 3.7% 1,149
1892 48.4% 14,359 45.6% 13,552 6.0% 1,783
1888 51.8% 16,241 45.5% 14,276 2.7% 851
1884 48.1% 13,790 48.2% 13,823 3.8% 1,083

Oneida County was governed by a board of supervisors until 1962, when the county charter was changed to create a county executive and a 29-seat county legislature. The county executive is elected by the entire county. On January 1, 2014, the Oneida County Legislature was reduced to 23 seats. All 23 members of the legislature are elected from single member districts. Currently, there are 14 Republicans and 9 Democrats.[12]

Oneida County Executives
Name Party Term
Charles T. Lanigan Republican January 1, 1963 – December 31, 1966
Harry S. Daniels Republican January 1, 1967 – December 31, 1967 (interim)
January 1, 1968 – December 31, 1973
William E. Bryant Democratic January 1, 1974 – April 21, 1979
Antoinette Hyer Democratic April 22, 1979 – May 2, 1979 (acting)
Seymour Greene Democratic May 3, 1979 – June, 1979 (interim)
Michael Nasser Democratic June 1979 – December 31, 1979 (interim)
Sherwood L. Boehlert Republican January 1, 1980 – December 31, 1982
John D. Plumley Republican January 1, 1983 – January 13, 1991
Raymond A. Meier Republican January 14, 1991 – December 31, 1991 (interim)
January 1, 1992 – December 31, 1996
Ralph J. Eannace Jr. Republican January 1, 1997 – May, 2003
Joseph A. Griffo Republican May, 2003 – December 31, 2003 (interim)
January 1, 2004 – December 31, 2006
Anthony J. Picente, Jr. Republican January 1, 2007 – present
Oneida County Board of Legislators
District Legislator Title Party Residence
1 Keith Schiebel Republican Vernon
2 Colin Idzi Republican Oriskany Falls
3 Norman Leach Republican Camden
4 Michael Clancy Democratic Verona
5 Michael B. Waterman Republican Camden
6 Steven R. Boucher Republican Remsen
7 Gerald J. Fiorini Chairman Republican Rome
8 Richard A. Flisnik Republican Marcy
9 Philip M. Sacco Minority Leader Democratic Deerfield
10 George E. Joseph Majority Leader Republican Clinton
11 Robert Koenig Republican Oriskany
12 Michael D. Brown Democratic Rome
13 William B. Goodman Democratic Whitesboro
14 Chad Davis Democratic Clinton
15 James D'Onofrio Republican New Hartford
16 Mary Austin Pratt Republican New Hartford
17 Brian P. Mandryck Republican Ava
18 Joseph M. Furgol Democratic Utica
19 Edward P. Welsh Republican Utica
20 William R. Hendricks Democratic Utica
21 Lori Washburn Democratic Utica
22 Rose Ann Covertino Democratic Utica
23 Emil R. Paparella Republican Utica

Oneida County also leans Republican in major statewide and national elections. In 2008, John McCain won the county by 6,000 votes out of 90,000 cast. He won all municipalities in the county except the city of Utica and the town of Kirkland.

Economy

The main product of Oneida County was once silverware, chiefly manufactured at Oneida Ltd.'s headquarters in Sherrill. In January 2005, the company ceased manufacturing their product, closing its main plant and selling its assets. The factory, under new ownership, continues to produce American-made silverware under the Liberty Tabletop brand.

Currently the largest non-governmental, non-healthcare product of Oneida County is gambling. Turning Stone Casino Resort is an enterprise of the Oneida Indian Nation of New York, and the largest private employer in Oneida County.[13]

Education

Communities

Cities

Towns

Villages

Census-designated places

Hamlets

Notable locations

See also

References
  1. "State & County QuickFacts". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on June 7, 2011. Retrieved October 12, 2013.
  2. "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Archived from the original on May 31, 2011. Retrieved June 7, 2011.
  3. "2010 Census Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. August 22, 2012. Archived from the original on May 19, 2014. Retrieved January 6, 2015.
  4. Chronic Wasting Disease Archived July 25, 2011, at the Wayback Machine. Cwd-info.org. Retrieved on 2013-08-23.
  5. "Population and Housing Unit Estimates". Retrieved March 26, 2020.
  6. "U.S. Decennial Census". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 6, 2015.
  7. "Historical Census Browser". University of Virginia Library. Archived from the original on August 11, 2012. Retrieved January 6, 2015.
  8. "Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on February 19, 2015. Retrieved January 6, 2015.
  9. "Census 2000 PHC-T-4. Ranking Tables for Counties: 1990 and 2000" (PDF). United States Census Bureau. Archived (PDF) from the original on December 18, 2014. Retrieved January 6, 2015.
  10. "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 31, 2008.
  11. Leip, David. "Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections". uselectionatlas.org. Archived from the original on March 23, 2018. Retrieved October 23, 2018.
  12. "Board of Legislators | ocgov.net". ocgov.net. Archived from the original on July 1, 2017. Retrieved June 25, 2017.

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