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Fulton County, New York

Coordinates: 43°07′N 74°25′W / 43.11°N 74.42°W / 43.11; -74.42
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Not to be confused with Fulton, Oswego County, New York or Fulton, Schoharie County, New York.

Fulton County
County
Fulton County Courthouse
Fulton County Courthouse
Flag of Fulton County
Flag
Official seal of Fulton County
Seal
Map of New York highlighting Fulton 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: 43°07′N 74°25′W / 43.11°N 74.42°W / 43.11; -74.42
Country United States
State New York
Founded1838
Named forRobert Fulton
SeatJohnstown
Largest cityGloversville
Area
 • Total
533 sq mi (1,380 km2)
 • Land495 sq mi (1,280 km2)
 • Water37 sq mi (100 km2)  7.0%
Population
 (2020)
 • Total
53,324[1]
 • Density107.6/sq mi (41.5/km2)
Time zoneUTC−5 (Eastern)
 • Summer (DST)UTC−4 (EDT)
Congressional district21st
Websitewww.fultoncountyny.gov

Fulton County is a county in the U.S. state of New York. It forms part of the state's Mohawk Valley region. Its county seat is Johnstown.[2] At the 2020 U.S. census, the county had a population of 53,324.[3] The county is named in honor of Robert Fulton,[4] who is widely credited with developing the first commercially successful steamboat. The county is part of the Mohawk Valley region of the state.

History

[edit]
See also: Montgomery County, 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.[5]

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 (1,400 km2).[6]

The old Tryon County courthouse, built in 1772, later the Montgomery County courthouse, became the Fulton County Courthouse, where it is New York's oldest operating courthouse.

One adjustment has been made to the area of Fulton County. On April 6, 1860, 10 square miles (26 km2) on the northern border was transferred to Hamilton in the vicinity of Sacandaga Park.[7] 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 what 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 America's women's rights movement.

Shortly after the American Revolutionary War, the manufacture of gloves and leather became the area's primary industry. At one point, Johnstown and Gloversville were known as the world's Glove and Leather capital. 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 to the glove and leather trades. Today few glovers, tanners and leather dressers remain in the area, although some companies have adapted to the changes in the market to remain competitive.

Geography

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According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 533 square miles (1,380 km2), of which 495 square miles (1,280 km2) is land and 37 square miles (96 km2) (7.0%) is water.[8] Fulton County is in the central part of the state, northwest of Albany, lying in the southern Adirondack Mountains. Approximately 58% of the county is within the boundaries of Adirondack Park.

Adjacent counties

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Demographics

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Historical population
CensusPop.Note%±
184018,049—
185020,17111.8%
186024,16219.8%
187027,06412.0%
188030,98514.5%
189037,65021.5%
190042,84213.8%
191044,5343.9%
192044,9270.9%
193046,5603.6%
194048,5974.4%
195051,0215.0%
196051,3040.6%
197052,6372.6%
198055,1534.8%
199054,191−1.7%
200055,0731.6%
201055,5310.8%
202053,324−4.0%
U.S. Decennial Census[9]
1790-1960[10] 1900-1990[11]
1990-2000[12] 2010-2020[3]

The 2019 American Community Survey estimated there were 53,383 residents in the county, down from 55,531 at the 2010 United States Census.[13] There were also an estimated 22,439 households, and 29,173 housing units at the 2019 population estimates. The racial makeup of Fulton County was 92.2% non-Hispanic white, 2.2% Black or African American, 0.3% American Indian or Alaska Native, 0.7% Asian American, 1.6% from two or more races, and 3.5% Hispanic or Latino of any race.

Roughly 72% of households were owner-occupied and the median gross rent was $759. There were 2.34 persons per household and 3.1% spoke a language other than English at home. Of the population there were 25.1% from ages 18 to 5 and under, and 20.1% aged 65 and older. The median income for a household in the county was $50,248, and the per capita income was $26,875. Roughly 13% of the county population lived at or below the poverty line.

At the census[14] 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 people/km2). There were 27,787 housing units at an average density of 56 units 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.

2020 Census

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Fulton County Racial Composition[15]
Race Num. Perc.
White (NH) 47,051 88.24%
Black or African American (NH) 966 1.81%
Native American (NH) 89 0.16%
Asian (NH) 343 0.64%
Pacific Islander (NH) 0 0%
Other/Mixed (NH) 2,741 5.14%
Hispanic or Latino 2,134 4%

Transportation

[edit]

Fulton County has seven private airstrips and two public-use airports:[16]

Gloversville Transit System provides bus service to parts of Fulton County as well as adjacent Montgomery County.[17] The county's Highways and Facilities Department is headquartered in Johnstown and is charged with maintaining roads, including:[18]

  • Overseeing road construction and repair
  • Issuing permits to work in county rights-of-way
  • Removing snow and ice

Each town and village within Fulton County maintains its own highway department.

Major roadways

[edit]

The former Fonda, Johnstown and Gloversville Railroad was located in Fulton County. The former New York State Route 920C, New York State Route 920D, and New York State Route 920J were located in Fulton County.

Communities

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Cities

[edit]

Towns

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Villages

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Census-designated place

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Hamlet

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Politics

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United States presidential election results for Fulton County, New York[19]
Year Republican Democratic Third party(ies)
No.  % No.  % No.  %
2020 15,378 64.84% 7,931 33.44% 409 1.72%
2016 13,462 63.46% 6,496 30.62% 1,256 5.92%
2012 10,814 54.62% 8,607 43.47% 378 1.91%
2008 11,709 53.65% 9,695 44.42% 420 1.92%
2004 12,570 56.58% 9,202 41.42% 443 1.99%
2000 11,434 52.75% 9,314 42.97% 927 4.28%
1996 7,881 37.30% 9,779 46.28% 3,470 16.42%
1992 9,137 40.00% 8,400 36.77% 5,308 23.23%
1988 11,757 56.17% 9,012 43.06% 162 0.77%
1984 14,887 65.82% 7,644 33.80% 87 0.38%
1980 11,448 53.19% 8,105 37.66% 1,969 9.15%
1976 12,161 56.23% 9,323 43.10% 145 0.67%
1972 15,200 67.33% 7,303 32.35% 72 0.32%
1968 11,895 54.52% 8,871 40.66% 1,052 4.82%
1964 7,278 31.44% 15,846 68.46% 23 0.10%
1960 14,455 58.09% 10,409 41.83% 19 0.08%
1956 18,244 74.17% 6,352 25.83% 0 0.00%
1952 18,068 70.31% 7,570 29.46% 58 0.23%
1948 12,787 60.50% 7,667 36.28% 680 3.22%
1944 13,195 59.79% 8,813 39.93% 62 0.28%
1940 14,896 62.03% 9,040 37.64% 79 0.33%
1936 14,253 60.05% 8,977 37.82% 507 2.14%
1932 14,984 71.39% 5,678 27.05% 326 1.55%
1928 15,043 71.16% 5,728 27.10% 368 1.74%
1924 11,858 72.49% 3,143 19.21% 1,357 8.30%
1920 10,946 70.44% 3,192 20.54% 1,401 9.02%
1916 5,756 54.35% 4,085 38.57% 750 7.08%
1912 3,741 38.00% 2,550 25.90% 3,555 36.11%
1908 6,574 57.96% 3,508 30.93% 1,260 11.11%
1904 6,521 56.88% 3,884 33.88% 1,059 9.24%
1900 7,230 61.91% 3,678 31.49% 771 6.60%
1896 7,704 63.44% 3,849 31.70% 590 4.86%
1892 5,368 51.72% 4,293 41.37% 717 6.91%
1888 5,892 53.93% 4,634 42.42% 399 3.65%
1884 5,138 53.98% 4,091 42.98% 289 3.04%
1880 4,579 57.92% 3,327 42.08% 0 0.00%
1876 3,940 51.66% 3,662 48.01% 25 0.33%
1872 3,551 54.48% 2,927 44.91% 40 0.61%
1868 3,375 52.46% 3,058 47.54% 0 0.00%
1864 2,742 52.28% 2,503 47.72% 0 0.00%
1860 2,977 55.07% 2,429 44.93% 0 0.00%
1856 2,593 51.85% 1,374 27.47% 1,034 20.68%
1852 2,171 49.84% 2,070 47.52% 115 2.64%
1848 1,976 49.81% 380 9.58% 1,611 40.61%
1844 2,107 47.90% 2,192 49.83% 100 2.27%
1840 1,964 53.99% 1,645 45.22% 29 0.80%

Fulton County has historically been a stronghold for the Republican Party, with the Republican presidential nominee winning the county in all but two presidential elections since the party's founding in 1854. Fulton County was won by Donald Trump in 2016 with 63.46 percent of the vote, which Trump then improved upon in 2020 with 64.84 percent.[20]

A Democratic presidential nominee has only won twice in Fulton County since the Republican Party was founded, Lyndon B. Johnson in 1964 and Bill Clinton in 1996.

Education

[edit]

In 2019 the U.S. Census Bureau determined 87.4% of Fulton County's population obtained a high school degree or higher. Nearly 18% had a bachelor's degree or higher.[13][20] Fulton–Montgomery Community College is in Johnstown, New York. It is a part of the State University of New York system.

School districts include:[21]

See also

[edit]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ "US Census 2020 Population Dataset Tables for New York". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 2, 2022.
  2. ^ "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Archived from the original on May 31, 2011. Retrieved June 7, 2011.
  3. ^ a b "U.S. Census Bureau QuickFacts: Fulton County, New York". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 3, 2022.
  4. ^ Gannett, Henry (1905). The Origin of Certain Place Names in the United States. Govt. Print. Off. pp. 133.
  5. ^ New England Historic Genealogical Society Archived September 27, 2007, at the Wayback Machine
  6. ^ New York. Laws of New York.: 1838, 61st Session, Chapter 332, Section 1, Page 328.
  7. ^ New York. Laws of New York.: 1860, 83rd Session, Chapter 178; Page 298.
  8. ^ "2010 Census Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. August 22, 2012. Archived from the original on May 19, 2014. Retrieved January 4, 2015.
  9. ^ "U.S. Decennial Census". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 4, 2015.
  10. ^ "Historical Census Browser". University of Virginia Library. Retrieved January 4, 2015.
  11. ^ "Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 4, 2015.
  12. ^ "Census 2000 PHC-T-4. Ranking Tables for Counties: 1990 and 2000" (PDF). United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 4, 2015.
  13. ^ a b "U.S. Census Bureau QuickFacts: Fulton County, New York". www.census.gov. Retrieved July 21, 2020.
  14. ^ "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 31, 2008.
  15. ^ "P2 HISPANIC OR LATINO, AND NOT HISPANIC OR LATINO BY RACE – 2020: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171) – Fulton County, New York".
  16. ^ "Fulton County Public and Private Airports, New York". tollfreeairline.com. Retrieved June 1, 2024.
  17. ^ "About Us". Gloversville Transit System. Retrieved June 1, 2024.
  18. ^ "Highways and Facilities Information". Fulton County Government. Retrieved June 1, 2024.
  19. ^ Leip, David. "Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections". uselectionatlas.org. Retrieved October 22, 2018.
  20. ^ a b Allen, Peter; syracuse.com, Michelle Breidenbach | (November 19, 2016). "13 'Trumpiest' counties in Upstate New York". newyorkupstate. Retrieved July 21, 2020.
  21. ^ "2020 CENSUS - SCHOOL DISTRICT REFERENCE MAP: Fulton County, NY" (PDF). U.S. Census Bureau. Retrieved October 8, 2024. - Text list

Further reading

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43°07′N 74°25′W / 43.11°N 74.42°W / 43.11; -74.42

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