St. Lawrence County, New York

Last updated

St. Lawrence County
County
Raquette (1).jpg
The Raquette River in Colton, New York
Flag of St. Lawrence County, New York.jpg
Flag
St. Lawrence County, New York seal.png
Seal
Map of New York highlighting St. Lawrence County.svg
Location within the U.S. state of New York
New York in United States.svg
New York's location within the U.S.
Coordinates: 44°30′N75°04′W / 44.5°N 75.07°W / 44.5; -75.07
CountryFlag of the United States.svg United States
StateFlag of New York.svg  New York
Founded1802 (1802)
Named for Saint Lawrence River
Seat Canton
Area
 • Total
2,821 sq mi (7,310 km2)
 • Land2,680 sq mi (6,900 km2)
 • Water141 sq mi (370 km2)  5.0%
Population
 (2020)
 • Total
108,505 Decrease2.svg
 • Density38/sq mi (15/km2)
Time zone UTC−5 (Eastern)
 • Summer (DST) UTC−4 (EDT)
Congressional district 21st
Website www.stlawco.org

St. Lawrence County is a county in the U.S. state of New York. As of the 2020 census, the population was 108,505. [1] The county seat is Canton. [2] The county is named for the Saint Lawrence River. This was as named by early French explorer Jacques Cartier for the Christian saint Lawrence of Rome, as he visited the river on the saint's feast day. The county is part of the North Country region of the state.

Contents

St. Lawrence County comprises the Ogdensburg-Massena, NY Micropolitan Statistical Area and is New York's largest county by area.

History

When counties were established by England in the Province of New York in 1683, the present St. Lawrence County was part of Albany County. This was an enormous territory, 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. The 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. The other two were called Tryon County (later renamed Montgomery County) and Charlotte County (later renamed Washington County).

Tryon County contained the western portion (and, since no western boundary was specified, theoretically extended west to the Pacific). The eastern boundary of Tryon County was approximately five miles west of the present city of Schenectady, and the county included the western part of the Adirondack Mountains and the area west of the West Branch of the Delaware River. The area then designated as Tryon County included what are now 37 counties of New York State. The county was named for William Tryon, colonial governor of New York. Charlotte County contained the eastern portion of Albany County.

In 1784, following the peace treaty that ended the American Revolutionary War, 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. Tryon County was changed to Montgomery County to honor the general, Richard Montgomery, who had captured several places in Canada and died trying to capture the city of Quebec. It replaced the name of the British governor, hated by the rebels.

In 1788, Clinton County was split off from Washington County. This was a much larger area than the present Clinton County, including part of what would later become St. Lawrence County, as well as several other counties or county parts of the present New York State.

In 1789, the size of Montgomery County was reduced by the splitting off of Ontario County from Montgomery. The actual area split off from Montgomery County was much larger than the present county, also including the present Allegany, Cattaraugus, Chautauqua, Erie, Genesee, Livingston, Monroe, Niagara, Orleans, Steuben, Wyoming, Yates, and part of Schuyler and Wayne Counties.

St. Lawrence County is part of Macomb's Purchase of 1791.

In 1791, Herkimer County was one of three counties split off from Montgomery (the other two being Otsego, and Tioga County). This was much larger than the present county, however, and was reduced by a number of subsequent splits. The first was the splitting off in 1794 of Onondaga County. This county was larger than the current Onondaga County, including the present Cayuga, Cortland, and part of Oswego Counties. This was followed by the splitting off in 1798 from Herkimer County of two portions: one, Oneida County, was larger than the current Oneida County, including the present Jefferson, Lewis, and part of Oswego Counties; another portion, together with a portion of Tioga County, was taken to form Chenango County.

In 1799, Clinton County was reduced in size by the splitting off of Essex County from Clinton County.

In 1802, parts of Clinton, Herkimer, and Montgomery counties were taken to form the new St. Lawrence County. At that time Ogdensburg was the county seat. In 1828 the county seat was moved to Canton. The selection of Canton as the county seat was a compromise by the state legislature to end competition between factions supporting Ogdensburg and Potsdam for the county seat. [3]

Earthquake

On September 5, 1944, a 5.8 magnitude earthquake centered in Massena struck the county. The earthquake was felt from Canada to Maryland, and from Maine to Indiana. The earthquake was the strongest earthquake in New York State history. [4]

Geography

According to the United States Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 2,821 square miles (7,310 km2), of which 2,680 square miles (6,900 km2) is land and 141 square miles (370 km2) (5.0%) is water. [5]

It is the largest county by area in the state of New York. It is larger than either of the states of Rhode Island (1544.9 square miles) or the state of Delaware (2488.72 square miles). St. Lawrence County is part of the North Country region.

Part of the county is in the Adirondack Park. It includes much of the Oswegatchie River, Cranberry Lake and Lake Ozonia.

The Port of Ogdensburg in St. Lawrence County is the only U.S. port on the St. Lawrence Seaway. This waterway allows ships and vessels to pass through the St. Lawrence River and on to the Great Lakes. Ogdensburg Harbor Light is listed in the National Register of Historic Places, and in the National Register of Historic Places listings in St. Lawrence County, New York

Adjacent counties

Demographics

Historical population
CensusPop.Note%±
1810 7,885—
1820 16,037103.4%
1830 36,354126.7%
1840 56,70656.0%
1850 68,61721.0%
1860 83,68922.0%
1870 84,8261.4%
1880 85,9971.4%
1890 85,048−1.1%
1900 89,0834.7%
1910 89,005−0.1%
1920 88,121−1.0%
1930 90,9603.2%
1940 91,0980.2%
1950 98,8978.6%
1960 111,23912.5%
1970 111,9910.7%
1980 114,2542.0%
1990 111,974−2.0%
2000 111,9310.0%
2010 111,9440.0%
2020 108,505−3.1%
U.S. Decennial Census [6]
1790–1960 [7] 1900–1990 [8]
1990–2000 [9] 2010–2020 [1]

As of the census [10] of 2000, there were 113,931 people, 40,506 households, and 26,936 families residing in the county. The population density was 42 inhabitants per square mile (16/km2). There were 49,721 housing units at an average density of 18 units per square mile (6.9/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 94.51% White, 2.38% African American, 0.87% Native American, 0.71% Asian, 0.03% Pacific Islander, 0.69% from other races, and 0.51% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.79% of the population. 16.9% were of French, 16.1% Irish, 13.9% American, 11.6% English, 8.1% French Canadian, 7.9% German and 7.6% Italian ancestry according to Census 2000. 95.6% spoke only English, while 3.2% spoke French and 1.2% Spanish at home.

There were 40,506 households, out of which 31.80% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 51.50% were married couples living together, 10.30% had a female householder with no husband present, and 33.50% were non-families. 26.50% of all households were made up of individuals, and 11.20% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.49 and the average family size was 2.99.

In the county, the population was spread out, with 23.40% under the age of 18, 13.80% from 18 to 24, 27.40% from 25 to 44, 22.40% from 45 to 64, and 13.00% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 35 years. For every 100 females there were 103.30 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 102.10 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $30,356, and the median income for a family was $34,510. Males had a median income of $30,135 versus $24,253 for females. The per capita income for the county was $14,728. About 12.30% of families and 19.90% of the population were below the poverty line, including 21.30% of those under age 18 and 10.30% of those age 65 or over.

2020 Census

St. Lawrence County Racial Composition [11]
RaceNum.Perc.
White (NH)96,55690%
Black or African American (NH)2,7883%
Native American (NH)1,1431.1%
Asian (NH)1,0891%
Pacific Islander (NH)190.01%
Other/Mixed (NH)4,0784%
Hispanic or Latino 2,8322.61%

Education

School districts

There are 17 school districts with territory in St. Lawrence County. 17 of those centered in the county are under the jurisdiction of the St. Lawrence-Lewis BOCES Supervisory District along with Harrisville Central School District in Lewis County, New York.

Other school districts with territory in the county include: [12]

All public high schools in St. Lawrence County compete in the New York State Public High School Athletic Association Section X Northern Athletic Conference.

Universities and colleges

Saint Lawrence County is home to St. Lawrence University, State University of New York at Potsdam, Clarkson University, the SUNY-ESF Ranger School, and the State University of New York at Canton.

Politics

United States presidential election results for St. Lawrence County, New York [13]
Year Republican Democratic Third party(ies)
No. %No. %No. %
2024 25,91958.68%18,01040.78%2390.54%
2020 24,60854.80%19,36143.11%9382.09%
2016 19,94250.93%16,48842.11%2,7286.97%
2012 15,13840.70%21,35357.41%7001.88%
2008 16,95641.03%23,70657.36%6641.61%
2004 18,02943.17%22,85754.73%8752.10%
2000 16,44941.34%21,38653.75%1,9514.90%
1996 10,82728.14%21,79856.65%5,85215.21%
1992 13,90132.85%18,19743.00%10,21924.15%
1988 20,29051.39%18,92147.92%2700.68%
1984 26,06261.83%15,96337.87%1240.29%
1980 18,43746.53%17,00642.92%4,18110.55%
1976 22,24955.71%17,50343.83%1820.46%
1972 26,14563.00%15,28636.83%720.17%
1968 20,98255.31%15,66241.29%1,2893.40%
1964 12,10229.30%29,17370.62%320.08%
1960 25,84857.06%19,43042.89%240.05%
1956 31,89774.54%10,89225.46%00.00%
1952 28,03668.27%13,00031.65%320.08%
1948 21,16060.59%13,20037.80%5651.62%
1944 21,91958.89%15,22340.90%770.21%
1940 24,33960.86%15,56938.93%820.21%
1936 26,03165.81%12,76332.27%7621.93%
1932 22,65063.48%12,68735.56%3430.96%
1928 25,80466.23%12,56732.26%5891.51%
1924 22,58371.50%7,10322.49%1,8986.01%
1920 24,65175.60%7,21322.12%7422.28%
1916 13,14266.77%6,05630.77%4852.46%
1912 8,40444.98%5,32928.52%4,95226.50%
1908 14,15167.87%5,89828.29%8003.84%
1904 15,27470.43%5,79826.74%6142.83%
1900 15,29671.02%5,69926.46%5442.53%
1896 15,28770.97%5,74926.69%5052.34%
1892 13,17764.17%6,15629.98%1,2025.85%
1888 14,61167.56%6,50930.10%5082.35%
1884 13,44167.86%6,03530.47%3311.67%

Prior to the 1992 presidential election, St. Lawrence County was a traditionally Republican county, supporting the Democrats only in their sweep of New York State counties in 1964. From 1992 through the 2012 election, St. Lawrence County swung Democratic, posting double-digit victories for Democratic candidates, most notably in 1996 when Bill Clinton won the county by 28-point margin over Bob Dole. The first Republican victory in the county since 1988 came in 2016 when Donald Trump carried the county by an eight-point margin. In 2020, it was one of only a few counties in Upstate New York where Trump improved his margin, this time carrying it by over 10 points.

Media

Radio

Transportation

Airports

The following public use airports are located in the county: [17]

Communities

Larger settlements

#LocationPopulationTypeArea
1‡Akwasasne About 12,000CDP/ReservationRiverside
2 Massena 10,883VillageRiverside
3 Ogdensburg 10,436CityRiverside
4 Potsdam 9,428VillageEast
5†Canton 6,314VillageCenter
6 Gouverneur 3,949VillageRiverside
7 Norwood 1,560VillageRiverside
8 Norfolk 1,327CDPRiverside
9 Hannawa Falls 1,042CDPEast
10 Waddington 972VillageRiverside
11 Star Lake 809CDPSouth
12 Madrid 757CDPRiverside
13 Heuvelton 714VillageRiverside
14 Brasher Falls 669CDPEast
15 Parishville 647CDPEast
16 Hailesboro 624CDPSouth
17 DeKalb Junction 519CDPEast
18 Winthrop 510CDPEast
19 Edwards 439CDPSouth
20 Hermon 422CDPCenter
21 Morristown 395CDPRiverside
22 Colton 345CDPEast
23 Rensselaer Falls 332VillageRiverside
24 Richville 323VillageSouth
25 Hammond 280VillageRiverside
26 Cranberry Lake 200CDPSoutheast

† - County Seat

‡ - Not Wholly in this County

Towns

Hamlets

See also

Related Research Articles

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Colton, New York</span> Town in New York, United States

Colton is a town in St. Lawrence County, New York, United States. The population was 1,451 at the 2010 census. The town, originally named "Matildaville", is named after early settler Jesse Colton Higley.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Heuvelton, New York</span> Village in New York, United States

Heuvelton is a small rural, incorporated, village located in St. Lawrence County in the state of New York, United States. It is approximately six miles (9.7 km) southeast of the city of Ogdensburg, in the Town of Oswegatchie. It is the only village in the town. Route 812 bisects the village, and is named State Street within the village boundaries. As of the 2010 census, the village had a total population of 714.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Oswegatchie, New York</span> Town in New York, United States

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Parishville, New York</span> Town in New York, United States

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Potsdam is a town in St. Lawrence County, New York, United States. The town population was 14,901 at the 2020 census. When the State University of New York at Potsdam and Clarkson University are in session, the population increases by approximately 8,000 students. The town is named after the city of Potsdam in Germany.

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Colton is the primary hamlet and a census-designated place (CDP) in the town of Colton in St. Lawrence County, New York, United States. As of the 2010 census, it had a population of 345, out of 1,451 in the entire town of Colton.

Madrid is the primary hamlet and a census-designated place (CDP) in the town of Madrid in St. Lawrence County, New York, United States. At the 2020 census, it had a population of 736, out of 1,735 in the entire town of Madrid.

Hannawa Falls is a hamlet and census-designated place in St. Lawrence County, New York, United States. Its population was 1,042 as of the 2010 census. Hannawa Falls has a post office with ZIP code 13647. New York State Route 56 passes through the community.

Canton-Potsdam Hospital is a 94-bed not-for-profit hospital located in Potsdam, New York, which is northeast of Canton the county seat of St. Lawrence. Their special services programs include inpatient detox and Center for Cancer Care.

References

  1. 1 2 "U.S. Census Bureau QuickFacts: St. Lawrence County, New York". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on July 13, 2023. 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. ↑ Linda Casserly, County Courthouse Has 'Fiery' History Archived June 11, 2011, at the Wayback Machine , St. Lawrence Plaindealer, May 23, 2000. Archived copy on website of New York 4th Judicial District, St. Lawrence County.
  4. ↑ "Historic Earthquakes". United States Geological Survey. November 1, 2012. Archived from the original on November 10, 2016.
  5. ↑ "2010 Census Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. August 22, 2012. Archived from the original on May 19, 2014. Retrieved January 7, 2015.
  6. ↑ "U.S. Decennial Census". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 7, 2015.
  7. ↑ "Historical Census Browser". University of Virginia Library. Archived from the original on August 11, 2012. Retrieved January 7, 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 7, 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 7, 2015.
  10. ↑ "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau . Retrieved January 31, 2008.
  11. ↑ "P2 HISPANIC OR LATINO, AND NOT HISPANIC OR LATINO BY RACE – 2020: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171) – St. Lawrence County, New York".
  12. ↑ "2020 CENSUS - SCHOOL DISTRICT REFERENCE MAP: St. Lawrence County, NY" (PDF). U.S. Census Bureau . Retrieved October 16, 2024. - Text list
  13. ↑ Leip, David. "Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections". uselectionatlas.org. Archived from the original on March 23, 2018. Retrieved May 1, 2018.
  14. ↑ "Home". 1340wmsa.com.
  15. ↑ "Home". mymix961.com.
  16. ↑ "Home". 1015thefox.com.
  17. ↑ St. Lawrence County Public and Private Airports, New York Archived October 19, 2011, at the Wayback Machine . Retrieved June 13, 2013.

Further reading

44°30′N75°04′W / 44.50°N 75.07°W / 44.50; -75.07

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