Essex County, New York

When counties were established in the state of New York in 1683, the present Essex County was part of Albany County. This was an enormous area, 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.

Image:House at John Brown's Farm.jpg]]

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 (near Clunes).

Essex County was split from Clinton County in 1799.

File:Essex County NY 1858 map.jpg

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of {{convert|1916|sqmi}}, of which {{convert|1794|sqmi}} is land and {{convert|122|sqmi}} (6.4%) is water.{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/geo/maps-data/data/docs/gazetteer/counties_list_36.txt |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140519062322/http://www.census.gov/geo/maps-data/data/docs/gazetteer/counties_list_36.txt |url-status=dead |archive-date=May 19, 2014 |publisher=United States Census Bureau |access-date=January 4, 2015 |date=August 22, 2012 |title=2010 Census Gazetteer Files }} It is the second-largest county in New York by land area and third-largest by total area.

Essex County is in the northeastern part of New York state, just west of Vermont along the eastern boundary of the state. The eastern boundary of Essex County is Lake Champlain, which serves as the New York – Vermont border at an elevation of just under {{convert|100|ft|1}}. The highest natural point in New York, Mount Marcy at {{convert|5,344|ft|m}}, is in the town of Keene.

The Ausable River forms a partial northern boundary for the county.

{{US Census population

|1810= 9477

|1820= 12811

|1830= 19287

|1840= 23634

|1850= 31148

|1860= 28214

|1870= 29042

|1880= 34515

|1890= 33052

|1900= 30707

|1910= 33458

|1920= 31871

|1930= 33959

|1940= 34178

|1950= 35086

|1960= 35300

|1970= 34631

|1980= 36176

|1990= 37152

|2000= 38851

|2010= 39370

|align-fn=center

|footnote=U.S. Decennial Census{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/programs-surveys/decennial-census.html|title=U.S. Decennial Census|publisher=United States Census Bureau|access-date=January 4, 2015}}
1790-1960{{cite web|url=http://mapserver.lib.virginia.edu|title=Historical Census Browser|publisher=University of Virginia Library|access-date=January 4, 2015}} 1900-1990{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/population/cencounts/ny190090.txt|title=Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990|publisher=United States Census Bureau|access-date=January 4, 2015}}
1990-2000{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/population/www/cen2000/briefs/phc-t4/tables/tab02.pdf|title=Census 2000 PHC-T-4. Ranking Tables for Counties: 1990 and 2000|publisher=United States Census Bureau|access-date=January 4, 2015}} 2010-2020

|2020=37381}}

As of the census{{cite web |url=https://www.census.gov |publisher=United States Census Bureau |access-date=January 31, 2008 |title=U.S. Census website }} of 2000, there were 38,851 people, 15,028 households, and 9,828 families residing in the county. The population density was {{convert|22|/mi2|/km2|disp=preunit|people |people|}}. There were 23,115 housing units at an average density of {{convert|13|/mi2|/km2|adj=pre|units }}. The racial makeup of the county was 94.84% White, 2.81% Black or African American, 0.31% Native American, 0.41% Asian, 0.07% Pacific Islander, 0.69% from other races, and 0.86% from two or more races; 2.19% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race. Of the population, 22.0% were of French, 16.3% Irish, 13.0% English, 8.6% German, 7.1% American and 6.2% Italian ancestry; 95.2% spoke English, 2.2% Spanish, and 1.3% French as their first language.

There were 15,028 households, out of which 29.20% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 52.20% were married couples living together, 8.90% had a female householder with no husband present, and 34.60% were non-families. 28.30% of all households were made up of individuals, and 12.60% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.39 and the average family size was 2.93.

In the county, the population was spread out, with 22.80% under the age of 18, 6.90% from 18 to 24, 29.80% from 25 to 44, 24.50% from 45 to 64, and 16.00% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 39 years. For every 100 females there were 107.60 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 108.60 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $34,823, and the median income for a family was $41,927. Males had a median income of $30,952 versus $22,205 for females. The per capita income for the county was $18,194. Of the population, 11.60% of individuals, 7.80% of families, 14.50% of those under the age of 18, and 8.60% of those 65 and older, were living below the poverty line.

School districts include:{{cite web|url=https://www2.census.gov/geo/maps/DC2020/PL20/st36_ny/schooldistrict_maps/c36031_essex/DC20SD_C36031.pdf|title=2020 CENSUS - SCHOOL DISTRICT REFERENCE MAP: Essex County, NY|publisher=U.S. Census Bureau|access-date=2024-10-16}} - [https://www2.census.gov/geo/maps/DC2020/PL20/st36_ny/schooldistrict_maps/c36031_essex/DC20SD_C36031_SD2MS.txt Text list]

{{div col|colwidth=30em}}

• AuSable Valley Central School District
• Boquet Valley Central School District (at Elizabethtown-Lewis-Westport)
• Crown Point Central School District
• Keene Central School District
• Lake Placid Central School District
• Minerva Central School District
• Moriah Central School District
• Newcomb Central School District
• North Warren Central School District
• Putnam Central School District
• Saranac Lake Central School District
• Schroon Lake Central School District
• Ticonderoga Central School District
• Willsboro Central School District

{{div col end}}

• Mountain Lake Academy
• North Country School
• Northwood School
• St. Agnes School
• St. Mary's School

• North Country Community College

Image:Harris Lake.jpg

The following public use airports are located in the county:[http://www.tollfreeairline.com/newyork/essex.htm Essex County Public and Private Airports, New York]. Retrieved June 13, 2013.

• Lake Placid Airport (LKP) – Lake Placid
• Marcy Field (1I1) – Keene
• Schroon Lake Airport (4B7) – Schroon Lake
• Ticonderoga Municipal Airport (4B6) – Ticonderoga

Essex County Public Transportation operates several accessible bus routes connecting the county's major communities. Between scheduled stops, riders may flag down buses or request to be let off almost anywhere. Riders may also request minor route deviations for a small fee with advanced notice. Fares generally cost a few dollars or less.{{cite web |title=Transportation |url=https://www.co.essex.ny.us/wp/transportation/ |website=Essex County, New York |access-date=April 19, 2021}}

In 2020 and 2021, bus service was disrupted by the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Champlain North route operates from Elizabethtown north to Wadhams, Whallonsburg, Essex, Willsboro, and to Keeseville, where riders may connect to Clinton County Public Transit bus routes.

The Champlain South route operates from Elizabethtown south to Westport, Mineville, Witherbee, Port Henry, Crown Point, and Ticonderoga. The service partially follows New York State Route 9N. Riders can connect to Amtrak's Adirondack train at Westport station for service to New York City and Montreal.

The Mountain Valley Shuttle operates from Elizabethtown west to Keene, Jay, Au Sable, Wilmington, and Lake Placid. Riders may connect to Clinton County Public Transit bus routes in Au Sable.

The Cascade Express route operates from Elizabethtown west to Keene, North Elba, Lake Placid, and Saranac Lake.

The Lake Placid XPRSS route operates within the village of Lake Placid. The bus is fare-free and supports tourism.

Amtrak's Adirondack service travels through Essex County once a day in each direction on its route between New York City and Montreal, stopping in Ticonderoga, Port Henry, Westport and Port Kent (seasonal). Amtrak also offers Thruway Motorcoach service connecting Lake Placid with Westport station.

The service was temporarily suspended from March 2020 through early April 2023 due to the closure of the Canadian/American border in response to the COVID-19 pandemic and related logistical challenges.{{cite web | last=Mann | first=Rachel | title=Back on track: Amtrak's Adirondack train returns to the North Country | website=www.wcax.com | date=2023-04-03 | url=https://www.wcax.com/2023/04/03/back-track-amtraks-adirondack-train-returns-north-country/ | access-date=2024-11-14}}

† - County Seat

‡ - Not Wholly in this County

{{div col|colwidth=9em}}

• Chesterfield
• Crown Point
• Elizabethtown
• Essex
• Jay
• Keene
• Lewis
• Minerva
• Moriah
• Newcomb
• North Elba
• North Hudson
• Schroon
• St. Armand
• Ticonderoga
• Westport
• Willsboro
• Wilmington

{{div col end}}

• Bloomingdale
• North Pole
• Olmstedville
• Port Kent
• Ray Brook
• Wadhams

• Lake Placid

Essex County is a bellwether county, having voted for the nationwide winner in every election beginning in 1980 with the exceptions of 1992 and 2024 (by only 96 votes). It voted for George W. Bush in the 2000 and 2004 elections, switched to Barack Obama in 2008 and 2012 and then flipped to Donald Trump in 2016, then to Joe Biden in 2020 and Kamala Harris in 2024. Before 1996, however, Essex, like most of the North Country, was powerfully Republican. Until Bill Clinton won it in 1996, it had voted for a Democratic presidential candidate only once since the Civil War, in 1964 when Barry Goldwater lost every county in New York State.

{{PresHead|place=Essex County, New York|source={{Cite web|url=http://uselectionatlas.org/RESULTS|title=Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections|last=Leip|first=David|website=uselectionatlas.org|access-date=March 26, 2018}}}}

{{PresRow|2024|Democratic|9,533|9,629|74|New York}}

{{PresRow|2020|Democratic|8,982|9,950|348|New York}}

{{PresRow|2016|Republican|7,958|7,762|1,498|New York}}

{{PresRow|2012|Democratic|6,647|9,784|286|New York}}

{{PresRow|2008|Democratic|7,913|10,390|292|New York}}

{{PresRow|2004|Republican|9,869|8,768|445|New York}}

{{PresRow|2000|Republican|8,822|7,927|1,189|New York}}

{{PresRow|1996|Democratic|6,379|7,893|2,714|New York}}

{{PresRow|1992|Republican|8,278|6,717|3,978|New York}}

{{PresRow|1988|Republican|10,350|6,623|140|New York}}

{{PresRow|1984|Republican|12,114|5,119|87|New York}}

{{PresRow|1980|Republican|9,025|6,443|1,510|New York}}

{{PresRow|1976|Republican|10,194|6,556|74|New York}}

{{PresRow|1972|Republican|11,763|4,955|34|New York}}

{{PresRow|1968|Republican|9,377|5,218|760|New York}}

{{PresRow|1964|Democratic|5,837|10,739|9|New York}}

{{PresRow|1960|Republican|11,557|6,334|10|New York}}

{{PresRow|1956|Republican|13,930|3,035|0|New York}}

{{PresRow|1952|Republican|12,800|4,130|16|New York}}

{{PresRow|1948|Republican|10,287|4,088|342|New York}}

{{PresRow|1944|Republican|10,128|4,637|33|New York}}

{{PresRow|1940|Republican|11,868|5,545|38|New York}}

{{PresRow|1936|Republican|11,599|5,447|42|New York}}

{{PresRow|1932|Republican|10,062|5,597|127|New York}}

{{PresRow|1928|Republican|10,462|5,291|17|New York}}

{{PresRow|1924|Republican|8,553|2,639|373|New York}}

{{PresRow|1920|Republican|8,042|2,218|119|New York}}

{{PresRow|1916|Republican|4,643|2,373|84|New York}}

{{PresRow|1912|Republican|3,127|2,070|1,878|New York}}

{{PresRow|1908|Republican|5,167|2,033|279|New York}}

{{PresRow|1904|Republican|5,385|2,028|184|New York}}

{{PresRow|1900|Republican|5,064|1,994|144|New York}}

{{PresRow|1896|Republican|5,356|1,760|98|New York}}

{{PresRow|1892|Republican|4,636|2,710|331|New York}}

{{PresRow|1888|Republican|5,043|2,930|124|New York}}

{{PresRow|1884|Republican|4,551|2,776|126|New York}}

|}

• John Brown (1800–1859), an abolitionist who owned a farm in North Elba. His sons John Jr., Watson, and Owen all lived, when young, on their father's farm.
• Sophie Clarke (born 1989), winner of Survivor: South Pacific, from Willsboro.
• Vincent Colyer (1825–1888), was a successful American artist and humanitarian who worked to help freedmen and Native Americans; he was born in Bloomingdale.
• Henry Debosnys (1836–1883), Portuguese-born wife murderer and cryptographer
• Francis Donnelly of Olmstedville (1903–1980), at the time of his death in 1980 was the longest continually serving town elected official in the United States, having served as the Town of Minerva Supervisor and as that town's representative at the county level for 46 years
• Carlton Foster (1826–1901), Wisconsin lumberman, Wisconsin state legislator, and mayor of Oshkosh, Wisconsin.
• Robert Garrow, serial killer in the Syracuse area in the 1970s. He grew up in Moriah.
• Ben Goldwasser (born 1983), keyboardist for psychedelic rock band MGMT. He grew up in Westport.
• Elizabeth Woolridge Grant (born 1985), known professionally as Lana Del Rey, grew up in the town of Lake Placid.
• Inez Milholland (1886–1916), leader in the women's suffrage movement, is buried in Lewis Cemetery. Her family had a summer home in Westport, which is now the Meadowmount School of Music.
• Solomon Northup (1808 – {{abbr|c.|circa}} 1863), born in Minerva as a free man, he was kidnapped and sold into slavery in 1841. Regaining freedom in 1853, he published his memoir that year, became nationally known and lectured on the abolitionist circuit. He became an inspiration for the 2013 film 12 Years a Slave.
• Johnny Podres (1932–2008), pitcher for Brooklyn Dodgers and 1955 World Series MVP, was born in Witherbee.
• Tom Tyler, silent film star, originally from Mineville.
• Eli Winch (1848–1938), born in the town of Wilmington, a member of the Wisconsin State Assembly and manufacturer.

{{Portal|New York (state)}}

• List of counties in New York
• Adirondack County, New York—a proposed new county
• National Register of Historic Places listings in Essex County, New York

{{reflist}}

• {{cite Q|Q114149636|p=583-85|chapter=Chapter I. Essex County.

|editor=Sullivan, James

|editor2=Williams, Melvin E.

|editor3=Conklin, Edwin P.

|editor4=Fitzpatrick, Benedict

}}

• [http://www.co.essex.ny.us Essex County]
• [http://www.adirondackalmanack.com Adirondack Almanack]
• [http://history.rays-place.com/ny/cty-essex.htm Essex County history pages]
• [http://WWW.NCCC.EDU North Country Community College]
• [http://wilmingtonhistoricalsociety.org/index.htm Wilmington (Town of) Historical Society] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090213191244/http://www.wilmingtonhistoricalsociety.org/index.htm |date=February 13, 2009 }}

{{Geographic Location

|Centre = Essex County, New York

|North = Clinton County

|Northeast = Chittenden County, Vermont

|East = Addison County, Vermont

|Southeast =

|South = Washington County and Warren County

|Southwest = Hamilton County

|West = Franklin County

|Northwest =

}}

{{Essex County, New York}}

{{New York}}

{{Authority control}}

{{coord|44.11|-73.77|display=title|type:adm2nd_region:US-NY_source:UScensus1990}}

Category:1799 establishments in New York (state)

Category:Adirondack Park

Category:Populated places established in 1799