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Monroe County, New York

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Article Genealogy
Parent: Interstate 90 (New York) Hop 3
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1. Extracted89
2. After dedup32 (None)
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Monroe County, New York
CountyMonroe County
StateNew York
Founded1821
Named forJames Monroe
SeatRochester
Largest cityRochester
Area total sq mi1,367
Area land sq mi657
Area water sq mi710
Population as of2020
Population total759,443
Population density sq mi1156
District25th
Time zoneEastern
Websitewww.monroecounty.gov

Monroe County, New York is a populous county located along the southern shore of Lake Ontario in the U.S. state of New York. Its county seat and largest city is Rochester, a major cultural and economic hub historically known as the "Flour City" and "Flower City." The county is part of the Rochester metropolitan area and is named for the fifth President of the United States, James Monroe.

History

The region was originally the territory of the Seneca people, part of the Iroquois Confederacy, before European settlement. Following the American Revolutionary War, the area was part of the Phelps and Gorham Purchase, opening it for development. The Erie Canal, completed in 1825, transformed the Genesee River area into a major commercial center, leading to the official formation of the county from parts of Ontario and Genesee counties in 1821. The 19th century saw Rochester become a center for abolitionist activity, with figures like Frederick Douglass publishing his newspaper, The North Star, there. The city later gained fame as the home of industrial innovators such as George Eastman of Kodak and John Jacob Bausch of Bausch & Lomb.

Geography

According to the United States Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 1,367 square miles, with a significant portion consisting of the waters of Lake Ontario and Irondequoit Bay. It is bordered by Wayne County to the east, Ontario County to the south, and Livingston and Orleans counties to the west. Major waterways include the Genesee River, which flows through Rochester and over the High Falls, and the New York State Barge Canal. The county's terrain varies from the lake plain to the rolling hills of the Finger Lakes region.

Demographics

As of the 2020 United States Census, the population was 759,443, making it one of the most populous counties in Upstate New York. The racial makeup is diverse, with significant populations of White, Black or African American, Hispanic or Latino, and Asian residents. The Rochester area is home to one of the nation's oldest Italian-American communities and a sizable Puerto Rican population. Educational attainment is high, with a large percentage of residents holding bachelor's degrees or higher, supported by institutions like the University of Rochester.

Government and politics

Monroe County operates under a charter with an elected County Executive and a County Legislature. It is part of New York's 25th congressional district, represented in the U.S. House by a member of the Democratic Party. The county has historically been a political battleground, though recent trends favor Democratic candidates in presidential elections. Local government includes numerous towns such as Brighton, Greece, and Irondequoit, and villages like Fairport and Webster.

Economy

The economy has historically been dominated by manufacturing, particularly from corporate giants like Kodak, Xerox, and Bausch & Lomb. While deindustrialization presented challenges, the economy has diversified into sectors such as advanced manufacturing, optics and photonics (with the University of Rochester's Institute of Optics and AIM Photonics), healthcare (with the University of Rochester Medical Center and Rochester Regional Health), and higher education. Wegmans, a major regional supermarket chain, is headquartered in the county.

Education

Higher education is a cornerstone, led by the University of Rochester, a major private research institution, and the Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT), known for its programs in technology, art, and for hosting the National Technical Institute for the Deaf. Other institutions include Monroe Community College, Nazareth College, St. John Fisher College, and the Eastman School of Music. Primary and secondary education is served by several public school districts, including the Rochester City School District, and private schools like the Harley School and Allendale Columbia School.

Culture and recreation

The county is a cultural hub, home to the George Eastman Museum, the Strong National Museum of Play, and the Memorial Art Gallery. Performing arts are centered at the Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra's home in Eastman Theatre and venues like the Rochester Broadway Theatre League. Annual events include the Rochester International Jazz Festival, the Lilac Festival at Highland Park, and the Park Avenue Festival. Outdoor recreation is abundant at Durand Eastman Park, the Genesee Riverway Trail, and along the shores of Lake Ontario.

Category:Monroe County, New York Category:New York (state) counties Category:1821 establishments in New York (state)