Schenectady County, New York

Schenectady County, New York
County	Schenectady County
State	New York
Founded	1809
Seat	Schenectady
Largest city	Schenectady
Area total sq mi	210
Area land sq mi	205
Area water sq mi	5.0
Population as of	2020
Population total	158,061
Population density sq mi	771.0
Time zone	Eastern
Web	www.schenectadycounty.com
Named for	Mohawk language

Schenectady County, New York is a county located in the Capital District of New York. It was formed in 1809 from parts of Albany County. The county seat and largest city is Schenectady, historically a major center for General Electric and technological innovation.

History

The area was originally inhabited by the Mohawk people, part of the Iroquois Confederacy. The first European settlement was established in 1661 when Arent van Curler founded the village of Schenectady near the Mohawk River. In 1690, the settlement was destroyed in the Schenectady massacre during King William's War. Throughout the 18th century, it grew as a trading and transportation hub, connected to Albany via the Albany and Schenectady Turnpike. The county was officially created by an act of the New York State Legislature in 1809. The 19th century saw rapid industrial growth with the arrival of the Erie Canal and railroads like the Mohawk and Hudson Railroad. This era set the stage for Thomas Edison moving his Edison Machine Works to the city in 1886, which evolved into the global headquarters of General Electric, led for decades by figures like Charles Proteus Steinmetz and Gerard Swope.

Geography

According to the United States Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 210 square miles, of which 205 square miles is land and 5.0 square miles is water. The primary waterway is the Mohawk River, which flows eastward and forms part of the Erie Canal system. The southern border is defined by the Schoharie Creek. The terrain is generally flat near the river valleys, with the southern sections becoming part of the foothills of the Catskill Mountains. Major parks include the Schenectady County Forest and Central Park. It is bordered by Montgomery County to the west, Albany County to the east, Schoharie County to the southwest, and Saratoga County to the north.

Demographics

As of the 2020 United States Census, the population was 158,061. The racial makeup was approximately 74.5% White, 12.5% African American, 5.8% Asian American, and 5.6% identifying as Hispanic or Latino. The largest ethnic groups include those of Irish, Italian, German, and Polish ancestry. The population density is about 771 people per square mile. Major population centers are the city of Schenectady and the towns of Niskayuna, Rotterdam, and Glenville. The Metropolitan Statistical Area includes the Capital District.

Government and politics

Schenectady County operates under a charter with a Legislature and a County Manager. The current County Manager is appointed by the 15-member Schenectady County Legislature. The county is part of New York's 20th congressional district, represented in the U.S. House by Paul Tonko. It is also within the New York State Senate districts of James Tedisco and Neil Breslin, and the New York State Assembly districts of Angelo Santabarbara and Phil Steck. The Schenectady County Court is part of the New York State Unified Court System. In presidential elections, it has trended toward the Democratic Party in recent decades.

Economy

Historically dominated by General Electric, the economy has diversified following GE's decline. Major employers now include the Schenectady City School District, Union College, Ellis Hospital, and Golub Corporation, parent company of the Price Chopper supermarket chain. The Knolls Atomic Power Laboratory, operated by Bechtel for the United States Department of Energy, is a significant employer in Niskayuna. The Rivers Casino & Resort opened in 2017 on the Mohawk River waterfront. Other notable companies include SI Group and Transfinder. The Schenectady County Community College also contributes to the local economy.

Education

Higher education institutions include Union College, a private liberal arts college founded in 1795, and Schenectady County Community College, part of the State University of New York system. The Schenectady City School District operates public schools, including Schenectady High School. Private schools include the Notre Dame-Bishop Gibbons School and the Jewish Community Center of Schenectady. The county is also home to the General Electric Research Laboratory, a historic center for innovation. The Schenectady County Public Library system serves the community with branches throughout the county.

Transportation

Major highways include Interstate 890, New York State Route 7, and New York State Route 5. The county is served by the Capital District Transportation Authority for public bus transit. Rail service is provided by Amtrak at the Schenectady station on the Empire Service and Maple Leaf lines. Freight rail is operated by CSX Transportation. The Albany International Airport, located in Colonie, serves as the primary commercial airport for the region. The Mohawk River and the modern Erie Canal continue to be used for limited commercial and recreational traffic.

Category:Schenectady County, New York Category:Capital District (New York) Category:1809 establishments in New York (state)