Genesee County

Genesee County is a county located in the U.S. statestate, east of Buffalo and southwest of Rochester.
of New York. As of 2000, the population was 60,370.Tonawanda Creek and Oatka Creek flow through
Its name is from a Seneca Indian word meaningthe town.
"good valley." Its county seat is Batavia.Adjacent Counties
HistoryOrleans County, New York - north
When counties were established in New York StateMonroe County, New York - east
in 1683, the present Genesee County was part ofLivingston County, New York - southeast
Albany County. This was an enormous county,Wyoming County, New York - south
including the northern part of New York State as wellErie County, New York - west
as all of the present State of Vermont and, inNiagara County, New York - northwest
theory, extending westward to the Pacific Ocean.Demographics
This county was reduced in size on July 3, 1766 byAs of the census2 of 2000, there were 60,370
the creation of Cumberland County, and further onpeople, 22,770 households, and 15,825 families residing
March 16, 1770 by the creation of Gloucester County,in the county. The population density was 47/km2
both containing territory now in Vermont.(122/mi2). There were 24,190 housing units at an
On March 12, 1772, what was left of Albany Countyaverage density of 19/km2 (49/mi2). The racial
was split into three parts, one remaining under themakeup of the county was 94.69% White, 2.13%
name Albany County. One of the other pieces, TryonBlack or African American, 0.78% Native American,
County, contained the western portion (and thus,0.48% Asian, 0.02% Pacific Islander, 0.71% from
since no western boundary was specified,other races, and 1.18% from two or more races.
theoretically still extended west to the Pacific). The1.50% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of
eastern boundary of Tryon County wasany race.
approximately five miles west of the present city ofThere were 22,770 households out of which 33.30%
Schenectady, and the county included the westernhad children under the age of 18 living with them,
part of the Adirondack Mountains and the area west55.40% were married couples living together, 9.80%
of the West Branch of the Delaware River. The areahad a female householder with no husband present,
then designated as Tryon County now includes 37and 30.50% were non-families. 24.80% of all
counties of New York State. The county was namedhouseholds were made up of individuals and 11.10%
for William Tryon, colonial governor of New York.had someone living alone who was 65 years of age
In the years prior to 1776, most of the Loyalists inor older. The average household size was 2.59 and
Tryon County fled to Canada. In 1784, following thethe average family size was 3.10.
peace treaty that ended the American RevolutionaryIn the county the population was spread out with
War, the name of Tryon County was changed to26.10% under the age of 18, 7.50% from 18 to 24,
Montgomery County in order to honor the general,29.50% from 25 to 44, 22.60% from 45 to 64, and
Richard Montgomery, who had captured several14.30% who were 65 years of age or older. The
places in Canada and died attempting to capture themedian age was 37 years. For every 100 females
city of Quebec, replacing the name of the hatedthere were 96.90 males. For every 100 females age
British governor.18 and over, there were 95.00 males.
In 1789, Ontario County was split off fromThe median income for a household in the county
Montgomery.was $40,542, and the median income for a family
All of the land of present day Genesee County waswas $47,771. Males had a median income of $34,430
part of the Holland Land Purchase in 1793 and wasversus $23,788 for females. The per capita income
sold through the Holland Land Company's office infor the county was $18,498. About 5.60% of families
Batavia, starting in 1801.and 7.60% of the population were below the
Genesee County was created by a splitting ofpoverty line, including 9.00% of those under age 18
Ontario County in 1802. This was much larger thanand 6.80% of those age 65 or over.
the present Genesee County, however.Educational institutions
In 1806, Allegany County was created from GeneseeThe county has 8 public school districts:
County.Alexander Central School District
In 1808, Cattaraugus, Chautauqua, and NiagaraBatavia City School District
Counties were created from Genesee County.Byron-Bergen Central School District
Niagara County at that time also included the presentElba Central School District
Erie County.LeRoy Central School District
In 1821, portions of Genesee County were combinedOakfield-Alabama Central School District
with portions of Ontario County to create LivingstonPavilion Central School District
and Monroe Counties.Pembroke Central School District
In 1824, Orleans County was created from GeneseeSeveral private schools at the primary and secondary
County.levels are also maintained:
In 1841, Wyoming County was created fromSt. Joseph Elementary School, Batavia, NY
Genesee County.Notre Dame High School, Batavia, NY
GeographySt. Paul Lutheran School, Batavia, NY
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county hasMary's Grace School, Batavia, NY
a total area of 1,283 km2 (495 mi2). 1,280 km2 (494Genesee Christian Academy, Batavia, NY
mi2) of it is land and 3 km2 (1 mi2) of it (0.25%) isHoly Family School, LeRoy, NY
water.Genesee Community College has its main campus in
Genesee County is in the western portion of thethe Town of Batavia.