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New York Counties
There are sixty-two counties in the State of New York. The first twelve counties in New York were created immediately after the British annexation of the Dutch colony of New Amsterdam, although two of these counties have since been abolished. The most recent county formation in New York was in 1912, when Bronx County was created from the portions of New York City that had been annexed from Westchester County.Otsego County, New York
Otsego County Education, Geography, and History
Otsego County is a county located in the state of New York.
Otsego County was formed from Montgomery in 1791. Based on the 2010 census, the
population was 62,259. The county seat is
Cooperstown. The county name, Otsego, is from a Mohawk or Oneida word meaning "place of the rock".
Otsego County comprises the Oneonta, NY Micropolitan Statistical Area.
Etymology - Origin of Otsego County Name
The county name, Otsego, is from a Mohawk or Oneida word meaning "place of the rock".
Demographics:
County QuickFacts: CensusBureau Quick Facts
Otsego County History
Otsego County was taken from Montgomery in 1791. Centrally distant from New York city NY. 200, and from Albany W. 66 miles. Its form is very irregular. Greatest length N. and S. about 40; greatest breadth E. and W. 35 miles.
This county is considerably elevated, though there are no distinct ranges of mountains of much height. A larger portion of the soil of the county is rich and productive. A large amount of capital is invested in agriculture and manufactures. The Susquehannah river, rising in the Otsego lake, flows southerly to the bounds of the county; then turning southwesterly, forms a part of the southern boundary. The Unadilla bounds the county on the west. Otsego lake, 9 miles long and from 1 to 3 wide, and Schuyler's lake, 5 miles long and from 1 to 2 wide, are beautiful sheets of water. The hills which encompass Otsego lake, have an elevation of from 400 to 500 feet above its surface. The purity of its waters, and the rich and varied scenery about it, render it attractive to the lovers of natural scenery. Portions of this county were settled as early as 1739. The mass of the settlers were emigrants from the eastern states. The county is divided into 22 towns. (Historical Collections of the State of New York, Past and Present, John Barber, Clark Albien & Co. 1851)
The close of the Revolutionary War found the valley lands of the Susquehanna River and its tributaries still sparsely settled. However, strong factors now pushed colonists westward. In 1787, a treats with the Indians had moved the so-called Indian Frontier to the far side of the Unadilla River, out of the area called Otsego. Also, most of the lands east of this had been sold or granted by the colonial government to men who were land speculators. The land had been surveyed and divided into lots ready for disposal. Frequently these grants required that these lands become tenanted.
Geography: Land and Water
Otsego County is in central New York State, to the west of Albany, southeast of Utica, and northeast of
Binghamton. The county is considered by some to belong to the Southern Tier region of New York State.
According to the 2000 census, the county has a total area of 1,015 square miles (2,629 km2), of which, 1,003 square
miles (2,597 km2) of it is land and 12 square miles (32 km2) of it (1.21%) is water.
Neighboring Counties
Bordering counties are as follows:
- Herkimer County, New York - north
- Montgomery County, New York - northeast
- Schoharie County, New York - east
- Delaware County, New York - south
- Chenango County, New York - southwest
- Oneida County, New York - northwest
- Madison County, New York - northwest
Education
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