Saratoga County, New York

Saratoga County is a county located in the U.S. State of New York. As of 2000, the population is 200,635. The county seat is Ballston Spa. The name is a corruption of an Indian word "sah-rah-ka," supposed to mean "the side hill."

Table of contents

1 History

2 Geography

3 Demographics

4 Cities and Towns

History

When counties were established in New York State in 1683, the present Saratoga County was part of Albany County. This was an enormous county, 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.

Then, on March 12, 1772, Albany County was divided into the counties of Albany, Tryon (now Montgomery), and Charlotte (now Washington). From 1772 to 1786 Albany County included, besides the present territory of Albany County, all of the present Columbia, Rensselaer, Saratoga, and Schenectady Counties, parts of the present Greene and Washington Counties, and a piece of what is now southwestern Vermont.

In 1786, Albany County was reduced in size by the splitting off of Columbia County.

In 1791, Saratoga County (as well as Rensselaer County) was split off from Albany County.

Geography

Saratoga County is in the northeastern part of New York State, north of Albany, northwest of Troy, and east of Utica.

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 2,185 km² (844 mi²). 2,103 km² (812 mi²) of it is land and 83 km² (32 mi²) of it is water. The total area is 3.78% water.

Demographics

As of the census of 2000, there are 200,635 people, 78,165 households, and 53,699 families residing in the county. The population density is 95/km² (247/mi²). There are 86,701 housing units at an average density of 41/km² (107/mi²). The racial makeup of the county is 95.98% White, 1.36% African American, 0.18% Native American, 1.04% Asian, 0.02% Pacific Islander, 0.42% from other races, and 1.00% from two or more races. 1.41% of the population are Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There are 78,165 households out of which 33.60% have children under the age of 18 living with them, 56.20% are married couples living together, 9.00% have a female householder with no husband present, and 31.30% are non-families. 24.50% of all households are made up of individuals and 8.50% have someone living alone who is 65 years of age or older. The average household size is 2.51 and the average family size is 3.01.

In the county the population is spread out with 25.00% under the age of 18, 7.80% from 18 to 24, 31.50% from 25 to 44, 24.20% from 45 to 64, and 11.50% who are 65 years of age or older. The median age is 37 years. For every 100 females there are 97.20 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there are 94.60 males.

The median income for a household in the county is $49,460, and the median income for a family is $58,213. Males have a median income of $40,901 versus $29,583 for females. The per capita income for the county is $23,945. 5.70% of the population and 3.80% of families are below the poverty line. Out of the total people living in poverty, 6.50% are under the age of 18 and 5.80% are 65 or older.