Ulster County, New York

Ulster County, New York
County of New York State
County of Ulster

Flag
Seal
Map of New York highlighting Ulster County
Location in the U.S. state of New York
Map of the United States highlighting New York
New York's location in the U.S.
Founded 1683
Named for Ulster
Seat Kingston
Largest city Kingston
Area
 • Total 1,161 sq mi (3,007 km2)
 • Land 1,124 sq mi (2,911 km2)
 • Water 37 sq mi (96 km2), 3.1%
Population
 • (2010) 182,493
 • Density 162/sq mi (63/km2)
Congressional district 19th
Time zone Eastern: UTC−5/−4
Website www.co.ulster.ny.us

Ulster County is a county located in the U.S. state of New York. As of the 2010 census, the population was 182,493.[1] The county seat is Kingston.[2] The county is named after the Irish province of Ulster.

Ulster County comprises the Kingston, New York Metropolitan Statistical Area, which is also included in the New York–Newark, NY–NJ–CT–PA Combined Statistical Area. It is located in the Mid-Hudson Region of the Hudson Valley.

History

Ulster County in 1875

The area of present-day Ulster County was called "Esopus" by Dutch settlers: it was then part of the New Netherland Colony. In 1652, Thomas Chambers, a freeholder from the Manor of Rensselaerswyck, purchased land at Esopus and began trading there. In 1654, Johan de Hulter, owner of 20% of the Killian van Rensselaer Company was granted a patent, together with the patents of Christoffel Davids, and Jacob Jansen Stoll, this supplies evidence of the first permanent settlement, that grows into the village of Wiltwijck, later: Kingston. In 1683, the Duke of York created twelve counties in his province. Ulster County was one of them. Its boundaries at that time included the present Sullivan County, and portions of the present Delaware, Orange, and Greene Counties.

In 1777, the capital of New York State (the first state capital of independent New York) was established at Kingston, though it was subsequently moved to Kerhonkson when the British burned Kingston.

In 1797, portions of Otsego and Ulster Counties were split off to create Delaware County.

In 1798, the southernmost towns in Ulster County were moved into Orange County, to compensate Orange for breaking away the southernmost portion of that county in order to form Rockland County.

In 1800, portions of Albany and Ulster Counties were split off to create Greene County.

In 1809, Sullivan County was split off from Ulster County.

During the American Civil War volunteers were recruited from the more affluent families of the County to form the 139th New York Volunteer Infantry Regiment.

The Lake Mohonk Mountain House on Shawangunk Ridge was designated a National Historic Landmark in 1986.[3]

Geography

Lake Minnewaska

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 1,161 square miles (3,010 km2), of which 1,124 square miles (2,910 km2) is land and 37 square miles (96 km2) (3.1%) is water.[4]

Ulster County is in the southeast part of New York State, south of Albany, immediately west of the Hudson River. Much of the county is within the Catskill Mountains and the Shawangunk Ridge. Ulster County has Minnewaska State Park, Mohonk Preserve, Sundown State Park, VerNooykill State Forest, Witches Hole State Forest, and Shawangunk Ridge State Forest and Sam's Point Preserve, which includes rare dwarf pine trees and VerKeerderkill falls.

The highest point is Slide Mountain, at approximately 4,180 feet (1,270 m) above sea level. The lowest point is sea level along the Hudson River.

Adjacent counties

National protected area

Demographics

Historical population
CensusPop.%±
179029,370—
180024,855−15.4%
181026,5766.9%
182030,93416.4%
183036,55018.2%
184045,82225.4%
185059,38429.6%
186076,38128.6%
187084,07510.1%
188085,8382.1%
189087,0621.4%
190088,4221.6%
191091,7693.8%
192074,979−18.3%
193080,1556.9%
194087,0178.6%
195092,6216.4%
1960118,80428.3%
1970141,24118.9%
1980158,15812.0%
1990165,3044.5%
2000177,7497.5%
2010182,4932.7%
Est. 2016179,225[5]−1.8%
U.S. Decennial Census[6]
1790-1960[7] 1900-1990[8]
1990-2000[9] 2010-2013[1]

As of the census[10] of 2010, there were 181,440 people, 67,499 households, and 43,536 families residing in the county. The population density was 158 people per square mile (61/km²). There were 77,656 housing units at an average density of 69 per square mile (27/km²). The racial makeup of the county, as of 2008, was 83.2% White, 6.50% Black or African American, 0.3% Native American, 1.7% Asian, 0.03% Pacific Islander, 2.15% from other races, and 1.70% from two or more races. 7.6% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race. 19.2% were of Italian, 16.8% Irish, 15.5% German, 6.8% English, and 4.7% American ancestry according to Census 2000. 90.3% spoke English, 4.5% Spanish, 1.2% Italian, and 1.0% German as their first language.

There were 67,499 households out of which 30.70% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 49.20% were married couples living together, 10.90% had a female householder with no husband present, and 35.50% were non-families. Of all households, 27.90% were made up of individuals and 10.20% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.47 and the average family size was 3.03.

In the county, the population was spread out with 23.50% under the age of 18, 8.70% from 18 to 24, 29.70% from 25 to 44, 24.70% from 45 to 64, and 13.30% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 38 years. For every 100 females, there were 99.10 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 96.60 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $42,551, and the median income for a family was $51,708. Males had a median income of $36,808 versus $27,086 for females. The per capita income for the county was $20,846. About 7.20% of families and 11.40% of the population were below the poverty line, including 13.00% of those under age 18 and 8.70% of those age 65 or over.

Government and politics

Presidential Elections Results[11]
Year Republican Democratic Third Parties
2016 41.3% 35,239 52.3% 44,597 6.4% 5,454
2012 37.4% 29,759 60.0% 47,752 2.7% 2,115
2008 37.4% 33,300 60.9% 54,320 1.7% 1,529
2004 43.1% 37,821 54.3% 47,602 2.6% 2,289
2000 42.8% 33,447 48.8% 38,162 8.5% 6,628
1996 35.5% 26,212 48.6% 35,852 16.0% 11,787
1992 36.2% 29,223 40.7% 32,886 23.2% 18,712
1988 56.8% 41,173 42.4% 30,744 0.9% 640
1984 63.9% 47,372 35.7% 26,445 0.4% 285
1980 55.0% 36,709 33.2% 22,179 11.7% 7,838
1976 53.4% 35,353 45.6% 30,190 0.9% 610
1972 68.5% 46,883 31.2% 21,371 0.3% 179
1968 57.6% 34,798 34.6% 20,886 7.8% 4,703
1964 40.0% 23,749 59.8% 35,486 0.2% 91
1960 61.2% 36,418 38.7% 23,017 0.1% 67
1956 76.4% 43,034 23.6% 13,321 0.0% 0
1952 69.4% 36,141 30.2% 15,733 0.3% 171
1948 64.3% 28,941 32.1% 14,441 3.6% 1,630
1944 61.0% 26,703 38.7% 16,943 0.3% 117
1940 57.0% 27,186 42.8% 20,403 0.2% 107
1936 55.3% 24,678 42.9% 19,118 1.8% 815
1932 52.9% 21,002 45.6% 18,092 1.6% 627
1928 62.5% 25,418 34.9% 14,200 2.7% 1,077
1924 63.3% 20,048 29.6% 9,361 7.1% 2,251
1920 66.4% 19,001 30.6% 8,759 3.0% 852
1916 56.6% 10,734 41.2% 7,807 2.3% 430
1912 38.3% 7,485 43.6% 8,510 18.1% 3,531
1908 53.1% 10,475 43.4% 8,560 3.6% 705
1904 53.1% 11,356 44.5% 9,516 2.3% 501
1900 53.7% 11,348 44.2% 9,349 2.1% 444
1896 56.3% 11,100 41.3% 8,140 2.4% 471
1892 46.3% 9,450 48.0% 9,808 5.7% 1,157
1888 49.6% 10,825 48.0% 10,487 2.4% 526
1884 48.7% 9,929 48.4% 9,870 2.9% 586

In recent history, Ulster County has voted Democratic. In 2004 John Kerry defeated George W. Bush by 54–43%, in 2008 Barack Obama defeated John McCain by 61–38%, and in 2012 Barack Obama defeated Mitt Romney by 60–37%. The county is currently being represented by Republican John Faso in Congress, and is located in New York's 19th congressional district.

Ulster long had a county-scale version of a council-manager government, with the county legislature hiring a county administrator to handle executive functions. The chair of the legislature had a great deal of power and was only accountable to the voters of his own district. The only countywide elected officials were the district attorney, Holley Carnright, 2008 to present and sheriff, Paul Van Blarcum, 2007 to present.

In 2006, voters approved the first-ever county charter, changing to an elected executive branch. Two years later, Mike Hein, the last appointed county administrator, became Ulster's first elected county executive.[12]

Ulster County Executives
Name Party Term
Michael P. Hein Democratic January 1, 2009 – present

Legislative authority is vested in the County Legislature, which consists of 23 members elected from individual districts, as directed by a county charter reapportionment mandate starting in late 2010.[13] The current composition of the Legislature is as follows (10 Democrats, 10 Republicans, 1 Unaffiliated who caucuses with the Democrats, 1 Independent who caucuses with the Republicans, and 1 Conservative who caucuses with the Republicans to give them a 12-11 majority):

Ulster County Legislature
District Legislator Party Residence
1 Mary Wawro Conservative (Caucuses with Republicans) Saugerties
2 Joseph Maloney Independence (Caucuses with Republicans) Saugerties
3 Dean Fabiano Republican Glasco
4 James Maloney, Vice Chair Republican Kingston
5 Lynn Eckert Democratic Kingston
6 David Donaldson Democratic Kingston
7 Brian Woltman Republican Kingston
8 Laura Petit Democratic Esopus
9 Herbert Litts lll Republican Highland
10 Mary Beth Maio, Majority Leader Republican Highland
11 Richard Gerentine Republican Marlboro
12 Kevin Roberts Republican Plattekill
13 Kenneth Ronk Jr., Chairman Republican Wallkill
14 Craig Lopez, Majority Whip Republican Pine Bush
15 Rev. Julius Collins Democratic Ellenville
16 Tracey Bartels Unaffiliated (Caucuses with Democrats) Gardiner
17 James Delaune Democratic New Paltz
18 Heidi Haynes Republican Accord
19 Manna Jo Greene Democratic Cottekill
20 Hector Rodriguez, Minority Leader Democratic New Paltz
21 Lynn Archer Democratic Accord
22 Kathy Nolan Democratic Boiceville
23 Johnathan Heppner, Minority Whip Democratic Woodstock

Recreation

Ashokan Reservoir from Wittenberg
A cow at the Ulster County Fair

Ulster County contains a large part of Catskill Park and the Catskill Forest Preserve. The former Delaware and Hudson Canal brought Pennsylvania coal to Kingston on the Hudson. Former Orleans band member John Hall served in the Ulster County legislature before moving to the 19th Congressional District to run for Congress.

Ulster County has continued to be a popular vacation destination for many decades. The County is home to many outdoor landscapes, including the Catskill Mountains, the Hudson River, Minnewaska State Park, Catskill Park, Shawangunk Mountains and the Shawangunk Ridge. Each offers various recreation opportunities, including hiking, bicycling, skiing, horseback riding, kayaking, rock climbing, hunting and fishing.

The County also includes more than 40 miles of rail trails along the Hudson Valley Rail Trail, Wallkill Valley Rail Trail, and O&W Rail Trail. The Walkway Over the Hudson, the world’s longest pedestrian and bicycle bridge which spans the Hudson River, is connected within Ulster County trails.

Ulster County has also played a role in some significant moments in U.S. history. The Senate House State Historic Site in Kingston, New York is where, in early 1777, American colonists met to ratify the New York Constitution.

The Ulster County Fair has been held in New Paltz for many years and is promoted as "The Best Six Days of Summer". County run recreation areas include the Ulster County Pool in New Paltz and the Ulster Landing Park in Saugerties.

Transportation

The New York State Thruway Interstate 87 runs north–south through the county, carrying traffic to and from New York City and its surroundings.

Public transportation in Ulster County is provided by Trailways of New York to and from New York City and Albany, and along Routes 28 and 23, Ulster County Area Transit on major state and US road corridors in the county, and by Kingston Citibus in Kingston.

Communities

City

Towns

Villages

Census-designated places

Hamlets

See also

References

  1. 1 2 "State & County QuickFacts". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved October 13, 2013.
  2. ↑ "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Retrieved June 7, 2011.
  3. ↑ "National Historic Landmarks Program – Lake Mohonk Mountain House". National Park Service. Archived from the original on November 10, 2013. Retrieved December 7, 2013.
  4. ↑ "2010 Census Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. August 22, 2012. Archived from the original on May 19, 2014. Retrieved January 8, 2015.
  5. ↑ "Population and Housing Unit Estimates". Retrieved June 9, 2017.
  6. ↑ "U.S. Decennial Census". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 8, 2015.
  7. ↑ "Historical Census Browser". University of Virginia Library. Retrieved January 8, 2015.
  8. ↑ "Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 8, 2015.
  9. ↑ "Census 2000 PHC-T-4. Ranking Tables for Counties: 1990 and 2000" (PDF). United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 8, 2015.
  10. ↑ "American FactFinder". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 31, 2008.
  11. ↑ Leip, David. "Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections". uselectionatlas.org.
  12. ↑ Brooks, Paul (November 5, 2008). "Hein wins big as first Ulster County executive". Times-Herald Record. Ottaway Community Newspapers. Retrieved November 21, 2008.
  13. ↑ Ulster reapportionment panel to revamp Legislature. DailyFreeman.com. Retrieved on August 9, 2013.

Bibliography

  • Clearwater, Alphonso T. (1907). A History of Ulster County, New York. Kingston, NY: W.J. Van Deusen.
  • Fried, Marc B. (1975). The Early History of Kingston & Ulster County, NY. Marbletown, NY: Ulster County Historical Society.
  • Sylvester, Nathaniel Bartlett (1880). History of Ulster County, New York, with Illustrations and Biographical Sketches of its Prominent Men and Pioneers: Part Second: History of the Towns of Ulster County. Philadelphia, PA: Everts & Peck. OCLC 2385957.
  • Ulster County Historians (1984). The History of Ulster County, With Emphasis upon the Last 100 Years, 1883–1983. Kingston, NY: Ulster County Historians. OCLC 11345209.
  • Van Buren, Augustus H. (1923). A History of Ulster County Under the Dominion of the Dutch. Kingston, NY. OCLC 1131828.
  • Zimm, Louise Hasbrouck (1946). Southeastern New York: A History of the Counties of Ulster, Dutchess, Orange, Rockland and Putnam. New York: Lewis Historical Publishing Co.

Coordinates: 41°53′N 74°16′W / 41.89°N 74.26°W / 41.89; -74.26

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