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Allegany County, New York

Coordinates: 42°15′N 78°01′W / 42.25°N 78.02°W / 42.25; -78.02
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Allegany County
County
Old Allegany County Courthouse
Old Allegany County Courthouse
Flag of Allegany County
Flag
Official seal of Allegany County
Seal
Map of New York highlighting Allegany County
Location within the U.S. state of New York
Map of the United States highlighting New York
New York's location within the U.S.
Coordinates: 42°13′59″N 78°01′34″W / 42.232937°N 78.026093°W / 42.232937; -78.026093
Country United States
State New York
Founded1806
Named forLenape name for the Allegheny River
SeatBelmont
Largest townWellsville
Government
 • County ChairmanPhilip Stockin
Area
 • Total
1,034 sq mi (2,680 km2)
 • Land1,029 sq mi (2,670 km2)
 • Water5.1 sq mi (13 km2)  0.5%
Population
 (2020)
 • Total
46,456 Decrease
 • Density45.1/sq mi (17.4/km2)
Time zoneUTC−5 (Eastern)
 • Summer (DST)UTC−4 (EDT)
Congressional district23rd
Websitewww.alleganyco.gov

Allegany County is a county in the U.S. state of New York. As of the 2020 census, the population was 46,456.[1][2] Its county seat is Belmont.[3] Its name derives from a Lenape word, applied by European-American settlers of Western New York State to a trail that followed the Allegheny River; they also named the county after this. The county is part of the Western New York region of the state.

The county is bisected by the Genesee River, flowing north to its mouth on Lake Ontario. During the mid-nineteenth century, the Genesee Valley Canal was built to link southern markets to the Great Lakes and Mohawk River. The county was also served by railroads, which soon superseded the canals in their capacity for carrying freight. Part of the Oil Springs Reservation, controlled by the Seneca Nation, is located in the county.

History

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For centuries, Allegany County was the territory of the Seneca people, at the westernmost nation of the Five Nations of the Haudenosaunee, a confederacy of Iroquoian languages-speaking peoples. European-American permanent settlement did not take place until after the American Revolutionary War and the forced cession by the Seneca of most of their lands in western New York. New York State sold off the lands cheaply to attract new European-American settlers and agricultural development.

Allegany County was created by the state legislature on April 7, 1806, when Genesee County, New York, was partitioned to set aside some 1,570 square miles (4,000 km2) to the new county. The first County Seat was established at Angelica, New York, where it remained for half a century. It was later moved to Belmont, a village located along the Genesee River.[4] On March 11, 1808, the borders were adjusted so that 230 square miles (600 km2) of Steuben County passed to Allegany County,[5] and 600 miles (1,000 km) of Allegany County passed to Genesee County.[6] This established the current border between Genesee and Steuben counties, and reduced the size of Allegany County to 1,200 square miles (3,100 km2). On June 12, 1812, the legislature authorized the attachment of Cattaraugus County, New York, to Allegany County for administration reasons, but for practical reasons this action did not take place at that time.[7] However, on April 13, 1814, the eastern half of Cattaraugus County was so attached and administered from Belmont.[8] This attachment was ended on March 28, 1817.[9] With continued settlement through the mid-nineteenth century, the legislature periodically adjusted county borders as new counties were organized in western New York. On April 1, 1846, Allegany County lost 120 square miles (310 km2) to Wyoming County, reducing the size of Allegany County to 1,140 square miles (3,000 km2), and establishing the current border between Allegany and Wyoming counties.[10] On May 11, 1846, Allegany County lost 50 square miles (100 km2) to Livingston County, reducing the total to 1,090 square miles (2,800 km2), and establishing the western portion of the current border with Livingston County.[11] On March 23, 1857, Allegany County lost another 40 square miles (100 km2) to Livingston County, passing the Ossian, New York, area to Livingston County, and establishing the current border between them.[12]

Geography

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According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 1,034 square miles (2,680 km2), of which 1,029 square miles (2,670 km2) is land and 5.1 square miles (13 km2) (0.5%) is water.[13]

Allegany County is in the southwestern part of New York State, along the Pennsylvania border. Allegany County does not lie along the Allegheny River, as its name would suggest. The highest point in the county is Alma Hill, with an elevation of 2,548 feet (777 meters) above sea level. This is the highest point in the state west of the Catskill Mountains. The highest point of Interstate 86 is located in the town of West Almond with an elevation of 2,110 feet. This is also believed to be the highest point of any interstate in the New York. The county is unique from a watershed perspective as it is providing water to three major watersheds of North America: The eastern part near Alfred has Canacadea Creek that goes into the Canisteo River, Susquehanna River and eventually to Chesapeake Bay.

The Genesee River bisects the county from south to north, flowing north out of the County through Letchworth State Park with its three waterfalls on to Rochester over three more waterfalls to its mouth on Lake Ontario and then on to the St. Lawrence River and Atlantic Ocean. The southwestern part of the County flows into the Allegheny River that flows into the Ohio and then to the Mississippi River basin to the Gulf of Mexico.

In June 1972 the remnants of Hurricane Agnes stalled over the area, dropping more than 20 inches (510 mm) of rain. Flooding took place in the valley communities of Wellsville, Belmont, Belfast, and others in the county.

Long a necessary transportation waterway for the Seneca and other Native Americans, and successive European-American settlers, since the late 20th century, the Genesee River has been extremely popular with canoeists. The river is also favored by fishermen as it abounds in smallmouth bass, trout and panfish.

Adjacent counties

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Major highways

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Demographics

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Historical population
CensusPop.Note%±
18101,942—
18209,330380.4%
183026,276181.6%
184040,97555.9%
185037,808−7.7%
186041,88110.8%
187040,814−2.5%
188041,8102.4%
189043,2403.4%
190041,501−4.0%
191041,412−0.2%
192036,842−11.0%
193038,0253.2%
194039,6814.4%
195043,3959.4%
196043,9781.3%
197046,7826.4%
198051,74210.6%
199050,470−2.5%
200049,927−1.1%
201048,923−2.0%
202046,456−5.0%
U.S. Decennial Census[14]
1790-1960[15] 1900-1990[16][17]
1990-2000[18] 2010-2020[1]

As of the census[19] of 2020, there were 46,456 people. Based on earlier (2000) censuses, there were 18,009 households, and 12,192 families residing in the county. The population density was 48 people per square mile (19 people/km2). There were 24,505 housing units at an average density of 24 per square mile (9.3/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 97.03% White, 0.72% Black or African American, 0.28% Native American, 0.72% Asian, 0.37% from other races, and 0.88% from two or more races. 0.91% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race. 22.3% identified as being of German, 16.6% English, 13.8% Irish, 11.9% American and 7.0% Italian ancestry according to Census 2000. 96.5% spoke English and 1.3% Spanish as their first language.

There were 18,009 households, out of which 31.50% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 54.20% were married couples living together, 9.00% had a female householder with no husband present, and 32.30% were non-families. 26.00% of all households were made up of individuals, and 11.30% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.53 and the average family size was 3.04.

In the county, the population was spread out, with 24.40% under the age of 18, 15.50% from 18 to 24, 23.90% from 25 to 44, 22.20% from 45 to 64, and 14.00% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 35 years. For every 100 females there were 99.80 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 98.10 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $32,106, and the median income for a family was $38,580. Males had a median income of $30,401 versus $21,466 for females. The per capita income for the county was $14,975. About 10.50% of families and 15.50% of the population were below the poverty line, including 19.20% of those under age 18 and 7.50% of those age 65 or over.

2020 census

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Allegany county racial composition[20]
Race Num. Perc.
White (NH) 42,327 91.1%
Black or African American (NH) 809 1.74%
Native American (NH) 91 0.2%
Asian (NH) 373 0.8%
Pacific Islander (NH) 6 0.01%
Other/Mixed (NH) 1,885 4.1%
Hispanic or Latino 965 2.1%

Government and politics

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United States presidential election results for Allegany County, New York[21]
Year Republican Democratic Third party(ies)
No.  % No.  % No.  %
2024 13,826 70.80% 5,483 28.08% 220 1.13%
2020 14,135 68.02% 6,048 29.10% 599 2.88%
2016 12,525 67.01% 4,882 26.12% 1,285 6.87%
2012 10,390 61.29% 6,139 36.21% 424 2.50%
2008 11,013 59.83% 7,016 38.12% 377 2.05%
2004 12,310 63.88% 6,566 34.07% 394 2.04%
2000 11,436 61.19% 6,336 33.90% 918 4.91%
1996 8,107 45.79% 6,621 37.40% 2,975 16.81%
1992 8,976 47.95% 4,848 25.90% 4,895 26.15%
1988 11,880 67.40% 5,614 31.85% 132 0.75%
1984 14,527 75.25% 4,720 24.45% 57 0.30%
1980 10,423 59.09% 5,879 33.33% 1,338 7.59%
1976 11,769 65.35% 6,134 34.06% 107 0.59%
1972 13,426 73.43% 4,812 26.32% 46 0.25%
1968 11,222 65.45% 4,986 29.08% 937 5.47%
1964 7,688 42.62% 10,329 57.26% 22 0.12%
1960 14,408 73.16% 5,280 26.81% 7 0.04%
1956 16,068 81.41% 3,668 18.59% 0 0.00%
1952 16,365 80.54% 3,943 19.41% 10 0.05%
1948 12,689 71.94% 4,711 26.71% 239 1.35%
1944 13,454 73.60% 4,786 26.18% 39 0.21%
1940 15,611 75.17% 5,077 24.45% 79 0.38%
1936 13,829 70.89% 5,288 27.11% 391 2.00%
1932 12,348 69.46% 4,961 27.91% 468 2.63%
1928 15,306 78.90% 3,491 18.00% 602 3.10%
1924 12,203 75.35% 2,755 17.01% 1,238 7.64%
1920 10,898 74.15% 2,799 19.04% 1,000 6.80%
1916 6,308 62.57% 3,191 31.65% 582 5.77%
1912 3,668 37.19% 2,777 28.15% 3,419 34.66%
1908 7,504 64.64% 3,390 29.20% 715 6.16%
1904 7,835 68.94% 2,718 23.92% 812 7.14%
1900 7,200 62.05% 3,621 31.21% 782 6.74%
1896 7,079 61.51% 3,895 33.85% 534 4.64%
1892 5,678 52.14% 3,128 28.73% 2,083 19.13%
1888 7,067 58.37% 3,625 29.94% 1,415 11.69%
1884 6,668 53.47% 3,886 31.16% 1,916 15.36%

Allegany County is considered to be a strongly Republican county. In 2004, it voted for George W. Bush over John Kerry 63% to 34%, and in 2008 it voted for John McCain over Barack Obama 59% to 39%.[22] It has been reported that in the last 170 years, the only Democratic candidates to win were Franklin Pierce in 1852[23] and Lyndon B. Johnson in 1964.[24] Even in 1964, when Republican nominee Barry Goldwater lost the county by 14 points, he still managed to carry the towns of Centerville, Caneadea, Granger, Hume, and Rushford.[25] In 2006, neither Democrat Eliot Spitzer nor Hillary Clinton carried it in their otherwise landslide elections for governor and US senator, respectively. Eliot Spitzer lost 48.98% to John Faso's 49.03%. Hillary Clinton lost the county by 3 points. In 2010, Andrew Cuomo lost by a wide margin while Senator Chuck Schumer carried it by a narrow margin of 49.46% to Jay Townsend's 48.86% a margin of 78 votes. It was one of only two counties that Senator Kirsten Gillibrand lost to Wendy Long in 2012. In the 2016, 2020, and 2024 presidential elections, Republican Donald Trump received over two-thirds, the first for a Republican since 1988.

Allegany County is part of New York's 23rd congressional district. In the New York State Senate, it is part of the 57th district and is represented by Republican George M. Borrello, and the 58th district is represented by Thomas F. O'Mara. In the New York State Assembly, the county is in the 148th Assembly District represented by Republican Joseph Giglio.

Voter registration as of April 1, 2016[26]
Party Active voters Inactive voters Total voters Percentage
Democratic 5,869 401 6,270 24.14%
Republican 12,217 537 12,754 49.10%
Unaffiliated 4,509 386 4,895 18.85%
Other[nb 1] 1,908 148 2,056 7.92%
Total 24,503 1,472 25,975 100%

The Allegany Board of Legislators consists of 15 members from five three-member districts. As of 2023, the Board consists of 15 Republicans. The current chairman is W. Brooke Harris. The County Administrator is Carissa M. Knapp.

Allegany County is divided into 29 towns and 10 villages. There are no cities as designated by New York State Law. The border between Allegany and Steuben County runs through the Village of Almond. The towns and villages by County Legislative District are as follows:

District I: Angelica, Belfast, Caneadea, Centerville, Granger, Hume, Rushford, and the village of Angelica.

District II: Amity, Clarksville, Cuba, Friendship, New Hudson, Ward, and the villages of Belmont and Cuba.

District III: Alma, Bolivar, Genesee, Independence, Scio, Willing, Wirt, and the villages of Bolivar and Richburg.

District IV: Andover, Wellsville, and the villages of Andover and Wellsville.

District V: Alfred, Allen, Almond, Birdsall, Burns, Grove, West Almond, and the villages of Alfred, Almond, and Canaseraga.

The Oil Springs Reservation is an Indian reservation of the Seneca Nation shared with Cattaraugus County having a total area of only one square mile (2.6 km2). This is the site of the famed spring described by the Franciscan Missionary Joseph DeLa Roch D'Allion in 1627, the first recorded mention of oil on the North American Continent. In 1927, the New York State Oil Producers Association sponsored the dedication of a monument at the site describing the history of the oil industry in North America. There is a small park with parking and a footbridge to the monument. The remainder of the reservation is mostly utilized for cottages on Cuba Lake, Seneca-run gas stations, and woodlands.

Education

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Higher education facilities include Alfred University, the New York State College of Ceramics (a member of SUNY), Alfred State College, and Houghton University. The county has twelve school districts with their buildings in the county and parts of an additional six districts. Districts include: Alfred-Almond Central, Canaseraga Central that are part of the Greater Southern Tier BOCES with a facility in Hornell. Districts in association with the Cattaraugus-Allegany BOCES include: Andover Central, Whitesville Central, Wellsville Central, Bolivar-Richburg Central, Scio Central, Genesee Valley Central, Belfast Central, Fillmore Central, Friendship Central, and Cuba-Rushford Central. Districts with their buildings outside the County include Portville, Pioneer, Letchworth, and Keshequa. There are two private schools: Immaculate Conception in Wellsville and Houghton Academy in Houghton. There are also two Montessori Schools in Wellsville and Alfred.[27]

Communities

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Allegany County comprises 29 towns and 10 villages.

# Name Population Type
1 Wellsville 4679 Village
2 Alfred 4174 Village
3 Houghton 1693 CDP
4 Cuba 1575 Village
5 Friendship 1218 CDP
6 Bolivar 1047 Village
7 Andover 1042 Village
8 Belmont† 969 Village
9 Angelica 869 Village
10 Belfast 837 CDP
11 Stannards 798 CDP
12 Scio 609 CDP
13 Fillmore 603 Hamlet/CDP
14 Canaseraga 550 Village
15 Almond‡ 466 Village
16 Richburg 450 Village
17 Rushford 363 CDP

† - County seat

‡ - Not wholly in this county

Towns

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Hamlets

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Indian reservations

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See also

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Notes

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  1. ^ Included are voters affiliated with the Conservative Party, Green Party, Working Families Party, Independence Party, Women's Equality Party, Reform Party, and other small parties.

References

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  1. ^ a b "U.S. Census Bureau QuickFacts: Allegany County, New York". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 3, 2022.
  2. ^ "US Census 2020 Population Dataset Tables for New York". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 2, 2022.
  3. ^ "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Archived from the original on May 31, 2011. Retrieved June 7, 2011.
  4. ^ New York. Laws of New York; 1806; 29th Session; Chapter 162; Section 1; Page 605.
  5. ^ New York. Laws of New York; 1808; 31st Session, Chapter 38; Page 263.
  6. ^ New York. Laws of New York; 1808; 31st Session; Chapter 40; Sections 1—2; Page 266.
  7. ^ New York. Laws of New York; 1812; 35th Session; Chapter 38; Page 263 .
  8. ^ New York. Laws of New York; 1814; 37th Session; Chapter 123; Page 146.
  9. ^ New York. Laws of New York; 1816; 40th Session; Chapter 115; Section 1; Page 107.
  10. ^ New York. Laws of New York; 1846; 69th Session; Chapter 51; Page 53.
  11. ^ New York. Laws of New York; 1846; 69th Session; Chapter 197; Section 1; Page 235.
  12. ^ New York. Laws of New York; 1857; 80th Session; Chapter 166; Page 366.
  13. ^ "2010 Census Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. August 22, 2012. Archived from the original on May 19, 2014. Retrieved January 3, 2015.
  14. ^ "U.S. Decennial Census". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 3, 2015.
  15. ^ "Historical Census Browser". University of Virginia Library. Retrieved January 3, 2015.
  16. ^ "Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 3, 2015.
  17. ^ "1950 Census: Population of New York by Counties: April 1, 1950" (PDF). United States Census Bureau. Retrieved August 17, 2021.
  18. ^ "Census 2000 PHC-T-4. Ranking Tables for Counties: 1990 and 2000" (PDF). United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 3, 2015.
  19. ^ "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved May 14, 2011.
  20. ^ "P2 HISPANIC OR LATINO, AND NOT HISPANIC OR LATINO BY RACE – 2020: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171) – Allegany County, New York".
  21. ^ Leip, David. "Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections". uselectionatlas.org. Retrieved October 22, 2018.
  22. ^ "County Results - Election Center 2008 - Elections & Politics from CNN.com". www.cnn.com.
  23. ^ "Presidential election of 1852 - Map by counties". geoelections.free.fr.
  24. ^ "Presidential election of 1964 - Map by counties". geoelections.free.fr.
  25. ^ "Allegany County, NY presidential election results, 1964". Wellsville Daily Reporter. November 4, 1964. p. 4.
  26. ^ "NYSVoter Enrollment by County, Party Affiliation and Status" (PDF). New York State Board of Elections. April 2016. Archived from the original (PDF) on July 30, 2016. Retrieved July 30, 2016.
  27. ^ "Archived copy" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on October 18, 2017. Retrieved March 4, 2016.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)

Further reading

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[edit]
Wikivoyage has a travel guide for Allegany County (New York).

42°15′N 78°01′W / 42.25°N 78.02°W / 42.25; -78.02

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