Editing Niagara County, New York

{{Short description|County in New York, United States}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=April 2024}}
{{Infobox U.S. county
 | county               = Niagara County
 | state                = New York
 | type                 = [[List of counties in New York|County]]
 | seal                 = Seal of Niagara County, New York.gif
 | flag                 =
 | founded year         = 1808
 | founded date         = March 11
 | seat                 = [[Lockport, New York|Lockport]]
 | largest city         = [[Niagara Falls, New York|Niagara Falls]]
 | area_total_sq_mi     = 1140
 | area_land_sq_mi      = 522
 | area_water_sq_mi     = 617
 | area percentage      = 54
 | census yr            = 2020
 | pop                  = 212666<ref>{{cite web|url=https://data.census.gov/cedsci/table?q=Population%20Total&g=0400000US36%240500000&d=DEC%20Redistricting%20Data%20%28PL%2094-171%29|access-date=January 2, 2022|title=US Census 2020 Population Dataset Tables for New York|publisher=United States Census Bureau}}</ref>
 | density_sq_mi        = 407.1
 | time zone            = Eastern
 | web                  = www.niagaracounty.com
 | ex image             = Niagara County Clerks Office Jun 09.JPG
 | ex image cap         = Niagara County Clerks Office
 | district             = 24th
 | district2            = 26th
}}

'''Niagara County''' is in the [[U.S. state]] of [[New York (state)|New York]]. As of the [[2020 United States census]], the population was 212,666.<ref name="QF">{{cite web|title=State & County QuickFacts|url=http://quickfacts.census.gov/qfd/states/36/36063.html|publisher=United States Census Bureau|access-date=October 12, 2013|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110607014443/http://quickfacts.census.gov/qfd/states/36/36063.html|archive-date=June 7, 2011}}</ref>  The [[county seat]] is [[Lockport, New York|Lockport]].<ref name="GR6">{{cite web|url=http://www.naco.org/Counties/Pages/FindACounty.aspx|access-date=June 7, 2011|title=Find a County|publisher=National Association of Counties}}</ref> The county name is from the [[Iroquois]] word ''Onguiaahra''; meaning ''the strait'' or ''thunder of waters''.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.ongiaracollege.ca/webpages/ongiara_region.shtml |title=The Region: Ongiara |access-date=October 9, 2008 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090206011850/http://ongiaracollege.ca/webpages/ongiara_region.shtml |archive-date=February 6, 2009 }} Retrieved October 9, 2008</ref> The county is part of the [[Western New York]] region of the state.

Niagara County is part of the [[Buffalo–Niagara Falls metropolitan area]], and across the [[Canada–United States border|Canada–US border]] is the province of [[Ontario]].

It is the location of [[Niagara Falls]] and [[Fort Niagara]], and has many parks and lake shore recreation communities. In the summer of 2008, Niagara County celebrated its 200th birthday with the first settlement of the county, of [[Niagara Falls, New York|Niagara Falls.]]

==History==
When counties were established in the [[Province of New York|New York colony]] in 1683, the present Niagara County was part of [[Albany County, New York|Albany County]]. Prior to the British, the area was part of [[New Netherland]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Founding and History of the New York Colony |url=https://www.thoughtco.com/new-york-colony-103878 |access-date=June 8, 2022 |website=ThoughtCo |language=en}}</ref>

Albany 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, New York|Cumberland County]], and further on March 16, 1770, by the creation of [[Gloucester County, New York|Gloucester County]], both containing territory now in Vermont.<ref>{{Cite journal |last=Clute |first=Penelope D. |date=2010 |title=The Historical Society of the New York Courts County Legal History |url=https://www.nycourts.gov/history/legal-history-new-york/documents/clinton-county-history.pdf |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221217162227/https://www.nycourts.gov/history/legal-history-new-york/documents/clinton-county-history.pdf |archive-date=2022-12-17 |journal=[[Northern New York American- Canadian Genealogical Society]] |volume=1 |issue=1 |pages=27 |via=Historical Associations}}</ref>

On March 12, 1772, what was left of Albany County was split into three parts, one remaining under the name Albany County. One of the other pieces, [[Tryon County, New York|Tryon County]], contained the western portion (and thus, since no western boundary was specified, theoretically still extended west to the Pacific). The eastern boundary of Tryon County was approximately five miles west of the present city of [[Schenectady, New York|Schenectady]], and the county included the western part of the [[Adirondack Mountains]] and the area west of the West Branch of the [[Delaware River]]. The area then designated as Tryon County now includes 37 counties of New York State. The county was named for [[William Tryon]], colonial governor of New York.<ref>{{Cite web |date=October 21, 2016 |title=Onondaga County |url=https://nymasons.org/site/onondaga-county/ |access-date=June 8, 2022 |website=Grand Lodge of Free & Accepted Masons of the State of New York |language=en-US}}</ref>

In the years prior to 1776, most of the Loyalists in Tryon County fled to [[Canada]] including the likes of local judge [[John Butler (pioneer)|John Butler]] and militia commander [[Sir John Johnson, 2nd Baronet|Sir John Johnson]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Flashes of Duplin's history and government - ECU Digital Collections |url=https://digital.lib.ecu.edu/13769 |access-date=June 8, 2022 |website=digital.lib.ecu.edu}}</ref> In 1784, following the peace treaty that ended the [[American Revolutionary War]], the name of Tryon County was changed to honor the general, [[Richard Montgomery]], who had captured several places in Canada and died attempting to capture the city of [[Quebec]], replacing the name of the hated British governor.<ref>{{Cite web |date=November 17, 2017 |title=The Unveiling of Canadian History Vol 2: FORLORN HOPE – Quebec, Nova Scotia, and the War for Independence |url=https://canadianpatriot.org/2017/11/17/the-unveiling-of-canadian-history-vol-3-the-road-to-canada-1774-1789/ |access-date=June 8, 2022 |website=the Canadian patriot |language=en-US}}</ref>

In 1789, [[Ontario County, New York|Ontario County]] was split off from Montgomery. In turn, [[Genesee County, New York|Genesee County]] was created from Ontario County in 1802.<ref>{{Cite journal |last=and Archives Center |first=Ontario County Records |date=2014 |title=A Guide for Family and Local History Research |url=https://ontariocountyny.gov/DocumentCenter/View/487/ONTARIO-COUNTY-RAIMS-GUIDE?bidId= |journal=[[Ontario County Records and Archives Center]] |volume=1 |issue=1 |pages=49 |via=RECORDS, ARCHIVES, AND INFORMATION MANAGEMENT SERVICES (RAIMS)}}</ref>

Niagara County was created from Genesee County in 1808. It was, however, larger than the present Niagara County even though it consisted of only the Town of Cambria.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Niagara County > County Information |url=https://www.niagaracounty.com/County-Information/Section5311 |access-date=June 8, 2022 |website=www.niagaracounty.com}}</ref>

From 1814 to 1817, records of [[Cattaraugus County, New York|Cattaraugus County]] were divided between [[Belmont, New York|Belmont]] (the [[county seat|seat]] of [[Allegany County, New York|Allegany County]]) and [[Buffalo, New York|Buffalo]] (then in Niagara County). Niagara County governed the western portion of Cattaraugus County, then known as [[Perrysburg, New York|the town of Perry]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Early History of Cattaraugus County: A Brief Overview |url=https://cattco.org/museum/history |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220608234436/https://cattco.org/museum/history |archive-date=June 8, 2022 |access-date=June 8, 2022 |website=Cattaraugus County}}</ref>

In 1821, [[Erie County, New York|Erie County]] was created from Niagara County.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Erie County History Article – New York Roots |url=https://www.newyorkroots.org/2013/12/06/erie-county-history-article-1/ |access-date=June 8, 2022 |language=en-US}}</ref>

The county has a number of properties on the [[National Register of Historic Places listings in Niagara County, New York|National Register of Historic Places]].<ref name="nris">{{NRISref|2008a}}</ref>

==Geography==
According to the [[U.S. Census Bureau]], the county has a total area of 1,139 square miles, of which {{convert|522|sqmi}} is land and {{convert|617|sqmi}} (54%) is water.<ref name="GR1">{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/geo/maps-data/data/docs/gazetteer/counties_list_36.txt|publisher=United States Census Bureau|access-date=January 6, 2015|date=August 22, 2012|title=2010 Census Gazetteer Files|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140519062322/http://www.census.gov/geo/maps-data/data/docs/gazetteer/counties_list_36.txt|archive-date=May 19, 2014}}</ref>

Niagara County is in the most western part of New York State, just north of [[Buffalo, New York|the city Buffalo]] and{{convert|1140|sqmi}} bordering [[Lake Ontario]] on its northern border, and the [[Niagara River]] [[Canada]] on its western border.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Niagara {{!}} The State of New York |url=https://www.ny.gov/counties/niagara |access-date=June 12, 2022 |website=www.ny.gov |language=en}}</ref>

The county's primary geographic feature is [[Niagara Falls]], the riverbed of which has eroded seven miles south over the past 12,000 years since the [[Last Glacial Period|last ice age]]. The Niagara River and Niagara Falls, are in effect, the drainage ditch for four of the [[Great Lakes]] which constitute the world's largest supply of [[fresh water]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Warren |first=Earl |date=March 4, 2010 |title=History of the landmarked Niagara Falls |url=https://www.history.com/topics/landmarks/niagara-falls |access-date=June 12, 2022 |website=HISTORY |language=en}}</ref> The water flows north from [[Lake Erie]], then through the Niagara River, goes over Niagara Falls, and then on to Lake Ontario and the St. Lawrence River, eventually emptying into the North Atlantic Ocean.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Where Does the Water of Niagara Falls Come From? |url=https://www.niagarafallstourism.com/blog/where-does-the-water-come-from/ |access-date=June 12, 2022 |website=Niagara Falls Canada |language=en}}</ref> Today, tourists and visitors to the Falls see a diminished flow of water over the Falls, since a portion of the flow has been diverted for hydroelectric power purposes. Both the American and Canadian side of the Niagara River have massive electrical power plants.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Hotels |first=Niagara Falls |date=March 18, 2020 |title=Why Does Water Keep Flowing Over Niagara Falls? |url=https://www.niagarafallshotels.com/blog/why-does-water-keep-flowing-over-niagara-falls/ |access-date=June 12, 2022 |website=Niagara Falls Hotels |language=en-US}}</ref>

The [[Niagara Gorge]] is the path Niagara Falls has taken over thousands of years as it continues to erode.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Top Five: Niagara Gorge Views |url=https://www.niagaraparks.com/things-to-do/niagara-gorge-views |access-date=June 12, 2022 |website=www.niagaraparks.com |language=en-US}}</ref> Niagara Falls started at the [[Niagara Escarpment]] which cuts Niagara County in half in an east–west direction. North of the Escarpment lies the Lake Plain, which is a fertile flatland used to grow grapes, apples, peaches and other fruits and vegetables. The grape variety [[Niagara (grape)|Niagara]], source of most American white grape juice but not esteemed for wine, was first grown in the county, in 1868. [[Viticulture]], or wine culture has begun to take place, with several wineries below the escarpment. This has helped to improve the depressed economy of the region.

===Adjacent counties and areas===
* [[Orleans County, New York|Orleans County]] - east
* [[Genesee County, New York|Genesee County]] - southeast
* [[Erie County, New York|Erie County]] - south
* [[Regional Municipality of Niagara, Ontario]], Canada - west

===Major highways===
{{Main|Highways in Niagara County, New York|List of county routes in Niagara County, New York}}
{{div col|colwidth=18em}}
* [[Image:I-190 (long).svg|22px]] [[Interstate 190 (New York)|Interstate 190]] (Niagara Thruway)
* [[Image:US 62.svg|20px]] [[U.S. Route 62 in New York|U.S. Route 62]]
* [[Image:Business plate.svg|20px]]<br />[[Image:US 62.svg|20px]] [[U.S. Route 62 Business (Niagara Falls, New York)|US 62 Business]]
* [[Image:NY-18.svg|20px]] [[New York State Route 18]]
* [[Image:NY-31.svg|20px]] [[New York State Route 31]]
* [[Image:NY-78.svg|20px]] [[New York State Route 78]]
* [[Image:NY-93.svg|20px]] [[New York State Route 93]]
* [[Image:NY-104.svg|22px]] [[New York State Route 104]]
* [[Image:NY-265.svg|22px]] [[New York State Route 265]]
* [[Image:NY-384.svg|22px]] [[New York State Route 384]]
* [[Image:NY-425.svg|22px]] [[New York State Route 425]]
* [[Image:Niagara_Scenic_Pkwy_Shield.svg|22px]] [[Niagara Scenic Parkway]]
* [[Image:LaSalle Expy.svg|22px]] [[LaSalle Expressway]]
{{div col end}}

===State protected areas===
* [[De Veaux Woods State Park]], north of the City of Niagara Falls.
* [[Devil's Hole State Park]], immediately north of the City of Niagara Falls.
* [[Fort Niagara State Park]], located at the mouth of the Niagara River.
* [[Earl W. Brydges Artpark State Park]], in the Town of Lewiston.
* [[Four Mile Creek State Park]], on the shore of Lake Ontario.
* [[Golden Hill State Park]], on the shore of Lake Ontario.
* [[Hartland Swamp Wildlife Management Area]]—a conservation area in the Town of Hartland.
* [[Joseph Davis State Park]], along the Niagara River.
* [[Niagara Reservation State Park]], in the City of Niagara Falls.
* [[Reservoir State Park]], south of the power reservoir.
* [[Tonawanda Wildlife Management Area]], partly in the Town of Royalton.
* [[Wilson-Tuscarora State Park]], on the shore of Lake Ontario.

==Government and politics==
{{PresHead|place=Niagara County, New York|whig=yes|source=<ref>{{cite web|url=http://uselectionatlas.org/RESULTS|title=Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections|first=David|last=Leip|website=uselectionatlas.org}}</ref>}}
<!-- PresRow should be {{PresRow|Year|Winning party|GOP vote #|Dem vote #|3rd party vote #|State}} -->
{{PresRow|2024|Republican|58,678|43,438|802|New York}}
{{PresRow|2020|Republican|56,068|46,029|2,026|New York}}
{{PresRow|2016|Republican|51,961|35,559|4,882|New York}}
{{PresRow|2012|Democratic|43,240|43,986|1,787|New York}}
{{PresRow|2008|Democratic|46,348|47,303|1,621|New York}}
{{PresRow|2004|Democratic|47,111|47,602|1,867|New York}}
{{PresRow|2000|Democratic|40,952|47,781|4,537|New York}}
{{PresRow|1996|Democratic|31,438|44,203|13,803|New York}}
{{PresRow|1992|Democratic|30,401|35,649|30,534|New York}}
{{PresRow|1988|Democratic|42,537|43,801|530|New York}}
{{PresRow|1984|Republican|51,289|41,368|201|New York}}
{{PresRow|1980|Democratic|38,760|40,405|7,229|New York}}
{{PresRow|1976|Republican|46,101|43,667|471|New York}}
{{PresRow|1972|Republican|54,777|38,991|323|New York}}
{{PresRow|1968|Democratic|38,796|41,999|7,130|New York}}
{{PresRow|1964|Democratic|28,663|67,260|62|New York}}
{{PresRow|1960|Democratic|50,001|51,680|84|New York}}
{{PresRow|1956|Republican|62,433|30,161|0|New York}}
{{PresRow|1952|Republican|54,843|36,504|108|New York}}
{{PresRow|1948|Republican|35,858|34,119|2,242|New York}}
{{PresRow|1944|Republican|37,614|34,850|202|New York}}
{{PresRow|1940|Republican|36,729|33,207|165|New York}}
{{PresRow|1936|Republican|30,144|29,207|2,064|New York}}
{{PresRow|1932|Republican|30,852|20,765|1,274|New York}}
{{PresRow|1928|Republican|33,229|16,881|2,343|New York}}
{{PresRow|1924|Republican|25,874|7,993|4,195|New York}}
{{PresRow|1920|Republican|21,193|7,416|2,423|New York}}
{{PresRow|1916|Republican|12,212|8,367|645|New York}}
{{PresRow|1912|Democratic|5,654|7,647|5,507|New York}}
{{PresRow|1908|Republican|11,145|8,574|637|New York}}
{{PresRow|1904|Republican|10,881|7,550|724|New York}}
{{PresRow|1900|Republican|9,352|7,726|523|New York}}
{{PresRow|1896|Republican|8,626|6,441|423|New York}}
{{PresRow|1892|Democratic|6,663|6,850|1,024|New York}}
{{PresRow|1888|Republican|6,886|6,429|684|New York}}
{{PresRow|1884|Democratic|5,875|6,193|569|New York}}
{{PresRow|1880|Republican|6,478|5,937|104|New York}}
{{PresRow|1876|Democratic|5,575|5,890|88|New York}}
{{PresRow|1872|Republican|5,404|4,396|27|New York}}
{{PresRow|1868|Republican|5,118|4,695|0|New York}}
{{PresRow|1864|Republican|4,839|4,287|0|New York}}
{{PresRow|1860|Republican|4,992|3,741|0|New York}}
{{PresRow|1856|Republican|3,906|1,864|1,985|New York}}
{{PresRow|1852|Whig|3,413|2,863|1,056|New York}}
{{PresRow|1848|Whig|2,828|1,313|2,104|New York}}
{{PresRow|1844|Whig|3,100|2,589|210|New York}}
{{PresRow|1840|Whig|2,964|2,219|72|New York}}
{{PresRow|1836|Whig|2,267|2,143|0|New York}}
{{PresRow|1832|Whig|2,167|1,309|0|New York}}
{{PresRow|1828|Whig|1,759|836|0|New York}}
|}

===Structure===
Niagara County is governed by a 15-member Legislature, with the Chairman of the Legislature as the de facto head of county government. The 2024 Legislature, consists of 12 members of the Republican-led Majority Caucus and three members of the Democratic-led Minority Caucus. The Legislature formerly consisted of 19 members, but was downsized to 15 seats effective January 1, 2012, based on the results of a public referendum.

A subordinate county manager reports to the County Legislature. Governing functions of the Legislature rely on a committee system. There are five standing committees and one long-term ad hoc committee: Administration; Community Services; Community Safety and Security; Economic Development; Public Works; and the ''ad hoc'' Refuse Disposal District Committee.

The dominant political party in the Niagara County Legislature is currently the Republican Party, which is ancestrally the dominant party in Niagara County.

===2024 Legislature===

Chairman: Rebecca J. Wydysh<br>
Vice Chairman: Anthony J. Nemi<br>
Majority Leader:  Randy R. Bradt<br>
Minority Leader: Christopher A. Robins<br>
<br>
1st District:	Irene M. Myers<br>
2nd District:	Rebecca J. Wydysh<br>
3rd District:	Christopher J. McKimmie<br>
4th District:	Jeffrey Elder<br>
5th District:	Christopher A. Robins<br>
6th District:	Christopher Voccio<br>
7th District:	Jesse P. Gooch<br>
8th District:	Richard L. Andres<br>
9th District:	Randy R. Bradt<br>
10th District:	David E. Godfrey<br>
11th District:	Anthony J. Nemi<br>
12th District:	Carla L. Speranza<br>
13th District:	Richard E. Abbott<br>
14th District:	Shawn A. Foti<br>
15th District:	Michael A. Hill

===Other entities===
In addition to the areas mentioned above, much of Niagara County is serviced by a Water District and a Sewer District. Both bodies are subordinate to the County Legislature; the former has a direct relationship, while the latter is currently under limited oversight of the town supervisors within the district.

===State and federal government===

{| class="wikitable sortable"
|+
|-
! Office !! District !! Area of the county !! Officeholder !! Party !! First took office !! Residence
|- {{party shading/Independent (US)}}
| Congressman || [[New York's 26th congressional district]] || North Tonawanda, Tonawanda, Niagara Falls<ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.latfor.state.ny.us/maps/2012c/fc26.pdf | title = Congressional District 26 | last1 = W | first1 = Eric | date = April 2, 2012 | work = View 2012 Congressional Maps | publisher = The New York State Legislative Task Force on Demographic Research and Reapportionment | location = [[Albany, New York]] | access-date = January 13, 2013}}</ref> || [[2024 New York's 26th congressional district special election|Vacant]] || <!--Insert Political Party When No Longer Vacant--> ||  <!--INSERT 2024 When No Longer Vacant--> || [[Buffalo, New York|Buffalo, Erie County]]
|- {{party shading/Republican}}
| Congressman || [[New York's 27th congressional district]] || All points not in 26th<ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.latfor.state.ny.us/maps/2012c/fc27.pdf | title = Congressional District 27 | last1 = W | first1 = Eric | date = April 2, 2012 | work = View 2012 Congressional Maps | publisher = The New York State Legislative Task Force on Demographic Research and Reapportionment | location = [[Albany, New York]] | access-date = January 13, 2013}}</ref> || [[Chris Jacobs (politician)|Chris Jacobs]] || Republican || 2020 || [[Orchard Park (town), New York|Orchard Park, Erie County]]
|- {{party shading/Republican}}
| State Senator || [[New York's 62nd State Senate district|62nd State Senate District]] || All<ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.latfor.state.ny.us/maps/2012s/fs62.pdf | title = Senate District 62 | last1 = W | first1 = Eric | date = March 2, 2012 | work = View 2012 Senate District Maps | publisher = The New York State Legislative Task Force on Demographic Research and Reapportionment | location = [[Albany, New York]] | access-date = January 6, 2013}}</ref> || [[Robert G. Ortt]] || Republican || 2015 || [[Newfane, New York|Newfane, Niagara County]]
|- {{party shading/Democratic}}
| State Assemblyman || [[New York State Assembly|140th State Assembly District]] || North Tonawanda<ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.latfor.state.ny.us/maps/prop2012a/pa140.pdf | title = Assembly District 140 | last1 = W | first1 = Eric | date = January 25, 2012 | work = View Proposed 2012 Assembly District Maps | publisher = The New York State Legislative Task Force on Demographic Research and Reapportionment | location = [[Albany, New York]] | access-date = January 16, 2013}}</ref> || [[William Conrad III]] || Democratic || 2020 || [[Kenmore, New York|Kenmore, Erie County]]
|- {{party shading/Republican}}
| State Assemblyman || [[New York State Assembly|144th State Assembly District]] || Roughly the north and east parts of the county (Towns of Hartland, Lockport, Newfane, Porter, Royalton, Somerset, Wilson)<ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.latfor.state.ny.us/maps/prop2012a/pa144.pdf | title = Assembly District 144 | last1 = W | first1 = Eric | date = January 25, 2012 | work = View Proposed 2012 Assembly District Maps | publisher = The New York State Legislative Task Force on Demographic Research and Reapportionment | location = [[Albany, New York]] | access-date = January 16, 2013}}</ref> || [[Michael Norris (politician)|Michael Norris]] || Republican || 2017 || [[Lockport, New York|Lockport, Niagara County]]
|- {{party shading/Republican}}
| State Assemblyman || [[New York State Assembly|145th State Assembly District]] || Roughly the west part of the county (Towns of Cambria, Lewiston, Niagara, Wheatfield, City of Niagara Falls, Tuscarora Reservation)<ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.latfor.state.ny.us/maps/prop2012a/pa145.pdf | title = Assembly District 145 | last1 = W | first1 = Eric | date = January 25, 2012 | work = View Proposed 2012 Assembly District Maps | publisher = The New York State Legislative Task Force on Demographic Research and Reapportionment | location = [[Albany, New York]] | access-date = January 16, 2013}}</ref> || [[Angelo Morinello]] || Republican || 2017 || [[Niagara Falls, New York|Niagara Falls, Niagara County]]
|- {{party shading/Democratic}}
| State Assemblyman || [[New York State Assembly|146th State Assembly District]] || Pendleton<ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.latfor.state.ny.us/maps/prop2012a/pa146.pdf | title = Assembly District 146 | last1 = W | first1 = Eric | date = January 25, 2012 | work = View Proposed 2012 Assembly District Maps | publisher = The New York State Legislative Task Force on Demographic Research and Reapportionment | location = [[Albany, New York]] | access-date = January 16, 2013}}</ref> || [[Karen McMahon]] || Democratic || 2018 || [[East Amherst, New York|East Amherst, Erie County]]
|}

Niagara County is part of:
* The 8th Judicial District of the [[New York Supreme Court]]
* The 4th Division of the [[New York Supreme Court, Appellate Division]]

==Demographics==
{{US Census population
|1810= 8971
|1820= 22990
|1830= 18482
|1840= 31132
|1850= 42276
|1860= 50399
|1870= 50437
|1880= 54173
|1890= 62491
|1900= 74961
|1910= 92036
|1920= 118705
|1930= 149329
|1940= 160110
|1950= 189992
|1960= 242269
|1970= 235720
|1980= 227354
|1990= 220756
|2000= 219846
|2010= 216469
|2020= 212666
|estref=<ref name="USCensusEst2019">{{cite web|url=https://www2.census.gov/programs-surveys/popest/tables/2010-2019/counties/totals/|title=Population and Housing Unit Estimates|access-date=March 26, 2020}}</ref>
|align-fn=center
|footnote=U.S. Decennial Census<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/prod/www/decennial.html|title=U.S. Decennial Census|publisher=United States Census Bureau|access-date=January 6, 2015}}</ref><br />1790-1960<ref>{{cite web|url=http://mapserver.lib.virginia.edu|title=Historical Census Browser|publisher=University of Virginia Library|access-date=January 6, 2015}}</ref> 1900-1990<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/population/cencounts/ny190090.txt|title=Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990|publisher=United States Census Bureau|access-date=January 6, 2015}}</ref><br />1990-2000<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/population/www/cen2000/briefs/phc-t4/tables/tab02.pdf|title=Census 2000 PHC-T-4. Ranking Tables for Counties: 1990 and 2000|publisher=United States Census Bureau|access-date=January 6, 2015}}</ref> 2010-2019<ref name="QF"/>
}}

As of the [[census]] of 2010, there were 216,469 people, 87,846 households, and 58,593 families residing in the county. The population density was {{convert|420|PD/sqmi|PD/km2|sp=us|adj=off}}. There were 95,715 housing units at an average density of {{convert|183|/mi2|/km2|adj=pre|units&nbsp;}}. The racial makeup of the county was 90.70% [[Race (United States Census)|White]], 6.15% [[Race (United States Census)|Black]] or [[Race (United States Census)|African American]], 0.94% [[Race (United States Census)|Native American]], 0.58% [[Race (United States Census)|Asian]], 0.02% [[Race (United States Census)|Pacific Islander]], 0.40% from [[Race (United States Census)|other races]], and 1.21% from two or more races. 1.33% of the population were [[Race (United States Census)|Hispanic]] or [[Race (United States Census)|Latino]] of any race. 23.6% were of [[Germans|German]], 18.1% [[Italian people|Italian]], 11.3% [[Irish people|Irish]], 11.2% [[Polish people|Polish]] and 8.3% [[English people|English]] ancestry. 94.5% spoke [[English language|English]], 1.6% [[Spanish language|Spanish]] and 1.0% [[Italian language|Italian]] as their first language.

There were 87,846 households, out of which 30.90% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 50.30% were [[Marriage|married couples]] living together, 12.30% had a female householder with no husband present, and 33.30% were non-families. 28.60% of all households were made up of individuals, and 12.00% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.45 and the average family size was 3.03.

In the county, the population was spread out, with 24.70% under the age of 18, 8.50% from 18 to 24, 28.40% from 25 to 44, 23.10% from 45 to 64, and 15.40% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 38 years. For every 100 females there were 93.30 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 89.50 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $38,136, and the median income for a family was $47,817. Males had a median income of $37,468 versus $24,668 for females. The [[per capita income]] for the county was $19,219. About 8.20% of families and 10.60% of the population were below the [[poverty line]], including 15.00% of those under age 18 and 7.30% of those age 65 or over.

=== 2020 Census ===
{| class="wikitable"
|+Niagara County Racial Composition<ref>{{Cite web|title =P2 HISPANIC OR LATINO, AND NOT HISPANIC OR LATINO BY RACE – 2020: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171) – Niagara County, New York|url=https://data.census.gov/cedsci/table?q=Niagara%20County,%20New%20York&t=Race%20and%20Ethnicity}}</ref>
!Race
!Num.
!Perc.
|-
|[[White (U.S. Census)|White]] (NH)
|173,691
|82.0%
|-
|[[African American (U.S. Census)|Black or African American]] (NH)
|16,206
|7.62%
|-
|[[Native American (U.S. Census)|Native American]] (NH)
|2,294
|1.1%
|-
|[[Asian (U.S. Census)|Asian]] (NH)
|2,439
|1.2%
|-
|[[Pacific Islander (U.S. Census)|Pacific Islander]] (NH)
|45
|0.02%
|-
|[[Race (United States Census)|Other/Mixed]] (NH)
|10,173
|5.0%
|-
|[[Hispanic (U.S. Census)|Hispanic]] or [[Latino (U.S. Census)|Latino]]
|7,818
|4.0%
|}

==Education==
[[Niagara University]] is located in Lewiston, New York. [[SUNY Niagara]] is located in [[Sanborn, New York|Sanborn]], [[New York (state)|New York]]. Many Niagara County residents also attend [[Erie County, New York|Erie]] and other [[Western New York]] County Schools.
In the [[Buffalo, New York|Buffalo]] Metro area there are more than 20 public and private [[colleges]] and [[universities]] offering programs in technical and [[vocational education|vocational]] training, graduate, and professional studies.

===K-12 school districts===
School districts include:<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www2.census.gov/geo/maps/DC2020/PL20/st36_ny/schooldistrict_maps/c36063_niagara/DC20SD_C36063.pdf|title=2020 CENSUS - SCHOOL DISTRICT REFERENCE MAP: Niagara County, NY|publisher=[[U.S. Census Bureau]]|accessdate=July 25, 2022}} - [https://www2.census.gov/geo/maps/DC2020/PL20/st36_ny/schooldistrict_maps/c36063_niagara/DC20SD_C36063_SD2MS.txt Text list]</ref>
{{div col|colwidth=30em}}

* [[Barker Central School District]]
* [[Lewiston-Porter Central School District]]
* [[Lockport City School District]]
* [[Newfane Central School District]]
* [[Niagara Falls City School District]]
* [[Niagara-Wheatfield Central School District]]
* [[North Tonawanda City School District]]
* [[Royalton-Hartland Central School District]]
* [[Starpoint Central School District]]
* [[Wilson Central School District]]
{{div col end}}

==Communities==
[[File:Niagara County NY map labeled.png|thumb|350px|right|Map of Niagara County's municipalities]]

=== Larger settlements ===
{| class="wikitable sortable"
|+
!#
!Location
!Population
!Type
!Area
|-
|1
|[[Niagara Falls, New York|Niagara Falls]]
|50,193
|City
|Greater Niagara
|-
|2
|[[North Tonawanda, New York|North Tonawanda]]
|31,568
|City
|Greater Niagara
|-
|3
|[[Lockport, New York|Lockport]]
|21,165
|City
|Southeast
|-
|4
|[[South Lockport, New York|South Lockport]]
|8,234
|CDP
|Southeast
|-
|5
|[[Newfane (CDP), New York|Newfane]]
|3,822
|CDP
|Lake Shore
|-
|6
|[[Lewiston (village), New York|Lewiston]]
|2,701
|Village
|Greater Niagara
|-
|7
|[[Youngstown, New York|Youngstown]]
|1,935
|Village
|Greater Niagara
|-
|8
|[[Middleport, New York|Middleport]]
|1,840
|Village
|Southeast
|-
|9
|[[Sanborn, New York|Sanborn]]
|1,645
|CDP
|Greater Niagara
|-
|10
|[[Rapids, New York|Rapids]]
|1,636
|CDP
|Southeast
|-
|11
|[[Ransomville, New York|Ransomville]]
|1,419
|CDP
|Lake Shore
|-
|12
|[[Wilson (village), New York|Wilson]]
|1,264
|Village
|Lake Shore
|-
|13
|[[Gasport, New York|Gasport]]
|1,248
|CDP/Hamlet
|Southeast
|-
|14
|[[Olcott, New York|Olcott]]
|1,241
|CDP
|Lake Shore
|-
|15
|[[Barker, Niagara County, New York|Barker]]
|533
|Village
|Lake Shore
|}

===Towns===
{{div col|colwidth=22em}}
* [[Cambria, New York|Cambria]]
* [[Hartland, New York|Hartland]]
* [[Lewiston (town), New York|Lewiston]]
* [[Lockport (town), New York|Lockport]]
* [[Newfane, New York|Newfane]]
* [[Niagara, New York|Niagara]]
* [[Pendleton, New York|Pendleton]]
* [[Porter, New York|Porter]]
* [[Royalton, New York|Royalton]]
* [[Somerset, New York|Somerset]]
* [[Wheatfield, New York|Wheatfield]]
* [[Wilson (town), New York|Wilson]]
{{div col end}}

===Hamlets===
[[File:Map of Niagara County, New York.png|thumb|350x350px|Also a map showing Niagara County's municipalities, but with Census Designated Places and Hamlets]]

* [[Nashville, Niagara County, New York|Nashville]]
* [[Orangeport, New York|Orangeport]]
* [[Pekin, New York|Pekin]]

===CDPs===

* [[Newfane (CDP), New York|Newfane]]
* [[Niagara University, New York (CDP)|Niagara University]]
* [[Olcott, New York|Olcott]]
* [[Ransomville, New York|Ransomville]]
* [[Rapids, New York|Rapids]]
* [[Sanborn, New York|Sanborn]]
* [[South Lockport, New York|South Lockport]]

===Indian reservations===
* [[Tuscarora Reservation]]
* [[Tonawanda Reservation]]

==See also==
{{Portal|New York (state)}}
* [[List of counties in New York]]
* [[National Register of Historic Places listings in Niagara County, New York]]
* ''[[Niagara County Tribune/Sentinel]]''

==Footnotes==
{{Reflist}}

==Further reading==
* [https://archive.org/details/cu31924100387392 ''History of Niagara County, New York: With Illustrations Descriptive of Its Scenery, Private Residences, Public Buildings, Fine Blocks, Public Manufactures, and Portraits of Old Pioneers and Prominent Residents.''] New York: Sanford & Co., 1878.
* John Theodore Horton, Edward Theodore Williams, and Harry Stevens Douglass, ''History of Northwestern New York: Erie, Niagara, Wyoming, Genesee and Orleans Counties.'' Lewis Publishing Co., 1947.
* Robert D. Kostoff, ''A History of Niagara County, New York.'' Lewiston, NY: Edwin Mellen Press, 2001.
* Niagara County Pioneer Association, ''Souvenir History of Niagara County, New York: Commemorative of the 25th Anniversary of the Pioneer Association of Niagara County.'' Lockport, NY: The Lockport Journal, 1902.
* William Pool, [https://archive.org/details/landmarksofniaga00pool ''Landmarks of Niagara County, New York.''] Syracuse, NY: D. Mason & Co., 1897.
* {{cite Q|Q114149636|p=693-98|chapter=Chapter V. Niagara County.
 |editor=Sullivan, James
 |editor2=Williams, Melvin E.
 |editor3=Conklin, Edwin P.
 |editor4=Fitzpatrick, Benedict
}}
* Samuel T. Wiley and Winfield Scott Garner, ''Biographical and Portrait Cyclopedia of Niagara County, New York.'' Philadelphia: Gresham Publishing Co., 1892.
* Edward T. Williams, ''Niagara County, New York: A Concise Record of Her Progress and People, 1821-1921, Published during Its Centennial Year.'' In Two Volumes. Chicago: J.H. Beers & Co., 1921.

==External links==
* [http://www.niagaracounty.com Niagara County webpage]

{{Geographic location
|Centre    = Niagara County, New York
|North     = ''[[Lake Ontario]]''
|Northeast =
|East      = [[Orleans County, New York|Orleans County]]
|Southeast = [[Genesee County, New York|Genesee County]]
|South     = [[Erie County, New York|Erie County]]
|Southwest =
|West      = [[Regional Municipality of Niagara]], [[Ontario]] {{flagicon|Canada}}
|Northwest =
}}

{{Niagara County, New York}}
{{Buffalo-Niagara Falls metropolitan area}}
{{New_York}}
{{Authority control}}
{{coord|43.32|-78.79|display=title|type:adm2nd_region:US-NY_source:UScensus1990}}

[[Category:Niagara County, New York| ]]
[[Category:Western New York]]
[[Category:1808 establishments in New York (state)]]
[[Category:Populated places established in 1808]]
[[Category:Buffalo–Niagara Falls metropolitan area]]
[[Category:New York (state) placenames of Native American origin]]