Editing Orleans County, New York

{{Short description|County in New York, United States}}
{{Distinguish|Orleans, New York}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=April 2024}}
{{Infobox U.S. county
 | county               = Orleans County
 | type                 = [[List of counties in New York|County]]
 | state                = New York
 | seal                 = Seal of Orleans County, New York.png
 | flag                 =
 | founded              = 1824
 | seat                 = [[Albion (village), Orleans County, New York|Albion]]
 | largest city         = [[Medina, New York|Medina]]
 | other_cities         = 
 | city type            = village
 | area_total_sq_mi     = 817
 | area_land_sq_mi      = 391
 | area_water_sq_mi     = 426
 | area percentage      = 52
 | census yr            = 2020
 | pop                  = 40343 {{Decrease}}
 | density_sq_mi        = 103
 | web                  = https://orleanscountyny.com/
 | ex image             = Orleans County Courthouse in Albion.jpg
 | ex image cap         = County Courthouse in Albion
 | district             = 24th
 | district2            = 25th
 | time zone            = Eastern
 | named for            = [[House of Orléans]]
}}

'''Orleans County''' is a [[County (United States)|county]] in the western part of the [[U.S. state]] of [[New York (state)|New York]]. As of the [[United States Census 2020|2020 census]], the population was 40,343. The [[county seat]] is [[Albion (village), New York|Albion]].<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 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110531210815/http://www.naco.org/Counties/Pages/FindACounty.aspx |archive-date=May 31, 2011 }}</ref> The county received its name at the insistence of Nehemiah Ingersoll<ref>{{Cite news|title=Early County History - Part II|last=Lattin|first=C.W.|date=January 23, 1981|work=Journal-Register}}</ref> though historians are unsure how the name was selected.<ref name=":1">{{Cite book|title=Orleans County History|last=Lattin|first=Cary|publisher=Eddy Printing Corp|year=1976|location=Albion, NY|pages=20}}</ref> The two competing theories are that it was named to honor the [[France|French]] Royal [[House of Orléans|House of Orleans]] or that it was to honor Andrew Jackson's victory in New Orleans.<ref name=":1" /> The county is part of the [[Finger Lakes]] region of the state.

Located on the south shore of Lake Ontario, Orleans County since the late 20th century has been considered part of the [[Rochester, New York|Rochester]], NY [[Rochester, New York metropolitan area|Metropolitan Statistical Area]].

==History==
When counties were established by the British authorities in the province of New York in 1683, the present Orleans County was part of the territory of [[Albany County, New York|Albany County]]. This was an enormous county, including the northern part of present-day 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.

On March 12, 1772, the remaining Albany County was split into three parts, one remaining under the name Albany County. [[Tryon County, New York|Tryon County]] contained the large 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 [[Mohawk River]] valley, 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. This western area was occupied largely by the [[Onondaga people|Onondaga]], [[Oneida people|Oneida]] and other western nations of the [[Iroquois Confederacy]]. The westernmost European settlements were in the area of Little Falls and present-day Herkimer.

During the unrest prior to the outbreak of the American Revolutionary War, feelings ran high in the Mohawk Valley, and there were local attacks by rebels against known Loyalists. Most of Tryon County's Loyalists fled to [[Canada]] before 1776, where they were later granted land by the Crown to develop what is now Ontario.

In 1784, following the peace treaty that ended the [[American Revolutionary War]], Tryon County's name was changed to [[Montgomery County, New York|Montgomery County]] to honor the general, [[Richard Montgomery]]. He had captured several places in Canada and died attempting to capture the city of [[Quebec]]. It replaced the name of the now hated colonial British governor. In 1789, [[Ontario County, New York|Ontario County]] split off from Montgomery.<ref name=":2">{{Cite book|title=Landmarks of Orleans County New York|url=https://archive.org/details/landmarksoforlea01sign|last=Signor|first=Issac|publisher=D. Mason & Company|year=1894|location=Syracuse, NY|pages=[https://archive.org/details/landmarksoforlea01sign/page/n14 1]}}</ref> During this period, thousands of migrants settled in the western part of the state from New England and eastern New York resulting in the creation of more counties.

In 1802, [[Genesee County, New York|Genesee County]] was created by splitting Ontario County.<ref name=":2" /> Genesee County was then divided into [[Allegany County, New York|Allegany]] County in 1806, [[Cattaraugus County, New York|Cattaraugus]], [[Chautauqua County, New York|Chautauqua]], and [[Niagara County, New York|Niagara]] Counties in 1808, [[Ontario County, New York|Ontario]], [[Livingston County, New York|Livingston]], and [[Monroe County, New York|Monroe]] Counties in 1821, and finally Orleans County in 1824.

When Orleans County was formed in 1824,<ref>{{Cite book|title=Landmarks of Orleans County New York|url=https://archive.org/details/landmarksoforlea01sign|last=Signor|first=Isaac|publisher=D. Mason & Company|year=1894|location=Syracuse, NY|pages=[https://archive.org/details/landmarksoforlea01sign/page/2 2]–5}}</ref> a dispute arose about naming it after President [[Andrew Jackson]] or President [[John Adams]].<ref name=":1" /> During and following the Napoleonic era in France, numerous French refugees came to New York, some settling in the upstate areas.

== Geography ==
According to the [[U.S. Census Bureau]], the county has a total area of {{convert|817|sqmi}}, of which {{convert|391|sqmi}} is land and {{convert|426|sqmi}} (52%) 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>

The high proportion of water is due to the extension of Orleans County north into Lake Ontario to the [[Canada–United States border|Canada–US border]] (a line of latitude running through the middle of the lake). The distance from the Orleans shore north to the international border is greater than the distance from the shore south to the Genesee County line, meaning the area of Orleans under water is greater than that above water.

Orleans County is in western New York State, northeast of [[Buffalo, New York|Buffalo]] and west of [[Rochester, Monroe County, New York|Rochester]], on the southern shore of [[Lake Ontario]].

The [[Erie Canal]] passes (east–west) through the middle of the county. When its construction was completed in 1824, it attracted new settlers to the largely rural county. Trade and passenger traffic stimulated the development of local businesses.

===Adjacent counties===
* [[Monroe County, New York|Monroe County]] - east
* [[Genesee County, New York|Genesee County]] - south
* [[Niagara County, New York|Niagara County]] - west

===National protected area===
* [[Iroquois National Wildlife Refuge]] (part)

===State protected areas===
* [[Lakeside Beach State Park]]
* [[Oak Orchard State Marine Park]]
* [[Oak Orchard Wildlife Management Area]]
* [[Tonawanda Wildlife Management Area]]

==Government and politics==

{{PresHead|place=Orleans County, New York|source=<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://uselectionatlas.org/RESULTS|title=Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections|last=Leip|first=David|website=uselectionatlas.org|access-date=February 21, 2021}}</ref>}}
<!-- PresRow should be {{PresRow|Year|Winning party|GOP vote #|Dem vote #|3rd party vote #|State}} -->
{{PresRow|2024|Republican|12,659|5,366|46|New York}}
{{PresRow|2020|Republican|12,126|5,587|441|New York}}
{{PresRow|2016|Republican|10,936|4,470|974|New York}}
{{PresRow|2012|Republican|8,594|5,787|325|New York}}
{{PresRow|2008|Republican|9,708|6,614|262|New York}}
{{PresRow|2004|Republican|10,317|5,959|301|New York}}
{{PresRow|2000|Republican|9,202|5,991|651|New York}}
{{PresRow|1996|Republican|6,865|6,233|2,170|New York}}
{{PresRow|1992|Republican|7,468|4,927|4,359|New York}}
{{PresRow|1988|Republican|9,028|5,913|114|New York}}
{{PresRow|1984|Republican|10,543|4,429|52|New York}}
{{PresRow|1980|Republican|7,536|5,767|1,308|New York}}
{{PresRow|1976|Republican|8,994|5,927|102|New York}}
{{PresRow|1972|Republican|10,938|4,371|20|New York}}
{{PresRow|1968|Republican|8,509|4,786|729|New York}}
{{PresRow|1964|Democratic|5,567|9,304|25|New York}}
{{PresRow|1960|Republican|10,344|5,515|5|New York}}
{{PresRow|1956|Republican|11,895|3,464|0|New York}}
{{PresRow|1952|Republican|11,686|3,893|8|New York}}
{{PresRow|1948|Republican|9,566|4,009|259|New York}}
{{PresRow|1944|Republican|9,998|4,006|22|New York}}
{{PresRow|1940|Republican|10,958|4,525|36|New York}}
{{PresRow|1936|Republican|10,569|4,016|409|New York}}
{{PresRow|1932|Republican|9,735|4,303|283|New York}}
{{PresRow|1928|Republican|9,828|3,792|672|New York}}
{{PresRow|1924|Republican|8,543|2,320|1,017|New York}}
{{PresRow|1920|Republican|8,305|2,266|839|New York}}
{{PresRow|1916|Republican|4,903|2,529|180|New York}}
{{PresRow|1912|Republican|2,983|2,448|1,781|New York}}
{{PresRow|1908|Republican|4,885|2,590|365|New York}}
{{PresRow|1904|Republican|5,027|2,502|389|New York}}
{{PresRow|1900|Republican|4,667|2,851|373|New York}}
{{PresRow|1896|Republican|4,664|2,993|252|New York}}
{{PresRow|1892|Republican|4,013|3,065|596|New York}}
{{PresRow|1888|Republican|4,277|3,214|737|New York}}
{{PresRow|1884|Republican|3,997|2,907|737|New York}}
|}

Starting in 1824, the county government was run by a board of supervisors, consisting of elected supervisors from each township in Orleans County. This geographic representation meant that the residents of more urbanized areas were underrepresented on the board.

In 1980, the state and county established a seven-member elected legislature to replace the board of supervisors. Representatives are elected from [[single-member district]]s roughly equal in population. It is headed by a chairman.

Orleans County is heavily Republican. It has voted Republican in every presidential election since the party's founding in 1856, except for one, 1964. It also voted [[Whig Party (United States)|Whig]] in every presidential election from 1828 until 1852.

=== County government ===

==== Orleans County legislature ====
{| class="wikitable sortable"
!Office
!District
!Area of the county
!Officeholder
!Party
!Residence
|- {{party shading/Republican}}
|County Legislator - Vice Chairman
|District 1
|[[Barre, New York|Barre]], [[Clarendon, New York|Clarendon]], [[Shelby, New York|Shelby]]
|William H. Eick
|Republican
|[[Medina, New York|Medina]]
|- {{party shading/Republican}}
|County Legislator - Chairwoman
|District 2
|[[Ridgeway, New York|Ridgeway]], [[Yates, New York|Yates]], [[Shelby, New York|Shelby]]
|Lynne M. Johnson
|Republican
|[[Lyndonville, New York|Lyndonville]]
|- {{party shading/Democratic}}
|County Legislator - Minority Leader
|District 3
|[[Albion (town), Orleans County, New York|Albion]], [[Gaines, New York|Gaines]]
|Fred Miller
|Democratic
|[[Albion (village), New York|Albion]]
|- {{party shading/Republican}}
|County Legislator
|District 4
|[[Carlton, New York|Carlton]], [[Kendall, New York|Kendall]], [[Murray, New York|Murray]]
|John M. Fitzak
|Republican
|[[Kendall, New York|Kendall]]
|- {{party shading/Republican}}
|County Legislator
|At Large
|West
|Merle L. "Skip" Draper
|Republican
|[[Ridgeway, New York|Ridgeway]]
|- {{party shading/Republican}}
|County Legislator
|At Large
|Central
|Don Allport
|Republican
|[[Albion (town), Orleans County, New York|Albion]]
|- {{party shading/Republican}}
|County Legislator
|At Large
|East
|Edward F. Morgan
|Republican
|[[Holley, New York|Holley]]
|}

==== Orleans County elected officials ====
{| class="wikitable sortable"
!Office
!Officeholder
!Party
|- {{party shading/Republican}}
|County Judge
|Sanford A. Church
|Republican
|- {{party shading/Republican}}
|District Attorney
|Susan Howard
|Republican
|- {{party shading/Republican}}
|County Clerk
|Nadine P. Hanlon
|Republican
|- {{party shading/Republican}}
|County Treasurer
|Kimberly C. L. DeFrank
|Republican
|- {{party shading/Republican}}
|Coroner
|Scott M. Schmidt
|Republican
|- {{party shading/Republican}}
|Coroner
|Rocco L. Sidari
|Republican
|- {{party shading/Republican}}
|Coroner
|Julie Woodworth
|Republican
|}

==== State and federal government ====

{| class="wikitable sortable"
|-
! Office !! District !! Officeholder !! Party !! First took office !! Residence
|- {{party shading/Democratic}}
| Congressman || [[New York's 25th congressional district]] || [[Joseph Morelle|Joe Morelle]] || Democratic || 2018 || [[Irondequoit, New York|Irondequoit]], [[Monroe County, New York|Monroe County]]
|- {{party shading/Republican}}
| Congressman || [[New York's 24th congressional district]] || [[Claudia Tenney]] || Republican || 2023 || [[New Hartford, New York|New Hartford]], [[Oneida County, New York|Oneida County]]
|- {{party shading/Republican}}
| State Senator || [[New York State Senate|62nd State Senate District]] || [[Robert Ortt|Rob Ortt]] || Republican || 2015 || [[North Tonawanda, New York|North Tonawanda]], [[Niagara County]]
|- {{party shading/Republican}}
| State Assemblyman || [[New York State Assembly|139th State Assembly District]] || [[Stephen Hawley|Stephen M. Hawley]] || Republican || 2006 || [[Batavia (town), New York|Batavia, Genesee County]]
|}

Orleans 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
|1830= 17732
|1840= 25127
|1850= 28501
|1860= 28717
|1870= 27689
|1880= 30128
|1890= 30803
|1900= 30164
|1910= 32000
|1920= 28619
|1930= 28795
|1940= 27760
|1950= 29832
|1960= 34159
|1970= 37305
|1980= 38496
|1990= 41846
|2000= 44171
|2010= 42883
|2020= 40343
|align-fn=center
|footnote=U.S. Decennial Census<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/programs-surveys/decennial-census.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|archive-date=August 11, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120811110448/http://mapserver.lib.virginia.edu/|url-status=dead}}</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> 2010-2013<ref name="QF">{{cite web|title=State & County QuickFacts|url=http://quickfacts.census.gov/qfd/states/36/36073.html|publisher=United States Census Bureau|access-date=October 12, 2013|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110607135320/http://quickfacts.census.gov/qfd/states/36/36073.html|archive-date=June 7, 2011}}</ref>
}}

As of the [[census]]<ref name="GR2">{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov|publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]]|access-date=January 31, 2008|title=U.S. Census website}}</ref> of 2010,<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.census.gov|title=Orleans County, New York|website=[[United States Census Bureau]]|access-date=June 27, 2018}}</ref> there were 42,883 people, 16,119 households, and 10,872 families residing in the county. The population density was {{convert|113|PD/sqmi|PD/km2|sp=us|adj=off}}. There were 17,347 housing units at an average density of {{convert|44|/mi2|/km2|adj=pre|units&nbsp;}}. The racial makeup of the county was 89.8% [[Race (United States Census)|White]], 5.9% [[Race (United States Census)|Black]] or [[Race (United States Census)|African American]], 0.6% [[Race (United States Census)|Native American]], 0.4% [[Race (United States Census)|Asian]], 0.0% [[Race (United States Census)|Pacific Islander]], 1.3% from [[Race (United States Census)|other races]], and 1.9% from two or more races. 4.1% of the population were [[Race (United States Census)|Hispanic]] or [[Race (United States Census)|Latino]] of any race. According to [[Census 2000]], 20.3% were of [[Germans|German]], 18.3% [[English people|English]], 10.8% [[Italian people|Italian]], 10.3% [[Irish people|Irish]], 9.4% [[United States|American]] and 7.3% [[Polish people|Polish]] ancestry and 96.0% spoke [[English language|English]] and 3.0% [[Spanish language|Spanish]] as their first language.

Census 2010 showed there were 16,119 households, out of which 31.2% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 49% were [[Marriage|married couples]] living together, 12.4% had a female householder with no husband present, and 32.6% were non-families. 26.2% of all households were made up of individuals, and 11% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.5 and the average family size was 2.99.

In the county, the population was spread out, with 19.8% under the age of 18, 8.8% from 18 to 24, 24.2% from 25 to 44, 29.8% from 45 to 64, and 17.40% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 41 years.

The median income for a household in the county was $48,731. Males had a median income of $32,450 versus $22,605 for females. The [[per capita income]] for the county was $16,457. About 15.2% of the population were below the [[poverty line]].

=== 2020 Census ===

{| class="wikitable"
|+Orleans 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) – Orleans County, New York|url=https://data.census.gov/cedsci/table?q=Orleans%20County,%20New%20York&t=Race%20and%20Ethnicity&tid=DECENNIALPL2020.P2}}</ref>
!Race
!Num.
!Perc.
|-
|[[White (U.S. Census)|White]] (NH)
|34,037
|84.4%
|-
|[[African American (U.S. Census)|Black or African American]] (NH)
|1,840
|4.6%
|-
|[[Native American (U.S. Census)|Native American]] (NH)
|177
|0.5%
|-
|[[Asian (U.S. Census)|Asian]] (NH)
|154
|0.4%
|-
|[[Pacific Islander (U.S. Census)|Pacific Islander]] (NH)
|12
|0.02%
|-
|[[Race (United States Census)|Other/Mixed]] (NH)
|2,036
|5.04%
|-
|[[Hispanic (U.S. Census)|Hispanic]] or [[Latino (U.S. Census)|Latino]]
|2,087
|5.2%
|}

==Education==
'''Public schools'''

The county has five school districts, although the actual district boundaries can extend into neighboring counties, and the same is true for neighboring counties' districts. The five districts, from west to east,<ref name=":0">{{Cite web|url=http://orleansny.com/Visitors|title=Orleans County Visitors|website=Orleans County New York|access-date=October 27, 2017|archive-date=October 28, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171028042303/http://orleansny.com/Visitors|url-status=dead}}</ref> are:
* [[Lyndonville Central School District]] (northern half of western third, roughly covering Lyndonville village and the towns of Yates and Ridgeway)
* [[Medina Central School District]] (southern half of western third, roughly covering Medina village and the towns of Ridgeway and Shelby)
* [[Albion Central School District]] (middle third, roughly covering Albion village and the towns of Carlton, Gaines, Albion, and Barre)
* [[Kendall Central School District]] (northern half of eastern third, roughly covering the towns of Kendall and Murray)
* [[Holley Central School District]] (southern half of eastern third, roughly covering Holley village and the towns of Murray and Clarendon)

Each of these school districts participates in Orleans/Niagara BOCES or Monroe #2-Orleans BOCES.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.onboces.org/information.cfm?subpage=16|title=Component Districts|website=Orleans/Niagara BOCES|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20031205022559/http://www.onboces.org/information.cfm?subpage=16|archive-date=December 5, 2003|url-status=dead|access-date=October 27, 2017}}</ref>

'''Private school'''

There is currently one non-denominational K-12 school in the county.
* Orleans County Christian School<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.orleanscountychristianschool.com/|title=Orleans County Christian School|website=Orleans County Christian School|access-date=October 27, 2017}}</ref>
'''College'''

One college maintains satellite campuses in Orleans County.<ref name=":0" />
* [[Genesee Community College]] - Albion (This campus has been declared defunct, with all staff & operations moved to Medina campus)
* [[Genesee Community College]] - Medina

== Recreation ==
The County of Orleans has created an interactive map of notable places for visitors to see while visiting the county.

https://orleanscountytourism.com/history/

=== Lakes ===
There are two major dams on [[Oak Orchard Creek]] that have created public boating areas.

* [https://www.dec.ny.gov/outdoor/88296.html Waterport Pond] in the town of [[Carlton, New York|Carlton]] also called lake Alice by locals. 
* [https://www.dec.ny.gov/outdoor/88301.html Glenwood Lake] in the town of [[Ridgeway, New York|Ridgeway]] and the village of [[Medina, New York|Medina]]

=== Libraries ===
Orleans County has 4 public libraries serving its population.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.nysl.nysed.gov/libdev/libs/publibs/3nioga.htm#073|title=NIOGA Library System|website=New York State Library|access-date=October 30, 2017}}</ref>
* Community Free Library, located in Holley
* Hoag Library, located in Albion
* Lee-Whedon Memorial Library, located in Medina
* Yates Community Library, located in Lyndonville

=== Museums ===
Orleans County has 6 museums that are open to the public.
* Clarendon Historical Society Museum & Farwell's Settlement
* [https://www.cobblestonemuseum.org/ The Cobblestone Museum]
* Holley Depot Museum
*[https://www.medinarailroadmuseum.org/ Medina Railroad Museum]
* Murray-Holley Historical Society
* [https://oakorchardlighthouse.org/ Oak Orchard Lighthouse Museum]

=== Parks ===
There are two State Parks and many municipal parks spread throughout the county.
* [https://parks.ny.gov/parks/161/details.aspx Lakeside Beach State Park]
* [https://parks.ny.gov/parks/131/details.aspx Oak Orchard Marine State Park]

==Transportation==
Orleans County has eight private airstrips and one public-use airport:<ref>{{cite web | title = Orleans County Public and Private Airports, New York | url = https://www.tollfreeairline.com/newyork/orleans.htm | publisher = tollfreeairline.com | access-date = 2024-06-01}}</ref>
*[[Pine Hill Airport (New York)]] (9G6)

[[Rochester-Genesee Regional Transportation Authority|RTS Orleans]] provides bus service to Orleans County.<ref>{{cite web | title = Plan Your Next Trip with RTS Orleans! | url = https://www.myrts.com/Orleans/Enjoy-the-Ride-Guide/Plan-Your-Trip-with-RTS-Orleans | publisher = Rochester-Genesee Regional Transportation Authority | access-date = 2024-06-01}}</ref>  The county's Department of Public Works is headquartered in Albion and is charged with maintaining roads, including:<ref>{{cite web | title = HIGHWAY DEPARTMENT | url = https://www.yatescounty.org/194/Highway | publisher = Orleans County Government | access-date = 2024-06-01}}</ref>
*Overseeing construction and repair of county roads, bridges, and ditches
*Removing snow and ice
Each town and village within Orleans County maintains its own highway department.

===Major roadways===
{{Div col|colwidth=22em}}
*[[Image:NY-18.svg|20px]] [[New York State Route 18]]
*[[Image:NY-31.svg|20px]] [[New York State Route 31]]
*[[Image:NY-31A.svg|20px]] [[New York State Route 31A]]
*[[Image:NY-31E.svg|20px]] [[New York State Route 31E]]
*[[Image:NY-63.svg|20px]] [[New York State Route 63]]
*[[Image:NY-98.svg|20px]] [[New York State Route 98]]
*[[Image:NY-104.svg|22px]] [[New York State Route 104]]
*[[Image:NY-237.svg|22px]] [[New York State Route 237]]
*[[Image:NY-269.svg|22px]] [[New York State Route 269]]
*[[Image:NY-272.svg|22px]] [[New York State Route 272]]
*[[Image:NY-279.svg|22px]] [[New York State Route 279]]
*[[Image:NY-387.svg|22px]] [[New York State Route 387]]
*[[Image:Lake Ontario State Parkway.svg|26px]] [[Lake Ontario State Parkway]]
*[[List of county routes in Orleans County, New York]]
{{Div col end}}
The former [[New York State Route 941M]] was located in Orleans County.

==Communities==

=== Larger Settlements ===
All larger settlements are Villages
{| class="wikitable sortable"
|+
!#
!Location
!Population
|-
|1
|[[Medina, New York|Medina]]
|6,065
|-
|2
|†[[Albion (village), New York|Albion]]
|6,056
|-
|3
|[[Holley, New York|Holley]]
|1,811
|-
|4
|[[Lyndonville, New York|Lyndonville]]
|838
|}
[[File:Orleans County (New York) - Towns and Villages.svg|thumb|300px|right|The town and village borders]]

===Towns===
{{div col}}
* [[Albion (town), Orleans County, New York|Albion]]
* [[Barre, New York|Barre]]
* [[Carlton, New York|Carlton]]
* [[Clarendon, New York|Clarendon]]
* [[Gaines, New York|Gaines]]
* [[Kendall, New York|Kendall]]
* [[Murray, New York|Murray]]
* [[Ridgeway, New York|Ridgeway]]
* [[Shelby, New York|Shelby]]
* [[Yates, New York|Yates]]
{{div col end}}

===Villages===
* [[Albion (village), New York|Albion]] (county seat)
* [[Holley, New York|Holley]]
* [[Lyndonville, New York|Lyndonville]]
* [[Medina, New York|Medina]]

===Hamlets===
* [[Ashwood, New York|Ashwood]]
* [[Barre Center, New York|Barre Center]]
* [[Baldwin Corner, New York|Baldwin Corner]]
* [[Brockville, New York|Brockville]]
* [[Carlton Station, New York|Carlton Station]]
* [[Childs, New York|Childs]]
* [[County Line, New York|County Line]]
* [[Eagle Harbor, New York|Eagle Harbor]]
* [[East Shelby, New York|East Shelby]]
* [[Fancher, New York|Fancher]]
* Gaines
* [[Hindsburg, New York|Hindsburg]]
* [[Hulberton, New York|Hulberton]]
* [[Jeddo, New York|Jeddo]]
* [[Jones Beach, Orleans County, New York|Jones Beach]]
* [[Kendall Mills, New York|Kendall Mills]]
* [[Kent, Orleans County, New York|Kent]]
* [[Kenyonville, New York|Kenyonville]]
* [[Knowlesville, New York|Knowlesville]]
* [[Kuckville]]
* [[Lomond Shore, New York|Lomond Shore]]
* [[Millers, New York|Millers]]
* [[Millville, New York|Millville]]
* [[Oak Orchard, New York|Oak Orchard]]
* [[Point Breeze, New York|Point Breeze]]
* [[Sawyer, Orleans County, New York|Sawyer]]
* [[Shadigee, New York|Shadigee]]
* [[Shelby Center, New York|Shelby Center]]
*[[Sunset Beach, Orleans County, New York|Sunset Beach]]
* [[Yates Center, New York|Yates Center]]
* [[Waterport, New York|Waterport]]
* [[West Barre, New York|West Barre]]
* [[West Gaines, New York|West Gaines]]
* [[West Shelby, New York|West Shelby]]

==See also==
{{Portal|New York (state)}}
* [[Orleans County Sheriff's Office (New York)|Orleans County Sheriff's Office]]
* [[List of fire departments in Orleans County, New York]]
* [[List of counties in New York]]
* [[National Register of Historic Places listings in Orleans County, New York]]
* [[The Orleans County Libertarian Party]]<ref>{{Cite web |title=Orleans County Libertarian Party |url=https://lpedia.org/Orleans_County_Libertarian_Party |website=lpedia.org |access-date=March 20, 2020 |archive-date=March 20, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200320141037/https://lpedia.org/Orleans_County_Libertarian_Party |url-status=dead }}</ref>

==References==
{{reflist}}

==Further reading==
* {{cite Q|Q114149636|p=681-86|chapter=Chapter III. Orleans County.
 |editor=Sullivan, James
 |editor2=Williams, Melvin E.
 |editor3=Conklin, Edwin P.
 |editor4=Fitzpatrick, Benedict
}}

==External links==
* [http://www.orleansny.com Official Webpage]
* {{Wikivoyage inline|Orleans County (New York)|Orleans County}}
* [http://www.genesee.edu/ Genesee Community College in Orleans County]
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20060227035550/http://www.usgennet.org/usa/ny/state/his/bk8/ch3.html Brief historical summary of Orleans County, NY]
{{coord|43.37|-78.23|display=title|type:adm2nd_region:US-NY_source:UScensus1990}}

{{Geographic Location
|Centre    = Orleans County, New York
|North     = ''[[Lake Ontario]]''
|Northeast =
|East      = [[Monroe County, New York|Monroe County]]
|Southeast =
|South     = [[Genesee County, New York|Genesee County]]
|Southwest = [[Erie County, New York|Erie County]]
|West      = [[Niagara County, New York|Niagara County]]
|Northwest =
}}
{{Orleans County, New York}}
{{New York}}

{{authority control}}

[[Category:Orleans County, New York| ]]
[[Category:Finger Lakes]]
[[Category:1824 establishments in New York (state)]]
[[Category:Populated places established in 1824]]
[[Category:Rochester metropolitan area, New York]]