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Genesee County, New York

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Not to be confused with Genesee, New York.

Genesee County is a county in the U.S. state of New York. As of the 2020 census, the population was 58,388.[2] Its county seat is Batavia.[3] Its name is from the Seneca word Gen-nis'-hee-yo, meaning "the Beautiful Valley".[4] The county was created in 1802 and organized in 1803.[5]

Genesee County
County
Genesee County Courthouse
Genesee County Courthouse
Flag of Genesee County
Flag
Official seal of Genesee County
Seal
Map of New York highlighting Genesee 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: 43°00′N 78°11′W / 43°N 78.19°W / 43; -78.19
Country United States
State New York
FoundedMarch 1803
SeatBatavia
Largest cityBatavia
Area
 • Total
495 sq mi (1,280 km2)
 • Land493 sq mi (1,280 km2)
 • Water2.4 sq mi (6 km2)  0.5%
Population
 (2020)
 • Total
58,388[1]
 • Density118.4/sq mi (45.7/km2)
Time zoneUTC−5 (Eastern)
 • Summer (DST)UTC−4 (EDT)
Congressional district24th
Websitewww.co.genesee.ny.us

Genesee County comprises the Batavia, NY micropolitan statistical area, which is also in the Rochester-Batavia-Seneca Falls, NY combined statistical area. It is in Western New York. It is the namesake of Genesee County, Michigan; that is, the Michigan county was named for Genesee County, New York.

History

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Precontact era

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The archaeological record at the Hiscock Site, in Byron, New York goes back 10,000 to 12,000 years to the Ice Age. Researchers have found a variety of humanmade tools, ceramics, metal, and leather, along with a mastodon jaw, tusks, and teeth and assorted animal bones, indicating long occupation of the site. This site is among North America's most important for archaeological artifacts from the Ice Age.[6][7]

Different Indigenous peoples lived in the area for thousands of years. Centuries before European arrival, the Iroquoian-speaking Seneca Nation developed in the central part of present-day New York; it became one of the first Five Nations of the Haudenosaunee (Iroquois Confederacy). Beginning in 1639 and lasting for the rest of the century, the Seneca led an invasion of Western New York, driving out the existing tribes of Wenro, Erie and Neutrals.

Colonial and revolutionary era

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When counties were established in New York State in 1683, the present Genesee County was part of Albany County. This was an enormous county, including the northern part of New York State as well as all of the present State of Vermont and, in theory, extending westward to the Pacific Ocean. 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, contained the western portion (and thus, since no western boundary was specified, theoretically still extended west to the Pacific). In 1784 Tryon County was renamed as Montgomery County. Around this time, the Pennsylvania Colony and the Massachusetts Bay Colony also claimed the territory as their own, but New York did not enforce its territorial claim. In 1789 Ontario County was split off from Montgomery as a result of the Phelps and Gorham Purchase. Again, the county theoretically extended west to the Pacific Ocean.

New York State

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It was not until the Holland Purchase of 1793 that Western New York was enforced as the territory of New York State. Land in the region was sold through the Holland Land Company's office in Batavia, starting in 1801. All the land in Western New York was in the newly created Genesee County, and all of that was in the single town of Batavia.

Genesee County was created by a partition of 7,100 square miles (18,000 km2) of land from Ontario County. The county was not fully organized so it remained under the supervision of Ontario County until it achieved full organization and separation during March 1803.[8]

On April 7, 1806, Genesee's area was reduced to 5,550 square miles (14,400 km2) due to a partition that created Allegany County.[9] On March 8, 1808, Genesee's area was again reduced, this time to 1,650 square miles (4,300 km2) due to a partition that created Cattaraugus, Chautauqua, and Niagara Counties.[10] On February 23, 1821, Genesee's area was again reduced, this time to 1,450 square miles (3,800 km2) due a complex partition that produced Livingston[11] and Monroe Counties.[12] On April 15, 1825, another partition reduced Genesee's area to 1,030 square miles (2,700 km2) in the creation of Orleans County.[13][14] On May 1, 1826, the Orleans partition was again surveyed, with 10 square miles (26 km2) of land along the western half of the Orleans/Genesee border returned to Genesee.[15] On March 19, 1841, Genesee's area was again reduced, this time to the 500 square miles (1,300 km2) it remains to this day due to the partitioning to create Wyoming County.[16]

19th century politics: Origins of antimasonry

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Genesee County was included in the 19th century "burned-over district" — the Western region of New York consumed by religious revivals and characterized by "the evangelical desire to convert the entire American population to Christianity and to create a 'moral, homogeneous commonwealth.'" [17] This religious moral crusade provided the social atmosphere that allowed antimasonic sentiment to gain momentum as a significant church-oriented movement and, later, a grass-roots political party that became the nation's first third party.[citation needed]

By the 1820s, Freemasonry was prevalent in Genesee County. From 1821 to 1827, half of all county officials were Freemasons.[18] In September 1826, William Morgan, a resident of Batavia, New York, disappeared after having been briefly imprisoned for failure to repay a debt. Morgan had been rejected from the Masonic lodge in Batavia, and, as a result, threatened to publish a book which exposed the secret rituals of Freemasonry. His disappearance and presumed murder ignited a campaign against Freemasonry. The investigation into Morgan's disappearance confronted major obstacles from government officials and the judiciary- positions that were largely occupied by Freemasons.[19] The Morgan affair combined with existing suspicions and distrust of the secrecy of Freemasonry initiated mass meetings throughout the county to decide how the issue of Freemasonry should be handled. The Antimasonry crusade's original goal was to oust Masons from political offices. Through the political guidance of party organizers, such as Thurlow Weed and William H. Seward, the crusade developed into a political party that enjoyed a political stronghold in Genesee County and the rest of the "burned-over district."

The Antimasonic Party found strong support within Genesee County from 1827 to 1833. The party averaged 69 percent of the vote and won every county office.[19] After continuous domination of Masonic politicians, citizens saw Antimasonry as a solution and an opportunity to restore justice and republicanism. The Baptist and Presbyterian churches favored Antimasonry and encouraged their members to renounce ties with the fraternity. The party was originally associated with populist rhetoric, however, strong Antimasonic sentiment throughout the county correlated with positive economic developments and high population densities. Larger towns, such as Batavia, the county seat and Le Roy, harbored the strongest support for the party.[20] The timing of the creation of the Antimasonic Party coincided with a time in New York politics that encouraged the expansion of political participation. The party leaders made the Antimasonic Party, and later the Whig Party, a great success in Genesee County and other neighboring counties.

Modern day

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In 2009, the City and Town of Batavia began exploring ways to merge or consolidate governmental systems.

Geography

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According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 495 square miles (1,280 km2), of which 493 square miles (1,280 km2) is land and 2.4 square miles (6.2 km2) (0.5%) is water.[21] Genesee County is east of Buffalo and southwest of Rochester in the western portion of New York State.

Adjacent counties

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Major highways

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Main article: Highways in Genesee County, New York
See also: List of county routes in Genesee County, New York

Genesee County watersheds

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Source:[22]

National protected area

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State protected areas

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County parks

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  • Genesee County Park and Forest consists of 430 acres (1.7 km2) of forest and rolling hills.
  • DeWitt Recreation Area is a 63-acre (250,000 m2) park that includes a 38-acre (150,000 m2) pond.

Source:[23]

Government and politics

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Genesee County is governed by a 9–member legislature headed by a chairperson. Genesee County is part of the 8th Judicial District of the New York Supreme Court and the 4th Department of the New York Supreme Court, Appellate Division.

Office District Area of the county Officeholder Party First took office
Congressman New York's 24th congressional district All[24] Claudia Tenney Republican 2021
State Senator 61st State Senate District All[25] Sean Ryan Democratic 2021
State Assemblyman 139th State Assembly District All [26] Stephen M. Hawley Republican 2006

Presidential elections

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Genesee County is solidly Republican at the Presidential level with Lyndon Johnson in 1964 being the only Democrat to ever carry the county. Since then the closest a Democrat has gotten to winning the county was Bill Clinton in 1996 when he lost to Bob Dole by 3 percent. In 2024 Donald Trump received 66.8 percent of the vote which was the best result for a Republican since 1956 when Dwight D. Eisenhower received 74.6 percent.

United States presidential election results for Genesee County, New York[27]
Year Republican Democratic Third party(ies)
No.  % No.  % No.  %
2024 18,997 65.91% 9,367 32.50% 457 1.59%
2020 18,876 64.61% 9,625 32.94% 716 2.45%
2016 16,915 63.99% 7,650 28.94% 1,867 7.06%
2012 14,607 59.03% 9,601 38.80% 538 2.17%
2008 15,705 58.40% 10,762 40.02% 423 1.57%
2004 16,725 60.64% 10,331 37.46% 524 1.90%
2000 14,459 55.45% 10,191 39.08% 1,424 5.46%
1996 10,821 44.64% 10,074 41.56% 3,343 13.79%
1992 11,663 44.47% 8,071 30.78% 6,491 24.75%
1988 14,182 58.29% 9,945 40.87% 205 0.84%
1984 16,582 65.78% 8,549 33.91% 79 0.31%
1980 11,650 47.57% 10,677 43.60% 2,162 8.83%
1976 14,567 57.04% 10,803 42.30% 166 0.65%
1972 17,107 66.28% 8,631 33.44% 73 0.28%
1968 12,418 53.64% 9,533 41.18% 1,199 5.18%
1964 8,114 34.03% 15,713 65.91% 14 0.06%
1960 14,724 58.70% 10,343 41.23% 18 0.07%
1956 17,614 74.64% 5,986 25.36% 0 0.00%
1952 16,606 70.85% 6,819 29.10% 12 0.05%
1948 12,650 62.80% 7,024 34.87% 468 2.32%
1944 13,478 66.32% 6,796 33.44% 50 0.25%
1940 14,503 68.32% 6,664 31.39% 62 0.29%
1936 13,292 66.23% 6,177 30.78% 600 2.99%
1932 11,881 64.80% 6,152 33.55% 302 1.65%
1928 13,251 69.03% 5,181 26.99% 763 3.97%
1924 11,101 71.43% 3,384 21.77% 1,057 6.80%
1920 9,628 74.50% 2,570 19.89% 725 5.61%
1916 5,590 64.39% 2,802 32.27% 290 3.34%
1912 3,231 39.10% 2,656 32.14% 2,377 28.76%
1908 5,794 62.26% 3,171 34.07% 341 3.66%
1904 5,810 63.89% 2,883 31.70% 401 4.41%
1900 5,385 59.82% 3,267 36.29% 350 3.89%
1896 5,190 61.50% 3,004 35.60% 245 2.90%
1892 4,289 51.99% 3,250 39.40% 710 8.61%
1888 4,952 55.07% 3,633 40.40% 408 4.54%
1884 4,631 53.22% 3,643 41.87% 427 4.91%

Law enforcement

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The primary law enforcement agency is the Genesee County Sheriff's Office.[28]

In most counties in N.Y., the undersheriff is the warden of the county jail.[29] In Genesee County, the sheriff has ultimate authority to operate the 80-bed county jail, built in 1985. In this county, rather than an undersheriff, it is managed by a "jail superintendent" with 27 other employees and managers. The current Genesee County Jail was built in 1985.[30]

Demographics

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Historical population
CensusPop.Note%±
181012,588—
182058,093361.5%
183052,147−10.2%
184059,58714.3%
185028,488−52.2%
186032,18913.0%
187031,606−1.8%
188032,8063.8%
189033,2651.4%
190034,5613.9%
191037,6158.8%
192037,9761.0%
193044,46817.1%
194044,4810.0%
195047,5847.0%
196053,99413.5%
197058,7228.8%
198059,4001.2%
199060,0601.1%
200060,3700.5%
201060,079−0.5%
202058,388−2.8%
U.S. Decennial Census[31]
1790-1960[32] 1900-1990[33]
1990-2000[34] 2010-2020[2]

2020 Census

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Genesee County Racial Composition[35]
Race Num. Perc.
White (NH) 50,960 87.3%
Black or African American (NH) 1,358 2.32%
Native American (NH) 361 0.62%
Asian (NH) 412 0.71%
Pacific Islander (NH) 16 0.02%
Other/Mixed (NH) 2,529 4.33%
Hispanic or Latino 2,752 4.71%

2000 census

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As of the 2000 census,[36] there were 60,370 people, 22,770 households, and 15,825 families residing in the county. The population density was 122 people per square mile (47 people/km2). There were 24,190 housing units, with an average density of 49 units per square mile (19/km2). The county's racial makeup was 94.69% White, 2.13% Black or African American, 0.78% Native American, 0.48% Asian, 0.02% Pacific Islander, 0.71% from other races, and 1.18% from two or more races. 1.50% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race. 25.0% were of German, 15.2% Italian, 13.5% English, 13.1% Irish, 8.9% Polish and 5.6% American ancestry according to Census 2000.[37] 96.5% spoke English and 1.5% Spanish as their first language.

There were 22,770 households, of which 33.30% had children under the age of 18. 55.4% were married couples living together, 9.80% had a female householder with no husband present, and 30.50% were non-families. 24.80% of households were made up of individuals, and 11.10% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.59 and the average family size was 3.10.

26.10% of the county's population was under the age of 18, 7.50% were from age 18 to 24, 29.50% were from age 25 to 44, 22.60% were from age 45 to 64, and 14.30% were age 65 or older. The median age was 37 years. For every 100 females there were 96.90 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 95.00 males.

The U.S. Census in 2000 showed the county had a 63.7% employment rate and 2.9% were unemployed. The median household income was $40,542, and the median family income was $47,771. Males had a median income of $34,430 versus $23,788 for females. The county's per capita income was $18,498. About 5.60% of families and 7.60% of the population were below the poverty line, including 9.00% of those under age 18 and 6.80% of those age 65 or over.[38]

Education

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The county has eight public school districts:[39]

It has one state-operated school: New York State School for the Blind

Several private schools at the primary and secondary levels are also maintained (Catholic schools are affiliated with the Roman Catholic Diocese of Buffalo):

  • St.Joseph's School, Batavia
  • Notre Dame High School, Batavia
  • St. Paul Lutheran School, Batavia

Genesee Community College has its main campus in the Town of Batavia.

Communities

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Larger Settlements

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# Location Population Type Sector
1 †Batavia 15,600 City Northwest
2 Le Roy 4,391 Village Southeast
3 ‡Attica 2,547 Village Southwest
4 Oakfield 1,813 Village Northwest
5 Bergen 1,176 Village Northeast
6 Corfu 709 Village Southwest
7 Elba 676 Village Northeast
8 Pavilion 646 CDP Southeast
9 Alexander 509 Village Southwest

† - County Seat

‡ - Not Wholly in this County

Towns

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Other hamlets

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Indian reservations

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See also

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References

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  1. ^ "US Census 2020 Population Dataset Tables for New York". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 2, 2022.
  2. ^ a b "U.S. Census Bureau QuickFacts: Genesee County, New York". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 3, 2022.
  3. ^ "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Archived from the original on May 31, 2011. Retrieved June 7, 2011.
  4. ^ THE AMERICAN REVIEW; A WHIG JOURNAL DEVOTED TO POLITICS, LITERATURE, ART AND SCIENCE. VOL. VI NEW-YORK: GEORGE H. COLTON, 118 NASSAU STREET, Published 1847, Wiley and Putnam, p. 628.[1]
  5. ^ "New York: Individual County Chronologies". New York Atlas of Historical County Boundaries. The Newberry Library. 2008. Archived from the original on April 10, 2015. Retrieved January 9, 2015.
  6. ^ Geology Archived July 3, 2008, at the Wayback Machine The Buffalo Museum of Science, Retrieved on December 5, 2007
  7. ^ "Excavation pit at the Byron Dig" Archived February 7, 2009, at the Wayback Machine, The Buffalo Museum of Science, Retrieved on December 5, 2007
  8. ^ New York. Laws of New York.:1802, 25th Session, Chapter 64, Page 97.
  9. ^ New York. Laws of New York.:1806, 29th Session, Chapter 162, Section 1, Page 604.
  10. ^ New York. Laws of New York.:1808, 31st Session, Chapter 15, Page 254.
  11. ^ New York. Laws of New York.:1820, 44th Session, Chapter 58, Section 1, Page 50.
  12. ^ New York. Laws of New York.:1820, 44th Session, Chapter 57, Section 1, Page 46.
  13. ^ New York. Laws of New York.:1824, 47th Session, Chapter 266, Section 1, Page 326.
  14. ^ New York. Laws of New York.:1825, 48th Session, Chapter 181, Sections 1 & 2, Page 273.
  15. ^ New York. Laws of New York.:1826, 49th Session, Chapter 269, Page 302.
  16. ^ New York. Laws of New York.:1841, 64th Session, Chapter 196, Section 1, Page 169.
  17. ^ William Preston Vaughn, The Antimasonic Party in the United States, 1826-1843 (Lexington: University Press of Kentucky, 1983), 21.
  18. ^ Ronald P. Formisano and Kathleen Smith Kutolowski, "Antimasonry and Masonry: The Genesis of Protest, 1826-1827," American Quarterly 29 (1977): 145.
  19. ^ a b Kathleen Smith Kutolowski (1984). "Antimasonry reexamined: social bases of the grass-roots party". Journal of American History. 71 (2): 269–293. doi:10.2307/1901756. JSTOR 1901756.
  20. ^ Darcy G. Richardson, Others: Third-Party Politics From the Nation's Founding to the Rise and Fall of the Greenback-Labor Party (New York: iUniverse, Inc., 2004), 51.
  21. ^ "2010 Census Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. August 22, 2012. Archived from the original on May 19, 2014. Retrieved January 4, 2015.
  22. ^ Genesee County All Hazard Multi-Jurisdictional Mitigation Plan, Chapter 4 Maps (1st Draft, May 2007) Archived December 3, 2007, at the Wayback Machine(See Watersheds-Genesee County, NY, Map 5), Genesee/Finger Lakes Regional Planning Council
  23. ^ Genesee County Park and Forest
  24. ^ W, Eric (April 2, 2012). "Congressional District 27" (PDF). View 2012 Congressional Maps. Albany, New York: The New York State Legislative Task Force on Demographic Research and Reapportionment. Retrieved January 13, 2013.
  25. ^ W, Eric (March 2, 2012). "Senate District 61" (PDF). View 2012 Senate District Maps. Albany, New York: The New York State Legislative Task Force on Demographic Research and Reapportionment. Retrieved January 6, 2013.
  26. ^ W, Eric (January 25, 2012). "Assembly District 139" (PDF). View Proposed 2012 Assembly District Maps. Albany, New York: The New York State Legislative Task Force on Demographic Research and Reapportionment. Retrieved January 13, 2013.
  27. ^ Leip, David. "Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections". uselectionatlas.org. Retrieved October 22, 2018.
  28. ^ "Sheriff's Office". www.co.genesee.ny.us. Retrieved October 24, 2021.
  29. ^ See N.Y. County Law, article 17, sections 652, found online at NYPublicLaw, type in CNT, then Article 17, and finally click on 652.
  30. ^ "County Law, Article 17, Section 650, acknowledges the Sheriff as an Officer of the Court; Correction Law, Article 20, Section 500C, designates the Sheriff as custodian of the County Jail," from Genesee County government web site Jail page Archived February 25, 2011, at the Wayback Machine. Accessed June 26, 2008.
  31. ^ "U.S. Decennial Census". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 4, 2015.
  32. ^ "Historical Census Browser". University of Virginia Library. Archived from the original on December 26, 2013. Retrieved January 4, 2015.
  33. ^ "Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 4, 2015.
  34. ^ "Census 2000 PHC-T-4. Ranking Tables for Counties: 1990 and 2000" (PDF). United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 4, 2015.
  35. ^ "P2 HISPANIC OR LATINO, AND NOT HISPANIC OR LATINO BY RACE – 2020: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171) – Genesee County, New York".
  36. ^ "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 31, 2008.
  37. ^ U.S. Census website . Factfinder.census.gov. Retrieved on August 2, 2013.
  38. ^ "U.S. Census Bureau, Selected Economic Characteristics: 2000, Genesee County, New York". Archived from the original on February 12, 2020. Retrieved December 5, 2007.
  39. ^ "2020 CENSUS - SCHOOL DISTRICT REFERENCE MAP: Genesee County, NY" (PDF). U.S. Census Bureau. Retrieved July 20, 2022. - Text list

Further reading

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43°00′N 78°11′W / 43.00°N 78.19°W / 43.00; -78.19

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