Putnam County, New York
Encyclopedia : P : PU : PUT : Putnam County, New York
Putnam County is a county located in the U.S. state of New York. As of 2000, the population is 95,745. It is part of the New York Metropolitan Area. The county seat is Carmel. The name is in honor of Israel Putnam, who was a hero in the French and Indian War and a general in the American Revolutionary War.
History
When New York State established its first twelve counties in 1683, the present Putnam County was part of Dutchess County. Dutchess County also included two towns in the present Columbia County. Until 1713, Dutchess County was administered by Ulster County.In 1812, Putnam County was detached from Dutchess. The six towns comprising the county had reached their current names and boundaries by 1877.
Government
Governmental operations in Putnam County are outlined in the County Charter which was approved by the voters of the County in November 1977. It is administered by a County Executive and a 9-member County Legislature.
The current County Executive is Robert J. Bondi. He took the oath of office on January 1, 1991. The members of the County Legislature are: Daniel G. Birmingham, Chairman, District 7, Vincent Tamagna, District 1, Sam Oliverio, Jr., District 2, Terry Intrari, District 3, Michale Semo, Jr., District 4, Mary Ellen Odell, District 5, Tony Hay, District 6, Robert McGuigan, Jr., District 8 and Regina Morini, District 9.
The County has had three County Executives:
David D. Bruen 1979-1986
Peter C. Alexanderson, 1987-1990
Robert J. Bondi, 1991-present.
Prior to the Charter form of government, the County's affairs were managed by a six-member Board of Supervisors (one Supervisor from each town in the County).
Geography
Putnam County is located in southeastern New York State, between the Hudson River on its west and the New York-Connecticut border on its east, south of Poughkeepsie, north of Peekskill.According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 638 km² (246 mi²). 599 km² (231 mi²) of it is land and 39 km² (15 mi²) of it (6.08%) is water.
The terrain of the county is generally hilly. The region of the county nearest the Hudson River is especially so and is part of the Hudson Highlands.
The highest point is in that range, on Scofield Ridge, at approximately 469 m (1,540 feet) above sea level. The lowest point is sea level along the Hudson.
Demographics
As of the census² of 2000, there were 95,745 people, 32,703 households, and 25,181 families residing in the county. The population density was 160/km² (414/mi²). There were 35,030 housing units at an average density of 58/km² (152/mi²). The racial makeup of the county was 93.87% White, 1.63% Black or African American, 0.14% Native American, 1.24% Asian, 0.03% Pacific Islander, 1.67% from other races, and 1.42% from two or more races. 6.24% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.There were 32,703 households out of which 38.90% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 65.40% were married couples living together, 8.30% had a female householder with no husband present, and 23.00% were non-families. 18.10% of all households were made up of individuals and 5.90% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.86 and the average family size was 3.27.
In the county the population was spread out with 26.50% under the age of 18, 6.30% from 18 to 24, 32.10% from 25 to 44, 25.60% from 45 to 64, and 9.60% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 37 years. For every 100 females there were 99.50 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 97.30 males.
The median income for a household in the county was $72,279, and the median income for a family was $82,197. Males had a median income of $53,295 versus $38,390 for females. The per capita income for the county was $30,127. About 2.70% of families and 4.40% of the population were below the poverty line, including 4.50% of those under age 18 and 7.00% of those age 65 or over.
Towns, villages, and hamlets
- Carmel
- *Carmel -- The hamlet of Carmel is in the northeast corner of the town.
- *Carmel Hills --
- *Field Corners --
- *Hopkins Corners --
- *Mahopac -- A hamlet where the town government is located.
- *Mahopac Falls -- A hamlet in the southwest corner of the town.
- *Mahopac Point --
- *Rock Hill Camp --
- *Secor Corners --
- *Tilly Foster -- A hamlet east of Carmel village.
- *West Mahopac -- A hamlet near the west town line.
- Kent
- *Lake Carmel -- A hamlet.
- *Kent Corners --
- *Kent Hills --
- *Luddingtonville --
- Patterson
- *Barnum Corners --
- *Camp Brady --
- *Fields Corners --
- *Haines Corners --
- *Haviland Hollow --
- *Patterson -- The hamlet of Patterson.
- *Putnam Lake -- A lake in the eastern part of the town.
- *Putnam Lake -- A hamlet west of Putnam Lake.
- *Steinbeck Corners --
- *Towners --
- *West Patterson --
- Philipstown
- *Cold Spring -- The Village of Cold Spring
- *Forsonville --
- *Garrison --
- *Garrison Four Corners --
- *Glenclyffe --
- *Manitou --
- *McKeel Corners --
- *Nelsonville -- The Village of Nelsonville.
- *North Highland --
- *Storm King --
- Putnam Valley
- *Adams Corners --
- *Christian Corners --
- *Gilbert Corners --
- *Lake Peekskill --
- *Oscawana Corners --
- *Putnam Lake --
- *Putnam Valley -- The hamlet of Putnam Valley is near the south town line.
- *Tompkins Corners --
- *Sunnybrook --
- Southeast
- *Brewster -- Village of Brewster is centrally located in the town.
- *Brewster Heights -- A hamlet west of Brewster village.
- *Deans Corners --
- *Deforest Corners --
- *Drewville Heights --
- *Dykemans --
- *Milltown --
- *Sears Corners --
- *Sodom --
| North: Dutchess County | ||
| West: Hudson River Orange County |
Putnam County | East: Fairfield County, Connecticut |
| South: Westchester County |
External links
- [Putnam County, New York site]
- [Putnam County Page at Hudson Valley Directory]
- [Summary early history of Putnam County]
- [A Great Church Right Minutes From Anywhere in Putnam County]
- [Fishkill Creek Watershed Committee]
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