Columbia County, New York
According to countryaah.com, Columbia County, New York is home to a population of approximately 63,000 people. The county seat and largest city is Hudson, with a population of 6,717 and a median age of 41.3 years. Other larger cities in the county include Chatham (population: 3,061), Kinderhook (population: 2,792), Valatie (population: 1,861) and Philmont (population: 854). The rest of the population is spread out in smaller towns and unincorporated communities such as Claverack (population: 796), Copake (population: 795) and Germantown (population: 665).
The racial makeup of Columbia County is primarily white, accounting for 86% of the total population. The remaining 14% are comprised of Hispanic or Latino individuals (7%), African American or Black individuals (2%), Native American or Alaska Native individuals (0.4%), Asian individuals (0.2%) and those who identify as two or more races (3%). Additionally, there are small numbers of individuals who identify as Hawaiian/Pacific Islander or other races at 0%.
The median household income in Columbia County is $59,902 per year while the median family income is $68,664 per year. The poverty rate among residents under 18 years old is relatively low at 11%, compared to 9% for all ages combined. Additionally, about 5% of all households receive some type of public assistance such as food stamps or housing subsidies from the government.
In terms of educational attainment, 95% of adults over 25 have completed high school while 39% have obtained a bachelor’s degree or higher level education. Additionally, only 4% are considered “linguistically isolated” meaning they speak English less than “very well” according to the U.S Census Bureau’s American Community Survey data for 2017-2019 estimates.
Columbia County has a diverse population with relatively low poverty rates and strong educational attainment that helps bring people together from different backgrounds and walks of life despite its predominately white makeup.
History of Columbia County, New York
Columbia County, New York has a long and storied history that dates back to the early 1600s. The area was first inhabited by the Mahican Native American tribe, who were part of the larger Algonquian-speaking tribes in the region. The Mahicans were known for their expertise in farming and fishing and had a strong presence in Columbia County until the mid-1700s when colonial settlers began to move into the area.
The first permanent European settlement in Columbia County was established in 1710 by Dutch settlers from New York City. This settlement, located near present day Kinderhook, was named Claverack after nearby Claverack Creek. Over time, other settlements popped up throughout the county including Germantown (1761) and Hudson (1783).
During the Revolutionary War, Columbia County saw its fair share of action. In 1777, General John Burgoyne’s British forces marched through Kinderhook on their way to Albany while General George Washington’s troops moved through Stockport on their march to Saratoga. In addition, two major battles took place in Columbia County during this time: The Battle of Kinderhook (1780) and the Battle of Valatie (1781).
In 1786, Columbia County was officially established as one of 12 counties within New York State. From this point forward it experienced a period of steady growth as more settlers moved into the area looking for work or new opportunities. Industries such as logging and farming flourished while small towns began to sprout up throughout the county.
Throughout much of its history, Columbia County has been an agricultural center with dairy farms being one of its main industries up until the mid-1900s when many farms began to close due to declining demand for milk products. Today, agriculture still plays an important role in Columbia County’s economy but has been supplemented by tourism and light industry such as paper manufacturing and printing services.
Columbia County is also home to several notable sites including Olana State Historic Site which is home to painter Frederic Edwin Church’s 19th-century estate; Martin Van Buren National Historic Site which commemorates America’s 8th presidents; and Clermont State Historic Site which features two late 18th century homes owned by prominent Dutch families from early colonial times. Additionally, there are numerous parks throughout Columbia County that offer visitors ample opportunities for outdoor recreation year-round including camping, hiking, boating and fishing activities among other things.
Major cities and towns in Columbia County, New York
Columbia County is a county in New York State located in the Hudson Valley region. It is home to many small towns and cities that offer visitors a variety of attractions and activities.
The largest city in Columbia County is Hudson, which was founded in 1783. It is known for its vibrant arts and culture scene as well as its picturesque location along the Hudson River. It is also home to the annual RiverFest celebration which includes music, food, and entertainment. Other notable attractions include Olana State Historic Site, Martin Van Buren National Historic Site, Clermont State Historic Site, and several parks offering outdoor recreation opportunities year-round.
The town of Kinderhook was established in 1609 and is one of the oldest communities in Columbia County. Its main attraction is the historic Lindenwald estate which was once owned by President Martin Van Buren. The town also offers several museums, art galleries, antique shops, restaurants, and more for visitors to explore.
The city of Catskill has been an important hub for commerce since it was first established in 1788. It’s most famous attraction is the Thomas Cole National Historic Site which commemorates the life of one of America’s most influential painters from the 19th century – Thomas Cole. In addition to this site there are several other museums and galleries throughout Catskill offering visitors a glimpse into the area’s history and culture.
Germantown was established in 1761 and remains one of Columbia County’s most historic towns today with many buildings dating back to early colonial times still standing today including churches, homes, stores, taverns, mills, farms and more. Visitors can take part in various activities such as hiking or fishing at nearby Claverack Creek or visiting one of Germantown’s numerous local festivals throughout the year including their famous Oktoberfest celebration each fall.
Valatie was founded in 1787 by Dutch settlers who named it after their hometown Valatie located near Amsterdam. Today, it has become a popular tourist destination thanks to its numerous historical sites such as Churchtown Dutch Reformed Church which dates back to 1802 as well as its many outdoor recreation opportunities including camping at nearby Copake Lake or taking part in fishing activities on Kinderhook Creek or Valatie Kill Creek.
Stockport was first settled by English colonists around 1690 who named it after Stockport near Manchester England where many had come from originally. Today, Stockport offers visitors plenty to do including visiting local wineries such as Clinton Vineyards or exploring historic sites like Stockport Mill Complex or Schodack Island State Park where you can find remnants from Revolutionary War battles that took place here over 200 years ago.
In summary, Columbia County New York offers visitors a variety of attractions ranging from historic sites, parks, museums, wineries, restaurants, shops, outdoor recreation opportunities, festivals, events and more. Whether you’re looking for a day trip or an extended stay there’s something here for everyone .
Population in Columbia County, New York
According to Act-Test-Centers, Columbia County, New York is a rural county located in the Hudson Valley region of the state. According to the 2018 US Census Bureau estimates, Columbia County has a population of 62,394 people. The population is spread across 8 towns and 19 census-designated places. The largest town in the county is Hudson, with a population of 6,878 people. The other seven towns include Ancram, Austerlitz, Claverack, Gallatin, Ghent, Greenport and Kinderhook.
The racial makeup of Columbia County is 94.1% White; 1.2% Black or African American; 0.3% Native American; 2.0% Asian; 0.1% Pacific Islander; 1.2% from other races; and 1% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 4% of the population in 2018. In addition to its racial diversity, Columbia County also has a rich cultural diversity with many immigrants from Europe and Latin America living in the area today.
The median income for households in Columbia County was $58,726 in 2017 according to US Census Bureau data while the median income for families was $71,843 in 2017 as reported by Sperling’s Best Places website. The per capita income for the county was $30,552 as reported by the Data USA website. The poverty rate for Columbia County was 7%, which is lower than both New York State (13%) and national (14%) averages according to US Census Bureau data from 2017.
Columbia County offers an interesting mix of rural living and access to nearby metropolitan areas such as Albany and New York City making it an attractive option for those looking to relocate or visit this area of New York State. With its diverse population, vibrant culture and proximity to major cities and attractions there is something here for everyone no matter where they come from or what their interests may be.
