List of Counties in New York
New York has 62 counties. The most populous counties are Kings County (Brooklyn), Queens County, New York County (Manhattan), Suffolk County, Bronx County, Nassau County, Westchester County, Erie County (Buffalo), Monroe County (Rochester), and Richmond County (Staten Island). Kings County (Brooklyn) is the most populous, as Brooklyn is the most populated borough of New York City. The five counties that make up New York City (Kings, Queens, New York, Bronx, and Richmond) dominate the population figures, while Nassau and Westchester counties are suburban extensions of the city.
List of All Counties in New York
- Albany County, New York
- Allegany County, New York
- Bronx County, New York
- Broome County, New York
- Cattaraugus County, New York
- Cayuga County, New York
- Chautauqua County, New York
- Chemung County, New York
- Chenango County, New York
- Clinton County, New York
- Columbia County, New York
- Cortland County, New York
- Delaware County, New York
- Dutchess County, New York
- Erie County, New York
- Essex County, New York
- Franklin County, New York
- Fulton County, New York
- Genesee County, New York
- Greene County, New York
- Hamilton County, New York
- Herkimer County, New York
- Jefferson County, New York
- Kings County, New York
- Lewis County, New York
- Livingston County, New York
- Madison County, New York
- Monroe County, New York
- Montgomery County, New York
- Nassau County, New York
- New York County, New York
- Niagara County, New York
- Oneida County, New York
- Onondaga County, New York
- Ontario County, New York
- Orange County, New York
- Orleans County, New York
- Oswego County, New York
- Otsego County, New York
- Putnam County, New York
- Queens County, New York
- Rensselaer County, New York
- Richmond County, New York
- Rockland County, New York
- Saint Lawrence County, New York
- Saratoga County, New York
- Schenectady County, New York
- Schoharie County, New York
- Schuyler County, New York
- Seneca County, New York
- Steuben County, New York
- Suffolk County, New York
- Sullivan County, New York
- Tioga County, New York
- Tompkins County, New York
- Ulster County, New York
- Warren County, New York
- Washington County, New York
- Wayne County, New York
- Westchester County, New York
- Wyoming County, New York
- Yates County, New York
Largest Counties in New York
1. St. Lawrence County
Overview
St. Lawrence County is the largest county in New York, covering 2,821 square miles. Located in the northern part of the state, it borders Canada to the north across the St. Lawrence River, Franklin County to the east, and Jefferson County to the west. Established in 1802, the county was named after the St. Lawrence River. The county seat is Canton, a small town known for its historic charm and as the home of St. Lawrence University. The economy of St. Lawrence County has traditionally been based on agriculture, forestry, and manufacturing, but tourism has become increasingly important due to its proximity to the Thousand Islands region and the Adirondack Mountains.
County Facts
- Population: Approximately 108,000
- County Seat: Canton
- Major Airports: Massena International Airport
- Major Highways: U.S. Highway 11, New York State Route 3, New York State Route 37
2. Suffolk County
Overview
Suffolk County is located in the southeastern part of New York State and covers 2,373 square miles, making it the second-largest county by land area. It occupies the majority of Long Island and is bordered by Nassau County to the west and the Atlantic Ocean to the east and south. Suffolk County was founded in 1683 and named after the county of Suffolk in England. The county seat is Riverhead, though the larger towns of Huntington and Brookhaven are economic hubs. The economy is diverse, with key sectors including tourism, agriculture, fishing, and technology. Suffolk County is known for its beaches, including the Hamptons and Fire Island, and its vineyards on the North Fork.
County Facts
- Population: Approximately 1.48 million
- County Seat: Riverhead
- Major Airports: Long Island MacArthur Airport
- Major Highways: Interstate 495, New York State Route 27, New York State Route 25
3. Essex County
Overview
Essex County is located in northeastern New York and spans 1,916 square miles. It is bordered by Clinton County to the north, Warren County to the south, and the state of Vermont to the east across Lake Champlain. The county was established in 1799 and named after Essex County, New Jersey. The county seat is Elizabethtown, a small town with historical significance dating back to the American Revolution. Essex County is primarily rural and known for its part of the Adirondack Park, including iconic natural landmarks like Lake Placid, the site of the 1932 and 1980 Winter Olympics. Tourism, particularly outdoor recreation, is the main economic driver, along with forestry and small-scale agriculture.
County Facts
- Population: Approximately 37,000
- County Seat: Elizabethtown
- Major Airports: Adirondack Regional Airport
- Major Highways: Interstate 87, U.S. Highway 9, New York State Route 73
4. Hamilton County
Overview
Hamilton County is one of the most sparsely populated counties in New York, covering 1,808 square miles. It is located in the central Adirondacks region, bordered by Essex County to the east, Fulton County to the south, and Herkimer County to the west. The county was established in 1816 and named after Alexander Hamilton, one of the Founding Fathers of the United States. The county seat is Lake Pleasant, a small town surrounded by mountains and lakes. Hamilton County is entirely within the Adirondack Park, making tourism, outdoor recreation, and seasonal homes the primary economic activities. The county is known for its untouched wilderness and is a popular destination for hikers, boaters, and campers.
County Facts
- Population: Approximately 4,500
- County Seat: Lake Pleasant
- Major Airports: None (Nearest major airport: Albany International Airport)
- Major Highways: New York State Route 28, New York State Route 30, New York State Route 8
5. Delaware County
Overview
Delaware County is located in the Catskills region of New York, covering 1,468 square miles. It is bordered by Broome County to the west, Ulster County to the southeast, and Greene County to the northeast. The county was established in 1797 and named after the Delaware River, which forms its southern boundary. The county seat is Delhi, a small town that is also home to the State University of New York (SUNY) at Delhi. Delaware County is largely rural and known for its agricultural industry, particularly dairy farming. The county’s natural beauty and outdoor recreation opportunities, such as hiking, fishing, and skiing, are significant contributors to the local economy.
County Facts
- Population: Approximately 44,000
- County Seat: Delhi
- Major Airports: None (Nearest major airport: Greater Binghamton Airport)
- Major Highways: New York State Route 17, New York State Route 28, U.S. Highway 206
6. Steuben County
Overview
Steuben County is located in the Southern Tier region of New York, covering 1,404 square miles. It is bordered by Chemung County to the south, Schuyler County to the east, and Allegany County to the west. The county was established in 1796 and named after Baron von Steuben, a Prussian military officer who played a key role in the American Revolutionary War. The county seat is Bath, a town known for its historic buildings and natural mineral springs. The economy of Steuben County is diverse, with manufacturing, healthcare, and agriculture being important sectors. The county is also home to Corning, known for its glass manufacturing industry and the Corning Museum of Glass.
County Facts
- Population: Approximately 95,000
- County Seat: Bath
- Major Airports: Elmira-Corning Regional Airport
- Major Highways: Interstate 86, U.S. Highway 15, New York State Route 54
7. Jefferson County
Overview
Jefferson County is located in northern New York, covering 1,857 square miles. It is bordered by Lake Ontario to the west, St. Lawrence County to the north, and Lewis County to the east. Established in 1805, the county was named after President Thomas Jefferson. The county seat is Watertown, a city that serves as the commercial and industrial hub of the region. Jefferson County is known for its proximity to the Thousand Islands and the Canadian border, making tourism a key part of the economy. Agriculture, particularly dairy farming, and military presence through Fort Drum, also contribute to the local economy.
County Facts
- Population: Approximately 109,000
- County Seat: Watertown
- Major Airports: Watertown International Airport
- Major Highways: Interstate 81, U.S. Highway 11, New York State Route 3
8. Allegany County
Overview
Allegany County is located in southwestern New York, spanning 1,034 square miles. It is bordered by Cattaraugus County to the west, Steuben County to the east, and Pennsylvania to the south. The county was established in 1806 and named after the Allegany River. The county seat is Belmont, a small town located near the Genesee River. Allegany County is largely rural and known for its agricultural production, particularly dairy farming, as well as forestry and small-scale manufacturing. The county is also home to Alfred University and SUNY Alfred, which contribute to the local economy through education and research.
County Facts
- Population: Approximately 46,000
- County Seat: Belmont
- Major Airports: None (Nearest major airport: Greater Rochester International Airport)
- Major Highways: Interstate 86, U.S. Highway 19, New York State Route 417
9. Franklin County
Overview
Franklin County is located in the northern part of New York, covering 1,697 square miles. It is bordered by Canada to the north, Clinton County to the east, and St. Lawrence County to the west. The county was established in 1808 and named after Benjamin Franklin, one of the Founding Fathers of the United States. The county seat is Malone, a town with a rich history in agriculture and lumber production. Franklin County is home to a large portion of the Adirondack Park, making tourism and outdoor recreation key economic drivers. The county also has a strong agricultural sector, including dairy farming and maple syrup production.
County Facts
- Population: Approximately 50,000
- County Seat: Malone
- Major Airports: Adirondack Regional Airport
- Major Highways: U.S. Highway 11, New York State Route 30, New York State Route 37
10. Otsego County
Overview
Otsego County is located in central New York and spans 1,003 square miles. It is bordered by Herkimer County to the north, Delaware County to the south, and Schoharie County to the east. The county was established in 1791 and named after Otsego Lake, a large glacial lake in the area. The county seat is Cooperstown, famous for being the home of the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum. Otsego County’s economy is largely based on tourism, with Cooperstown attracting visitors for its historical significance and museums. Agriculture, particularly dairy farming, also plays an important role in the county’s economy.
County Facts
- Population: Approximately 58,000
- County Seat: Cooperstown
- Major Airports: Albany International Airport (nearby)
- Major Highways: U.S. Highway 20, New York State Route 28, New York State Route 80