Putnam County is a county located in the state of New York. As of 2000, the population is 95,745. 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 townships comprising the county had reached their current names and boundaries by 1877.
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. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 638 km (246 mi). 599 km (231 mi) of it is land and 39 km (15 mi) of it is water. The total area is 6.08% 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 Census of 2000, there are 95,745 people, 32,703 households, and 25,181 families residing in the county. The population density is 160/km (414/mi). There are 35,030 housing units at an average density of 58/km (152/mi). The racial makeup of the county is 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 are Hispanic or Latino of any race.
There are 32,703 households out of which 38.90% have children under the age of 18 living with them, 65.40% are married couples living together, 8.30% have a female householder with no husband present, and 23.00% are non-families. 18.10% of all households are made up of individuals and 5.90% have someone living alone who is 65 years of age or older. The average household size is 2.86 and the average family size is 3.27.
In the county the population is 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 are 65 years of age or older. The median age is 37 years. For every 100 females there are 99.50 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there are 97.30 males.
The median income for a household in the county is $72,279, and the median income for a family is $82,197. Males have a median income of $53,295 versus $38,390 for females. The per capita income for the county is $30,127. 4.40% of the population and 2.70% of families are below the poverty line. Out of the total population, 4.50% of those under the age of 18 and 7.00% of those 65 and older are living below the poverty line.
(Source: Wikipedia Encyclopedia...wikipedia.org)
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