The state of New York is comprised of 62 counties, each with its own unique characteristics and features. A New York State county map is a valuable tool for navigating the state's geography, understanding its administrative divisions, and exploring its various regions.
New York State County Map Overview
A typical New York State county map displays the 62 counties, which are grouped into several regions, including the Adirondack Mountains, the Capital District, Central New York, the Finger Lakes, the Hudson Valley, Long Island, the North Country, the Southern Tier, and Western New York. Each county has its own distinct boundaries, with some sharing borders with neighboring states, such as Vermont, Massachusetts, Connecticut, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania.
Regional Breakdown of New York State Counties
The counties of New York State can be broadly categorized into several regions, each with its own economic, cultural, and geographical characteristics. The following is a breakdown of the state’s counties by region:
| Region | Counties |
|---|---|
| Adirondack Mountains | Clinton, Essex, Franklin, Fulton, Hamilton, Herkimer, Lewis, St. Lawrence, Warren, Washington |
| Capital District | Albany, Columbia, Greene, Rensselaer, Saratoga, Schenectady, Schoharie, Warren |
| Central New York | Cayuga, Cortland, Madison, Onondaga, Oswego |
| Finger Lakes | Chemung, Livingston, Monroe, Ontario, Schuyler, Seneca, Steuben, Wayne, Yates |
| Hudson Valley | Dutchess, Orange, Putnam, Rockland, Sullivan, Ulster, Westchester |
| Long Island | Kings, Nassau, Queens, Suffolk |
| North Country | Jefferson, Lewis, St. Lawrence |
| Southern Tier | Broome, Chemung, Chenango, Delaware, Otsego, Schoharie, Schuyler, Steuben, Tioga, Tompkins |
| Western New York | Allegany, Cattaraugus, Chautauqua, Erie, Genesee, Niagara, Orleans, Wyoming |
Counties of New York State by Population
The population of New York State’s counties varies significantly, with some counties having populations in the millions, while others have populations of less than 50,000. The following is a list of the top 10 most populous counties in New York State:
- Kings County (Brooklyn): approximately 2.6 million people
- Queens County (Queens): approximately 2.3 million people
- New York County (Manhattan): approximately 1.6 million people
- Suffolk County: approximately 1.5 million people
- Nassau County: approximately 1.4 million people
- Westchester County: approximately 980,000 people
- Erie County: approximately 920,000 people
- Monroe County: approximately 750,000 people
- Orange County: approximately 390,000 people
- Albany County: approximately 310,000 people
Geographic Features of New York State Counties
New York State’s counties are characterized by diverse geographic features, including mountains, rivers, lakes, and coastlines. The Adirondack Mountains, for example, cover a significant portion of the state’s northern counties, while the Hudson River runs through several counties in the eastern part of the state. The Great Lakes, including Lake Ontario and Lake Erie, border several counties in the western part of the state.
What is the largest county in New York State by land area?
+St. Lawrence County is the largest county in New York State by land area, covering approximately 2,821 square miles.
Which county in New York State has the highest population density?
+New York County (Manhattan) has the highest population density in New York State, with approximately 72,000 people per square mile.
What is the smallest county in New York State by population?
+Hamilton County is the smallest county in New York State by population, with approximately 4,800 people.
