County Facts
Established 330 years ago by an act of the British king, New York's counties are at the heart of New York State. From Niagara Falls to the Finger Lakes, from the Adirondacks to Long Island Sound, New York's counties represent diverse landscapes, cities, towns, farms, mountains, and everything in between.
New York county government provides vital programs and services that keep our communities humming and support residents and businesses. We’ve led the nation in agriculture and manufacturing. We've been pioneers of industry, conservation, and technology. Counties remain home to vibrant communities, cutting-edge businesses, world-class colleges and universities, and natural beauty.
Though varied, New York’s counties have often come together to assist one another, to call for state action on common needs, to share services, and to improve upon an always-evolving local government structure.
The Historic and Contemporary Role of NYS Counties
NYSAC News article delving into the evolution of NY's counties.
101 Ways Counties Serve New Yorkers
This document outlines 101 ways that counties serve New Yorkers and strengthen the quality of our communities, sorted into categories of service.
The Counties of New York State - NY.gov
This page links to all New York County websites, with an option to filter by region.
Counties Matter: NACo
This resource from the National Association of Counties website details the many ways America’s 3,069 counties, parishes and boroughs help our communities thrive.
County Explorer: NACo
This tool from the National Association of Counties provides easy access to data that offers a snapshot on a variety of topics relevant to counties nationwide.
