The Counties of New York State – A Historical Journey

"The Counties of New York State: A Historical Journey" is an invitation to explore our sixty-two counties' foundational beginnings, defining milestones, and their continued roles in shaping the state’s history and modern life. From the bustling streets of Manhattan to the islands and shorelines of rivers and lakes to the pastoral landscapes of upstate, each county has contributed to New York’s development, culture, and identity. Organized into the state’s ten distinct economic regions and four core themes of Colonial Foundations, Economic Expansion, Modern Integration, and Counties Today, this exhibition celebrates how our counties have shaped life in New York, past and present.

New York State Capitol

East Lobby, Second Floor

Monday – Friday

7:00 a.m. - 7:00 p.m.

The origin of New York’s county structure can be traced to England and the Colonial era in America. The Duke’s Laws of 1665 created “ridings,” or judicial districts, which formed the basis for the developing county structure. By 1683, the Colonial Assembly established the first twelve counties: Albany, Cornwall, Dukes, Dutchess, Kings, New York, Orange, Queens, Richmond, Suffolk, Ulster, and Westchester. After 1691, Cornwall and Dukes were determined to be part of Massachusetts.

In 1777, the first New York State Constitution was ratified. It formally established counties, cities, and towns as local government units and recognized the existence of the fourteen counties determined by the Colonial Assembly. Two of those counties were ceded to Vermont in 1790. Over the next 137 years, New York’s remaining fifty counties were created. The general rule was that a new county was formed once an area reached 1,000 residents. By the early 20th century, sixty-two counties had been created, with Bronx County being the last in 1914. 

New York’s modern county structure began to take shape in the 20th century as counties evolved to meet the service demands of growing populations and urbanization. In 1937, the County Charter Movement allowed counties to adopt charters and develop their organizational structure to meet the needs of the local populace. Moreover, federal and state court rulings in the 1960s required counties to ensure equal representation to comply with the “one person-one vote” principle.

Building upon over 350 years of experience, adaptability, and resilience, today’s counties continue to evolve to meet the needs of modern residents and visitors to the Empire State.