Administrative divisions of New York refers to the various units of government of
New YorkNew York is a state in the Mid-Atlantic and Northeastern regions of the United States and is the nation's third most populous. The state is bordered by New Jersey and Pennsylvania to the south, and Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont to the east...
that provide
local governmentLocal governments are administrative office that are smaller than a state. The term is used to contrast with offices at nation-state level, which are referred to as the central government, national government, or federal government....
services. The
stateA U.S. state is any one of 50 federated states of the United States of America that share sovereignty with the federal government . Because of this shared sovereignty, an American is a citizen both of the federal entity and of his or her state of domicile...
has four multi-purpose
municipal corporationA municipal corporation is the legal term for a local governing body, including cities, counties, towns, townships, charter townships, villages, and boroughs. Municipal incorporation occurs when such municipalities become self-governing entities under the laws of the state or province in which...
s that provide most local government services, namely: counties, cities, towns, and villages. (Villages are a third layer of government, which are usually overlaid inside a town, and co-administer with the town, county, and state.) New York also has various corporate entities that serve single purposes that are also local governments, such as school and fire districts. Whether a
municipalityA municipality is an administrative entity composed of a clearly defined territory and its population and commonly denotes a city, town, or village, or a small grouping of them. A municipality is typically governed by a mayor and a city council or municipal council.The notion of municipality...
is defined as a city, town, or village is not dependent on
populationIn biology, a population is the collection of inter-breeding organisms of a particular species; in sociology, a collection of human beings. Individuals within a population share a factor may be reduced by statistical means, but such a generalization may be too vague to imply anything...
or land area, but rather by the form of government selected by the residents and approved by the
state legislatureThe New York Legislature is the term often used to refer to the two houses that act as the state legislature of the U.S. state of New York. Under the New York State Constitution, there is no such thing as the "New York State Legislature"...
. Each such government is granted varying
home ruleHome rule is where constituent parts of a state are given greater self-government within the administrative purview of the central government....
powers as provided by the
FederalThe Constitution of the United States of America is the supreme law of the United States. It is the foundation and source of the legal authority underlying the existence of the United States of America and the federal government of the United States...
and State Constitutions.
New York has 62 counties, which are subdivided into 932 towns, 62 cities, and 9
Indian reservationAn Indian reservation is an area of land managed by a Native American tribe under the United States Department of the Interior's Bureau of Indian Affairs. Because Native American tribes have limited national sovereignty, laws on tribal lands vary from the surrounding area...
s. In total, the state has over 4200 local governments.
Home rule
Incorporated municipal governments (also known as "general purpose units of local government"; i.e., counties, cities, towns and villages) in New York State have been granted broad
home ruleHome rule is where constituent parts of a state are given greater self-government within the administrative purview of the central government....
powers enabling them to provide services to their residents and to regulate the quality of life within their jurisdictions. They do so while adhering to the
United States ConstitutionThe Constitution of the United States of America is the supreme law of the United States. It is the foundation and source of the legal authority underlying the existence of the United States of America and the federal government of the United States...
and the Constitution of the State of New York. Articles IX (titled "Local Government", but commonly referred to as the "Home Rule" article) and VIII (titled "Local Finances") of the State Constitution establish the rights and responsibilities of the municipal governments.
The New York State Constitution provides for democratically elected legislative bodies for counties, cities, towns and villages. These legislative bodies are granted the power to enact local laws as needed in order to provide services to their citizens and fulfill their various obligations.
County
The
countyIn the United States, a county is a local level of government below the state . Counties are used in 48 of the 50 states, while Louisiana is divided into parishes and Alaska into boroughs. These are considered "county-equivalents", as are some cities not designated as part of a county. The U.S...
is the primary administrative division of New York. There are sixty-two counties in the state. Five of the counties are boroughs of the city of
New YorkNew York is the most populous city in the United States, and the center of the New York metropolitan area, which is among the most populous urban areas in the world. A leading global city, New York exerts a powerful influence over worldwide commerce, finance, culture, fashion and entertainment...
and do not have functioning county governments. While originally created as subdivisions of the state meant to carry out state functions, counties are now considered municipal corporations with the power and fiscal capacity to provide an array of local government services. Such services generally include law enforcement and public safety, social and health services (such as
Medicaid Medicaid is the United States health program for eligible individuals and families with low incomes and resources. It is a means-tested program that is jointly funded by the states and federal government, and is managed by the states. Among the groups of people served by Medicaid are certain...
), and education (special needs and community colleges).
Every county has a
county seatA county seat is a term for an administrative center for a county or civil parish, primarily used in the United States. In the Northeast United States, the statutory term often is shire town, but colloquially county seat is the term in use there...
, which is the location of county government. One county,
SenecaSeneca County is a county located in the U.S. state of New York. As of the 2000 census, the population was 33,342. Two villages share the duty as the county seats: Ovid and Waterloo...
, has two county seats, namely the villages of Waterloo and Ovid.
According to the
State of New York Local Government Handbook, "The county is now a municipal corporation with geographical jurisdiction, homerule powers and fiscal capacity to provide a wide range of services to its residents. To some extent, counties have evolved into a form of 'regional' government that performs specified functions and which encompasses, but does not necessarily supersede, the jurisdiction of the cities, towns and villages within its borders."
Twenty-seven counties of the State operate under the general provisions of the County Law. Twenty counties have County Charters. Although all counties have a certain latitude to govern themselves, "charter counties" are afforded greater home rule powers. The charter counties as of 2006 are
AlbanyAlbany County is a county located in the state of New York, and is part of the Albany-Schenectady-Troy Metropolitan Statistical Area. The name is from the title of the Duke of York and Albany, who became James II of England. As of the 2000 census, the population was 294,565...
,
BroomeBroome County is a county located in the U.S. state of New York. As of the 2000 census, the population was 200,536. It was named in honor of John Broome, who was lieutenant governor in 1806 when Broome County was established. Its county seat is Binghamton, which is also its major city. The current...
,
ChautauquaChautauqua County is a county located in the U.S. state of New York. As of the 2000 census, the population was 139,750. Its name may be a contraction of a Seneca Indian word meaning "bag tied in the middle". Its county seat is Mayville.-History:...
,
ChemungChemung County is a county located in the U.S. state of New York. It is part of the 'Elmira, New York Metropolitan Statistical Area' which encompasses all of Chemung County. As of the 2000 census, the population was 91,070. Its name is derived from the name of a Delaware Indian village . Its...
,
DutchessDutchess County is a county located in the U.S. state of New York, in the state's Mid-Hudson Region of the Hudson Valley. The 2000 census lists the population as 280,150, but the United States Census Bureau gives an estimate of 292,706 residents for the 12-month period ending July 1, 2007...
,
ErieCounty of Erie, commonly referred to as Erie County, is a county located in the U.S. state of New York. As of the 2000 census, the population was 950,265. The county seat is Buffalo...
,
HerkimerHerkimer County is a county located in the U.S. state of New York. It was created in 1791 out of part of Montgomery County. As of the 2000 census, the population was 64,427. It is named after General Nicholas Herkimer, who died from battle wounds in 1777 after taking part in the Battle of Oriskany...
,
MonroeMonroe County is a county located in the U.S. state of New York. As of the 2000 census, the population was 735,343. It is named after James Monroe, fifth President of the United States of America. Its county seat is the city of Rochester....
,
NassauNassau County is a suburban county in the New York Metropolitan Area east of New York City in the U.S. state of New York. As of the 2000 census, the population was 1,334,544...
,
OneidaOneida County is a county located in the U.S. state of New York. As of the 2000 census, the population was 235,469. The county seat is Utica. The name is in honor of the Oneida, an Iroquoian tribe that formerly occupied the region....
,
OnondagaOnondaga County is a county located in the U.S. state of New York. As of the 2000 census, the population was 458,336. The estimated population for 2004 is 459,805, an increase of 0.3%...
,
OrangeOrange County is a county located in the U.S. state of New York. It is part of the Poughkeepsie–Newburgh–Middletown, NY Metropolitan Statistical Area and is located at the northern reaches of the New York metropolitan area. The county sits in the state's scenic Mid-Hudson Region of the...
,
PutnamPutnam County is a county located in the U.S. state of New York, in the lower Hudson River Valley. Putnam county formed in 1812, when it detached from Dutchess County. , the population was 100,570. It is part of the New York Metropolitan Area. The county seat is Carmel...
,
RensselaerRensselaer County is a county in the U.S. state of New York. As of the 2000 census, the population was 152,538. Its name is in honor of the family of Kiliaen van Rensselaer, the original Dutch owner of the land in the area. Its county seat is Troy...
,
RocklandRockland County is a county located in the U.S. state of New York, north-northwest of New York City. It is part of the New York Metropolitan Area. As of the 2000 census, the population was 286,753. The county seat is New City. The name comes from "rocky land", an early description of the area...
,
SchenectadySchenectady County is a county located in the U.S. state of New York. As of the 2000 census, the population was 146,555. It is part of the Albany-Schenectady-Troy Metropolitan Statistical Area. The county seat is Schenectady...
,
SuffolkSuffolk County is a county located in the U.S. state of New York on the eastern portion of Long Island. As of the 2000 census, the population was 1,419,369. It was named for the county of Suffolk in England, from which its earliest settlers came. The county seat is Riverhead, though many county...
,
SullivanSullivan County is a county located in the U.S. state of New York. According to the 2007 estimate by the U.S. Census Bureau, the county's population was 76,303. The county seat is Monticello. The name is in honor of Major General John Sullivan, who was a hero in the American Revolutionary War...
,
TompkinsTompkins County is a county located in the U.S. state of New York, and comprises the whole of the Ithaca metropolitan area. As of the 2000 census, the population was 96,501. The county seat is Ithaca, and the county is home to Cornell University, Ithaca College and Tompkins Cortland Community...
, and
WestchesterWestchester County is a primarily suburban county located in the U.S. state of New York. Westchester covers an area of 450 square miles and has a diverse population of approximately 950,000, residing in 45 municipalities...
.
In some counties, the legislature is the Board of Supervisors, composed of town and city supervisors of its constituent towns and cities. In most of these counties, each supervisor's vote is weighted in accordance with the town's population in order to abide by the principle of "one person, one vote". Other counties have legislative districts of equal population which may cross municipal borders, these counties also have an elected County Executive. Some counties do not use the term "Board of Supervisors", but instead call their legislative body "Board of Representatives", "Board of Legislators," or "County Legislature".
In non-charter counties, the legislative body exercises executive power as well. Although the legislature can delegate certain functions and duties to a county administrator, who acts on behalf of the legislature, the legislature must maintain ultimate control over the actions of the administrator. Many, but not all, charter counties have an elected executive who is independent of the legislature; the exact form of government is defined in the County Charter.
See also: List of New York counties
City
In New York, each
cityA city is a relatively large and permanent settlement, particularly a large urban settlement. Although there is no agreement on technical definitions distinguishing a city from a town within general English language meanings, many cities have a particular administrative, legal, or historical status...
is a highly autonomous incorporated area that, with the exceptions of the city of New York and
GenevaGeneva is a city in Ontario and Seneca counties in the U.S. state of New York. The population was 13,617 at the 2000 census. Some claim it is named after the city and canton of Geneva in Switzerland...
, is contained within one county. Cities in New York are classified by the Census Bureau as incorporated places. They provide almost all services to its residents and has the highest degree of home rule and taxing
jurisdictionJurisdiction is the practical authority granted to a formally constituted legal body or to a political leader to deal with and make pronouncements on legal matters and, by implication, to administer justice within a defined area of responsibility.Alternatively, jurisdiction is the authority given...
over its residents. The main difference between a city and a village is that cities are organized and governed according to their charters, which can differ widely among cities, while most villages are subject to a uniform statewide Village Law (twelve villages still operate under charters issued by the state legislature prior to a revision of the State Constitution in 1874 that forbade chartering villages). Also, villages are part of a town (or towns; some villages cross town borders), with residents who pay taxes to and receive services from the town. Cities are neither part of nor subordinate to towns except for the city of
SherrillSherrill is a city in Oneida County, New York, United States. With a population of 3,147 , it is the least populous city in the state. Sherill is located at the western end of the Town of Vernon on Route 5. Sherrill is referred to as The Silver City.-History:Sherrill was founded in 1916 through a...
, which for some purposes is treated as if it were a village of the town of
VernonVernon, New York may refer to:*Vernon , New York, located in Oneida County*Vernon , New York, located within the Town of Vernon...
. Some cities are completely surrounded by a town, typically of the same name.
There are sixty-two cities in the state. As of 2000, 54.1% of state residents were living in a city; 42.2% were living in New York City; 11.9% were living in one of the other 61 cities. In 1686, the English colonial governor granted the cities of New York and
AlbanyAlbany is a city in the United States of America; it is the capital of the state of New York and the county seat of Albany County. Albany is roughly 136 miles north of the city of New York, and slightly south of the confluence of the Mohawk and Hudson Rivers. The city sits on the Hudson River and...
city charters, which were recognized by the first State Constitution in 1777. All other cities have been established by act of the state legislature and have been granted a charter. Cities have been granted the power to revise their charters or adopt new ones. There are no minimum population or area requirements in order to become a city. While there is no defined process for how and when a village becomes a city, the Legislature requires clear evidence, usually in the form of a locally drafted charter, that the community in question seeks to incorporate as a city.
The forms of government cities can have are council-manager, strong mayor-council, weak mayor-council or commission. Forty-six cities, the majority, use the mayor-council form.
- Strong mayor-council — An elective mayor serves as the chief executive and administrative head of the city. A city council
A city council is the legislative body that governs a city, municipality or local government area.-Australia:Because of the differences in legislation between the States, the exact definition of a City Council may vary slightly...
serves as a legislature. The mayor has veto power over council decisions, prepares a budget, and appoints and removes agency heads. This form sometimes includes a professional administrator appointed by the mayor.
- Weak mayor-council — The mayor is a ceremonial figure. The city council serves as both a legislature and executive committee. There is generally no mayoral veto.
- Council-manager — The mayor, if such a position exists, is ceremonial only. A professional administrator, appointed by the city council, serves as the administrative head. While empowered to appoint and remove agency heads and responsible for preparing a budget, the administrator does not have veto power. The city council serves as the legislature.
- Commission — Elected commissioners administer individual city departments and together act as a legislature. This form sometimes includes an administrator. There is no mayor, although commissioners sometimes assume mayoral ceremonial duties.
The city of New York is a special case. The state legislature reorganized government in the area in the 1890s in an effort to consolidate. Other cities, villages, and towns were annexed to become the "
City of Greater New YorkThe City of Greater New York was a term commonly used originally to refer to the expanded city created on January 1, 1898 by the incorporation into the city of Richmond County, Kings County, the western part of Queens County, and the eastern part of what is now called The Bronx...
", (an unofficial term, the new city retained the name of New York), a process basically completed in 1898. At the time of consolidation, Queens County was split. Its western towns joined the city, leaving three towns that were never part of the consolidation plan as part of Queens County but not part of the new Borough of Queens. (A small portion of the Town of Hempstead was itself annexed, also.) The next year (1899), the three eastern towns of Queens County separated to become
Nassau CountyNassau County is a suburban county in the New York Metropolitan Area east of New York City in the U.S. state of New York. As of the 2000 census, the population was 1,334,544...
. The city today consists of the entire area of five counties (named New York, Kings, Queens, Bronx, and Richmond). While these counties have no county government, boroughs — with boundaries coterminus with the county boundaries — each have a Borough Board made up of the Borough President, the borough's district council members, and the chairpersons of the borough's community boards. A mayor serves as the city's chief executive officer.
Some places containing the word "city" in their name are not cities. Examples include
Johnson CityJohnson City is a village in Broome County, New York, United States. The population was 15,535 at the 2000 census. It is part of the Binghamton Metropolitan Statistical Area....
,
Garden CityGarden City is a village in the Town of Hempstead in central Nassau County, New York, in the United States. It was founded by multi-millionaire Alexander Turney Stewart in 1869, and is located on Long Island, to the east of New York City, from mid-town Manhattan, and just south of the Town of...
, and
New CityNew City is a hamlet , in the Town of Clarkstown Rockland County, New York, United States. The area is located north of Bardonia; northeast Nanuet; east of New Hempstead and New Square; southeast of Mount Ivy; south of Garnerville; southwest of Haverstraw; west, straight across Lake Deforest, of...
.
See also: List of cities in New York
Town
In New York, a town is the major division of each county. Towns in New York are classified by the Census Bureau as
minor civil divisionMinor civil division is a term used by the United States Census Bureau to designate the primary governmental and/or administrative divisions of a county, such as a civil township, precinct, or magisterial district...
s. All residents of New York who do not live in a city or on an
Indian reservationAn Indian reservation is an area of land managed by a Native American tribe under the United States Department of the Interior's Bureau of Indian Affairs. Because Native American tribes have limited national sovereignty, laws on tribal lands vary from the surrounding area...
live in a town. Towns provide or arrange for the primary functions of local government. While some provide most municipal services for all town residents and selected services for residents of villages, some provide little more than road maintenance. There are 932 towns in New York. As of 2000, 45.8% of state residents were living in a town; 35.9% were living in a town but outside of a village. Unlike villages, towns cannot cross county borders, since they are part of each county.
In most towns, the
town boardA town council is a democratically elected form of government for small municipalities or civil parishes. A council may serve as both the representative and executive branch....
exercises all executive and legislative functions. However, towns may adopt local laws that allow them to provide for a separate executive branch, an action authorized by the New York State Legislature. Such power is typically vested in a town manager or chief executive officer. The town supervisor is part of the legislative branch and presides over the board, voting on all matters but not possessing
vetoA veto, Latin for "I forbid", is used to denote that a certain party has the right to stop unilaterally a piece of legislation. In practice, the veto can be absolute A veto, Latin for "I forbid", is used to denote that a certain party has the right to stop unilaterally a piece of legislation....
or tie-breaking power. The judicial branch is known as Town Court or Justice Court, part of New York's Justice Court system.
A town can contain zero, one, or multiple villages. Five towns are coterminous with their single village:
Green IslandGreen Island is a coterminous town and village in Albany County, New York, USA some 8 miles north of Albany, New York. Green Island is one of only five such town-village amalgams in New York. The population was 2,278 at the 2000 census. The postal code is 12183.The town of Green Island is also...
in
Albany CountyAlbany County is a county located in the state of New York, and is part of the Albany-Schenectady-Troy Metropolitan Statistical Area. The name is from the title of the Duke of York and Albany, who became James II of England. As of the 2000 census, the population was 294,565...
;
East RochesterEast Rochester is a coterminous town and village located southeast of the City of Rochester in Monroe County, New York. The village, home to about 6,700 people, is bounded by Pittsford to the west and south and Perinton to the north and east. The southern boundary is delimited by New York State...
in
Monroe CountyMonroe County is a county located in the U.S. state of New York. As of the 2000 census, the population was 735,343. It is named after James Monroe, fifth President of the United States of America. Its county seat is the city of Rochester....
; and
ScarsdaleScarsdale is a community in Westchester County, New York, United States, in the northern suburbs of New York City.Scarsdale is located in japan...
,
HarrisonHarrison is a coterminus town/village in Westchester County, New York, United States. The population was 24,154 at the 2000 census and estimated at 26,665 today...
and
Mount KiscoMount Kisco is a community that is both a village and a town in Westchester County, New York, United States. The population was 9,983 at the 2000 census.- History :...
in
Westchester CountyWestchester County is a primarily suburban county located in the U.S. state of New York. Westchester covers an area of 450 square miles and has a diverse population of approximately 950,000, residing in 45 municipalities...
. When such an entity is formed, officials from either unit of government may serve in both village and town governments simulaneously. A referendum is held to decide whether residents prefer a village-style or town-style government, which will then function primarily as a village or town but will perform some of the functions of the other form.
Towns can contain several hamlets and communities. Often if the
United States Postal ServiceThe United States Postal Service is an independent agency of the United States government responsible for providing postal service in the United States. It is one of the few government agencies explicitly authorized by the United States Constitution. Within the United States, it is commonly...
(USPS) has a post office in a hamlet it will use the name of that hamlet, as will the local fire department or elementary school, other businesses may also use the name of a hamlet as part of their name. The United States Census Bureau will, with consideration from the town, designate a Census Designated Place (CDP) that may use the name of one or more hamlets, though boundaries may differ from what is used by the ZIP code, local fire department, etc.
Towns vary in size and population. The largest town (by area),
BrookhavenThe Town of Brookhaven is a town located in central Suffolk County, New York, USA, and stretches from the North Shore to the South Shore of Long Island. Brookhaven is part of the New York metropolitan area. The population of the town was 448,248 at the 2000 census...
, covers 531.5 square miles (1,376.6 km²) (more than half of that is water — the town of
WebbWebb is a the northernmost town in Herkimer County, New York, United States. The town is named after William Seward Webb, President of the Raquette Lake Transportation Company, the Fulton Chain Railway Company, Fulton Navigation Company, and the Mohawk and Malone Railway; his railroads were...
has the most land area at 451 square miles (1,167 km²)). The smallest, the town of
Green IslandGreen Island is a coterminous town and village in Albany County, New York, USA some 8 miles north of Albany, New York. Green Island is one of only five such town-village amalgams in New York. The population was 2,278 at the 2000 census. The postal code is 12183.The town of Green Island is also...
, covers 0.7 of a square mile (1.8 km²). The town of Hempstead has about 756,000 people (2000 census), making it more populous than any city in the state except
New York CityNew York is the most populous city in the United States, and the center of the New York metropolitan area, which is among the most populous urban areas in the world. A leading global city, New York exerts a powerful influence over worldwide commerce, finance, culture, fashion and entertainment...
.
Red HouseRed House is a town in Cattaraugus County, New York, United States. As of the 2000 census, the town population was 38, making it the least populous municipality in the state. The name comes from a small stream, Red House Creek....
, the least populous, has 38 permanent residents (2000 census).
Many places containing the word "town" in their name are not towns. Examples include
CooperstownCooperstown is a village in Otsego County, New York, USA. It is located in the Town of Otsego. The population was estimated to be 2,032 at the 2000 census.The Village of Cooperstown is the county seat of Otsego County, New York...
of Baseball Hall of Fame fame,
Jamestown, New YorkJamestown is a city in Chautauqua County, New York in the United States. The population was 31,730 at the 2000 census.The City of Jamestown is adjacent to Town of Ellicott and is at the southern tip of Chautauqua Lake...
, and
LevittownLevittown, a suburb of New York City, is a hamlet in the Town of Hempstead located on Long Island in Nassau County, New York. Levittown is mid way between the villages of Hempstead and Farmingdale. As of the 2000 census, the community had a total population of 53,067.Levittown gets its name from...
.
See also: List of towns in New York
Census-designated place
A
census-designated placeA census-designated place is a type of place identified by the United States Census Bureau for statistical purposes. CDPs are delineated for each decennial census as the statistical counterparts of incorporated places such as cities, towns and villages...
(CDP) is defined by the
United States Census BureauThe United States Census Bureau is the government agency that is responsible for the United States Census. It also gathers other national demographic and economic data. As part of the United States Department of Commerce, the Census Bureau serves as the leading source of quality data about...
as "
a statistical entity defined for each decennial census according to Census Bureau guidelines, comprising a densely settled concentration of population..." that is not part of a city or a village "
...but is locally identified by a name." CDPs may cross town and county borders. CDPs are defined collaboratively by state and local officials and the Census Bureau. Since they are defined for each census, there is no necessity that either their number or boundaries remain constant.
The Census Bureau formerly referred to CDPs as "unincorporated places" from 1950 through the 1970 decennial
censuses. The term CDP was first used for the
1980 censusThe Twentieth United States Census, conducted by the Census Bureau, determined the resident population of the United States to be 226,545,805, an increase of 11.4 percent over the 203,184,772 persons enumerated during the 1970 Census.-Census questions:...
, and minimum population criteria for CDPs were dropped with the
2000 CensusThe Twenty-Second United States Census, known as Census 2000 and conducted by the Census Bureau, determined the resident population of the United States on April 1, 2000, to be 281,421,906, an increase of 13.2% over the 248,709,873 persons enumerated during the 1990 Census...
.
See also: List of census-designated places in New York
Hamlet
Though the term "hamlet" is not defined under New York law, many people in the state use the term
hamletA hamlet is usually a rural settlement which is too small to be considered a village, though sometimes the word is used for a different sort of community...
to refer to a community within a town that is not incorporated as a village. Because a hamlet has no government of its own, it depends upon the town that contains it for municipal services and government. Hamlets often have names corresponding to the names of a local school district, post office, or fire district - though the boundaries are often not identical. Many hamlets (and CDPs) are served, at least in part, by post offices and school districts with the names of adjacent hamlets, villages, towns, or cities. Though hamlets do not have official boundaries, the
New York State Department of TransportationThe New York State Department of Transportation is responsible for the development and operation of highways, railroads, mass transit systems, ports, waterways and aviation facilities in the U.S. state of New York...
(NYSDOT) does put hamlet names on rectangular green signs with white lettering at locations of its choosing. The NYSDOT also provides community identification signs on some scenic byways to be placed at the boundaries of hamlets, as decided by the byway. Many towns have special zoning or planning districts and planning strategies for their hamlets, and many place welcome signs at the gateways to the hamlets.
Some hamlets are former villages that have dissolved their incorporation (
Old ForgeOld Forge is a hamlet on New York State Route 28 in the town of Webb in Herkimer County, New York. Old Forge was formerly a village that dissolved its incorporation, but it is still the principal community in the region. Old Forge forms an extensive business district, primarily directed at tourism...
in
Herkimer CountyHerkimer County is a county located in the U.S. state of New York. It was created in 1791 out of part of Montgomery County. As of the 2000 census, the population was 64,427. It is named after General Nicholas Herkimer, who died from battle wounds in 1777 after taking part in the Battle of Oriskany...
,
RosendaleRosendale is a hamlet in Ulster County, New York, United States. The population was 1,374 at the 2000 census.Rosendale is situated within the southwest part of the Town of Rosendale.- History :...
in
Ulster CountyUlster County is a county located in the state of New York, USA. It sits in the state's Mid-Hudson Region of the Hudson Valley. As of the 2000 census, the population was 177,749. However, recent population estimates completed by the United States Census Bureau for the 12-month period ending July 1 ...
, and
AndesAndes is a hamlet in Delaware County, New York, United States. The population was 289 at the 2000 census, at which time it was a village.Andes is located on Route 28 and is the only significant community in the Town of Andes.- History :...
in
Delaware CountyDelaware County is a county located in the U.S. state of New York. As of 2000 the population 48,055. The county seat is Delhi. It is named after the Delaware River, which was named in honor of Thomas West, 3rd Baron De La Warr, appointed governor of Virginia in 1609.- History :When counties were...
, for example).
The
New York State Gazetteer, published by the New York State Department of Health in 1995, includes a list of hamlets in the state. The criteria used for inclusion in the
Gazetteer are not stated.
The
Adirondack Park AgencyThe Adirondack Park Agency was created in 1971 by New York Governor Nelson Rockefeller as a governmental agency that performs long-range planning for the future of the Adirondack Park. It oversees development plans of private land-owners as well as activities within the Adirondack Forest Preserve...
also uses the term
"hamlet", though as a land use classification for private land under its Adirondack Park Land Use and Development Plan (APLUDP). The APLUDP extends the boundaries for its classification of
hamlets "well beyond established settlements" to allow for growth.
Village
In New York, a
villageA village is a clustered human settlement or community, larger than a hamlet, but smaller than a town or city. Though often located in rural areas, the term urban village is also applied to certain urban neighbourhoods, such as the West Village in Manhattan, New York City and the Saifi Village in...
is an incorporated area, often one which is within a single town. Villages in New York State are classified by the Census Bureau as incorporated places. Like all municipal corporations, villages have clearly defined legal boundaries. A village is a municipality that provides the services closest to the residents, which may or may not include garbage collection, management of cemeteries, street and highway maintenance, street lighting, and building codes. Some villages provide their own police and other optional services. Villages have less autonomy than cities. Those municipal services not provided by the village are provided by the town or towns containing the village. As of the 2000 census, 9.9% of the state's population was living in one of the 553 villages in New York.
The legislature of a village is the board of trustees, composed of a mayor and (usually) four trustees. The board is responsible for approving mayoral appointments, managing village finances and property, and approving a budget. The mayor, who is generally the chief executive of the village, may vote in all business before the board and must vote to break a tie. The mayor generally does not possess veto power, unless this is provided for by local law. Administrative duties of the mayor include enforcing laws and supervising employees. A village may also have a full-time village manager, who performs these administrative duties instead of the mayor. In 2007, sixty-seven villages had such a manager. Some villages have their own village justice, while others utilize the justice of the town or towns they are located in.
While most villages are subject to a uniform statewide Village Law, twelve villages operate under charters issued by the state legislature prior to 1874. Before a revision to the State Constitution in that year, villages were formed by the state legislature through granting of charters. Many villages reincorporated, dumping their charters in favor of the Village Law. The villages that retain their charters are
AlexanderAlexander is a village in Genesee County, New York, United States. The population was 481 at the 2000 census. The village is named after early settler, Alexander Rea.The village of Alexander is within the Town of Alexander...
,
CarthageCarthage is a village located in the Town of Wilna in Jefferson County, New York. The population was 3,721 at the 2000 census. The village is named after the historic Carthage in North Africa....
,
CatskillCatskill is a village in Greene County, New York, USA. The population was 4,392 at the 2000 census.The Village of Catskill is in the northeast part of the Town of Catskill. Catskill is the county seat of Greene County.-History:...
,
CooperstownCooperstown is a village in Otsego County, New York, USA. It is located in the Town of Otsego. The population was estimated to be 2,032 at the 2000 census.The Village of Cooperstown is the county seat of Otsego County, New York...
, Deposit,
FredoniaFredonia is a village in Chautauqua County, New York, United States. The population was 10,706 at the 2000 census.The Village of Fredonia is in the Town of Pomfret south of Lake Erie...
,
IlionIlion is a village in Herkimer County, New York, United States. The population was 8,610 at the 2000 census. Ilion is a name for the ancient city of Troy.The Village of Ilion is at the north town line of the Town of German Flatts...
,
Mohawk----Mohawk is a village in Herkimer County, New York, United States. The population was 2,660 at the 2000 census. The village was named after the adjacent river....
,
OssiningOssining is a village in Westchester County, New York, United States. The population was 24,010 at the 2000 census. As a village, it is located in the Town of Ossining.-Geography:Ossining borders the eastern shores of the widest part of the Hudson River....
,
OwegoOwego is a village in Tioga County, New York, USA. The population was 3,911 at the 2000 census. It is part of the Binghamton Metropolitan Statistical Area...
,
Port ChesterPort Chester is a village in Westchester County, New York, United States. The village is part of the Town of Rye. According to the 2006 Census estimate, Port Chester had a population of 28,300....
, and
WaterfordWaterford is a village in Saratoga County, New York, USA. The population was 2,204 at the 2000 census. The name derives from the ford between the mainland and Peebles Island....
. These villages must still comply with those aspects of Village Law that are not inconsistent with their charters.
To be incorporated, the area of the proposed village must have at least 500 inhabitants and not be part of an existing city or village. Additionally, the proposed village can be no more than 5 square miles (13 km²) in area unless its boundaries are to be coterminous with a school, fire, improvement or other district, or the entire town. The process of incorporation begins with a petition by either 20% of residents or owners of 50% of assessed real property. If deemed legally sufficient, incorporation is then voted upon by the qualified voters living in the proposed village only. Some villages have less than 500 residents, having incorporated before the present population requirement of 500. For example, the village of
West Hampton DunesWest Hampton Dunes is a village in Suffolk County, New York, U.S., on the South Shore of Long Island. The population was 11 at the 2000 census.-History:...
, formed in 1993, has a 2000 Census population of only 11.
A village may also be dissolved, returning all government control to the town level. The process of dissolution can be initiated by the village board itself, or upon the submission of a proper petition to the board. The village board must produce a "dissolution plan" that settles specific matters, such as the village's debts, its employees and property, and the financial impact dissolution would have on village and non-village town residents. This plan is voted upon by village voters only.
A relatively small number of villages cross other municipal boundaries. More than 70 villages are located in two or more towns. Seven villages are in two counties. The village of
Saranac LakeSaranac Lake is a village located in the state of New York, United States. As of the 2000 census, the population was 5,041. The village is named after Upper, Middle, and Lower Saranac Lakes, which are nearby....
is in three towns and two counties.
Some places containing "Village" or the suffix "-ville" in their name are not villages. Examples include
Greenwich VillageGreenwich Village , often simply called "the Village", is a largely residential neighborhood on the west side of Lower Manhattan in New York City. A large majority of the district is home to upper middle class families. Greenwich Village, however, was known in the late 19th – earlier to mid 20th...
and
SmithvilleSmithville is a town in Chenango County, New York, United States. The population was 1,347 at the 2000 census.The Town of Smithville is at the west border of Chenango County, west of the City of Norwich.- History :...
.
See also: List of villages in New York
Borough
A
BoroughNew York City, one of the largest cities in the world, is segmented into five boroughs. A borough is a unique form of government that administers the five fundamental constituent parts of the consolidated city...
is a division of the city of
New YorkNew York is the most populous city in the United States, and the center of the New York metropolitan area, which is among the most populous urban areas in the world. A leading global city, New York exerts a powerful influence over worldwide commerce, finance, culture, fashion and entertainment...
and not the state, or of any other city in the state. Each of the five boroughs of the city is coextensive with one of its five counties. Under the General Municipal Law of the State of New York, a borough results when the towns, villages and cities in a county merge with the county itself.