Lewis County Public RecordsNew York

As of the 2020 Census, Lewis County, NY, had a population of 26,582. The median age was approximately 41.7 years. About 50.5% of residents were male and 49.5% female. The county was predominantly White (95.5%), with Hispanic or Latino residents making up 2.1%, Black or African American 0.8%, Native American 0.3%, and Asian 0.3%. Other races and multiracial individuals accounted for the remaining percentage.

Lewis County, NY, has approximately 15,000 registered voters as of 2022, with Republicans outnumbering Democrats nearly 3:1. The county holds general, primary, and special elections, with recent turnout around 60% in major elections. Key polling locations include Lowville and Copenhagen. In the 2020 presidential race, 72% voted Republican, 26% Democrat. Local issues include rural economic development and broadband access. The Board of Elections administers voting, while the main parties are Republican, Democratic, and Conservative. Election information, including registration and sites, is managed at lewiscountyny.gov/434/Board-of-Elections.

Lewis County, NY has 19 public schools, including 3 high schools, serving around 6,000 students. The high school graduation rate averages 87%, with 16% of adults holding a bachelor’s degree or higher. School safety is prioritized, with most schools reporting zero serious incidents annually. Educational programs include vocational training, AP courses, and partnerships with BOCES for adult education. Average standardized test scores are close to state averages, and small class sizes (student-teacher ratio 11:1) support individualized learning.

As of 2023, Lewis County, NY has an employment rate of approximately 60%. Key industries include agriculture, manufacturing, and healthcare, employing 16%, 13%, and 12% of the workforce, respectively. Occupation types are primarily production (21%), office/administration (18%), and healthcare support (16%). Around 80% of employed residents commute by car, with an average commute time of 24 minutes; about 76% work within the county, while others travel to Jefferson or Oneida counties for employment.

Lewis County, NY has a homeownership rate of about 80%, with a median home value near $138,000 (2022). Median monthly rent is approximately $800. The housing market remains stable, with property values increasing around 6% over the past year. Single-family homes dominate, alongside some multifamily units and rural properties. Key neighborhoods include Lowville, Copenhagen, and Croghan. Property taxes average 2.5% of home value, higher than the national average. The region features a mix of village centers and remote hamlets, attracting residents seeking affordable living, outdoor recreation, and a close-knit community environment.

Lewis County, NY, is considered one of the safer counties in the state, with a violent crime rate of 8.7 incidents per 10,000 residents in 2022, significantly below the New York state average of 36.3. Property crime rate stood at 63.6 per 10,000, also lower than the state average of 131.4. Crimes are mainly reported to the Lewis County Sheriff’s Office and tracked through annual state and FBI databases. The county consistently maintains low crime levels, contributing to its reputation for rural safety and tightly-knit communities.