COUNTY P · county profile s t r a t e g i e s t o m i t i g a t e t h e i m p a c t s o f n a t u r a l d i s a s t e r s o n h u m a n l i f e a n d p r o p e r t y overview

CO U N T Y PR O F I L E

S T R A T E G I E S T O M I T I G A T E T H E I M P A C T S O F N A T U R A L D I S A S T E R S O N

H U M A N L I F E A N D P R O P E R T Y

OVERVIEW ................................................................................................................................................. 1

CLIMATE .................................................................................................................................................... 4

POPULATION AND DEMOGRAPHICS ..................................................................................................... 4

POPULATION GROWTH ............................................................................................................................... 8

AGE ......................................................................................................................................................... 9

ETHNICITY .............................................................................................................................................. 11

EDUCATION ............................................................................................................................................. 13

HOUSEHOLD INCOME ............................................................................................................................... 15

ASSET INVENTORY ................................................................................................................................ 17

FUTURE DEVELOPMENT ....................................................................................................................... 18

ECONOMIC IMPACTS ................................................................................................................................ 20

CURRENT RESIDENTIAL AND COMMERCIAL DEVELOPMENT TRENDS .............................................................. 22

DEVELOPMENT CHANGES AFFECTING HAZARD RISK AND VULNERABILITY....................................................... 23

OVERVIEW

Otsego County covers one thousand and fifteen (1,015) square miles and encompasses the following

towns, villages, and city for an aggregate

population of 62,259, according to the 2010 U.S.

Census Bureau: Towns of Burlington, Butternuts,

Cherry Valley, Decatur, Edmeston, Exeter,

Hartwick, Laurens, Maryland, Middlefield, Milford,

Morris, New Lisbon, Oneonta, Otego, Otsego,

Pittsfield, Plainfield, Richfield, Roseboom,

Springfield, Unadilla, Westford, and Worcester;

Villages of Cherry Valley, Cooperstown,

Gilbertsville, Laurens, Milford, Morris, Otego,

Richfield Springs, and Unadilla; and the City of

Oneonta. Otsego County is located in central New

York State and belongs to the Southern Tier

region; it is bordered by Herkimer County to the

north, Montgomery County to the northeast, Schoharie County to the east, Delaware County to the south,

Chenango County to the southwest, Oneida County to the northwest, and Madison County to the northwest.

Otsego County has 12 square miles of water and is home to the Otsego, Canadarago, and Goodyear Lakes

and the Susquehanna and Unadilla Rivers. Otsego County is situated in the Allegheny Plateau and Catskill

Mountains, which is part of the Appalachian basin and includes mines and gas and oil wells throughout the

County.

County Profile

Page 2 | Otsego County | Hazard Mitigation Plan Update

Figure 3-1. Map of Otsego County Study Area

The map above, Figure 3-1, illustrates the extent of the study area, including the thirty-four participating

jurisdictions that form Otsego County. Provided in Table 3-1 below is a listing of the jurisdictions and

stakeholders in Otsego County that participated in the Hazard Mitigation Plan Update.

County Profile

Otsego County | Hazard Mitigation Plan Update | Page 3

Table 3-1. Participating Jurisdictions and Stakeholders in the Study Area

PARTICIPATING JURISDICTIONS PARTICIPATING STAKEHOLDERS

Otsego County Otsego County Soil and Water Conservation District

Town of Burlington

Town of Butternuts

Town of Cherry Valley

Village of Cherry Valley

Village of Cooperstown Bassett Hospital System

Town of Decatur

Town of Edmeston

Town of Exeter

Village of Gilbertsville

Town of Hartwick

Town of Laurens

Village of Laurens

Town of Maryland

Town of Middlefield

Town of Milford Milford Central School District

Village of Milford

Town of Morris Morris Central School District

Village of Morris

Town of New Lisbon

City of Oneonta

Town of Oneonta Hartwick College

Town of Otego Franklin Central School District

Village of Otego

Town of Otsego

Town of Pittsfield

Town of Plainfield

County Profile


PARTICIPATING JURISDICTIONS PARTICIPATING STAKEHOLDERS

Town of Richfield

Village of Richfield Springs

Town of Roseboom

Town of Springfield

Town of Unadilla

Village of Unadilla

Town of Westford

Town of Worcester

CLIMATE

The climate in Otsego County is considered to be continental-humid with cold winters and mild summers,

having precipitation throughout the year. The annual average temperature is 44F with average

precipitation being 41.7 inches. The lowest recorded temperature was in 1934 at -34F.

POPULATION AND DEMOGRAPHICS

Otsego County has a population of 62,259, according to the 2010 U.S. Census Bureau. The City of Oneonta

is the largest jurisdiction in Otsego County, with 22.3 percent of the total population, with a population of

13,901. The Town of Oneonta is the second largest with its population accounting for 8.4 percent of the

Otsego County population. All of the other jurisdictions are small in comparison, each accounting for less

than 5.2 percent of the total population.

Table 3-2. Population Distribution by Jurisdiction

JURISDICTION 2010

POPULATION PERCENTAGE

ESTIMATED SPECIAL NEEDS

POPULATIONS

Elderly (Over

65)

Low Income

(</= $20,000)

Town of Burlington 1,140 1.8% 14.0% 9.3%

Town of Butternuts 1,387 2.2% 14.5% 11.4%

Town of Cherry Valley 703 1.1% 15.4% 10.2%

Village of Cherry Valley 520 0.8% 16.7% 13.1%

County Profile


JURISDICTION 2010



POPULATIONS

Elderly (Over

65)

Low Income

(</= $20,000)

Village of Cooperstown1 1,852 3.0% 27.0% 19.7%

Town of Decatur 353 0.6% 17.3% 14.9%

Town of Edmeston 1,826 2.9% 14.6% 17.1%

Town of Exeter 987 1.6% 14.5% 15.0%

Village of Gilbertsville 399 0.6% 24.0% 14.3%

Town of Hartwick 2,110 3.4% 13.8% 17.1%

Town of Laurens 2,161 3.5% 13.2% 19.7%

Village of Laurens 263 0.4% 14.0% 20.3%

Town of Maryland 1,897 3.0% 15.1% 7.3%

Town of Middlefield 1,893 3.0% 22.3% 7.3%

Town of Milford2 2,629 4.2% 15.0% 17.6%

Village of Milford 415 0.7% 12.9% 11.4%

Town of Morris3 1,295 2.1% 13.5% 10.8%

Village of Morris 583 0.9% 17.5% 20.1%

Town of New Lisbon 1,114 1.8% 14.0% 7.3%

City of Oneonta 13,901 22.3% 11.8% 26.8%

Town of Oneonta4 5,229 8.4% 16.6% 21.2%

Town of Otego5 2,105 3.4% 14.1% 12.8%

Village of Otego 1,010 1.6% 14.1% 11.7%

Town of Otsego 2,269 3.6% 21.1% 14.4%

Town of Pittsfield 1,366 2.2% 11.7% 17.0%

1 For demographic information, Bassett Hospital System and Otsego County Soil and Water Conservation District are

included with the Village of Cooperstown. 2 For demographic information, Milford Central School District is included with the Town of Milford. 3 For demographic information, Morris Central School District is included with the Town of Morris. 4 For demographic information, Hartwick College is included with the Town of Oneonta. 5 For demographic information, Franklin Central School District is included with the Town of Otego.

County Profile


JURISDICTION 2010



POPULATIONS

Elderly (Over

65)

Low Income

(</= $20,000)

Town of Plainfield 915 1.5% 10.8% 17.0%

Town of Richfield 1,124 1.8% 21.0% 13.3%

Village of Richfield Springs 1,264 2.0% 23.1% 13.8%

Town of Roseboom 711 1.1% 12.7% 6.3%

Town of Springfield 1,358 2.2% 17.5% 14.8%

Town of Unadilla 3,264 5.2% 15.3% 10.5%

Village of Unadilla 1,128 1.8% 17.1% 15.3%

Town of Westford 868 1.4% 15.0% 11.8%

Town of Worcester 2,220 3.6% 16.6% 13.6%

Otsego County Total 62,259 100% 15.0% 16.4%

County Profile


Figure 3-2. 2010 Population for Otsego County

0 2,000 4,000 6,000 8,000 10,000 12,000 14,000

Town of Worcester

Town of Westford

Village of Unadilla

Town of Unadilla

Town of Springfield

Town of Roseboom


Town of Richfield

Town of Plainfield

Town of Pittsfield

Town of Otsego

Village of Otego

Town of Otego

Town of Oneonta

City of Oneonta

Town of New Lisbon

Village of Morris

Town of Morris

Village of Milford

Town of Milford

Town of Middlefield

Town of Maryland

Village of Laurens

Town of Laurens

Town of Hartwick

Village of Gilbertsville

Town of Exeter

Town of Edmeston

Town of Decatur

Village of Cooperstown


Town of Cherry Valley

Town of Butternuts

Town of Burlington

Population

Population

County Profile


POPULATION GROWTH

Otsego County experienced an increase in population between 1980 and 2010 by 7.3 percent or 4,229

people. The Towns of Butternuts, Cherry Valley, Milford, Otego, Pittsfield, Unadilla, and Westford all

exhibited a significant increase in population between 1980 and 2010 by 21.1 percent or higher, with all

continuing to have population growth between 2000 and 2010, except for the Towns of Butternuts, Otego,

and Unadilla. Between 2000 and 2010, two villages and one town experienced significant population losses

of 12.2 percent or higher, while eight jurisdictions saw their population decline slightly. During that same

time period, the City of Oneonta, as well as the Towns of Burlington, Edmeston, Exeter, Laurens, Morris,

Oneonta, Otsego, Roseboom, Springfield, and Worcester, and the Villages of Cooperstown, Gilbertsville,

Richfield Springs, and Unadilla had population growth.

Table 3-3. Population for Otsego County, 1980 – 2010

JURISDICTION 1980 1990 2000 2010 POP

CHANGE 1980-2010

PERCENT OF

CHANGE

POP CHANGE 2000-2010

PERCENT OF

CHANGE

Town of Burlington 1,045 1,036 1,085 1,140 95 9.1% 55 5.1%

Town of Butternuts 1,031 1,238 1,417 1,387 356 34.5% -30 -2.1%

Town of Cherry Valley 521 584 674 703 182 34.9% 29 4.3%

Village of Cherry Valley 684 617 592 520 -164 -24.0% -72 -12.2%

Village of Cooperstown 2,104 2,180 1,787 1,852 -252 -12.0% 65 3.6%

Town of Decatur 312 356 410 353 41 13.1% -57 -13.9%

Town of Edmeston 1,732 1,717 1,824 1,826 94 5.4% 2 0.1%

Town of Exeter 968 967 954 987 19 2.0% 33 3.5%

Village of Gilbertsville 455 388 375 399 -56 -12.3% 24 6.4%

Town of Hartwick 1,796 2,045 2,203 2,110 314 17.5% -93 -4.2%

Town of Laurens 1,825 2,056 2,125 2,161 336 18.4% 36 1.7%

Village of Laurens 276 293 277 263 -13 -4.7% -14 -5.1%

Town of Maryland 1,690 1,716 1,407 1,897 207 12.2% 490 34.8%

Town of Middlefield 1,618 1,698 2,004 1,893 275 17.0% -111 -5.5%

Town of Milford 2,171 2,383 2,427 2,629 458 21.1% 202 8.3%

Village of Milford 514 462 511 415 -99 -19.3% -96 -18.8%

Town of Morris 1,099 1,145 1,276 1,295 196 17.8% 19 1.5%

Village of Morris 681 642 591 583 -98 -14.4% -8 -1.4%

County Profile


JURISDICTION 1980 1990 2000 2010 POP

CHANGE 1980-2010

PERCENT OF

CHANGE

POP CHANGE 2000-2010

PERCENT OF

CHANGE

Town of New Lisbon 948 996 1,116 1,114 166 17.5% -2 -0.2%

City of Oneonta 14,933 13,954 13,292 13,901 -1,032 -6.9% 609 4.6%

Town of Oneonta 4,655 4,963 4,994 5,229 574 12.3% 235 4.7%

Town of Otego 1,712 2,060 2,131 2,105 393 23.0% -26 -1.2%

Village of Otego 1,089 1,068 1,052 1,010 -79 -7.3% -42 -4.0%

Town of Otsego 2,160 2,014 2,117 2,269 109 5.0% 152 7.2%

Town of Pittsfield 1,067 1,116 1,295 1,366 299 28.0% 71 5.5%

Town of Plainfield 847 850 982 915 68 8.0% -67 -6.8%

Town of Richfield 1,047 1,146 1,168 1,124 77 7.4% -44 -3.8%


1,561 1,565 1,255 1,264 -297 -19.0% 9 0.7%

Town of Roseboom 630 668 684 711 81 12.9% 27 3.9%

Town of Springfield 1,239 1,267 1,350 1,358 119 9.6% 8 0.6%

Town of Unadilla 2,653 3,078 3,421 3,264 611 23.0% -157 -4.6%

Village of Unadilla 1,367 1,265 1,127 1,128 -239 -17.5% 1 0.1%

Town of Westford 652 634 784 868 216 33.1% 84 10.7%

Town of Worcester 1,993 2,070 2,207 2,220 227 11.4% 13 0.6%

Otsego County Total 58,030 59,201 60,918 62,259 4,229 7.3% 1,341 2.2%

AGE

The median age of persons living in Otsego County varies for the different jurisdictions ranging from 22

years of age to 56 years of age, according to the U.S. Census Bureau 2007-2011 American Community

Survey 5-year estimates. The Town of Oneonta has the highest percentage of persons under the age of

19, with 29.0 percent of the population. The jurisdiction with the highest percentage of persons 65 years of

age and older is the Village of Richfield Springs, with 31.0 percent of the population.

County Profile


Table 3-4. Age of Population for Otsego County

JURISDICTION MEDIAN

AGE

UNDER

19

AGE 20

TO 24

AGE 25

TO 34

AGE 35

TO 44

AGE 45

TO 54

AGE 55

TO 64

AGE 65

TO 74

AGE 75

TO 84

AGE

85+

Town of Burlington 44.4 20.9% 6.9% 6.3% 15.4% 19.5% 17.7% 7.4% 4.4% 1.4%

Town of Butternuts 43.3 24.6% 2.3% 12.4% 13.5% 19.5% 12.9% 8.8% 5.0% 0.9%

Town of Cherry Valley 48.8 20.4% 6.3% 8.1% 10.7% 15.9% 16.9% 15.4% 4.7% 1.7%


44.1 25.6% 7.8% 5.0% 13.5% 19.5% 10.7% 11.9% 5.6% 0.4%

Village of Cooperstown 43.4 24.4% 10.9% 8.8% 9.1% 15.2% 16.2% 5.8% 6.3% 3.3%

Town of Decatur 51.3 18.5% 7.8% 8.4% 5.6% 15.7% 23.5% 12.3% 7.0% 1.1%

Town of Edmeston 40.5 28.9% 7.4% 9.1% 12.1% 18.3% 11.7% 7.5% 3.1% 1.8%

Town of Exeter 41 24.5% 3.4% 14.2% 14.0% 16.3% 11.8% 11.0% 4.2% 0.7%

Village of Gilbertsville 43.1 29.4% 0.3% 8.1% 15.9% 9.2% 16.4% 7.0% 11.3% 2.4%

Town of Hartwick 42.3 27.9% 6.4% 7.7% 10.0% 22.9% 14.7% 4.1% 4.4% 2.0%

Town of Laurens 48.3 20.3% 6.4% 8.4% 10.1% 20.5% 18.0% 10.3% 4.8% 1.2%

Village of Laurens 51 23.6% 9.0% 0.0% 10.7% 22.3% 21.5% 11.2% 1.7% 0.0%

Town of Maryland 44.8 25.5% 4.2% 12.9% 7.5% 17.2% 16.3% 8.6% 5.4% 2.3%

Town of Middlefield 49.3 18.5% 4.5% 11.7% 11.4% 17.0% 21.3% 7.3% 7.0% 1.4%

Town of Milford 45.5 19.9% 5.8% 7.7% 15.5% 19.8% 15.1% 7.9% 5.8% 2.5%

Village of Milford 40.7 17.0% 10.4% 12.9% 12.7% 15.0% 15.8% 11.0% 3.5% 1.7%

Town of Morris 49.4 19.1% 2.5% 5.5% 13.1% 19.1% 14.9% 17.3% 6.4% 2.1%

Village of Morris 56.1 16.6% 5.3% 3.5% 12.7% 11.5% 21.5% 19.4% 5.5% 3.9%

Town of New Lisbon 44.1 21.4% 5.5% 9.5% 15.4% 15.5% 15.4% 10.8% 5.4% 1.2%

City of Oneonta 22.9 27.6% 26.6% 8.6% 8.0% 8.3% 8.9% 4.5% 4.3% 3.3%

Town of Oneonta 35.5 29.0% 10.8% 9.7% 10.0% 11.0% 13.8% 7.9% 5.6% 2.2%

Town of Otego 44.1 24.0% 4.8% 8.4% 14.2% 16.3% 14.4% 11.8% 3.8% 2.2%

Village of Otego 40 28.5% 5.5% 6.0% 18.8% 18.8% 9.7% 4.1% 4.7% 3.9%

Town of Otsego 47.3 23.1% 7.1% 6.1% 10.7% 13.9% 16.6% 9.6% 7.7% 5.1%

Town of Pittsfield 43.2 28.1% 6.3% 8.8% 9.3% 19.9% 14.9% 6.7% 3.0% 3.1%

Town of Plainfield 40 27.4% 6.1% 8.8% 12.6% 13.7% 16.0% 8.6% 5.5% 1.4%

County Profile


JURISDICTION MEDIAN

AGE

UNDER

19

AGE 20

TO 24

AGE 25

TO 34

AGE 35

TO 44

AGE 45

TO 54

AGE 55

TO 64

AGE 65

TO 74

AGE 75

TO 84

AGE

85+

Town of Richfield 49.7 16.5% 8.9.% 7.1% 11.7% 13.2% 14.0% 14.1% 11.7% 2.5%


51.2 18.1% 8.2% 7.7% 10.9% 8.8% 15.4% 17.2% 9.3% 4.5%

Town of Roseboom 39.3 23.6% 6.8% 11.0% 14.7% 11.6% 18.8% 5.4% 7.1% 1.1%

Town of Springfield 48.1 25.1% 4.3% 10.0% 8.0% 15.0% 14.7% 12.6% 7.7% 2.7%

Town of Unadilla 40.6 28.1% 5.6% 7.2% 16.3% 14.6% 11.3% 10.2% 3.7% 2.9%

Village of Unadilla 43.8 23.7% 8.0% 6.5% 13.6% 13.3% 16.2% 10.3% 4.2% 4.3%

Town of Westford 47.3 24.5% 4.4% 6.4% 11.7% 20.2% 17.6% 10.3% 3.5% 1.4%

Town of Worcester 43.6 23.1% 7.4% 9.3% 12.6% 17.8% 9.8% 9.8% 8.5% 1.7%

Otsego County Total 40.4 24.9% 10.9% 8.7% 11.2% 14.6% 13.4% 8.5% 5.4% 2.5%

ETHNICITY

Otsego County is ethnically diverse varying considerably among the jurisdictions. The City of Oneonta has

the highest population of residents whose ethnicity is Hispanic alone at 5.9 percent; they also have the

lowest percentage of residents with an ethnicity of white alone at 86.3 percent. The Town of Plainfield’s

population is mainly of white alone ethnicity at 97.6 percent, with the Town of Oneonta having the highest

percentage of African Americans at 5.3 percent. A relatively small percentage of American Indians, Asians,

and Native Hawaiians reside in Otsego County.

Table 3-5. Ethnicity for Otsego County

JURISDICTION HISPANIC

ALONE

WHITE

ALONE

AFRICAN

AMERICAN

ALONE

AMERICAN

INDIAN &

ALASKAN

NATIVE

ALONE

ASIAN

ALONE

NATIVE

HAWAIIAN

/PACIFIC

ISLANDER

ALONE

OTHER

RACE

ALONE

MULTI-

RACIA

L

Town of Burlington 0.8% 96.7% 0.9% 0.0% 0.3% 0.0% 0.0% 1.4%

Town of Butternuts 1.5% 96.7% 0.4% 0.2% 0.2% 0.0% 0.0% 1.1%

Town of Cherry Valley 0.7% 97.1% 0.7% 0.4% 0.2% 0.0% 0.1% 0.8%


1.0% 95.6% 1.2% 0.6% 0.0% 0.0% 0.0% 1.7%

Village of Cooperstown 3.1% 91.4% 0.3% 0.1% 4.2% 0.0% 0.0% 1.0%

Town of Decatur 1.4% 96.3% 0.8% 0.0% 0.3% 0.0% 0.0% 1.1%

Town of Edmeston 1.5% 96.8% 0.3% 0.0% 0.5% 0.0% 0.1% 0.7%

County Profile



ALONE

WHITE

ALONE

AFRICAN

AMERICAN

ALONE

AMERICAN

INDIAN &

ALASKAN

NATIVE

ALONE

ASIAN

ALONE

NATIVE

HAWAIIAN

/PACIFIC

ISLANDER

ALONE

OTHER

RACE

ALONE

MULTI-

RACIA

L

Town of Exeter 1.5% 95.4% 0.6% 0.3% 0.8% 0.2% 0.2% 0.9%

Village of Gilbertsville 1.0% 97.5% 0.5% 0.3% 0.3% 0.0% 0.0% 0.5%

Town of Hartwick 2.0% 95.1% 0.3% 0.2% 0.9% 0.0% 0.0% 1.5%

Town of Laurens 2.7% 94.7% 0.4% 0.1% 0.6% 0.0% 0.0% 1.6%

Village of Laurens 3.4% 94.7% 0.0% 0.0% 0.4% 0.0% 0.0% 1.5%

Town of Maryland 2.6% 95.0% 0.9% 0.0% 0.2% 0.0% 0.0% 1.3%

Town of Middlefield 1.3% 94.1% 0.6% 0.1% 2.6% 0.0% 0.0% 1.3%

Town of Milford 1.8% 94.9% 1.1% 0.1% 1.0% 0.2% 0.1% 0.9%

Village of Milford 1.7% 93.5% 1.2% 0.2% 1.2% 0.0% 0.0% 2.2%

Town of Morris 2.8% 95.3% 0.4% 0.1% 0.1% 0.0% 0.0% 1.4%

Village of Morris 3.3% 94.0% 1.0% 0.0% 0.0% 0.0% 0.0% 1.7%

Town of New Lisbon 2.2% 96.2% 0.3% 0.3% 0.0% 0.0% 0.2% 0.8%

City of Oneonta 5.9% 86.3% 3.1% 0.2% 2.4% 0.0% 0.1% 2.0%

Town of Oneonta 4.4% 87.7% 5.3% 0.2% 1.1% 0.0% 0.1% 1.1%

Town of Otego 2.6% 94.4% 0.6% 0.0% 0.6% 0.0% 0.0% 1.7%

Village of Otego 2.6% 92.8% 1.4% 0.1% 1.3% 0.1% 0.0% 1.8%

Town of Otsego 2.0% 95.1% 0.4% 0.2% 1.2% 0.0% 0.1% 1.0%

Town of Pittsfield 1.7% 95.0% 0.7% 0.1% 0.7% 0.0% 0.1% 1.8%

Town of Plainfield 1.1% 97.6% 0.2% 0.2% 0.4% 0.0% 0.0% 0.4%

Town of Richfield 0.9% 96.7% 0.3% 0.5% 0.7% 0.0% 0.0% 0.8%


1.3% 95.3% 0.4% 0.9% 1.0% 0.0% 0.1% 0.9%

Town of Roseboom 1.5% 96.2% 0.7% 0.3% 0.3% 0.0% 0.0% 1.0%

Town of Springfield 1.0% 96.8% 0.7% 0.1% 0.4% 0.0% 0.1% 0.9%

Town of Unadilla 2.1% 95.8% 0.8% 0.1% 0.3% 0.0% 0.0% 0.8%

Village of Unadilla 2.2% 94.5% 1.1% 0.3% 0.7% 0.0% 0.0% 1.2%

Town of Westford 2.4% 94.5% 0.3% 0.0% 0.8% 0.0% 0.0% 2.0%

County Profile



ALONE

WHITE

ALONE

AFRICAN

AMERICAN

ALONE

AMERICAN

INDIAN &

ALASKAN

NATIVE

ALONE

ASIAN

ALONE

NATIVE

HAWAIIAN

/PACIFIC

ISLANDER

ALONE

OTHER

RACE

ALONE

MULTI-

RACIA

L

Town of Worcester 4.6% 93.0% 0.5% 0.3% 0.3% 0.1% 0.0% 1.0%

Otsego County Total 3.1% 92.7% 1.5% 0.2% 1.1% 0.0% 0.1% 1.3%

EDUCATION

The level of education varies among the different jurisdictions, according to the U.S. Census Bureau 2007-

2011 American Community Survey 5-year estimates. The Village of Cooperstown has the highest

population of people with a graduate or professional degree with 30.5 percent. The highest percentage of

population with a Bachelors Degree resides in City of Oneonta with 22.8 percent of their population. Table

3-6 depicts the level of education data for Otsego County.

Table 3-6. Level of Education for Otsego County

JURISDICTION

GRADUATE OR

PROFESSIONAL

DEGREE

BACHELORS

DEGREE

ASSOCIATES

DEGREE

SOME

COLLEGE,

NO DEGREE

HIGH

SCHOOL

GRADUATE

NO

DIPLOMA

Town of Burlington 3.9% 6.1% 11.2% 17.7% 50.2% 7.0%

Town of Butternuts 10.6% 8.0% 9.8% 20.3% 40.0% 8.7%

Town of Cherry Valley 7.6% 17.4% 12.0% 13.0% 40.9% 6.0%


5.7% 15.7% 15.7% 13.3% 42.3% 4.2%

Village of Cooperstown 30.5% 22.2% 12.1% 14.3% 14.2% 4.6%

Town of Decatur 6.5% 8.0% 8.0% 16.3% 43.7% 17.5%

Town of Edmeston 3.3% 6.3% 11.2% 20.9% 40.4% 12.1%

Town of Exeter 3.3% 9.6% 10.8% 13.5% 40.9% 15.2%

Village of Gilbertsville 19.9% 8.0% 10.0% 11.9% 37.9% 12.3%

Town of Hartwick 12.1% 16.8% 8.8% 12.8% 35.1% 13.3%

Town of Laurens 6.4% 16.2% 12.2% 18.2% 36.3% 9.5%

Village of Laurens 0.0% 11.5% 12.1% 31.2% 38.9% 6.4%

Town of Maryland 6.6% 7.6% 15.2% 25.3% 34.4% 8.7%

County Profile


JURISDICTION

GRADUATE OR

PROFESSIONAL

DEGREE

BACHELORS

DEGREE

ASSOCIATES

DEGREE

SOME

COLLEGE,

NO DEGREE

HIGH

SCHOOL

GRADUATE

NO

DIPLOMA

Town of Middlefield 21.9% 18.1% 8.7% 19.5% 27.1% 2.9%

Town of Milford 4.9% 15.1% 11.9% 20.9% 35.9% 9.1%

Village of Milford 10.3% 16.0% 9.2% 16.6% 39.5% 6.3%

Town of Morris 7.7% 12.9% 9.5% 19.7% 38.1% 6.6%

Village of Morris 9.5% 20.7% 8.6% 24.6% 27.2% 5.0%

Town of New Lisbon 8.5% 12.3% 9.9% 22.9% 37.4% 7.3%

City of Oneonta 19.9% 22.8% 8.1% 14.5% 24.8% 6.3%

Town of Oneonta 18.8% 17.5% 6.9% 15.8% 31.9% 5.0%

Town of Otego 11.7% 13.1% 10.1% 17.1% 31.7% 9.8%

Village of Otego 11.8% 16.5% 14.6% 15.3% 27.6% 10.3%

Town of Otsego 19.0% 17.8% 9.4% 17.4% 24.6% 7.7%

Town of Pittsfield 3.7% 7.2% 14.7% 15.2% 43.0% 12.1%

Town of Plainfield 6.1% 10.5% 11.1% 19.2% 40.6% 8.2%

Town of Richfield 7.4% 14.8% 11.0% 11.8% 38.4% 10.8%


8.1% 12.9% 10.5% 11.4% 42.3% 9.3%

Town of Roseboom 10.7% 8.1% 9.3% 17.0% 42.5% 9.3%

Town of Springfield 14.0% 19.1% 14.5% 12.1% 29.3% 5.1%

Town of Unadilla 3.6% 8.5% 10.6% 17.1% 48.5% 9.0%

Village of Unadilla 5.7% 9.6% 14.5% 21.5% 38.8% 8.3%

Town of Westford 9.5% 15.2% 10.6% 14.1% 40.8% 6.5%

Town of Worcester 6.6% 11.8% 11.0% 26.4% 33.8% 5.5%

Otsego County Total 11.5% 14.7% 10.2% 17.3% 34.6% 8.1%

County Profile


HOUSEHOLD INCOME

The data for household income is reported from the 2007-2011 5-year estimates of the U.S. Census

Bureau’s American Community Survey. The median household income for the State of New York is $56,951

and the median household income for the United States is $52,762. The jurisdiction with the highest median

household income in Otsego County is the Town of Middlefield, which is $62,212. There is one other town

whose median household income is higher than the state’s, the Town of Burlington. Statistics indicate that

14.5 percent of individuals residing in the State of New York are in poverty, fifteen jurisdictions in Otsego

County have a higher percentage of residents living in poverty.

Table 3-7. Household Income for Otsego County

JURISDICTION

MEDIAN

FAMILY

INCOME

AT OR

ABOVE

$200K

$150,000

TO

$199,999

$100,000

TO

$149,999

$75,000

TO

$99,999

$50,000

TO

$74,999

$35,000

TO

$49,999

$25,000

TO

$34,999

$15,000

TO

$24,999

$10,000

TO

$14,999

LESS

THAN

$10,000

BELOW

POVERTY

LEVEL

Town of

Burlington $59,083 0.6% 1.7% 19.6% 17.5% 20.9% 11.9% 15.4% 4.9% 3.0% 4.5% 9.3%

Town of

Butternuts $49,615 0.4% 2.8% 11.3% 14.6% 20.6% 20.7% 8.5% 11.1% 7.1% 2.8% 11.4%

Town of

Cherry Valley $44,375 1.9% 1.5% 10.6% 12.9% 21.2% 11.2% 18.2% 12.5% 5.5% 4.5% 10.2%

Village of

Cherry Valley $39,844 0.9% 0.0% 8.1% 16.7% 21.3% 6.3% 24.9% 12.2% 8.6% 0.9% 13.1%

Village of

Cooperstown $51,422 9.6% 4.4% 8.9% 9.4% 21.5% 13.9% 7.9% 13.0% 2.5% 8.8% 19.7%

Town of

Decatur $36,548 0.0% 1.9% 7.1% 17.5% 9.7% 22.1% 9.7% 11.7% 4.5% 15.6% 14.9%

Town of

Edmeston $47,109 0.0% 1.4% 15.2% 6.2% 20.7% 17.0% 11.6% 13.2% 8.0% 6.7% 17.1%

Town of

Exeter $41,250 0.8% 2.8% 5.0% 11.7% 18.6% 15.0% 16.7% 15.6% 4.2% 9.7% 15.0%

Village of

Gilbertsville $47,500 0.0% 5.5% 13.4% 11.6% 18.3% 10.4% 17.1% 10.4% 11.0% 2.4% 14.3%

Town of

Hartwick $47,059 4.5% 3.2% 10.4% 12.5% 18.1% 15.2% 14.7% 13.2% 3.5% 4.7% 17.1%

Town of

Laurens $45,750 0.0% 1.5% 7.4% 12.6% 23.6% 14.5% 16.6% 8.0% 5.2% 10.7% 19.7%

Village of

Laurens $44,375 0.0% 0.0% 4.9% 4.9% 35.0% 9.7% 9.7% 15.5% 9.7% 10.7% 20.3%

Town of

Maryland $45,900 1.1% 3.8% 6.9% 12.9% 21.7% 23.0% 10.5% 8.7% 4.1% 7.3% 7.3%

Town of

Middlefield $62,212 4.2% 1.6% 19.3% 16.3% 15.9% 13.3% 11.0% 12.4% 2.8% 3.2% 7.3%

County Profile


JURISDICTION

MEDIAN

FAMILY

INCOME

AT OR

ABOVE

$200K

$150,000

TO

$199,999

$100,000

TO

$149,999

$75,000

TO

$99,999

$50,000

TO

$74,999

$35,000

TO

$49,999

$25,000

TO

$34,999

$15,000

TO

$24,999

$10,000

TO

$14,999

LESS

THAN

$10,000

BELOW

POVERTY

LEVEL

Town of

Milford $46,750 1.9% 3.9% 12.1% 11.4% 17.9% 17.5% 14.4% 10.1% 3.6% 7.3% 17.6%

Village of

Milford $45,556 2.3% 1.9% 6.0% 15.7% 14.4% 26.9% 13.0% 5.1% 3.2% 11.6% 11.4%

Town of

Morris $46,151 0.6% 0.9% 8.7% 8.7% 24.7% 23.2% 14.8% 6.3% 7.3% 4.8% 10.8%

Village of

Morris $38,365 0.0% 2.7% 13.1% 12.7% 9.5% 14.0% 25.8% 5.9% 11.8% 4.5% 20.1%

Town of New

Lisbon $48,375 2.1% 2.6% 2.8% 18.0% 21.5% 20.3% 6.8% 16.1% 7.0% 2.8% 7.3%

City of

Oneonta $33,620 2.0% 1.3% 8.1% 9.7% 13.7% 14.0% 8.6% 16.2% 11.0% 15.4% 26.8%

Town of

Oneonta $55,347 3.9% 5.7% 12.3% 15.4% 18.0% 9.7% 15.7% 9.9% 5.4% 4.0% 21.2%

Town of

Otego $50,102 1.3% 1.8% 14.7% 5.7% 26.7% 18.1% 5.8% 14.4% 4.2% 7.4% 12.8%

Village of

Otego $52,283 0.6% 2.1% 16.0% 4.0% 31.3% 19.8% 6.3% 6.7% 6.0% 7.1% 11.7%

Town of

Otsego $52,782 7.0% 3.6% 6.2% 12.9% 23.1% 17.2% 9.2% 9.5% 4.1% 7.0% 14.4%

Town of

Pittsfield $44,402 1.4% 1.6% 12.2% 6.6% 23.6% 19.5% 13.4% 10.7% 7.5% 3.4% 17.0%

Town of

Plainfield $50,368 0.0% 1.2% 8.7% 18.1% 22.7% 20.7% 12.0% 6.7% 5.2% 4.7% 17.0%

Town of

Richfield $33,170 0.4% 2.5% 6.1% 10.6% 18.7% 9.7% 15.3% 21.9% 7.4% 7.4% 13.3%

Village of

Richfield

Springs

$27,772 0.8% 0.4% 6.4% 12.0% 17.2% 7.9% 7.5% 28.6% 8.9% 10.3% 13.8%

Town of

Roseboom $48,676 2.4% 2.1% 7.8% 13.3% 21.7% 15.7% 14.5% 12.0% 3.9% 6.6% 6.3%

Town of

Springfield $50,764 3.6% 2.5% 10.5% 16.3% 18.0% 14.0% 13.6% 8.9% 7.3% 5.3% 14.8%

Town of

Unadilla $40,538 0.0% 0.2% 4.3% 11.9% 25.3% 18.8% 13.2% 14.6% 3.2% 8.6% 10.5%

Village of

Unadilla $42,841 0.0% 0.9% 4.7% 11.0% 27.1% 21.7% 10.1% 6.9% 4.3% 13.4% 15.3%

Town of

Westford $47,321 3.9% 1.2% 8.9% 11.9% 24.0% 15.4% 10.4% 6.5% 10.1% 7.7% 11.8%

County Profile


JURISDICTION

MEDIAN

FAMILY

INCOME

AT OR

ABOVE

$200K

$150,000

TO

$199,999

$100,000

TO

$149,999

$75,000

TO

$99,999

$50,000

TO

$74,999

$35,000

TO

$49,999

$25,000

TO

$34,999

$15,000

TO

$24,999

$10,000

TO

$14,999

LESS

THAN

$10,000

BELOW

POVERTY

LEVEL

Town of

Worcester $47,112 0.0% 2.9% 10.8% 5.9% 28.0% 14.2% 12.0% 12.4% 10.8% 3.1% 13.6%

Otsego

County Total $45,334 2.0% 2.3% 9.6% 11.6% 20.0% 15.7% 11.9% 12.6% 6.5% 8.1% 16.4%

ASSET INVENTORY

Provided in Table 3-8 is the total estimated dollar exposure for parcels with structures. This demographic

and building stock data form the basis of large portions of this risk assessment and were derived from

HAZUS-MH MR4. Building counts are based on census housing unit counts.

The 2010 Census estimates there are 30,777 housing units in the study area and HAZUS-MH MR4

estimates there are 27,092 parcels with structures, with an aggregate value of $3.3 billion. The dollar value

for structures has been converted to 2012 dollars.

Table 3-8. Estimated Housing Units and Structures by Jurisdiction

JURISDICTION

2010 Housing

Units 2012 Parcels with Structures

Number Number Value

Town of Burlington 553 605 $29,602,642

Town of Butternuts 1,012 779 $79,609,875

Town of Cherry Valley 689 404 $62,757,900

Village of Cherry Valley 300 278 $30,476,823

Village of Cooperstown 1,166 901 $369,999,907

Town of Decatur 283 258 $10,405,678

Town of Edmeston 847 908 $56,564,405

Town of Exeter 589 582 $23,299,424

Village of Gilbertsville 207 192 $23,525,500

Town of Hartwick 1,162 1,076 $170,401,960

Town of Laurens 1,242 938 $89,290,150

Village of Laurens 128 95 $18,496,000

Town of Maryland 1,117 1,029 $99,563,143

Town of Middlefield 1,227 1,031 $150,735,421

County Profile


JURISDICTION

2010 Housing

Units 2012 Parcels with Structures

Number Number Value

Town of Milford 1,672 1,359 $74,587,230

Village of Milford 231 193 $16,239,502

Town of Morris 951 590 $28,270,989

Village of Morris 292 263 $20,610,000

Town of New Lisbon 659 640 $57,220,600

City of Oneonta 4,774 3,166 $591,530,695

Town of Oneonta 2,302 1,998 $443,476,966

Town of Otego 1,479 851 $99,799,085

Village of Otego 474 404 $51,703,666

Town of Otsego 2,377 1,318 $298,786,448

Town of Pittsfield 696 657 $27,255,445

Town of Plainfield 431 449 $40,916,536

Town of Richfield 1,436 722 $51,580,683

Village of Richfield Springs 684 548 $49,335,200

Town of Roseboom 477 472 $18,303,500

Town of Springfield 827 762 $65,673,129

Town of Unadilla 2,162 1,413 $74,897,037

Village of Unadilla 559 503 $31,841,290

Town of Westford 514 514 $21,989,300

Town of Worcester 1,299 1,190 $63,880,107

Otsego County Total 30,777 27,092 $3,342,904,384

FUTURE DEVELOPMENT

Otsego County’s Economic Development Department is committed to enhancing the quality of life for the

residents in the 34 jurisdictions located in the County by creating new community and business wealth. This

is achieved by: advancing private enterprise, creating high-quality jobs, making productive use of local

resources, and broadening the tax base. The Economic Development Department works with the County

of Otsego Industrial Development Agency (COIDA), the Otsego County Development Corporation (OCDC)

County Profile


and the Empire Zone Program. Together these organizations have made $2.5 million in loans, leveraging

an additional $16 million in capital investment, and creating or retaining 400 local jobs.

To better understand how future growth and developments in this county might affect hazard vulnerability,

it is useful to consider population growth, occupied and vacant land, the potential for future development in

hazard areas, and current planning and growth management efforts.

This section includes an analysis of the projected population change, the number of permits that have been

issued throughout the County and economic impacts.

Population projections from 2010 to 2040 are listed in Table 3-9 and illustrated in Figure 3-3, as provided

by Cornell University, Program on Applied Demographics. Population projects were based upon rates of

change estimated from historic data.

Table 3-9. Otsego County Population Projections

COUNTY LAND

AREA

2010 2020 2030 2040

Population

Total

Number

Density

(Land

Area,

SQ MI)

Total

Number

Density

(Land

Area,

SQ MI)

Total

Number

Density

(Land

Area,

SQ MI)

Total

Number

Density

(Land

Area,

SQ MI)

Otsego County 1015 62,259 61 62,094 61 61,343 60 59,637 59

Figure 3-3. Otsego County Population Projections

58,000

58,500

59,000

59,500

60,000

60,500

61,000

61,500

62,000

62,500

2010 2020 2030 2040

Otsego County

County Profile


ECONOMIC IMPACTS

The economy is vital to all infrastructures. Otsego County is located in a prime location being in the Southern

Tier Region and bordering the Mohawk Valley Region. The location provides easy access to transportation

corridors, metropolitan areas, and immense recreational and tourism destinations. Tourism is one of the

largest industries in the county, bringing in an estimated $134 million. Some of the tourist attractions are:

the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum in Cooperstown, Fenimore Art Museum, Farmers’

Museum, Glimmersglass Festival, Foothills Performing Arts Center, Cooperstown Beverage Trail, Oneonta

Theatre, and Oneonta’s Orpheus Theatre.

The majority of Otsego County’s businesses have continued to grow and show stability throughout the past

40 years. The County has benefited from the high-technology manufacturing industry, as well as the

medical industry.

Agri-business continues to bring in a significant amount of revenue for the County. In Otsego County,

according to the 2007 Census of Agriculture, the market value of products sold is over $51 million with 980

farms. The majority of the land is comprised of farm and ranch land, primarily used for forage and cattle.

Additionally, a critical portion of the economy lies within the major employers for Otsego County. The major

employers are: Bassett Healthcare (2,615 employees), SUNY Collage at Oneonta (1,181), New York

Central Mutual Fire Insurance Company (1,000), A.O. Fox Hospital (967), County of Otsego (850), Wal-

Mart (470), Hartwick College (356), Wilber National Bank (279), Corning, Inc. (210), Astrocom Electronics

(96), Custom Electronics, Inc. (72), Medical Coaches (70), Burt Rigid Box, Inc. (65), and Mold-A-Matic

(MAMCO) (60).

For a broader perspective on occupation and development in Otsego County, Figure 3-4 displays the

percentage of occupation by industry for the County.

County Profile


Figure 3-4. Occupation by Industry

0 5 10 15 20 25 30 35 40

Public Administration

Other Services

Arts, Entertainment, and Recreation, andAccommodation and Food Services

Educational Services, and Health Care andSocial Assistance

Professional, Scientific, and Management,and Administrative and Waste Management

Services

Finance and Insurance, and Real Estate,Rental, and Leasing

Information

Transportation and Warehousing, andUtilities

Retail Trade

Wholesale Trade

Manufacturing

Construction

Agriculture, Forestry, Fishing and Hunting,and Mining

Otsego County

New York

County Profile


Building permits indicate what types of buildings are being constructed and their relative uses. Table 3-10

lists the number of residential building permits for Otsego County that have been granted between 1990

and 2011. The data includes all sizes of family homes for reported permits, as well as the construction costs

to show the potential increase in vulnerability of structures to the various hazards assessed in this risk

assessment. The increase in vulnerability can be attributed to the higher construction costs that would be

factored into repairing or replacing a structure using current market values. Permits are reported annually

in September and the data includes that for the years of 2010 and 2011 to demonstrate growth.

Table 3-10. County Residential Building Permits6

Otsego County

Year Buildings Units Construction Cost

1990 46 48 $3,508,838

1995 34 34 $3,312,893

2000 38 41 $4,584,974

2005 138 139 $20,337,921

2010 62 62 $6,017,767

2011 33 33 $5,567,000

CURRENT RESIDENTIAL AND COMMERCIAL DEVELOPMENT TRENDS

Subsequent to Otsego County’s first Hazard Mitigation Action Plan (HMAP), approved in 2008, Otsego

County’s development for residential construction has remained consistent relative to the overall number

of building permits issued from 1990-2011 as shown in Table 3-10 (above). There have been 247 residential

homes permitted in unincorporated Otsego County and incorporated jurisdictions of Burlington, Unadilla,

Milford, Hartwick, Springfield, and Richfield. These include mobile and manufactured construction. Of these

247 structures, 13 are located adjacent to or within the SFHA boundaries on the FEMA Flood Insurance

Study dated September 2009.

New commercial development has also remained somewhat steady with 57 new commercial structures

built since 2008 in unincorporated Otsego County, and jurisdictions of Unadilla, Hartwick, and Edmeston.

Of the 57 permitted sites, 4 lie in or adjacent to the SFHA on the FEMA Flood Insurance Study dated

September 2009.

Residential and commercial structures built since 2008 are located in communities in good standing with

the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP), and all structures permitted in compliance with FEMA

standards as mandated by provisions of the local or county FEMA Floodplain Ordinance and applicable

Floodplain, Watershed and Land Use regulations.

6 http://censtats.census.gov/cgi-bin/bldgprmt/bldgdisp.pl

http://censtats.census.gov/cgi-bin/bldgprmt/bldgdisp.pl

County Profile


DEVELOPMENT CHANGES AFFECTING HAZARD RISK AND VULNERABILITY

Otsego County has not experienced significant change in development trends from 2008 to the present.

The County, in proximity to major transportation corridors, metropolitan areas, and popular tourism

destinations has maintained a stable economy; however, the majority of land continues to be rural, and

used primarily for forage and cattle. Predominately rural land use is reflected in the average population

density of 61.5 people per square mile. Natural hazards, particularly flooding and hurricane wind, continue

to threaten people and assets county-wide. However, since 2008, there have been no significant factors or

development trends with a consequential effect or increase in overall risk and vulnerability to natural

hazards identified in the 2013 Plan update.

Figure 3-5. Residential Construction 2008-2012

County Profile


Figure 3-6. Commercial Construction 2008-2012

Documents

COUNTY P · county profile s t r a t e g i e s t o m i t i g a t e t h e i m p a c t s o f n a t u r a l d i s a s t e r s o n h u m a n l i f e a n d p r o p e r t y overview