For other places named "Chenango," see Chenango.
Chenango County is a county located in the U.S. state of New York. As of the 2000 census, the population was 51,401. Its name is from an Oneida word meaning "large bull-thistle." Its county seat is Norwich.

History
Chenango County is in the approximate center of the state, west of Albany, north of Binghamton, and southeast of Syracuse. The county is considered to be in the Southern Tier region of New York State.
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 2,328 km² (899 mi²). 2,316 km² (894 mi²) of it is land and 11 km² (4 mi²) of it (0.48%) is water.
The Chenango River, a tributary of the Susquehanna River flows southward through the county.

Geography

Madison County, New York - north
Otsego County, New York - northeast
Delaware County, New York - southeast
Broome County, New York - south
Cortland County, New York - west Adjacent Counties
As of the census² of 2000, there were 51,401 people, 19,926 households, and 13,549 families residing in the county. The population density was 22/km² (58/mi²). There were 23,890 housing units at an average density of 10/km² (27/mi²). The racial makeup of the county was 97.65% White, 0.82% Black or African American, 0.27% Native American, 0.28% Asian, 0.02% Pacific Islander, 0.22% from other races, and 0.74% from two or more races. 1.07% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.
There were 19,926 households out of which 32.50% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 53.10% were married couples living together, 9.80% had a female householder with no husband present, and 32.00% were non-families. 26.10% of all households were made up of individuals and 11.40% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.52 and the average family size was 3.01.
In the county the population was spread out with 26.20% under the age of 18, 7.00% from 18 to 24, 27.50% from 25 to 44, 24.40% from 45 to 64, and 14.90% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 38 years. For every 100 females there were 97.00 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 94.70 males.
The median income for a household in the county was $33,679, and the median income for a family was $39,711. Males had a median income of $30,363 versus $22,429 for females. The per capita income for the county was $16,427. About 10.70% of families and 14.40% of the population were below the poverty line, including 19.50% of those under age 18 and 8.70% of those age 65 or over.