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 Labeled the “Fastest Growing County in New York State”, Jefferson County is experiencing an unparalleled economic boom as a result of the expansion at Fort Drum. The Greater Watertown area is a great place to live and to work. Located in northern New York State, we are proud of our lush farmlands, miles of waterfront and acres of forests, quaint villages, a booming commercial center, and of course, Fort Drum, home to the 10th Mountain Division, one of the most deployed divisions in the Army. Watertown is the commercial hub of Jefferson County, and is home to nationally recognized manufacturing facilities like the “Little Trees” Car Fresheners. There are numerous national retailers and restaurant chains here, as well as many quaint shops and boutiques found throughout the county. The growth at Fort Drum has helped bring diversity to the area, and a renewed appreciation of our good schools, safe neighborhoods, affordable housing, and a variety of job opportunities The community supports the soldiers and their families with programs like Adopt-a-10th Mountain Platoon and our signature Yellow Ribbon events, and the blend of the military and civilian communities makes the Greater Watertown area one of the best places to live in the country. |
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CITY & COUNTY INFORMATION
Jefferson County 1,293 square miles
Watertown 8.96 square miles
Altitude 244 to 1700 feet
Climate: Four Seasons, Continental
Annual Rainfall 42.6 Inches
Annual Snowfall 150 Inches (Watertown)
200 Inches (Snowbelt)
Growing Season (Approx.) 171 Days
Average Temperature: Degrees in Fahrenheit
January 28
July 79
Population:
1990 2000 2007 2009
Jefferson County 110,943 111,738 117,201 118,719
City of Watertown 29,429 26,705 27,443 27,489
Diversity:
White 90.5%
African American 5.3%
American Indian/Native 0.7%
Asian 1.0%
Pacific Islander 0.2%
Hispanic/Latino 4.8%
Median Household Income $44,263
Per Capita Income $16,202
Housing Units 58,197
Home Ownership Rate 59.7%
Housing, Median Sales Price $68,200
Private Non-Ag Establishments 2,466
2009 Economic Indicators:
| Unemployment Rate |
9.6% |
| Building Permits |
|
| Commercial |
91 |
| Non-Commercial |
786 |
| Construction Value | $40,714,002 |
|
US/CAN Bridge Crossings |
|
| Commercial |
348,763 |
| Passenger |
1,989,274 |
|
Sales Tax Receipts |
$60,353,922 |
| Occupancy Tax |
$755,430 |
Jefferson County Employment 2009
| Natural Resources, Mining, Construction | 2,300 |
| Manufacturing | 2,500 |
| Trade, Transportation, Utilities | 9300 |
| Information |
800 |
| Finance Activities | 1,400 |
| Professional & Business Services |
2,800 |
| Education (Private), Health Services | 6,100 |
| Leisure, Hospitality |
4,200 |
| Other Services |
1,800 |
| Government |
11,900 |
| 2009 Total, Non-Ag |
43,100 |
Albany 209
Boston 379
Buffalo 222
Chicago 755
Cleveland 402
Kingston, Ont. 60
Lake Placid 121
Montreal 198
New York City 330
Ottawa 136
Rochester 154
Syracuse 68
Toronto 215
Washington, D.C. 448
FORT DRUM
Fort Drum, home of the 10th Mountain Division, is the economic engine behind the economic boom that Jefferson County is currently experiencing. The installation is the largest employer in Northern New York and puts millions of dollars in trade for local businesses. Soldiers and their family members receive medical care from local health care providers and enroll in local schools and colleges. Staunch community support by way of programs such as Project Strong Communities and Operation Yellow Ribbon further connect our military and civilian communities. The resulting economic and social impact benefits not only Northern New York, but New York State as well.
There are many ways that the community and the soldiers and their families at Fort Drum interact. There are hundreds of examples, but here a just a few:
- “Adopt-a-10th Mountain Platoon. Sponsors include businesses, schools, scout troops, and civic organizations.
- River Day, an annual event for Soldiers and their families includes a day of fun including scenic cruises on the St Lawrence River
- Operation Yellow Ribbon
- Project Strong Communities operates an information center at Salmon Run Mall, offering information to soldiers and their families on the local area and information to the local community about Fort Drum.
- “Army Child Care in Your Neighborhood”, a local program that expands the child care options for military families in Jefferson and Lewis counties “Operation Kid Comfort” provides personalized quilts for the children of deployed Soldiers.
Fort Drum Links:
www.drum.army.mil
Welcome to Fort Drum, Home of the 10th Mountain Division (Light Infantry), located in northern New York's picturesque North Country. The installation is in the middle of one of the most historically unique and geographically beautiful areas of the United States. Fort Drum is approximately 30 miles from Canada, with the Great Lakes to the west, the Adirondack Mountains to the east, and the St. Lawrence River and the Thousand Islands in between.
Fort Drum Regional Liaison Organization (FDRLO)
A community-based membership organization with the mission of preserving positive inter-relationships and communication between the civilian and military communities and leaders in the tri-county region of Northern New York State.
Association of the United States Army, NNY Chapter (AUSA)
A membership-based organization bringing the Fort Drum and North Country civilian communities together, contributing to an improved quality of life for our soldiers and their families.
www.northcountryptac.com
The Greater Watertown–North Country Chamber of Commerce, through a Cooperative Agreement with the Defense Logistics Agency, administers a government marketing and technical assistance program as a special economic development project offered to help businesses in Jefferson, Lewis and St. Lawrence Counties as well as the Northern New York State Region. The center provides no-cost assistance to businesses identifying available contracting opportunities within military, other federal, state and local government markets and their readiness to pursue those opportunities.
www.uso.org
A nonprofit, congressionally chartered, private organization, the USO relies on the generosity of individuals, organizations and corporations to support its activities. The USO is not part of the U.S. government, but is recognized by the Department of Defense, Congress and President of the United States, who serves as Honorary Chairman of the USO.
Watertown Daily Times featuring Fort Drum News
www.drumcountrybusiness.com
The Drum Country Region is comprised of Jefferson, Lewis and St. Lawrence counties in North Central New York State. Drum Country Business is a partnership comprised of the three county-wide economic development agencies, a regional utility, a regional state authority, and a liaison organization between the communities and Fort Drum. Together, we are able to provide you with the tools and incentives needed to make Drum Country the home for your business. Our experienced, proactive team works closely with Fort Drum and surrounding regional businesses and organizations to make sure they have access to the resources and information they need to make informed decisions on expansion or relocation.
www.drumcountry.com
DrumCountry.com is an essential web site for Soldiers and families transferring to the Fort Drum area. The site has numerous tools for planning the move including maps, a question and answer forum and links to other helpful sites. It covers healthcare, education, daycare, jobs and housing in the area.