Lewis County's average life expectancy in 1805 was about 35 to 40 years. In 1901 average life expectancy was 49 years. Now it is 77.2 years.

The population in 1800 was 1,362. In 1814 it increased to 6,848. By 1880 the total was 31,416. As of 2000 the county contained 26,944 peole.

The population density in 1800 was 1.06 persons per square mile. Today it is 21.1.

August 1, 1796 John Johnson Phyn (married to a sister of William Constable) sold Constable 406,000 acres for $400, a little less than 10 cents an acre.  The average land value in the United States was $10 an acre. The average wage in New England was 65 to 70 cents a day in 1804. The average U. S. wage in 1904 was 22 cents an hour.  The average US worker made $200 to $400 a year.  The 2000 US census lists Lewis County's per capita income as $14,971.  Its median household income is

Constable Hall

34,361. The median family income is $39,287.  The 2000 median earnings of male full time year round workers is $31,831. For females the median income is $21,422.
                                                                                                         
First High School
There was no compulsory attendance law in 1805. However the people set up schools as soon as  children needed them. One private school Lowville Academy was established in 1808. In 1843 the state required that the common schools be under the Supervision of a County Superintendent. After balloting for three days the county board then 12 members failed to reach a decision. Notice was sent to the Secretary of State who replied that the county would lose state funding if it failed to comply with the statute. A special meeting of Supervisors was held Jan. 15, 1844 with every member on hand. After twenty-four efforts to reach agreement failed they adjourned for dinner. After dinner 11 members were on time. A vote was pressed at once and the new superintendent of education was Sidney Sylvester from Copenhagen. Today the county has 5 public high schools and over 4 private schools. (present day schools)

    

Agriculture  (1918 Statistics) Crops in the early days include wheat, hops dyestuffs, flax, hemp, essential oils and silk.  By 1840 the dairy industry began to move into first place as the leading agricultural product. Milk production from 12,084 cows for 32 cheese factories in 1865 employing 55 men and 63 women resulted in 4,755,043 pounds of cheese. Today 53,000 head of cattle contribute to the largest cream cheese plant in the world (Kraft, Inc.) which processes 65% of the milk produced in the county. This is also the largest concentration of milk production in New York State. For current information visit Come Farm With Us.

Kraft Plant Early 1970's