The North Country (French: Pays du Nord, lit. 'Northern country') is the northernmost region of the U.S. state of New York. The North Country is next to Lake Champlain to the east, and the Adirondack Mountains to the south. The Canadian border is to the north, and Lake Ontario is to the west.[1] The North Country is mostly rural area. The North Country has seven counties. A U.S. Army base, Fort Drum, is also in the North Country. As of 2024, there were 420,311 people living in the North Country.[2]
The name "North Country" was first used inside New York in the 1900 novel Eben Holden by Irving Bacheller.[3] The biggest city in the North Country is Watertown.[4] The second biggest city is Plattsburgh.[5]
The Empire State Development Corporation says that there are 7 counties in the North Country:[1]
But the Adirondack North Country Association says that there are 14 counties in the North Country:[6]
Lewis, St. Lawrence, and Oswego county was purchased by Alexander Macomb in 1791.[7]