What is the Smallest County in NY by Area?

The smallest county in New York by area is New York County, which is synonymous with the borough of Manhattan.

New York County: The Smallest

New York County, encompassing the island of Manhattan, holds the distinction of being the smallest county in New York State by land area. Its compact size reflects its status as a densely populated urban center, a hub of finance, culture, and commerce.

• Area: Approximately 22.8 square miles (59.1 square kilometers) of land.

Rockland County: Smallest Outside NYC

While New York County is the absolute smallest, it's important to distinguish it from counties outside New York City. Rockland County, located in the Hudson Valley, is often cited as the smallest county by area outside the five boroughs of New York City. Rockland County covers an area of approximately 173.55 square miles.

Understanding New York City's Counties

New York City is unique in that its five boroughs are also coextensive with five separate counties. These urban counties are typically much smaller in land area than most upstate counties, leading to the common confusion when discussing the "smallest county" in the state.

Here's a breakdown of New York City's counties by land area:

These figures demonstrate why New York County (Manhattan) stands out as the smallest when considering all counties across the state. For further details on New York State's counties and their areas, you can refer to geographic data provided by the U.S. Census Bureau.