Clinton is a village in Oneida County, New York, United States. The population was 1,942 at the 2010 census, declining to 1,683 in the 2020 census, 13% decline). It was named for George Clinton, the first Governor of New York. The village of Clinton is within the town Kirkland. Clinton was known as the "village of schools" due to the large number of private schools operating in the village during the 19th century. Hamilton College is in proximity to the village.