Dutchess County, New York

Dutchess County, New York
County
Downtown Poughkeepsie
County flag County seal
Named for: Duchess of York
Country	United States
State	New York
Region	Hudson Valley
River	Hudson
Highest point	Brace Mountain
- elevation	2,311 ft (704 m)
Lowest point	sea level (at the Hudson River)
- elevation	0 ft (0 m)
Area	825 sq mi (2,137 km2)
- land	796 sq mi (2,062 km2)
- water	30 sq mi (78 km2)
Population	297,488 (2010)
Density	374/km2 (969/sq mi)
Founded	1713
County Executive	Marcus Molinaro (R)
Timezone	North American Eastern (EST) (UTC-5)
- summer (DST)	EDT (UTC-4)
Area code	845 and 518
Congressional districts	18th, 19th
County seat	Poughkeepsie
Largest city	Poughkeepsie
Location of Dutchess County within the state of New York
Wikimedia Commons: Dutchess County, New York
Website: www.co.dutchess.ny.us

Dutchess County is a county located in the southeastern portion of the U.S. state of New York. As of the 2010 census, the population was 297,488.^[1] The county seat and largest city is Poughkeepsie.^[2] The county was created in 1683 and later organized in 1713.^[3]

Dutchess County is part of the New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA Metropolitan Statistical Area. It is located in the Mid-Hudson Region of the Hudson Valley.

History

Prior to Anglo-Dutch settlement, what is today Dutchess County was a leading center for the native Wappinger peoples. They had their council-fire at what is now Fishkill Hook, and also held gatherings along the Danskammer.^[4] On November 1, 1683, the Province of New York established its first twelve counties, with Dutchess County being one of them. Its boundaries at that time included the present Putnam County, and a small portion of the present Columbia County (the towns of Clermont and Germantown). The county was named for Mary of Modena, Duchess of York, second wife of James, Duke of York (later James II, King of England). Dutchess is an archaic form of the word duchess.^[5]

The Province of New York and the Connecticut Colony negotiated an agreement on November 28, 1683, establishing their border as 20 miles (32 km) east of the Hudson River, north to Massachusetts. The 61,660 acres (249.5 km²) east of the Byram River making up the Connecticut Panhandle were granted to Connecticut, in recognition of the wishes of the residents. In exchange, Rye was granted to New York, along with a 1.81-mile (2.91 km) wide strip of land running north from Ridgefield to Massachusetts alongside the New York counties of Westchester, Putnam then Dutchess, known as "The Oblong". The eastern half of the stub of land in northeast Dutchess County containing Rudd Pond and Taconic State Park is the northernmost extension of The Oblong.^[6]

Until 1713, Dutchess was administered by Ulster County. On October 23, 1713 Queen Anne gave permission for Dutchess County to elect its own officers from among their own population including a Supervisor, Tax Collector, Tax Assessor and Treasurer. In 2013, Dutchess County celebrated its 300th anniversary of democracy based upon a legislative resolution sponsored by County Legislator Michael Kelsey from Salt Point. In 1812, Putnam County was detached from Dutchess.^[7]

The patents

In the twelve years 1685–1697 lawful patents had been granted securing for their purchasers every foot of Hudson River shoreline in the original county. Three additional patents, to 1706, laid claim to the remaining interior lands.

Early settlement

From 1683 to 1715 most of the settlers in Dutchess County were Dutch. Many of these moved in from Albany and Ulster Counties. They settled along the Fishkill Creek and in the areas that are now Poughkeepsie and Rhinebeck.^[8]

From 1715 to 1730 most of the new settlers in Dutchess county were Germans. From 1730 until 1775 New Englanders were the main new settlers in Dutchess County.^[9]

20th century

Franklin D. Roosevelt lived in his family home in Hyde Park, overlooking the Hudson River. His family's home is now the Home of Franklin D. Roosevelt National Historic Site, managed by the National Park Service.

Prior to the 1960s, Dutchess County was primarily agricultural. Since then the southwestern part (from Poughkeepsie southward and from the Taconic State Parkway westward) of the county has developed into a largely residential area, suburban in character, with many of its residents commuting to jobs in New York City and Westchester County. The northern and eastern regions of the county remain rural with large farmlands but at the same time developed residences used during the summer and or on weekends by people living in the New York City urban area.^[10]

Geography

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 825 square miles (2,140 km²), of which 796 square miles (2,060 km²) is land and 30 square miles (78 km²) (3.6%) is water.^[11]

Dutchess County is located in southeastern New York State, between the Hudson River on its west and the New York–Connecticut border on its east, about halfway between the cities of Albany and New York City. It contains two cities: Beacon and Poughkeepsie. Depending on precise location within the county, road travel distance to New York City ranges between 58 miles (93 km) and 110 miles (180 km).

The terrain of the county is mostly hilly, especially in the Hudson Highlands in the southwestern corner and the Taconic Mountains to the northeast. Some areas nearer the river are flatter.

The highest point in the county is the summit of Brace Mountain, in the Taconics, at 2,311 feet (704 m) above sea level. The lowest point is sea level, along the Hudson River.

Almost a half mile long border exists with Berkshire County, Massachusetts in the extreme northern end of the county.

Adjacent counties

• Columbia County – north
• Berkshire County, Massachusetts – northeast
• Litchfield County, Connecticut – east
• Fairfield County, Connecticut – southeast
• Putnam County – south
• Orange County – southwest
• Ulster County – west

National protected areas

• Eleanor Roosevelt National Historic Site
• Home of Franklin D. Roosevelt National Historic Site
• Vanderbilt Mansion National Historic Site

State, county, and town parks

Demographics

Historical population
Census	Pop.		%±
1790	45,276		—
1800	47,775		5.5%
1810	51,363		7.5%
1820	46,615		−9.2%
1830	50,926		9.2%
1840	52,398		2.9%
1850	58,992		12.6%
1860	64,941		10.1%
1870	74,041		14.0%
1880	79,184		6.9%
1890	77,879		−1.6%
1900	81,670		4.9%
1910	87,661		7.3%
1920	91,747		4.7%
1930	105,462		14.9%
1940	120,542		14.3%
1950	136,781		13.5%
1960	176,008		28.7%
1970	222,295		26.3%
1980	245,055		10.2%
1990	259,462		5.9%
2000	280,150		8.0%
2010	297,488		6.2%
Est. 2016	294,473	[12]	−1.0%
U.S. Decennial Census[13] 1790–1960[14] 1900–1990[15] 1990–2000[16] 2010–2013[1]

As of the census^[17] of 2000, there were 280,150 people, 99,536 households, and 69,177 families residing in the county. The population density was 350 people per square mile (135/km²). There were 106,103 housing units at an average density of 132 per square mile (51/km²). The racial makeup of the county was 83.66% White (80.3% non-Hispanic whites),^[18] 9.32% Black or African American, 0.22% Native American, 2.52% Asian, 0.03% Pacific Islander, 2.37% from other races, and 1.89% from two or more races. 6.45% were Hispanic or Latino of any race. 22.0% were of Italian, 16.9% Irish, 11.3% German and 6.7% English ancestry according to Census 2000. 88.3% spoke English and 4.8% Spanish

Based on the Census Ancestry tallies, including people who listed more than one ancestry, Italians were the largest group in Dutchess County with 60,645. Irish came in a very close second at 59,991. In third place were the 44,915 Germans who barely exceeded the 44,078 people not in the 105 specifically delineated ancestry groups.^[19]

There were 99,536 households out of which 34.50% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 55.50% were married couples living together, 10.30% had a female householder with no husband present, and 30.50% were non-families. 24.60% of all households were made up of individuals and 9.00% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.63 and the average family size was 3.16.

In the county, the age distribution of the population shows 25.10% under the age of 18, 9.40% from 18 to 24, 30.20% from 25 to 44, 23.20% from 45 to 64, and 12.00% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 37 years. For every 100 females there were 100.10 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 98.20 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $53,086, and the median income for a family was $63,254. Males had a median income of $45,576 versus $30,706 for females. The per capita income for the county was $23,940. About 5.00% of families and 7.50% of the population were below the poverty line, including 8.50% of those under age 18 and 6.50% of those age 65 or over.

The per capita income and average home values have increased noticeably in recent years mainly due to affluent residents relocating from nearby and expensive Westchester County, New York. In recent years, there has been a large influx of people that have relocated from New York City, mainly from the Borough of The Bronx.

The decrease in population between 1810 and 1820 was due the separation of Putnam County from Dutchess in 1812.

Government

Dutchess County has a Charter Government with a County Executive and directly-elected legislature of 25 members, each elected from a single member district.^[20] The Charter form of Government went in to effect in 1968 given the favorable outcome of a 1967 special election dedicated to the question. Since 1713, the County Government had been managed by a Board of Supervisors, made up of the locally elected leaders.^[21]

Law enforcement

The Cities of Beacon and Poughkeepsie; Towns of Fishkill, Hyde Park, Pine Plains, Poughkeepsie, Rhinebeck, Red Hook, and East Fishkill and Villages of Millerton, Wappingers Falls, Millbrook, and Fishkill have their own Police departments. The remainder of the county is patrolled by the Dutchess County Sheriff's Office and New York State Police. The New York State Police Troop K headquarters is located in Millbrook.

Elections

Presidential Elections Results^[22]

Year	Republican	Democratic	Third Parties
2016	47.2% 61,821	47.5% 62,285	5.3% 6,912
2012	45.3% 56,025	52.8% 65,312	1.9% 2,368
2008	45.1% 59,628	53.7% 71,060	1.2% 1,614
2004	51.2% 63,372	47.0% 58,232	1.8% 2,277
2000	47.1% 52,669	46.9% 52,390	6.0% 6,712
1996	40.4% 41,929	45.6% 47,339	14.0% 14,553
1992	40.5% 46,709	36.1% 41,655	23.4% 26,964
1988	61.0% 62,165	38.2% 38,968	0.8% 826
1984	67.9% 70,324	31.7% 32,867	0.4% 389
1980	57.7% 53,616	30.8% 28,616	11.6% 10,775
1976	56.9% 51,312	41.7% 37,531	1.4% 1,268
1972	69.8% 64,864	30.0% 27,872	0.2% 167
1968	54.9% 45,032	37.8% 31,025	7.3% 6,010
1964	37.0% 29,503	62.9% 50,179	0.1% 43
1960	60.7% 46,109	39.3% 29,842	0.1% 53
1956	78.4% 53,840	21.7% 14,876	0.0% 0
1952	71.2% 46,381	28.6% 18,644	0.2% 142
1948	64.2% 34,067	32.9% 17,439	2.9% 1,533
1944	58.9% 32,890	40.8% 22,778	0.3% 158
1940	55.7% 32,329	44.1% 25,598	0.2% 122
1936	53.1% 28,868	45.0% 24,467	1.9% 1,010
1932	55.0% 25,757	43.5% 20,374	1.6% 740
1928	61.3% 28,687	35.8% 16,748	2.9% 1,366
1924	64.6% 22,173	25.8% 8,864	9.5% 3,266
1920	65.6% 21,152	30.8% 9,938	3.6% 1,156
1916	54.6% 11,082	43.9% 8,906	1.5% 310
1912	43.7% 8,916	43.4% 8,871	12.9% 2,638
1908	53.6% 11,132	43.1% 8,961	3.3% 682
1904	57.1% 11,709	40.3% 8,275	2.6% 537
1900	59.4% 11,936	38.3% 7,691	2.3% 471
1896	62.4% 12,127	34.2% 6,634	3.4% 661
1892	48.1% 9,376	46.1% 8,978	5.9% 1,141
1888	51.0% 10,265	45.9% 9,249	3.2% 634
1884	51.1% 9,701	45.7% 8,677	3.1% 596

The current composition of the County Legislature is 16 Republicans, 7 Democrats, and 2 Independents. The current county executive is Republican Marcus Molinaro. The county executive is elected in a countywide vote. The majority of the county is located in New York's 19th congressional district, which is currently being represented by Republican John Faso. Dutchess County has historically leaned Republican due to its affluence and large suburban swaths; it has voted for Democratic presidential candidates only five times – 1964, 1996, 2008, 2012, and 2016. The largely suburban southern towns of Dutchess tend to be more conservative, while the small villages and rural areas of the northern tier have become somewhat more liberal. Almost all elected officials are Republican, but in the 2012 Presidential Election, Barack Obama carried Dutchess with 53% of the vote.

Dutchess County Executives

Name	Party	Term
David C. Schoentag	Republican	January 1, 1968 – December 31, 1975
Edward C. Scheuler	Republican	January 1, 1976 – April, 1978
Lucille P. Pattison	Democrat	January 1, 1979 – December 31, 1991
William R. Steinhaus	Republican	January 1, 1992 – December 31, 2011
Marcus Molinaro	Republican	January 1, 2012 –

Dutchess County Legislature

District	Legislator	Title	Party	Residence
1	Ellen Nesbitt		Republican	Poughkeepsie
2	Don Sagliano		Republican	Pleasant Valley
3	Dale L. Borchert	Chairman	Republican	Poughkeepsie
4	Hannah Black		Democrat	Hyde Park
5	Kenneth Roman		Republican	Poughkeepsie
6	Angela E. Flesland		Republican	Poughkeepsie
7	Will Truitt		Republican	Hyde Park
8	Craig P. Brendli		Democrat	Poughkeepsie
9	Kari Rieser		Democrat	Poughkeepsie
10	Barbara Jeter-Jackson		Democrat	Poughkeepsie
11	Joel Tyner		Democrat	Staatsburg
12	John D. Metzger		Republican	Hopewell Junction
13	Donna Bolner	Assistant Majority Leader	Republican	LaGrangeville
14	Francena I. Amparo	Assistant Minority Leader	Democrat	Wappingers Falls
15	Joseph Incoronato		Republican	Wappingers Falls
16	John V. Forman		Independent	Hopewell Junction
17	James J. Miccio	Majority Leader	Republican	Fishkill
18	Jerry Landisi		Independent	Beacon
19	A. Gregg Pulver		Republican	Pine Plains
20	Micki Strawinski	Minority Leader	Democrat	Rhinebeck
21	Marge J. Horton		Republican	Hopewell Junction
22	Marc Coviello		Republican	Poughquag
23	John M. Thomes		Republican	Pawling
24	Alan V. Surman		Republican	Pawling
25	Sandy Washburn		Republican	Salt Point

Transportation

Highways

• Interstate 84 traverses the county in an east-west route cutting through the southern quadrant of the county. It is the only interstate highway in the county.
• US 9, the Taconic State Parkway, and NY 22 are the main north-south roads in the county.
• US 44, NY 55, and NY 199 are the other main east-west roads in the county

Railroads

Amtrak has stations in Rhinecliff, a small hamlet in the Town of Rhinebeck, and Poughkeepsie, with both stations being served by Empire Service trains as well as other trains that run along the line. The latter station is the terminus of the Hudson Line of the Metro-North Railroad. The Hudson Line also has station stops in New Hamburg (a hamlet of the town of Poughkeepsie) and Beacon.

The Harlem Line, on the eastern side of the county, has station stops in Pawling, Wingdale, Dover Plains, and two stops in Wassaic (one along the Tenmile River and the other the namesake terminus of that line).

Buses

Public transportation in Dutchess County is handled by the Dutchess County Department of Mass Transit, branded publicly as the LOOP system. Outside of the urbanized area of the county, most service is limited. The City of Poughkeepsie operates its own limited system as well. Privately run lines connect Poughkeepsie to New Paltz and Beacon to Newburgh.

For intercity bus service, Adirondack Trailways and Short Line Bus also operate some service through Poughkeepsie, Rhinebeck, and the southern part of the county. The last time service ran outside that area was in the late-1990s when Peter Pan/Bonanza ran service to New York City in the eastern part of the county.

Air

The Dutchess County Airport, located in the town of Wappinger, is a general aviation facility which once had commercial service. The closest commercial airport, Stewart International Airport, is located across the Hudson River in Newburgh.

Also located in the county is Sky Park Airport, a public use general aviation facility in Red Hook, New York.^[23]

Culture

Dutchess County Chamber of Commerce holds an annual hot air balloon launch typically in the first week of July. The main launch sites are along the Hudson River. As many as 20 balloons participate in the event.

The Dutchess County Historical Society was formed in 1914 and is active in the preservation of a large collection at the 18th century Clinton House. The Society has published a yearbook since 1914 and presents up to four awards of merit in the field of Dutchess County history each year.

Sports

The Hudson Valley Renegades are a minor league baseball team affiliated with the Tampa Bay Rays. The team is a member of the New York–Penn League, and play at Dutchess Stadium in Fishkill.

The Hudson Valley Bears are one of four founding members of the Eastern Professional Hockey League (EPHL). They play their home games at the Mid-Hudson Civic Center in Poughkeepsie.

The Hudson Valley Hawks was a team in the former National Professional Basketball League. The team's home court was at Beacon High School, in Beacon.

Communities

N.B.: Cities, Towns and Villages are official political designations.

Cities

• Beacon
• Poughkeepsie (county seat)

Towns

Villages

Hamlets

Education

Public school districts

Private schools

Higher education

• Bard College (Annandale-on-Hudson)
• Culinary Institute of America main campus (Hyde Park)
• Dutchess Community College (Poughkeepsie)
• Marist College (Poughkeepsie)
• Ridley-Lowell Business & Technical Institute (Poughkeepsie)
• Vassar College (Poughkeepsie)

See also

• List of counties in New York
• National Register of Historic Places listings in Dutchess County, New York
• Upstate New York

References

Further reading

• MacCracken, Henry Noble. Old Dutchess Forever!, New York: Hastings House, ©1956. LC 56-12863
• Smith, James H. History of Dutchess County, New York, Syracuse, New York: 1882. Reprinted: Interlaken, New York: Heart of the Lakes Publishing. ISBN 0-932334-35-0

External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Dutchess County, New York.

Wikivoyage has a travel guide for Dutchess County.

• Dutchess County official webpage
• Early history summary of Dutchess County
• Dutchess County at DMOZ

Adjacent places of Dutchess County, New York
		Columbia County	Berkshire County, Massachusetts
	Ulster County		Litchfield County, Connecticut
		Dutchess County, New York
	Orange County	Putnam County	Fairfield County, Connecticut