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Dutchess County, New York facts for kids

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"Dutchess" redirects here. For other uses, see Dutchess (disambiguation).
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Dutchess County
County
Walkway over the Hudson with the City of Poughkeepsie in the background and the Hudson River in the foreground.
Walkway over the Hudson with the City of Poughkeepsie in the background and the Hudson River in the foreground.
Flag of Dutchess County
Flag
 Official seal of Dutchess County
Seal
Map of New York highlighting Dutchess County
Location within the U.S. state of New York
Map of the United States highlighting New York
New York's location within the U.S.
Country  United States
State  New York
Founded November 1, 1683; 341 years ago (1683-11-01)
Named for Mary of Modena, Duchess of York
Seat Poughkeepsie
Largest city Poughkeepsie
Area
 • Total 825 sq mi (2,140 km2)
 • Land 796 sq mi (2,060 km2)
 • Water 30 sq mi (80 km2)
Population
 (2020)
 • Total 295,911
 • Estimate 
(2021)
 297,112
 • Density 358.68/sq mi (138.49/km2)
Time zone UTC−5 (Eastern)
 • Summer (DST) UTC−4 (EDT)
Area code 845, 518, 838
Congressional districts 17th, 18th

Dutchess County is a county in the U.S. state of New York. In 2020, about 295,911 people lived there. The main city and county seat is Poughkeepsie.

The county was created in 1683. It was one of New York's first twelve counties. It became fully organized in 1713. Dutchess County is part of the Hudson Valley region. It is also part of the larger New York metropolitan area.

History of Dutchess County

Harlem Valley view from Appalachian Trail, Pawling, NY
View of Harlem Valley from the Appalachian Trail in Pawling.

Long ago, before European settlers arrived, the Wappinger people lived here. They were a group of Native Americans. Their main meeting place was near what is now Fishkill Hook. They had many settlements throughout the area.

On November 1, 1683, New York created its first twelve counties. Dutchess County was one of them. It included what is now Putnam County. It also had a small part of Columbia County. The county was named after Mary of Modena. She was the Duchess of York. Dutchess is an old way to spell duchess.

LowsCTmap
A 1799 map of Connecticut showing The Oblong.

New York and Connecticut agreed on their border in 1683. The border was set 20 miles (32 km) east of the Hudson River. Some land was given to Connecticut. In return, New York received a strip of land called "The Oblong". This strip runs north from Ridgefield to Massachusetts.

Until 1713, Ulster County managed Dutchess County. In 1713, Queen Anne allowed Dutchess County to elect its own leaders. These leaders included a supervisor and a tax collector. In 2013, Dutchess County celebrated 300 years of having its own local government. In 1812, Putnam County became a separate county from Dutchess.

Land Grants and Patents

Between 1685 and 1706, fourteen royal land grants were given out. These grants covered all of the original Dutchess County. This area included what is now Putnam County.

The first ten grants were given between 1685 and 1697. They covered most of the land along the Hudson River. Three of these, Rombouts, Great Nine Partners, and Philipse, stretched far inland. The last four grants, Cuyler, Fauconnier, Beekman, and Little Nine Partners, covered the remaining inland areas.

  • 1685 Rombout (Beacon/Fishkill Area)
  • 1686 Minnisinck (Sanders & Harmense)
  • 1686 Kip
  • 1688 Schuyler (Poughkeepsie)
  • 1688 Schuyler (Red Hook)
  • 1688 Ærtsen-Roosa-Elton
  • 1696 Pawling-Staats
  • 1697 Rhinebeck
  • 1697 (Great) Nine Partners
  • 1697 Philipse
  • 1697 Cuyler
  • 1705 Fauconnier
  • 1705 Beekman (Back Lots)
  • 1706 (Little) Nine Partners

Early Settlers

From 1683 to 1715, most settlers in Dutchess County were Dutch. Many came from Albany and Ulster counties. They settled near the Fishkill Creek and in areas like Poughkeepsie and Rhinebeck.

From 1715 to 1730, most new settlers were Germans. After 1730, many new settlers came from New England. For example, Elisha Cole from Cape Cod settled in Coles Mills in 1747.

20th Century Changes

Franklin D. Roosevelt lived in his family home in Hyde Park. His home is now a national historic site. It is managed by the National Park Service.

Before the 1960s, Dutchess County was mostly farmland. Since then, the southwestern part of the county has grown. It became a residential area with many people living in suburban communities. Many residents travel to jobs in New York City or Westchester County. The northern and eastern parts of the county are still rural. They have large farms and also homes used for summer or weekend getaways.

Geography and Nature

Dutchess County covers about 825 square miles (2,140 km²). About 796 square miles (2,060 km²) is land. The rest, about 30 square miles (78 km²), is water.

The county is in southeastern New York State. It is between the Hudson River to the west and the New York–Connecticut border to the east. It is about halfway between Albany and New York City. The county has two cities: Beacon and Poughkeepsie. New York City is about 58 to 110 miles (93 to 177 km) away by road.

The land in the county is mostly hilly. This is especially true in the Hudson Highlands in the southwest. It is also hilly in the Taconic Mountains to the northeast. Some areas closer to the river are flatter.

Brace Mountain summit cairn
The top of Brace Mountain, the highest point in Dutchess County.

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

Wappinger Creek is the longest stream in the county. It is about 41.7 miles (67.1 km) long. It flows from Thompson Pond to the Hudson River. Its watershed (the area of land that drains into it) is the largest in the county. Fishkill Creek is the second longest stream. It is 33.5 miles (53.9 km) long. The county's largest and deepest lakes are Whaley and Sylvan.

Some streams in the southeast of Dutchess County are part of the Croton River watershed. This watershed helps supply water to New York City. In the east, streams flow into the Housatonic River in Connecticut.

Neighboring Counties

Protected Natural Areas

Dutchess County has many protected natural areas. These include:

Parks and Green Spaces

There are many parks for everyone to enjoy:

Some privately protected areas include:

Population and People

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%
2020 295,911 −0.5%
2021 (est.) 297,112 −0.1%
U.S. Decennial Census
1790–1960 1900–1990
1990–2000 2010–2020

People in Dutchess County (2020 Census)

In 2020, the people living in Dutchess County were:

Dutchess County Racial Composition
Race Num. Perc.
White (NH) 198,495 67.1%
Black or African American (NH) 30,126 10.2%
Native American (NH) 387 0.13%
Asian (NH) 10,635 3.6%
Pacific Islander (NH) 67 0.02%
Other/Mixed (NH) 13,977 4.72%
Hispanic or Latino 42,224 14.7%
Dutchess County Racial Demographics Chart
Dutchess County Racial Demographics Chart

Cities, Towns, and Villages

Dutchess County has different types of communities. These include cities, towns, villages, and hamlets.

Cities

Towns

Villages

Census-Designated Places (CDPs)

CDPs are areas that look like towns but are not officially incorporated.

Hamlets

Hamlets are small communities that are part of a larger town.

Education in Dutchess County

Dutchess County has many schools and colleges.

Public Schools

  • Arlington Central School District
  • Beacon City School District
  • Dover Union Free School District
  • Hyde Park Central School District
  • Millbrook Central School District
  • Pawling Central School District
  • Pine Plains Central School District
  • Poughkeepsie City School District
  • Red Hook Central School District
  • Rhinebeck Central School District
  • Spackenkill Union Free School District
  • Wappingers Central School District
  • Webutuck Central School District
  • Dutchess County BOCES

Private Schools

  • Dutchess Day School
  • Hawk Meadow Montessori School
  • Holy Trinity School
  • Millbrook School
  • Oakwood Friends School
  • Our Lady of Lourdes High School
  • Poughkeepsie Day School
  • Randolph School
  • St. Denis-St. Columba School
  • St. Martin de Porres School
  • St. Mary School, Fishkill
  • St. Mary's School, Wappingers Falls
  • Trinity-Pawling School
  • Tabernacle Christian Academy
  • Upton Lake Christian School

Colleges and Universities

Transportation

Dutchess County has many ways to get around.

Roads and Highways

Taconic State Parkway view at Miller Hill Road exit, East Fishkill, NY
The Taconic Parkway in southern Dutchess County.
  • Interstate 84 (I-84) goes through the county from east to west. It is the only interstate highway here.
  • US 9, the Taconic State Parkway, and NY 22 are the main roads that go north and south.
  • US 44, NY 52, NY 55, and NY 199 are the main roads that go east and west.

Bridges Across the Hudson River

Newburgh-Beacon Bridge 2
The Newburgh-Beacon Bridge.

Three bridges cross the Hudson River from Dutchess County:

  • The Newburgh-Beacon Bridge carries I-84 and NY 52.
  • The Mid-Hudson Bridge carries US 44 and NY 55.
  • The Kingston-Rhinecliff Bridge carries NY 199.

Trains

Harlem Valley-Wingdale station from grade crossing
Harlem Valley-Wingdale station, along the Harlem line.

The Metro-North railroad helps people travel to New York City.

  • The Hudson Line runs along the Hudson River. It has stops in Beacon, New Hamburg, and Poughkeepsie.
  • The Harlem Line runs on the eastern side of the county. It has stops in Pawling, Wingdale, Dover Plains, and Wassaic.
  • Amtrak trains also stop in Poughkeepsie and Rhinecliff.

Buses and Ferries

Dutchess LOOP Orion 210
A LOOP bus in Poughkeepsie.

Public buses in Dutchess County are called "the LOOP."

  • The Newburgh–Beacon Ferry crosses the Hudson River. It is located at the Beacon train station.

Airports

  • Hudson Valley Regional Airport is in Wappinger.
  • Sky Park Airport is in Red Hook.
  • For bigger flights, people use New York Stewart International Airport. It is across the Hudson River in Newburgh.
Mid-Hudson Bridge night NY1
The Mid-Hudson Bridge, a major bridge in Poughkeepsie.

Culture and Fun

Fun at the Dutchess County Fair August 21, 2012
The Dutchess County Fair is an annual event.

Dutchess County has many fun events and places.

  • The Dutchess County Fair is held every year. It's a big event with rides, food, and animals.
  • The County Chamber of Commerce holds a hot air balloon launch each July. Many colorful balloons fly over the Hudson River.
  • The Dutchess County Historical Society works to save the county's history. They have a large collection at the 18th-century Clinton House.

Media

Dutchess County has local radio stations and newspapers.

  • WKIP (AM) in Poughkeepsie is a news radio station.
  • WRHV is an NPR radio station.
  • The Poughkeepsie Journal is a newspaper published in Poughkeepsie.
  • The Beacon Free Press and Southern Dutchess News are also published here.

Sports Teams

  • The Hudson Valley Renegades are a minor league baseball team. They are connected to the New York Yankees. They play at Dutchess Stadium in Fishkill. They have been in Dutchess County since 1994.

Other past sports teams include the Hudson Valley Bears (hockey) and the Hudson Valley Hawks (basketball).

See also

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