Poughkeepsie, New York facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Poughkeepsie
|
|||
|---|---|---|---|
Poughkeepsie during its annual balloon festival
|
|||
|
|||
| Etymology: U-puku-ipi-sing: "The reed-covered lodge by the little-water place" | |||
| Nicknames:
The Queen City of the Hudson, PK
|
|||
 Poughkeepsie
Location in New York
Poughkeepsie
Location in the United States
Poughkeepsie
Location in North America
|
|||
| Country |  United States |
||
| State |  New York |
||
| County | Dutchess | ||
| Founded | 1686 | ||
| Incorporated (town) | 1799 | ||
| Incorporated (city) | 1854 | ||
| Government | |||
| • Type | Mayor–council government | ||
| Area | |||
| • City | 5.72 sq mi (14.81 km2) | ||
| • Land | 5.14 sq mi (13.32 km2) | ||
| • Water | 0.57 sq mi (1.49 km2) | ||
| • Urban | 327.1 sq mi (847.3 km2) | ||
| Elevation | 180 ft (50 m) | ||
| Highest elevation
(College Hill)
|
380 ft (120 m) | ||
| Lowest elevation | 0 ft (0 m) | ||
| Population
(2020)
|
|||
| • City | 31,577 | ||
| • Density | 6,137.41/sq mi (2,369.86/km2) | ||
| • Urban | 314,766 (US: 131st) | ||
| • Urban density | 1,499.4/sq mi (578.9/km2) | ||
| • Metro | 697,221 (US: 84th) | ||
| Time zone | UTC−5 (EST) | ||
| • Summer (DST) | UTC−4 (EDT) | ||
| ZIP Codes |
12601–12603
|
||
| Area code(s) | 845 | ||
| FIPS code | 36-59641 | ||
| GNIS feature ID | 979392 | ||
Poughkeepsie (pronounced pə-KIP-see) is a vibrant city in Dutchess County, New York, United States. It is the main city of the county. The city is nestled in the beautiful Hudson Valley region. It sits between New York City and Albany, the state capital. In 2020, about 31,577 people lived in Poughkeepsie. The larger area, including nearby towns, has many more residents.
People often call Poughkeepsie "The Queen City of the Hudson." Dutch settlers first arrived here in the 1600s. After the American Revolution, Poughkeepsie even served as New York State's second capital. It officially became a city in 1854. Today, it is famous for its impressive bridges. These include the Walkway over the Hudson, a former railroad bridge now a popular walking path. The Mid-Hudson Bridge is another important crossing.
Poughkeepsie is also a hub for learning. It is home to or near several colleges. These include Marist University, Vassar College, and Dutchess Community College. The city has been recognized as a top place to live in the U.S. in recent years.
Contents
The Name Poughkeepsie: What Does It Mean?
The name Poughkeepsie comes from the Munsee language. This was spoken by the Wappinger Native American tribe. The original word, U-puku-ipi-sing, means 'the reed-covered lodge by the little-water place'. This name likely referred to a small spring or stream. It flowed into the Hudson River near the city's center.
A Glimpse into Poughkeepsie's Past
Early Beginnings
In 1686, English and Dutch colonists bought the land for Poughkeepsie. They bought it from a local Native American tribe. The first families to settle here were the Van Kleecks and van Oosteroms. The settlement quickly grew. By 1720, the Reformed Church of Poughkeepsie was established.
Poughkeepsie During the Revolution
Poughkeepsie was lucky during the American Revolutionary War. It did not experience any battles. After Kingston was burned by the British, Poughkeepsie became New York State's second capital. In 1788, important leaders like Alexander Hamilton met here. They approved the United States Constitution for New York State. This made New York the eleventh state to join the new country.
Growth and Industry
Poughkeepsie became an official village in 1799. It was chartered as a city in 1854. During the 1800s, Poughkeepsie was a busy industrial center. It had shipping, paper mills, and breweries. Matthew Vassar, who founded Vassar College, owned some of these breweries. Rich families, like the Astors and Vanderbilts, built grand homes nearby. They loved the beautiful scenery of the area. The Vanderbilt Mansion National Historic Site is a great example of these historic homes. Samuel F.B. Morse, who invented the telegraph, also lived nearby at Locust Grove. Poughkeepsie is also home to the Bardavon 1869 Opera House. It is the oldest continuously running theater in New York State.
Poughkeepsie's Location and Climate
Poughkeepsie is located in Dutchess County, New York. It is part of the beautiful Hudson Valley region. The city sits on the western edge of the county. It is bordered by the Hudson River to the west. The Town of Poughkeepsie surrounds it on the north, east, and south.
Bridges and Rivers
Two important crossings span the Hudson River in Poughkeepsie. The Mid-Hudson Bridge allows cars and people to cross. The Walkway over the Hudson is a special pedestrian bridge. It was once a railroad bridge. The city covers about 5.7 square miles (14.8 square kilometers). Most of this is land, with some water from the river. Poughkeepsie is about 75 miles north of New York City. It is also about 73.5 miles south of Albany. The highest point in the city is College Hill, at 380 feet above sea level.
Weather in Poughkeepsie
Poughkeepsie experiences a climate with warm summers and cold winters. It gets about 42 inches of rain each year. This rain often falls in late spring and early summer. Winters can be very cold, with temperatures sometimes dropping below 0°F. The city can also get strong winter storms. However, it usually receives less snow than areas further south and east. The weather can change a lot, with record temperatures ranging from -30°F to 104°F.
| Climate data for Poughkeepsie, New York (Hudson Valley Regional Airport), 1991–2020 normals, extremes 1931–present | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Year |
| Record high °F (°C) | 70 (21) |
76 (24) |
86 (30) |
94 (34) |
98 (37) |
102 (39) |
103 (39) |
104 (40) |
101 (38) |
91 (33) |
82 (28) |
72 (22) |
104 (40) |
| Mean daily maximum °F (°C) | 36.0 (2.2) |
38.9 (3.8) |
47.9 (8.8) |
60.6 (15.9) |
71.3 (21.8) |
79.8 (26.6) |
84.8 (29.3) |
82.8 (28.2) |
75.3 (24.1) |
63.3 (17.4) |
51.4 (10.8) |
40.5 (4.7) |
61.0 (16.1) |
| Daily mean °F (°C) | 27.1 (−2.7) |
29.2 (−1.6) |
37.6 (3.1) |
49.0 (9.4) |
59.5 (15.3) |
68.4 (20.2) |
73.6 (23.1) |
71.7 (22.1) |
63.9 (17.7) |
52.2 (11.2) |
41.5 (5.3) |
32.1 (0.1) |
50.5 (10.3) |
| Mean daily minimum °F (°C) | 18.2 (−7.7) |
19.5 (−6.9) |
27.4 (−2.6) |
37.5 (3.1) |
47.7 (8.7) |
57.1 (13.9) |
62.3 (16.8) |
60.7 (15.9) |
52.5 (11.4) |
41.1 (5.1) |
31.6 (−0.2) |
23.8 (−4.6) |
40.0 (4.4) |
| Record low °F (°C) | −30 (−34) |
−23 (−31) |
−13 (−25) |
13 (−11) |
26 (−3) |
35 (2) |
43 (6) |
38 (3) |
26 (−3) |
18 (−8) |
3 (−16) |
−23 (−31) |
−30 (−34) |
| Average precipitation inches (mm) | 2.82 (72) |
2.21 (56) |
3.09 (78) |
3.62 (92) |
3.47 (88) |
3.91 (99) |
3.78 (96) |
4.28 (109) |
4.33 (110) |
3.73 (95) |
3.27 (83) |
3.39 (86) |
41.90 (1,064) |
| Average precipitation days (≥ 0.01 in) | 9.5 | 9.8 | 11.2 | 11.2 | 12.6 | 12.9 | 11.3 | 11.7 | 10.5 | 10.5 | 10.0 | 11.1 | 132.3 |
| Source: NOAA | |||||||||||||
Life in Poughkeepsie
| Historical population | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Census | Pop. | %± | |
| 1850 | 11,511 | — | |
| 1860 | 14,726 | 27.9% | |
| 1870 | 20,080 | 36.4% | |
| 1880 | 20,207 | 0.6% | |
| 1890 | 22,206 | 9.9% | |
| 1900 | 24,029 | 8.2% | |
| 1910 | 27,936 | 16.3% | |
| 1920 | 35,000 | 25.3% | |
| 1930 | 34,288 | −2.0% | |
| 1940 | 40,478 | 18.1% | |
| 1950 | 41,023 | 1.3% | |
| 1960 | 38,330 | −6.6% | |
| 1970 | 32,029 | −16.4% | |
| 1980 | 29,757 | −7.1% | |
| 1990 | 28,844 | −3.1% | |
| 2000 | 29,871 | 3.6% | |
| 2010 | 32,736 | 9.6% | |
| 2020 | 31,577 | −3.5% | |
| U.S. Decennial Census | |||
People and Communities
Poughkeepsie is home to a diverse community. In 2020, the city's population was 31,577 people. The area has a mix of different backgrounds and cultures. Many families and individuals live here. The community includes people of various ages. About 54% of people in Poughkeepsie have a religious affiliation. The largest group is the Catholic Church. Other Christian groups, Islam, and Judaism are also present.
Working and Innovating
Poughkeepsie has a strong economy. Key industries include healthcare, retail, and education. Science and technology are also important. IBM has a large campus nearby. This campus is a major center for designing and making advanced computers. It also develops important software. IBM's Poughkeepsie facility is known for its quantum computing research. It has many quantum computers in one place. For many years, Poughkeepsie was also home to the famous Smith Brothers cough drop factory.
News and Entertainment in Poughkeepsie
Poughkeepsie has its own local media. The Poughkeepsie Journal is a very old newspaper. It is one of the oldest active newspapers in the United States. News 12 Hudson Valley is a local TV channel. It covers news for Poughkeepsie and the surrounding area. There are also many radio stations. These play different types of music and talk shows. For example, you can find stations playing rock, country, classical music, and top hits.
Learning and Fun in Poughkeepsie
Schools and Colleges
The Poughkeepsie City School District serves about 5,000 students. It provides public education from kindergarten to 12th grade. There are also private schools in the area. The Oakwood Friends School is a boarding and day school. It is the oldest college preparatory school in New York State, founded in 1796.
While no colleges are directly inside the city limits, several are very close by. These include Dutchess Community College, Marist University, and Vassar College. These institutions offer many opportunities for higher education.
Sports and Recreation
Poughkeepsie has a rich sports history and current teams. The Hudson Valley Renegades is a minor league baseball team. They are connected to the New York Yankees. The Renegades play at Dutchess Stadium in nearby Fishkill.
Poughkeepsie was once famous for the annual Poughkeepsie Regatta. This was a major college rowing competition on the Hudson River. It took place from 1895 to 1949. Poughkeepsie was known as the "rowing capital of the world." Spectators would gather on hills and boats to watch the long races. In 2009, a special event recreated the regatta. It celebrated the 400th anniversary of Henry Hudson's trip up the river.
Arts and Entertainment Venues
Poughkeepsie offers many arts and entertainment options. The Bardavon 1869 Opera House is a historic theater. It hosts music, drama, dance, and film events. The Mid-Hudson Civic Center is another venue. It hosts concerts, sports, and trade shows. It also has an ice rink.
The Chance is a popular spot for live rock concerts. It features both local and major artists. For art lovers, the Frances Lehman Loeb Art Center at Vassar College has a large collection. It includes paintings, sculptures, and photographs. The Barrett Art Center also offers exhibits and classes.
Locust Grove is the former home of Samuel Morse. You can see his paintings and telegraph technology there. For shopping and movies, the Poughkeepsie Galleria is a large mall nearby. The Mid-Hudson Children's Museum offers fun and learning for younger kids. The Cunneen-Hackett Arts Center provides spaces for music, dance, and visual arts.
Reading and Exploring
The Poughkeepsie Public Library District serves the city and surrounding town. Its main library, Adriance Memorial Library, is in the city. There is also the Sadie Peterson Delaney African Roots Branch Library. The library district helps everyone in the community access books and information.
Getting Around Poughkeepsie
Poughkeepsie is a central point for travel. Major highways like US 9 and US 44 meet here. You can take a train to New York City from the Poughkeepsie Metro-North station. Amtrak trains also stop here, connecting to places like Albany and beyond.
The Mid-Hudson Bridge opened in 1930. It carries cars and pedestrians across the Hudson River. The Poughkeepsie Bridge was built in 1889 for trains. After a fire in 1974, it was closed. Later, a group worked to turn it into a park. The Walkway over the Hudson opened in 2009. It is now a state historic park for walking and biking.
For air travel, the Dutchess County Airport is nearby. Larger airports like Stewart International Airport are about 25 miles south. Bus services, like Dutchess County Public Transit, help people travel throughout the county.
Famous Faces from Poughkeepsie
Many interesting people have connections to Poughkeepsie.
- Alfred Mosher Butts, an architect who invented the board game Scrabble.
- Jane Bolin, the first black woman to serve as a judge in the United States.
- Samuel Morse, the inventor of Morse code.
- Matthew Vassar, who founded Vassar College.
- Debi Thomas, a figure skater who won a world championship and an Olympic medal.
- Alex Goot, a popular YouTube musician.
- Cory Wong, a talented musician.
- Against the Current, a pop rock band.
- We Are the In Crowd, a pop punk band.
Images for kids
-
Smith Brothers menthol cough drops, introduced in 1922.
-
Historic headquarters of the Poughkeepsie Journal.
-
Spectators at the 1907 Poughkeepsie Regatta.
-
Poughkeepsie Bridge and ferry landing, circa 1897.
-
Highways and railroad tracks in Poughkeepsie.
See also
In Spanish: Poughkeepsie para niños
