Valhalla, New York facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Valhalla
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Kensico Dam at the Kensico Reservoir in Valhalla
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Location of Valhalla, New York
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| Country | United States |
| State | New York |
| County | Westchester |
| Town | Mount Pleasant |
| Area | |
| • Total | 0.83 sq mi (2.15 km2) |
| • Land | 0.83 sq mi (2.15 km2) |
| • Water | 0.00 sq mi (0.00 km2) |
| Elevation | 256 ft (78 m) |
| Population
(2020)
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| • Total | 3,213 |
| • Density | 3,871.08/sq mi (1,495.44/km2) |
| Time zone | UTC-5 (Eastern (EST)) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-4 (EDT) |
| ZIP code |
10595
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| Area code(s) | 914 |
| FIPS code | 36-76639 |
| GNIS feature ID | 0968353 |
Valhalla (/vælhælə/) is a small community in Westchester County, New York, United States. It's known as a hamlet, which is a small village, and also a census-designated place (CDP). This means it's a special area defined by the government for counting people. Valhalla is part of the town of Mount Pleasant.
In 2020, about 3,213 people lived in Valhalla. The name "Valhalla" comes from Norse mythology, where it's a grand hall for heroes. A fan of the composer Richard Wagner, who often used Norse myths in his music, chose this name. Valhalla is home to a big hospital, Westchester Medical Center, and a medical school. It's also famous for its large cemetery where many well-known people are buried.
Contents
Exploring Valhalla's Past
Valhalla has an interesting history, including a famous cemetery and some important events.
Kensico Cemetery: A Place of Rest
The Kensico Cemetery was started in Valhalla in 1889. At that time, many cemeteries in New York City were getting full. So, new, larger cemeteries were built near train lines outside the city.
Kensico Cemetery first covered about 250 acres. It grew to 600 acres in 1905 but later became 460 acres in 1912. Some of its land was sold to the nearby Gate of Heaven Cemetery.
Many famous people are buried at Kensico Cemetery. These include New York Yankees baseball legend Lou Gehrig, famous musician Sergei Rachmaninoff, writer Ayn Rand, and NBC founder David Sarnoff. Valhalla and its neighbor, Hawthorne, have many cemeteries.
Important Moments in Valhalla
Valhalla has experienced several notable events over the years.
The 2006 Westchester Tornado
On July 12, 2006, a strong tornado hit the area. It started in nearby Hawthorne and moved into Valhalla. This F2 tornado caused a lot of damage, especially in the Stonegate part of the community. It was one of the strongest tornadoes ever seen in this area. Power lines were knocked down, and many trees were pulled up. Luckily, no one died, but the tornado changed parts of Valhalla.
Remembering September 11th
On September 11, 2006, a special memorial called The Rising was dedicated. It's located at the Kensico Dam in Valhalla. This memorial honors the 109 people from Westchester County who died in the September 11 attacks.
Hosting the Empire State Games
In July 2007, Valhalla hosted the opening ceremony for the Empire State Games. This event celebrates athletes from across New York State. The ceremony took place at the Kensico Dam. Important leaders, including Governor Eliot Spitzer, attended.
The 2015 Train Accident
On February 3, 2015, a Metro-North train crashed into a car stuck on the tracks. This happened near Commerce Street in Valhalla. The accident sadly caused six deaths and injured 15 people.
Valhalla's Location and Landscape
Valhalla is a small community. It covers about 2.1 square kilometers (0.83 square miles) of land. There is no water area within its boundaries.
Who Lives in Valhalla?
Valhalla is home to a diverse group of people.
Population Numbers
| Historical population | |||
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| Census | Pop. | %± | |
| 2020 | 3,213 | — | |
| U.S. Decennial Census | |||
In 2000, Valhalla had 5,379 people living there. By 2010, the population was 3,162. The 2020 census showed 3,213 residents. These changes might be due to how the census areas are drawn each time.
Community Makeup
In 2000, most residents (about 95.85%) were White. There were also smaller groups of African American, Native American, and Asian residents. About 3.36% of the population was Hispanic or Latino.
Valhalla has a large Italian-American community. In 2000, about 34.2% of residents had Italian family backgrounds. This was one of the highest percentages in the United States.
Households and Families
In 2000, there were 1,847 households in Valhalla. About 33.5% of these households had children under 18. Most households (69.2%) were married couples living together. The average household had 2.83 people.
The median age in Valhalla was 41 years old. This means half the people were older than 41 and half were younger.
What Valhalla Offers
Valhalla is an important center for healthcare, education, and local government.
Key Institutions and Businesses
Valhalla is home to several major places:
- Westchester Medical Center: A large hospital.
- New York Medical College: A school for doctors and other medical professionals.
- Westchester Community College: Part of the State University of New York system.
- The Westchester County jail.
In 2017, officials announced plans for a huge biotechnology center. This center will be built next to Westchester Medical Center. It's expected to create many new jobs in scientific research.
Local Attractions and Services
Valhalla is where you'll find the Mount Pleasant Town Hall. It also has the Mount Pleasant Town Pool and Community Center. The main street is Columbus Avenue. Along this road, you'll find the Valhalla train station. This station is a key stop for the Metro-North Railroad when traveling north from New York City.
Columbus Avenue also features the famous Kensico Dam and the Holy Name of Jesus Church. There are also many shops and restaurants. The Valhalla ZIP Code (10595) covers parts of three different towns: Mount Pleasant, Greenburgh, and North Castle.
Learning in Valhalla
Valhalla has several schools that serve its young residents.
Public Schools in Valhalla
Public education in Valhalla is managed by the Valhalla Union Free School District. This district runs four schools:
- Virginia Road School
- Kensico School
- Valhalla Middle School
- Valhalla High School
Some students who live in Valhalla attend Westlake High School. This school is located in the nearby community of Thornwood.
Former Catholic School
The Roman Catholic Archdiocese of New York used to operate Holy Name of Jesus School in Valhalla. However, this Catholic school closed in 2013.
Famous People from Valhalla
Several notable individuals have lived in Valhalla:
- Kevin Meaney (1956–2016), an actor and comedian.
- Dalmazio Santini (1923–2001), a composer.
- Sal Yvars (1924–2008), a Major League Baseball player.
See also
In Spanish: Valhalla (Nueva York) para niños
