Demographics






Population measures provide insight on the changing size and face of communities, and an area's needs and assets.

The total population of the Mid–Hudson Valley Region is growing. Counter to the population declines experienced in Western and Central New York, most of the seven counties in the Mid-Hudson Valley region have gained residents since 2000. From 2000 to 2021, the region gained 8.6% more residents, higher than the state (3.7%), yet below the rate for the nation (18%). Orange led the region with its robust 19% growth, followed by Dutchess (6%), Putnam (2.3%), Sullivan (8%), and Ulster (2.9%), and Greene (1%) while Columbia decreased 2.1%.

The population over the age of 60 has been growing the fastest, while the population under 40 has been shrinking.  All counties in the region are experiencing the “graying” phenomenon affecting much of the country. Since 2000, the 85 and over age group grew the fastest, at 79% for Greene and 51% for the region overall. The under 20 group shrank 11% throughout the region. Columbia and Greene had the largest declines in population under age 20 (down 31% and 30%, respectively), while Orange increased (5%). The 20 to 39 age group also shrank 2% throughout the region, or by 13% in Putnam and 8% in Columbia.

While the counties are gradually becoming more diverse in terms of race and ethnicity, they remain overwhelmingly white. Despite the large percentage increases in minority populations and a modest decline in the white population (5%), the region remains predominantly white, representing 74% of total residents. Hispanics were the region’s fastest growing racial group, up 109% from 2000. Putnam had the greatest increase in Hispanic population, at 165%, followed by Orange with 115%. The Asian population was the second fastest growing group in the region, growing by 73%.

Regionally, married couples without children were the most common household type, similar to state and national trends. In 2017-21, 30% of households were made up of married couples without children and 21% were married couples with children. Among the counties, Putnam had the largest share of households composed of people living alone, at 35%, and Orange and Putnam had 26% of households made up of married couples with children.

The foreign-born share of the population in the region has increased since 2000 to 10%. Putnam County had the largest share of foreign-born population (14%) followed by Orange, at 12%, while Greene has the smallest share (6%) in 2017-21.





INDICATORS TREND | STATE
Children Living in Poverty Increasing
Children Living in Poverty, by Race/Ethnicity Not Applicable
Single-Parent Families Increasing
Single-Parent Families, by Race/Ethnicity Not Applicable
Rate of Child Abuse and Neglect Decreasing
Rate of Foster Care Admissions Decreasing
Teen Pregnancy Decreasing
Live Births to Teen Mothers Decreasing
Juvenile Delinquency Intakes Decreasing
Bullying at School Decreasing
Average Charitable Giving Increasing
Voter Registration Rate Increasing
Voter Participation Rate Increasing
Total Population Increasing
Population by Age Not Applicable
Population by Race/Ethnicity Not Applicable
Household Types Not Applicable
Foreign-Born Population Increasing
Change in Total Jobs Increasing
Employment by Sector Not Applicable
Spending for County Government Increasing
Tourism Revenue Increasing
Preschoolers Receiving Special Education Services Increasing
Prekindergarten Participation Decreasing
Students Receiving Special Education Services Increasing
Per-Student Spending Increasing
Student Performance on Grade 4 English, by Economic Background Not Applicable
Student Performance on Grade 4 English, by Race/Ethnicity Not Applicable
Student Performance on Grade 4 Math, by Economic Background Not Applicable
Student Performance on Grade 4 Math, by Race/Ethnicity Not Applicable
High School Cohort Graduation Rate Increasing
High School Cohort Dropout Rate Decreasing
High School GED Rate Decreasing
Plans of High School Graduates Not Applicable
Education Levels of Adults Not Applicable
Education Levels of Adults, by Race/Ethnicity Not Applicable
Median Household Income Maintaining
Median Household Income, by Race/Ethnicity Not Applicable
People Living in Poverty Increasing
People Living in Poverty, by Race/Ethnicity Not Applicable
Seniors Living in Poverty Maintaining
Veterans Living in Poverty Decreasing
Children Receiving Subsidized Child Care Decreasing
Students Eligible for Free/Reduced Price Lunch Increasing
Earned Income Tax Credit Participation Decreasing
People Without Health Insurance Decreasing
Deaths from Drug Overdoses Increasing
Living Wage Rate by Household Type Not Applicable
Early Prenatal Care, by Mother's Race/Ethnicity Not Applicable
Income in Relation to Poverty Level Not Applicable
Babies with Low Birth Weights Increasing
People Living wth HIV Increasing
Mental Health Clinic Visits Decreasing
Homeownership Rates Increasing
Homeless Persons Decreasing
Cost of Homeownership Maintaining
Cost of Renting Not Applicable
Violent Crimes Decreasing
Domestic Violence Decreasing


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