Westchester County, New York, nestled in the scenic Hudson Valley just north of New York City, boasts a population of approximately 1 million people, according to the 2020 census.
The county’s economic landscape sets it apart, with a median household income of $99,489 in 2020, significantly surpassing both the state average of $64,034 and the national average of $67,521. In terms of poverty, Westchester County is on a favorable trajectory, boasting a 9.2% poverty rate in 2021, lower than the state’s 13.9% and the nation’s 12.8% rates.
However, not all corners of Westchester County share equally in its economic prosperity and overall well-being. Some communities face significant challenges such as low incomes, high poverty rates, elevated unemployment, limited educational opportunities, and restricted access to healthcare and social services.
In this article, we delve into five of the county’s most economically disadvantaged neighborhoods, drawing on data from the U.S. Census Bureau’s American Community Survey (ACS) for the 2017-2021 period. We evaluate these neighborhoods using key indicators:
1. Mount Vernon
Mount Vernon, situated in southern Westchester County near Yonkers and Bronxville, serves as an urban melting pot encompassing a diverse populace comprising Blacks, Hispanics, Whites, and Asians. With an estimated population of around 68,000 residents, Mount Vernon faces substantial socioeconomic challenges as revealed by ACS data:
- Median household income: $54,000, a staggering 45.7% below the county median and 19.9% less than the national median.
- Poverty rate: 18%, nearly twice the county’s rate and one-and-a-half times the national rate.
- Unemployment rate: 11%, surpassing both the county and national rates.
- Educational attainment: 82%, signifying that approximately four-fifths of the adult population completed high school or higher.
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2. Peekskill
Located in northern Westchester County, neighboring Cortlandt and Buchanan, Peekskill boasts a suburban character and a predominantly Hispanic population reflecting the area’s cultural and linguistic diversity. With roughly 24,000 inhabitants, Peekskill grapples with significant economic disparities:
- Median household income: $56,000, a substantial 43.6% below the county median and 18% lower than the national median.
- Poverty rate: 16%, more than one-and-a-half times higher than the county’s rate and the national rate.
- Unemployment rate: 10%, exceeding both county and national averages.
- Educational attainment: 77%, indicating that around three-fourths of the adult population attained at least a high school education.
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3. Port Chester
Nestled in southeastern Westchester County, near Rye and Greenwich, Port Chester, a suburban area with a predominantly Hispanic population, grapples with profound economic challenges. With an estimated population of 29,000 residents, Port Chester faces significant socioeconomic disparities:
- Median household income: $58,000, a substantial 41.6% below the county median and 15.8% lower than the national median.
- Poverty rate: 15%, more than one-and-a-half times higher than the county’s rate and the national rate.
- Unemployment rate: 9%, surpassing both county and national averages.
- Educational attainment: 66%, indicating that only about two-thirds of the adult population completed high school or higher.
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4. Ossining
Situated in central Westchester County near Briarcliff Manor and Croton-on-Hudson, Ossining offers a suburban environment marked by a diverse population including Hispanics, Whites, Blacks, and Asians. With an approximate population of 38,000 residents, Ossining faces notable economic disparities:
- Median household income: $61,000, significantly 38.7% below the county median and 13.1% less than the national median.
- Poverty rate: 14%, more than one-and-a-half times higher than the county’s rate and the national rate.
- Unemployment rate: 8%, exceeding both county and national averages.
- Educational attainment: 76%, indicating that roughly three-quarters of the adult population completed high school or higher.
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5. Yonkers
Yonkers, an urban center in southwestern Westchester County near Bronx and Hastings-on-Hudson, accommodates a diverse population, including Hispanics, Blacks, Whites, and Asians. With a population of approximately 211,000 people, Yonkers faces significant economic challenges:
- Median household income: $64,000, notably 35.6% below the county median and 10.4% less than the national median.
- Poverty rate: 13%, surpassing both the county’s rate and the national rate.
- Unemployment rate: 7%, exceeding both county and national averages.
- Educational attainment: 81%, indicating that roughly four-fifths of the adult population attained at least a high school education.
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Conclusion:
Westchester County, New York, a picturesque region in the Hudson Valley, thrives with a high population density and robust economy. Nevertheless, it grapples with pronounced disparities in income, poverty, unemployment, and education among its neighborhoods. Mount Vernon, Peekskill, Port Chester, Ossining, and Yonkers stand as some of the county’s most economically challenged areas.
These communities confront multifaceted obstacles including low incomes, elevated poverty rates, heightened unemployment, limited educational attainment, and restricted access to healthcare and social services. Addressing these challenges will necessitate coordinated efforts from various stakeholders to enhance the residents’ quality of life and well-being.