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Poughkeepsie, NY

Frequently asked questions

Poughkeepsie, NY

Poughkeepsie, officially the City of Poughkeepsie, which is separate from the Town of Poughkeepsie around it, is a city in the U.S. state of New York. It is the county seat of Dutchess County, with a 2020 census population of 31,577. Poughkeepsie is in the Hudson River Valley region, midway between the core of the New York metropolitan area and the state capital of Albany. It is a principal city of the Kiryas Joel–Poughkeepsie–Newburgh metropolitan area which belongs to the New York combined statistical area. It is served by the nearby Hudson Valley Regional Airport and Stewart International Airport in Orange County, New York.

Poughkeepsie has been called "The Queen City of the Hudson". It was settled in the 17th century by the Dutch and became New York State's second capital shortly after the American Revolution. It was chartered as a city in 1854. Major bridges in the city include the Walkway over the Hudson, a former railroad bridge called the Poughkeepsie Bridge which reopened as a public walkway on October 3, 2009; and the Mid-Hudson Bridge, a major thoroughfare built in 1930 that carries U.S. Route 44 over the Hudson. The city of Poughkeepsie lies in New York's 18th congressional district.

The City of Poughkeepsie and the neighboring Town of Poughkeepsie are generally viewed as a single place and are commonly referred to collectively as "Poughkeepsie", with a combined population of 77,048 in 2020. Poughkeepsie is situated between the Lower Hudson and the Capital District regions, and the city's economy is stimulated by several major corporations, including IBM. Educational institutions include Marist College, Vassar College, Dutchess Community College, and The Culinary Institute of America. English colonist Robert Sanders and Dutch colonist Myndert Harmense Van Den Bogaerdt acquired the land from a local Native American tribe in 1686, and the first settlers were the families of Barent Baltus Van Kleeck and Hendrick Jans van Oosterom. The settlement grew quickly, and the Reformed Church of Poughkeepsie was established by 1720.

The community was set off from the town of Poughkeepsie when it became an incorporated village on March 27, 1799. The city of Poughkeepsie was chartered on March 28, 1854. The city of Poughkeepsie was spared from battle during the American Revolutionary War and became the second capital of the State of New York after Kingston was burned by the British. In 1788, the Ratification Convention for New York State included Alexander Hamilton, John Jay, and George Clinton. They assembled at the courthouse on Market Street and ratified the United States Constitution, and New York State entered the new union as the eleventh of the original Thirteen Colonies to become the United States. In 1799, a new seal was created for the city.

Poughkeepsie places a strong emphasis on health and wellness. The city boasts an array of healthcare facilities, including the renowned Vassar Brothers Medical Center, ensuring residents have access to quality medical care. In addition, the city's beautiful parks and outdoor spaces, such as Bowdoin Park offer opportunities for outdoor activities and exercise. The Walkway Over the Hudson, a pedestrian bridge spanning the Hudson River Park, is a particularly iconic spot for leisurely walks and scenic views. Furthermore, Poughkeepsie encourages a healthy lifestyle through various community programs and events. Gold's Gym offers state-of-the-art equipment, personal training, and a variety of group exercise classes. Stone Wave Yoga hosts yoga and Pilates classes focused on core strength and flexibility. Hudson Valley Healing Center focuses on wellness services such as salt therapy, infrared sauna, and holistic health workshops. Planet Fitness promotes a judgment-free environment with a wide array of exercise equipment and group fitness classes. 

Top sites in Poughkeepsie, NY are Walkway Over the Hudson, Bardavon, Locust Grove Estate, and Mid-Hudson Discovery Museum.

Population: 31,772 (2023). ZIP codes: 12601–12604. Area code: 845. Elevation: 85 ft (26 m). Area: 5.72 square miles (14.8 km²).

FAQs

What are the demographics of Poughkeepsie, NY?

The 5 largest ethnic groups in Poughkeepsie, NY are White (Non-Hispanic) (40.2%), Black or African American (Non-Hispanic) (30.9%), White (Hispanic) (7.45%), Two+ (Non-Hispanic) (6.13%), and Two+ (Hispanic) (5.84%). None of the households in Poughkeepsie, NY reported speaking a non-English language at home as their primary shared language. This does not consider the potential multi-lingual nature of households, but only the primary self-reported language spoken by all members of the household.

What is the crime rate in Poughkeepsie, NY?

The crime rate in Poughkeepsie is considerably higher than the national average across all communities in America from the largest to the smallest, although, at 27 crimes per one thousand residents, it is not among the communities with the very highest crime rate. The chance of becoming a victim of either violent or property crime in Poughkeepsie is 1 in 37. Based on FBI crime data, Poughkeepsie is not one of the safest communities in America. Relative to New York, Poughkeepsie has a crime rate that is higher than 93% of the state's cities and towns of all sizes.

How much tax in Poughkeepsie, NY?

The minimum combined 2024 sales tax rate for Poughkeepsie, New York is 8.13%. This is the total of state, county, and city sales tax rates. The New York sales tax rate is currently 4%. The County sales tax rate is 3.75%. The Poughkeepsie sales tax rate is 0%.

Sources

Wikipedia

City of Poughkeepsie

Nuvance Health

Dutchess, NY

Avalara

Neighborhood Scout

Data USA

Walkway Over the Hudson

Hudson River Park

Bardavon

Mid-Hudson Road Runners Club

Walkway Over the Hudson State Historic Park

Vassar College Locust Grove Estate

Mid-Hudson Discovery Museum

Gold's Gym 

Stone Wave Yoga

Hudson Valley Healing Center

Planet Fitness

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