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Shawangunk, NY

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Shawangunk, NY

Shawangunk is a town in southwestern Ulster County, New York, United States. The population was 13,563 at the 2020 census. The town takes its name from its largest stream, the Shawangunk Kill. The name Shawangunk is from the language of the Lenape people. 

According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 56.5 square miles (146 km2), of which 56.2 square miles (146 km2) is land and 0.3 square miles (0.78 km2) (0.55%) is water.

The southern town line and half of the eastern town boundary is the border of Orange County, New York.

The northeastward-flowing Wallkill River passes through the eastern half of town and lends its name to the hamlet, which lies along its east bank. The western part of the town, including Walker Valley, climbs the lower slopes of the eponymous mountains. The Shawangunk Kill, a major tributary of the Wallkill, divides the town approximately in half.

Shawangunk was first settled by Europeans during the 1680s. The region was first designated a precinct about 1710 and became the township of Shawangunk in 1788. The town's name comes from the Dutch transliteration of the Munsee Lenape name or phrase. The approximate Lenape pronunciation was "Sha-WAN-gunk,"  probably meaning "in the smoky air." The name first appears in the 1682 Indian deed to Gertrude Bruyn. It is uncertain if this was the Indians' actual proper name for their nearby village and "New Fort," destroyed by the Dutch on September 5, 1663, during the Second Esopus War, or if the name was merely a phrase invented by the Indians in connection with the Bruyn land purchase, possibly describing some temporary feature of the landscape. 

Shawangunk places a strong emphasis on health and wellness, offering residents and visitors numerous opportunities to lead a healthy and active lifestyle. Red Moon Wellness offers therapeutic massages, acupuncture, and holistic wellness services. Ease NY provides a variety of massage techniques such as deep tissue, sports massage, and reflexology. Haven Spa offers relaxing massages including Swedish, hot stone, and aromatherapy massages. Thai Massage NYC specializes in traditional Thai massage techniques for relaxation and muscle relief. Nuansa Spa offers a blend of Eastern and Western massage techniques, including Thai, Swedish, and deep tissue massages. Savor Beauty + Spa provides massages along with skincare services, creating a holistic wellness experience.

Top Sites in Shawangunk, NY: Minnewaska State Park Preserve, Sam's Point Preserve, Mohonk Preserve.

Population: 13,563. Elevation: 2,200 feet (670 meters). ZIP Code: 12525. Area Code: 845. Area: Approximately 47.2 square miles (122.2 km²).

FAQs

What is the history of Shawangunk, NY?

Shawangunk was first settled by Europeans around 1670. The region was organized as a precinct in 1743 and became the Town of Shawangunk in 1788. The name is a Dutch transliteration of the indigenous Munsee Lenape “Scha-WAN-gunk.” The Lenape linguist Raymond Whritenour reports that “Schawan” is an inanimate intransitive verb meaning ‘it is smoky air’ or ‘there is smoky air.’ Its noun-like participle is “schawank,” meaning that which is smoky air.’ Adding the locative suffix gives us “schawangunk” (‘in that which is smoky air’ or, more simply, ‘in the smoky air’).

What is the crime rate in Shawangunk, NY?

Shawangunk, NY is a relatively safe town when it comes to crime. The violent crime rate of 7 in the town is much lower than the national average of 22.7, indicating that there are very few cases of violent crime in Shawangunk. Similarly, the property crime rate in Shawangunk is 12.8 which is significantly less than the US average of 35.4. This suggests that Shawangunk has a low rate of property-related crimes such as burglary and theft. Overall, it can be said that Shawangunk is a safe place to live with low rates of both violent and property crimes.

What is the poverty rate in Shawangunk, NY?

Shawangunk is a city located in New York. Shawangunk has a 2024 population of 13,599. Shawangunk is currently growing at a rate of 0.84% annually and its population has increased by 0.47% since the most recent census, which recorded a population of 13,535 in 2020. The average household income in Shawangunk is $116,123 with a poverty rate of 10.01%. The median age in Shawangunk is 40.3 years: 40.8 years for males, and 39.7 years for females.

Sources

Wikipedia - Shawangunk, New York

Ulster County

Minnewaska State Park Preserve

World Population Review

Best Places

Red Moon Wellness

Ease NY

Haven Spa

Thai Massage NYC

Nuansa Spa

Savor Beauty + Spa 

Town of Shawangunk

Minnewaska State Park Preserve

Sam's Point Preserve

Mohonk Preserve

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