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Walden, NY

Frequently asked questions

Walden, NY

Walden is the largest of three villages in the town of Montgomery in Orange County, New York, United States. The population was 6,818 at the 2020 census. It has the ZIP Code 12586 and the 778 telephone exchange within the 845 area code. Walden is part of the Kiryas Joel−Poughkeepsie−Newburgh, NY Metropolitan Statistical Area as well as the larger New York−Newark−Bridgeport, NY-NJ-CT-PA Combined Statistical Area.

The precursor to the village began in the early 18th century as a mill town along the Wallkill River. One miller, Jacob Walden, was so successful the village that incorporated in the mid-19th century took its name from him. Later, it would be the village's three knife manufacturers that brought it growth and prosperity. They are gone today, but other industrial concerns remain.

The first Europeans began to arrive in the region around the 1650s and began establishing permanent settlements in the area by the early 18th century. The area around present-day Walden was purchased in 1736 by Alexander Kidd, and settlers of Scots-Irish, English, and German descent started arriving not long afterward. It was the first settlement west of the Wallkill River, known at the time as Kidd's Town. 

In 1813, an entrepreneur from New York City named Jacob Treadwell Walden began purchasing land on both sides of the Wallkill River, with plans to develop a manufacturing settlement along the River. He convinced some of his business partners to finance the construction of wool mills on the river, attracted by the Great Falls as a source of power and the railroad connections at nearby Maybrook. He dammed the Wallkill above the falls, creating a power station that remains in use today, and his mill was a success. By the 1820s, his mill became a notable regional producer of cotton and woolen cloth. Wool-makers followed as the Industrial Revolution picked up steam and the growing population center became known instead as Walden's Mills. The area became a significant local producer of woolen products by the 1840s.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the village has a total area of 2.0 square miles (5.2 km2), of which 2.0 square miles (5.2 km2) is land and 0.1 square miles (0.26 km2) (3.9%) is water.

The village's most notable geographical feature is the Wallkill River, which flows from the south to the north across the village and divides one-third of it from the rest. Within the eastern portion, Tin Brook, the Wallkill's major right tributary in New York, meanders across as well, forming part of the northern village boundary. There are two waterfalls and dams on the river within the village limits, known as the Great and Little Falls; and two auto bridges, the "high" (formally, the Walden Veterans' Memorial Bridge, which carries NY 52 through the village as West Main Street) and "low" (Oak Street) bridges).

The Wallkill passes through a small gorge between the two dams and loses approximately 60 feet (18 m) of elevation in the process. The surrounding topography in the village is, correspondingly, gently rolling hills of this section of the Great Appalachian Valley between the higher rises of the Shawangunk Ridge, visible to the west from some sections of the village, and the Hudson Highlands to the southwest. The highest elevation is roughly 520 feet (160 m) above sea level along Overlook Road at the village's western boundary; the lowest is 260 feet (79 m) along the Wallkill at the northern village line.

Walden focuses on health and wellness. The Sun River Health Wallkill Valley is a cornerstone in providing comprehensive healthcare services to the community. Explore the parks, facilities, and programs offered by Walden’s Recreation and Community Services Department. These spaces provide opportunities for outdoor activities such as walking, jogging, sports, and picnicking. Join local fitness centers and gyms to participate in exercise programs, fitness classes, and strength training. Some popular options include Valley Sports and Performance and Anytime Fitness. Discover the walking and biking trails in and around Walden, such as the Walden-Wallkill Rail Trail and the Wooster Grove. These trails offer opportunities for outdoor exercise and enjoyment of nature.

Top Sites in Walden, NY are The Metropolitan Museum of Art, Winding Hills Golf Club, and Thomas Bull Memorial Park.

Population: 6,790 (2022). ZIP Code: 12586. Area code: 845. Elevation: 260 ft (80 m). Area: 2.08 sq mi (5.40 km2).

FAQs

What is Walden, NY famous for?

Walden would see the establishment of two more knife factories with Walden Knife Company in the 1870s and Schrade Cutlery in 1904. Soon thereafter, Walden would earn its title as the “Little Sheffield” as it became the cutlery capital of the United States. Cutlery remained a major industry until the 1950s when Schrade cutlery was relocated to Ellenville. Vestiges of the knife industry remain, from the dam at High Falls to the McKinley Statue.

What is it like to live in Walden, NY?

Living in Walden has a suburban feel, which can be nice for families looking for more space than larger densely packed cities for the money and a good area to raise children. Walden’s overall livability score is above average. The cost of living in Walden is lower than the national average and most cities in the state. While some areas can be higher than others on a state and federal level, the overall average of housing costs, utilities, grocery items, transportation, health care, and miscellaneous goods and services are less expensive.

What is the crime rate in Walden, NY?

The crime rate in Walden is considerably higher than the national average across all communities in America from the largest to the smallest, although at 13 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 Walden is 1 in 79. Based on FBI crime data, Walden is not one of the safest communities in America. Relative to New York, Walden has a crime rate that is higher than 72% of the state's cities and towns of all sizes.

Sources

Wikipedia

Village of Walden

Sun River Health Wallkill Valley 

Walden’s Recreation and Community Services Department

Valley Sports and Performance 

Anytime Fitness

Walden-Wallkill Rail Trail 

Wooster Grove

The Metropolitan Museum of Art

Winding Hills Golf Club 

Thomas Bull Memorial Park

Walden History

Citytistics

Neighborhoodscout

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