HIstoric postcrd of the Dutchess County Courthouse

Photo Credit: Vivian Yess Wadlin

Dutchess County Dutchess County

Dutchess County

Dutchess County is located in the Mid-Hudson Valley, halfway between New York City and Albany. It is bordered on the west by the Hudson River and on the east by Connecticut. Outside of its two cities—Beacon and Poughkeepsie—Dutchess County has a primarily pastoral and suburban landscape. It is home to many of the Great Estates in the Hudson River Valley as well as the Franklin Delano Roosevelt Homestead and Presidential Library. There are Federal, State, and County parks spanning west from the Taconic Range to the shore of the Hudson River. The page below is a collection of facts and links to help introduce Dutchess to you. The Hudson River Valley Institute appreciates the generous support of the Dutchess County Industrial Development Agency that made the Digital Library and this page possible.

Towns & Villages of Dutchess County 
The towns and villages of Dutchess County each have their unique and often historic character—we have provided a listing with links to get you started on your explorations below.

 

Cultural Resources
Dutchess County has a wealth of Historic Sites and Parks to explore as well as Libraries and Museums.

Student Presentations 

Housing
Dutchess County offers a wide variety of housing choices throughout its urban, suburban, and pastoral communities.

Tourism
Dutchess County is full of history, culture and, beauty which makes it the ideal place for tourists to visit. The I Love NY: Dutchess County tourism guide will help tourists find exactly what they are looking for so they can get the most out of their Dutchess County experience.

Demographics
Here you'll find general ideas of the different conditions relative to business operations. Population breakdowns include gender, age, race, and ethnicity, which can be used to identify consumer markets in Dutchess County.

Healthcare

Schools

Working in Dutchess County

The Hudson Valley has one of the most diverse economies in the country. The range of industries includes high technology as well as agriculture, tourism, higher education, health services, finance, legal services, and business services. Ease of access to New York City provides opportunities at the higher end of the income scale. Dutchess County is positioned at the center of the Valley with I-84 and Route 9 as its major commercial corridors.

Jobs

Business Profiles
Largest employers include IBM, CH Energy Group, Vassar Brothers Hospital, Vassar College, Saint Francis Hospital, Marist College, the State of New York, and Texaco. Tourism employs 8,600 people; agriculture provides a livelihood for 1,500 residents. For more on employment, please see labor and employment in our economic development section.

Worker Profiles

Infrastructure

New York State's Empire Zones (EZs) are designated areas throughout the State that offer special incentives to encourage economic development, business investment and job creation. Certified businesses located within a designated zone are eligible to receive significant tax credits and benefits. EZs are comprised of abundant vacant land, existing prime industrial and commercial buildings, skilled workers and ample power and water resources.

Empire Zones are located throughout the ten-county Hudson River Valley Region.

Additional links