Copyright MHNN.com
NEWBURGH – The populations in Westchester, Rockland and Orange
counties grew in the last six years from 2010 to 2016, according to the
Census Bureau.
In just released figures, the other Hudson Valley/Catskills counties –
Columbia, Dutchess, Greene, Putnam, Sullivan and Ulster – experienced
population declines.
Hudson Valley Pattern for Progress President Jonathan Drapkin said the
growth of more than 25,000 people in Westchester may be the result of
two factors. As residential costs increase in New York City, people are
moving to the next adjacent county to the north for less expensive rates
and commute back to their jobs. The other factor is Westchester has lower
costs for commercial space than the Big Apple.
As for Orange and Rockland counties, Drapkin is waiting for the municipal
census numbers to be released.
“Is it occurring in certain villages because then it will tell you
that it has a lot to do with ethnic and demographic and we need to pay
attention because it may not be a sign that the economy is growing as
much as it is certain groups are growing,” he said.
Both counties have Hasidic villages with expanding populations and they
could have an impact on the local census figures, which are expected to
be released in the weeks ahead.
Rockland population grew by 15,000 in the last six years while Orange
County population grew by just under 6,400.
.
Drapkin said the decline in population in the other counties is a reflection
of an ongoing trend of people moving out, likely to find jobs in other
areas.
