Orange County, New York

Orange County, New York
Mwanner · CC BY-SA 3.0 · source
County	Orange County
State	New York
Founded	1683
Seat	Goshen
Largest city	Newburgh
Area total sq mi	839
Area land sq mi	816
Area water sq mi	23
Population as of	2020
Population total	401310
Population density sq mi	491

Orange County, New York is a county located in the Hudson Valley region of New York State, with its county seat in Goshen, New York. The county is situated near the New Jersey border, and its largest city is Newburgh, New York, which is located on the Hudson River. Orange County is home to many notable institutions, including the United States Military Academy at West Point, New York, and the Stewart International Airport, which is located in New Windsor, New York. The county is also close to the Catskill Mountains and the Delaware River.

Geography

Orange County is bordered by Rockland County, New York to the southeast, Putnam County, New York to the east, Dutchess County, New York to the northeast, Ulster County, New York to the north, Sullivan County, New York to the northwest, and Pike County, Pennsylvania to the southwest. The county's terrain is varied, with the Hudson Highlands located in the east and the Wallkill River flowing through the west. The county is also home to the Black Rock Forest, the Hudson River Valley, and the Shawangunk Ridge. Nearby cities include Middletown, New York, Port Jervis, New York, and Beacon, New York, which is located across the Hudson River from Cold Spring, New York. The county is also close to the Village of Warwick, the Village of Washingtonville, and the Town of Chester, New York.

History

Orange County was founded in 1683 and was named after William of Orange, who later became King William III of England. The county played a significant role in the American Revolution, with many notable battles and events taking place in the area, including the Battle of Stony Point and the Battle of Minisink. The county was also home to many notable figures, including George Washington, who traveled through the area during the war, and Benedict Arnold, who was born in Norwich, Connecticut but lived in Newburgh, New York for a time. The county is also close to the Village of Sugar Loaf, which was an important center for the American Revolution. Other notable historical sites in the county include the Washington's Headquarters State Historic Site, the New Windsor Cantonment State Historic Site, and the Knox's Headquarters State Historic Site.

Demographics

As of the 2020 United States Census, the population of Orange County was approximately 401,310 people, with a population density of 491 people per square mile. The county is diverse, with a mix of urban, suburban, and rural areas, including the cities of Middletown, New York, Newburgh, New York, and Port Jervis, New York. The county is also home to many notable institutions, including the Orange County Community College, the Mount Saint Mary College, and the United States Military Academy at West Point, New York. The county is close to the City of Poughkeepsie, the City of Kingston, New York, and the Village of Cornwall-on-Hudson. The county is also home to many notable people, including James Patterson, who was born in Newburgh, New York, and Deborah Sampson, who lived in Sharon, Connecticut but is buried in Rocky Hill, Connecticut.

Government

The government of Orange County is headed by the Orange County Executive, who is currently Steve Neuhaus. The county is also governed by the Orange County Legislature, which is composed of 21 members, each representing a different district in the county. The county is also home to many notable government institutions, including the Orange County Courthouse, the Orange County Jail, and the Goshen Police Department. The county is close to the New York State Capitol in Albany, New York, and the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York, which is located in White Plains, New York. The county is also home to many notable politicians, including Sean Patrick Maloney, who represents the 18th congressional district of New York, and Chuck Schumer, who represents New York State in the United States Senate.

Economy

The economy of Orange County is diverse, with a mix of industries, including healthcare, education, and manufacturing. The county is home to many notable companies, including IBM, which has a facility in Poughkeepsie, New York, and Merck & Co., which has a facility in Kenilworth, New Jersey. The county is also close to the Stewart International Airport, which is a major transportation hub for the region. The county is also home to many notable tourist attractions, including the United States Military Academy at West Point, New York, and the Hudson River Valley, which is a popular destination for outdoor recreation. The county is also close to the Catskill Mountains, the Delaware River, and the Pocono Mountains. The county is home to many notable events, including the Orange County Fair, the Newburgh Waterfront Festival, and the Beacon Riverfest.

Education

Orange County is home to many notable educational institutions, including the United States Military Academy at West Point, New York, the Mount Saint Mary College, and the Orange County Community College. The county is also served by several school districts, including the Middletown City School District, the Newburgh Enlarged City School District, and the Warwick Valley Central School District. The county is close to the State University of New York at New Paltz, the Vassar College, and the Marist College. The county is also home to many notable libraries, including the Newburgh Free Library, the Middletown Thrall Library, and the Albert Wisner Public Library. The county is also close to the New York State Library, the New York State Archives, and the Hudson River Valley Institute. The county is home to many notable educational events, including the Orange County Science Fair, the Newburgh STEM Festival, and the Beacon Arts and Education Foundation.