County Crime & Safety

Westchester County, NY, remains one of the safer large suburban areas near New York City. According to the 2022 FBI Uniform Crime Report, Westchester’s violent crime rate was 1.3 per 1,000 residents, well below the national average of 4.0, and property crime stood at 8.4 per 1,000. Major cities like Yonkers and New Rochelle report the majority of incidents, but overall, crime has decreased by 9% since 2020. Local law enforcement uses integrated reporting systems, encouraging high transparency and timely updates to residents.

Elections

Westchester County, NY, has about 644,000 registered voters as of 2024. Elections include local, state, and federal races, with turnout ranging from 30% (local) to over 70% (presidential). Voting takes place at over 400 polling locations. In the 2020 presidential election, Democrats received 63% of the vote, Republicans 35%. Key issues include taxes, education, and affordable housing. The Westchester County Board of Elections administers voting, with about 55% of registrants Democratic, 21% Republican, and the rest unaffiliated or third party. Early voting and absentee ballots are also available to all voters.

Education, Employment and Housing

Westchester County, NY, boasts over 40 public high schools, with the overall high school graduation rate exceeding 90%. Approximately 54% of adults hold a bachelor’s degree or higher—far above the national average. With more than 200 schools, the county features top-rated districts such as Scarsdale, consistently scoring 9/10 or above. Westchester offers numerous adult education programs and is known for strong school safety initiatives. Its educational environment includes advanced STEM, arts, and AP programs, ensuring comprehensive opportunities for lifelong learning and student achievement.

Westchester County, NY has an unemployment rate of approximately 3.5% as of early 2024. Major employment sectors include healthcare (16%), education (13%), and professional/business services (13%). Around 60% of workers are employed in management, business, science, and arts occupations. About 44% of residents commute to jobs outside the county, with many traveling to New York City; the median commute time is 33 minutes. Key employers include Montefiore Health System and IBM, reflecting the county’s diverse economic base in healthcare, technology, and education.

Westchester County, NY, has a homeownership rate of about 61%, with median home values around $615,000 and median gross rents at $1,660 (2023). Single-family homes dominate, but there are condos and apartments, especially in Yonkers, White Plains, and New Rochelle. Popular neighborhoods include Scarsdale, Bronxville, and Rye. The local property tax rate is among the nation’s highest, averaging 1.62%, with annual taxes on a median home often exceeding $10,000. As of early 2024, housing prices continue to rise, driven by strong demand and limited inventory.

Demographics

As of 2023, Westchester County, NY has a population of approximately 992,000. The median age is about 42 years. Females comprise around 52% of the population, males 48%. Racially, the county is 54% White (non-Hispanic), 25% Hispanic or Latino, 14% Black or African American, and 6% Asian. Other races make up about 1%. Westchester is densely populated and reflects significant diversity in both age and ethnicity.