ALBANY - The Hudson Valley had some of the fastest-growing areas in New York since 2000, as many other upstate regions lost people, according to census estimates released Thursday.
Orange County was tops in growth statewide from 2000 to 2006 - adding 35,025 people for 10.3 percent growth, according to yearly Census Bureau estimates. Two counties across the Hudson River also were big gainers over the period: Dutchess (5.4 percent) and Putnam (5 percent).
The valley has been on a growth spurt fueled in part by New York City residents seeking peace of mind after the Sept. 11 attacks and by families priced out of suburban markets closer to the city.
On the other side of the ledger, Erie County, which includes Buffalo, lost an estimated 28,875 people, or 3 percent, since 2000.
Statewide estimates released in December showed New York was one of only four states that failed to grow since 2005 - with the population essentially staying flat at 19.3 million. The new county-by-county estimates show what contributed to the stall. In just one year, Erie County lost 6,825 people, Long Island's Nassau County lost 5,958 and the Bronx lost 3,093.
As for Cayuga County, it lost 720 residents, from 81,963 to 81,243, a .9 percent drop.
Overall, 46 of New York's 62 counties saw more people move out during 2005 than move in, said Bob Ward of the Business Council of New York State.
“New Yorkers continue to vote with their feet, looking for opportunity elsewhere,” Ward said.
The loss of population in pockets of upstate New York - particularly the exodus of young people just out of college - has been a persistent problem. Gov. Eliot Spitzer this year appointed a “czar” for upstate economic development, Daniel Gundersen, who is expected to tackle the brain drain.
Only one county in New York saw a gain or loss of more than 1 percent from 2005 to 2006. That was Jefferson County, home to Fort Drum, which lost an estimated 1.1 percent. Thousands of soldiers from Fort Drum were deployed last year.
But looking at the estimates over the six-year period shows a familiar pattern: New York City grew by more than 200,000 people, while parts of upstate New York shrank. Two rural counties lost people at the fastest rate in that time: Hamilton (-4 percent) and Chautauqua (-3.1 percent).
After Orange County, the fastest growth in New York over the six years was in Staten Island (7.6 percent) and Saratoga County (7.4 percent). While Orange County still posted growth over the past year, it has slowed from a few years ago.
“There's still interest in Orange County,” said Leslie Lederman of Lederman Real Estate in Sugar Loaf, “it's not quite as prolific as it used to be.”
The valley has been on a growth spurt fueled in part by New York City residents seeking peace of mind after the Sept. 11 attacks and by families priced out of suburban markets closer to the city.
On the other side of the ledger, Erie County, which includes Buffalo, lost an estimated 28,875 people, or 3 percent, since 2000.
Statewide estimates released in December showed New York was one of only four states that failed to grow since 2005 - with the population essentially staying flat at 19.3 million. The new county-by-county estimates show what contributed to the stall. In just one year, Erie County lost 6,825 people, Long Island's Nassau County lost 5,958 and the Bronx lost 3,093.
As for Cayuga County, it lost 720 residents, from 81,963 to 81,243, a .9 percent drop.
Overall, 46 of New York's 62 counties saw more people move out during 2005 than move in, said Bob Ward of the Business Council of New York State.
“New Yorkers continue to vote with their feet, looking for opportunity elsewhere,” Ward said.
The loss of population in pockets of upstate New York - particularly the exodus of young people just out of college - has been a persistent problem. Gov. Eliot Spitzer this year appointed a “czar” for upstate economic development, Daniel Gundersen, who is expected to tackle the brain drain.
Only one county in New York saw a gain or loss of more than 1 percent from 2005 to 2006. That was Jefferson County, home to Fort Drum, which lost an estimated 1.1 percent. Thousands of soldiers from Fort Drum were deployed last year.
But looking at the estimates over the six-year period shows a familiar pattern: New York City grew by more than 200,000 people, while parts of upstate New York shrank. Two rural counties lost people at the fastest rate in that time: Hamilton (-4 percent) and Chautauqua (-3.1 percent).
After Orange County, the fastest growth in New York over the six years was in Staten Island (7.6 percent) and Saratoga County (7.4 percent). While Orange County still posted growth over the past year, it has slowed from a few years ago.
“There's still interest in Orange County,” said Leslie Lederman of Lederman Real Estate in Sugar Loaf, “it's not quite as prolific as it used to be.”
The Citizens' Say
There are No comments posted.