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Moving to Wawarsing, New York

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Wawarsing, New York is a small town located in Ulster County. With a population of just over 3,000 people, it is one of the smaller towns in the area. It is situated near the Shawangunk Mountains, which provide an array of outdoor activities for residents and visitors alike. The climate in Wawarsing is mild and humid during the summer months and cold and snowy during the winter months.

The town was originally settled by Dutch immigrants in 1709 and was officially established as a village in 1827. The town has remained true to its Dutch roots with many of its buildings retaining their original architecture from centuries ago. Politics in Wawarsing are mostly conservative with Republican candidates dominating elections for local offices such as mayor and council members.

The economy of Wawarsing is driven mostly by small businesses such as restaurants, retail stores, and services oriented enterprises. There are also several farms located within the town limits that produce a variety of agricultural products.

The school system within Wawarsing consists mostly of public schools administered by the Wallkill Central School District with several private schools available as well. The Wallkill Central School District offers a variety of educational opportunities to students ranging from elementary through high school levels including advanced placement courses and extracurricular activities such as athletics, clubs, and music programs.

Wawarsing has several landmarks that attract visitors from all over including Minnewaska State Park Preserve which offers hiking trails, swimming areas, camping grounds and more; Ellenville Public Library & Museum which houses a variety of artifacts from the town’s history; and the Dutch Reformed Church which is the oldest church in Ulster County. The town also has several historic sites such as the Elting Library, Wawarsing Covered Bridge, and the Wawarsing Historical Society.

Population: 12,889. Estimated population in July 2024: 13,718 (+6.4% change)
Males: 6,952 (53.9%), Females: 5,937 (46.1%)

Ulster County

Zip code: 12489

Demographics

Median resident age: 37.0 years
Median household income: $35,872
Median house value: $89,600

Population by Race

Races in Wawarsing:

  • White Non-Hispanic (66.7%)
  • Hispanic (18.0%)
  • Black (12.5%)
  • Other race (7.8%)
  • Two or more races (3.1%)
  • American Indian (1.3%)
  • Chinese (0.7%)

(Total can be greater than 100% because Hispanics could be counted in other races)

Ancestries: German (13.6%), Irish (12.5%), Italian (9.5%), United States (7.0%), English (6.1%), Dutch (5.0%).

Elevation: 288 feet

Population by Education

Wawarsing, New York is a small town located in Ulster County. The population of Wawarsing is approximately 5,000 people. The median household income in Wawarsing is slightly lower than the national average, with a median household income of $54,638. The cost of living in Wawarsing is also lower than the national average, with an index score of 92.2 compared to the US average of 100. This allows residents to enjoy a low cost of living without sacrificing quality or amenities. Groceries and healthcare are relatively inexpensive compared to other parts of the country, while housing costs are slightly higher due to the town’s rural location and lack of public transportation options. In general, Wawarsing offers its residents an affordable lifestyle with plenty of recreational activities and cultural attractions nearby. The town is home to several parks and trails as well as a number of restaurants, shops and markets for locals to enjoy. There are also several art galleries that showcase local artists’ work and provide entertainment for visitors from out of town.

For population 25 years and over in Wawarsing

  • High school or higher: 64.6%
  • Bachelor’s degree or higher: 13.5%
  • Graduate or professional degree: 6.3%
  • Unemployed: 6.6%
  • Mean travel time to work: 26.1 minutes

For population 15 years and over in Wawarsing town

  • Never married: 32.2%
  • Now married: 47.2%
  • Separated: 4.1%
  • Widowed: 7.3%
  • Divorced: 9.2%

9.9% Foreign born (4.9% Latin America, 3.8% Europe).

Hospitals

Hospitals/medical centers near Wawarsing:

  • WESTCHESTER ELLENVILLE HOSPITAL INC (about 5 miles; ELLENVILLE, NY)
  • HORTON MEMORIAL HOSPITAL (about 23 miles; MIDDLETOWN, NY)
  • MIDDLETOWN PSYCH CENTER (about 23 miles; MIDDLETOWN, NY)

Airports

Airports certified for carrier operations nearest to Wawarsing:

  • STEWART INT’L (about 26 miles; NEWBURGH, NY; Abbreviation: SWF)
  • SULLIVAN COUNTY INTL (about 30 miles; MONTICELLO, NY; Abbreviation: MSV)
  • DUTCHESS COUNTY (about 35 miles; POUGHKEEPSIE, NY; Abbreviation: POU)

Other public-use airports nearest to Wawarsing:

  • JOSEPH Y RESNICK (about 3 miles; ELLENVILLE, NY; Abbreviation: N89)
  • WURTSBORO-SULLIVAN COUNTY (about 14 miles; WURTSBORO, NY; Abbreviation: N82)
  • KOBELT (about 19 miles; WALLKILL, NY; Abbreviation: N45)

Colleges and Universities

Colleges/universities with over 2000 students nearest to Wawarsing:

  • SUNY COLLEGE AT NEW PALTZ (about 19 miles; NEW PALTZ, NY; Full-time enrollment: 6,334)
  • ORANGE COUNTY COMMUNITY COLLEGE (about 23 miles; MIDDLETOWN, NY; Full-time enrollment: 3,486)
  • MARIST COLLEGE (about 31 miles; POUGHKEEPSIE, NY; Full-time enrollment: 4,646)
  • DUTCHESS COMMUNITY COLLEGE (about 31 miles; POUGHKEEPSIE, NY; Full-time enrollment: 4,112)
  • CULINARY INSTITUTE OF AMERICA (about 32 miles; HYDE PARK, NY; Full-time enrollment: 2,028)
  • UNITED STATES MILITARY ACADEMY (about 38 miles; WEST POINT, NY; Full-time enrollment: 4,088)
  • VASSAR COLLEGE (about 43 miles; POUGHKEEPSIE, NY; Full-time enrollment: 2,374)

Private primary/middle school in Wawarsing:

  • WAWARSING CHRISTIAN ACADEMY (Students: 120; Location: BOX 338; Grades: PK – 11)

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