New Square, a small village in Rockland County’s Hudson Valley region, has been identified as the poorest town in New York State based on recent data. Here’s a detailed breakdown:
Key Statistics
- Median household income: $27,488 (compared to New York’s statewide median of $75,157)
- Poverty rate: 64.2% (nearly five times the state average of 13.6%)
- Education: Only 2.4% of adults hold a bachelor’s degree (vs. 37.5% statewide)
- SNAP reliance: 70.3% of households receive food assistance (vs. 14.3% statewide)
Community Context
- Population: 9,578 residents, primarily Hasidic Jews of Eastern European descent.
- Density: New Square and neighboring towns like Kaser (ranked #2 poorest) are among New York’s most densely populated areas.
- Economic paradox: Despite high poverty rates, median home values in these communities often exceed $1 million due to cultural housing dynamics.
Comparison to Other Towns
| Rank | Town | Poverty Rate | Median Income | Key Factors |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | New Square | 64.2% | $27,488 | Low education, high SNAP usage |
| 2 | Kaser | 60.4% | $30,320 | Similar demographics to New Square |
| 3 | Kiryas Joel | 43.3% | $40,218 | Large ultra-Orthodox population |
Why Poverty Persists
- Cultural factors: Prioritizing religious study over secular education limits workforce participation in high-paying sectors.
- Large families: Households often have 6+ children, stretching limited incomes.
- Policy gaps: State anti-poverty programs struggle to address unique cultural needs in these enclaves.
While Kaser was previously cited as the poorest town, updated 2024-2025 analyses confirm New Square’s position due to its extreme income disparity and systemic barriers to economic mobility.
Sources:
- https://wour.com/poorest-town-in-new-york/
- https://247wallst.com/income/2024/05/09/towns-in-new-york-with-the-worst-poverty/
- https://robinhood.org/news/annual-poverty-tracker-report-by-robin-hood-and-columbia-finds-nyc-poverty-increased-from-18-percent-to-23-percent-in-2022-a-jump-from-1-5-to-2-million-new-yorkers-living-in-poverty/
- https://hudsonvalleypost.com/the-poorest-town-in-new-york-state-was-just-uncovered/
- https://www.nytimes.com/2025/02/09/nyregion/albany-revitalization-downtown.html
