Demographics is the study of populations, and from a demographic perspective, Westchester County’s population is growing, aging and becoming more diverse – racially, ethnically and linguistically (languages spoken).

From 2000 to 2020, the total population of Westchester County increased 8.8%, with slightly over 1 million residents calling the area home in 2020. This growth rate was higher than the state’s growth of 6.5%, though below the nation’s 18%.

The largest locality in Westchester County is the City of Yonkers with a population of approximately 212,000 in 2020. Other population centers include Greenburgh (95,000), New Rochelle (80,000) and Mount Vernon (74,000). The fastest growing places since 2000 were Ardsley (which grew 19%), Somers (18%) and Rye Brook and Harrison (both 17%).

Since 2000, the Hispanic population has grown the fastest, increasing by 68%, followed by the Asian population (44%), and the African American population (9%). The white population decreased by 9% during this same time period but still makes up a large majority with over 598,000 residents.

Among age groups, the fastest growing over the same time period (2000 to 2016-20) have been those 85 and older (up 58%) and those 60 to 84 (up 34%). By comparison, people 40 to 59 grew by only 6%, and there were decreases of 7% and 5% among people 20 to 39 and among those under 20 respectively. Westchester’s population has been aging more slowly than similar counties.

Of those 65 and older in the county, 39% lived alone in 2016-20, one percentage point higher than in 2011-15. That’s over 45,000 people in Westchester County.

More than a third of Westchester residents spoke a language other than English at home – 34% in 2016-20, up from 28% in 2000. This was higher than both the state rate (30%) and national rate (22%).

And 10% of the population in Westchester County, or about 91,200 people, had a disability, slightly lower than New York State (12%) and the U.S (13%).