Mount Kisco is a community that is both a
village and a
town in
Westchester County,
New York,
United States. The population was 9,983 at the 2000 census.
History
The
Village of Mount Kisco was incorporated in 1875 and was partly in the towns of
Bedford and
New Castle. In 1978, the village chose to become a town in its own right and joins several villages in the state that have made a like choice. The
Town of Mount Kisco is coterminous with the village. It has historically been considered "upstate".
Geography
According to the
United States Census Bureau, the village has a total area of 3.1
square miles (8.1
km²), all of it land.
Demographics
As of the
census of 2000, there were 9,983 people, 3,993 households, and 2,447 families residing in the village. The
population density was 3,194.0 people per square mile (1,231.5/km²). There were 4,103 housing units at an average density of 1,312.7/sq mi (506.1/km²). The large number of small businesses, retail stores, and financial and medical offices swells the daytime population to more than 20,000. The racial makeup of the village was 77.79%
White, 5.99%
African American, 0.28%
Native American, 4.24%
Asian, 9.03% from
other races, and 2.67% from two or more races. 24.54% of the population were
Hispanic or
Latino of any race.
There were 3,993 households out of which 30.2% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 45.3% were
married couples living together, 11.6% had a female householder with no husband present, and 38.7% were non-families. 31.7% of all households were made up of individuals and 10.0% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.49 and the average family size was 3.09.
In the village the population was spread out with 22.1% under the age of 18, 7.3% from 18 to 24, 37.0% from 25 to 44, 21.6% from 45 to 64, and 11.9% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 36 years. For every 100 females there were 98.8 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 94.7 males.
Income distribution in the village is largely divided along racial lines, with a vast gap in income equality, especially between the higher-earning Whites/Asians and lower-earning Blacks/Hispanics. Thus, income statistics for the village, which are pulled down by the girth of lower-earners, do not properly reflect the exorbitant affluence of a multitude of village residents.
The median income for a household in the village was $55,420, and the median income for a family was $68,219. Males had a median income of $45,428 versus $40,040 for females. The
per capita income for the village was $32,424. About 7.4% of families and 10.5% of the population were below the
poverty line, including 11.0% of those under age 18 and 13.8% of those age 65 or over.
Mt. Kisco is widely known for its diversity of economic classes and residences, ranging from newly constructed upper-class duplexs, condominiums, townhouses, and estates, to large-scale apartment complexes and Co-ops, in addition to traditional free standing suburban homes. Mt. Kisco Chase, Glassbury Court, and Guard Hill are examples of the higher-tier of such diversity.
Village government
The coterminous Village/Town of Mount Kisco is governed by a Village Manager. A Mayor and four trustees (one of whom is appointed Deputy Mayor by the Mayor at the beginning of each term) are elected to supervise the village government. The Mayor and trustees are Mount Kisco's legislative branch and are responsible for government administration, budget approval and taxes. The current Mayor is J. Michael Cindrich. The current Deputy Mayor is Peter DiChiara. The other Trustees are George L. Griffin, Peter Grunthal and Anthony C. Markus.
Police service
The Village/Town of Mount Kisco Police Department has been responsible for law enforcement and investigations within Mount Kisco since 1875. The Mount Kisco Police Department has a bicycle unit, a motorcycle unit, and a detective division.
Commercial hub
Situated in the center of northern Westchester County, Mount Kisco is the "commercial hub" of northern Westchester. The shopping corridors are on South Moger Avenue and Main Street/Route 117, which are home to numerous locally owned upmarket boutiques, especially those dealing in designer clothing and home decor, and high-end chains, such as Banana Republic and Ann Taylor. The site of the former Manufacturer's Outlet Center today houses a Target, an A&P grocery store, and several small businesses that were temporarily displaced by the construction of said Target and A&P. This recent development, along with a past revitalization of the town's commercial districts, has increased Mount Kisco's tax base, bringing in a substantial amount of revenue. One negative side effect of the village's commercial viability has been its steady increase in car traffic since the mid-1990s. This is due to an increase in the development of surrounding towns, whose residents comprise Mount Kisco's consumer core. Congestion is said to be a common complaint among town residents, along with quality of life issues.
Trivia
- The well known American Girl "Samantha" possesses a house in the American Girl book series which is based upon a home on Route 133 in Mount Kisco.
- The movie Ragtime was filmed in Mount Kisco, featuring the very same house on Route 133.
- The movie Fatal Attraction had scenes filmed inside the old Mount Kisco Police Department headquarters when it was housed within the Village Hall at 104 East Main St.
See also
