Kinderhook grades B overall, 331st of 745 graded towns in New York, with clear strengths and some subjects that lag. It is healthier than 82% of U.S. towns. It also does better than most on schools: its schools outperform 73% of the state's. Its lowest everyday mark is in cost of living: the typical home is worth about $486K, 6 years of the Hudson area’s $82K median household income. History is its standout character grade: an A+, better than 96% of U.S. towns, with 10 places on the National Register. Its National Register listings include Martin Van Buren National Historic Site and Luycas Van Alen House. 26% of residents are 65 or older in Kinderhook, against 20% in New York’s towns and 18% across U.S. towns. The biggest park or preserve is Martin Van Buren National Historic Site, at 282 acres.

StrongestA⁺History A⁻Health A⁻Civic lifeWeakestCCost of living

What makes Kinderhook stand out

Where Kinderhook beats most towns.

Martin Van Buren National Historic Site

HistoryA⁺

Settled in 1651

A history going back 375 years.

Community nonprofits per 1,000 residents

22% more nonprofits per person

than the typical New York town

Charities, civic groups and human services; churches not counted.

Martin Van Buren National Historic Site · National Register of Historic Places

Kinderhook’s story

375 years in pictures

Martin Van Buren National Historic Site is one of 2 National Historic Landmarks here, the National Register’s top tier. Its founding year, 1651, comes before those of 98% of the New York towns we grade with a known year.

Census counts: 3,963 in 1820, a low of 2,706 in 1830, 8,330 in 2020. The archive holds 17 old photos and papers going back to 1809 and 5 maps from 1903 on.

10 places on the National Register of Historic Places.

1651Kinderhook is settled

Explore the history →

How Kinderhook grades

Each subject compared with towns across the country (schools within New York), ordered by how far Kinderhook is from typical.

How grading works

HealthColumbia Memorial Hospital 12.3 miles awayA⁻Open →SchoolsB⁺Open →Cost of livingCOpen →Jobs & incomeC⁺Open →Hazard riskFEMA risk higher than 38% of U.S. communities; inland flooding tops the listBOpen →WalkabilityEPA walkability 6.9 of 20; 4.4% of households have no car; 2.2% of workers walk, bike or ride transitB⁻Open →

Character Graded, but not part of the overall grade.

Outdoors9 miles of trails; 7% conserved landB⁺Open →History19 notable people born hereA⁺Open →Civic life5.1 community nonprofits per 1,000 residentsA⁻Open →

Described, not graded Taste, not quality: snow or an older crowd is neither good nor bad.

Climate–Open →Housing market–Open →Who lives here–Open →

How TownRatings grades towns →

Nearby attractions

Martin Van Buren National Historic Site and 55 more within 40 miles

Museums, parks, gardens and other places to visit around Kinderhook. Close and well known come first.

All 113 attractions →

in town National Historic SiteMartin Van Buren National Historic Site16K visitors a year

31 mi MountainMount Greylock

15 mi MuseumOlana State Historic Site

20 mi TheatreTanglewood

20 mi MuseumNorman Rockwell Museum

16 mi MuseumUSS Slater

Sources: National Park Service · ski areas © OpenSkiMap / OpenStreetMap contributors · Wikidata · Wikipedia readership · photos via Wikimedia Commons

Photo credits

Martin Van Buren National Historic Site: Rolf Müller, CC BY-SA 3.0 · Mount Greylock: Jstergis, CC BY 3.0 · Olana State Historic Site: Netniks, CC BY-SA 4.0 · Tanglewood: Daderot., CC BY-SA 3.0 · Norman Rockwell Museum: User:Rmrfstar, CC BY 2.5 · USS Slater: UpstateNYer, CC BY-SA 3.0

Getting set up

Moving to Kinderhook: who provides what

Who provides power, water and the rest in Kinderhook, and how to reach them.

The full setup list →

PowerNational Grid19.9¢/kWh · EIA 2025HIFLD · EIA

WaterValatie Village water system1 health-based violation in 5 years · EPAEPA

Internet4 providers95% of addresses get 100/20 MbpsFCC

Trash & dumpNot on file yetWe don’t have Kinderhook’s trash rules yet

SchoolsKinderhook Central School District (Ichabod Crane)Which school depends on your addressNCES

Register to voteOnlineIn New York you can register online until 10 days before Election Day, in person until 10 days before Election Day, or by mail (postmarked 15 days before and received 10 days before).vote.gov

Who runs elections hereColumbia County Board of ElectionsColumbia County; contacts on the Handbook page.FVAP, Sep 2026

ZIP codes12184, 12106, 1213012184 68% · 12106 21% · 12130 10%Census 2020

EPA SDWIS (Oct 9, 2026) · HIFLD + EIA-861 2025 · Census 2020 ZCTAs · NCES 2024–25 · registration: vote.gov, updated Aug 3, 2026.

The data

Ordered by what stands out in Kinderhook.

Kinderhook has commutes shorter than most of New York and has fewer 90° days than most of the country, though not than most of New York; it also has homes that cost more against local pay than most of New York.

HealthA⁻

For health, Kinderhook earns an A−

14% of Kinderhook adults report frequent mental distress. Kinderhook beats the New York average on 12 of 32 CDC measures and trails it on 3. 30% of Kinderhook adults feel lonely.

82%healthier than U.S. townsA⁻Health Grade

	Kinderhook	New York towns	U.S. towns
Frequent mental distress (CDC PLACES)	14%	16%	17%
Feel lonely (CDC PLACES)	30%	32%	33%
Depression (CDC PLACES)	19%	21%	23%
Obesity (CDC PLACES)	30%	33%	35%

32 measures vs. New York

12 better17 too close to call3 worse

What stands out	Kinderhook	NY
Fewer adults facing food insecurity	10.1%	17.2%
Fewer adults facing housing insecurity	8.7%	14.5%
More adults who have had cancer	11.4%	7.7%

Columbia Memorial Hospital

12.3 mi away · emergency room

None

primary care, dental or mental-health shortage

66th

percentile among NY towns

Full pageKinderhook’s health reportOpen the page

Everyday habitsFewer adults who get no exercise Hospitals & doctors nearby12.3 miles to an ER · Columbia Memorial Hospital How adults are doingFewer adults lacking emotional support Every CDC estimateBetter than NY on 12 of 32

CDC PLACES 2025 · modeled estimates for adults · CMS · HRSA

SchoolsB⁺

For schools, Kinderhook earns a B+

Its public schools are run by the Kinderhook Central School District. Two of its 3 schools are below, each with why it’s listed. The largest public high school is Ichabod Crane Senior High School, with 557 students.

73%of NY districts it outscoresB⁺School Grade

School	Level	Students	Letter
Ichabod Crane Middle SchoolLargest public middle schoolGrades 4–8	Grades 4–8	647	C
Ichabod Crane Senior High SchoolLargest public high schoolGrades 9–12	Grades 9–12	557	A⁻

Full pageKinderhook’s schools pageOpen the page

The districtsKINDERHOOK CENTRAL SCHOOL DISTRICT Vs. the neighborsAhead of 2 of its 3 graded neighbors Every school3 schools · Ichabod Crane Middle School Questions“Are Kinderhook’s schools good?”

NCES · EDFacts · graded within NY on state tests and graduation

Work & commuteJobs & income grade C⁺

With 0.5 jobs for every working resident, most of Kinderhook’s workers commute out

The average commute for its 3,705 working residents takes 25.5 minutes, against 32.6 across New York.

Most working residents leave Kinderhook for work: only 16% work in town. Jobs based in Kinderhook grew to 2,005 in 2023, 207 more than in 2013. The top destinations are Albany (15%), New York (8%) and Colonie (6%).

16%work in town

	Kinderhook	New York towns	U.S. towns
Working residents who work in town	16%	10%	8%
Average trip to work	26 minutes	25 minutes	25 minutes

Where working residents work

In Kinderhook16%

Albany15%

New York8%

Colonie6%

Hudson6%

17 mi

median commute distance

2,005

jobs based in Kinderhook

A commuter town

jobs vs. working residents

B−

Walkability grade: more walkable than 54% of U.S. towns

Full pageKinderhook’s work & commute pageOpen the page

The jobs here2,005 jobs based here · A commuter town Where people work16% work in Kinderhook Commute times26 minutes · The average commute How far they goHalf commute less than 17 miles

Census LEHD 2023 · ACS

OutdoorsB⁺

Kinderhook has set aside 7.4% of its land for conservation

8.6 miles of trail in 4 parks and preserves.

#403for trails in NY

	Kinderhook	New York towns	U.S. towns
Conserved land	7.4%	5.2%	4.3%
Miles of trail per square mile	0.3 miles per square mile	0.4	0.4

7.4%

conserved · 1,526 of 20,619 acres

8.6 mi

of trails · 0.3 per sq mi

Biggest places to walk	Trails	Acres
1. Martin Van Buren National Historic Site	0.7 mi	282
2. Rothermel Park	0.1 mi	8
3. Creekside Park	—	2

Full pageKinderhook’s outdoors pageOpen the page

Trail map8.6 miles of trail, mapped Pick a walk0.7 miles of trail · Martin Van Buren National Historic Site Conserved land7.4% conserved · 1,526 acres protected Questions“Where can I hike in Kinderhook?”

Trails & parks © OpenStreetMap contributors · Conserved land: USGS PAD-US

Who lives here

Older than New York overall

43% of adults 25 and older hold a bachelor’s degree or more in Kinderhook. Kinderhook has lost 2.9% of its people since 2020, down to 8,091 in the Census Bureau’s 2025 estimate. Kinderhook’s median age is 47.2 years.

47.2median age · NY 39.8

	Kinderhook	New York towns	U.S. towns
Median age	47.2 years	42.9 years	40.5 years
Bachelor’s degree or more, 25+	43%	32%	29%

KinderhookNew YorkUnited States

NYU.S.

Ages · share of residents

16%

Education · adults 25 and older

No diploma5%

High school28%

Some college12%

Associate’s12%

Bachelor’s22%

Graduate21%

Women and men · all residents

52% women, 48% men

That’s an even split within the survey’s margin of ±2.5 points. Across New York, 51.2% of residents are women.

Ages and education in Kinderhook
	Kinderhook	NY	U.S.
Under 10	10.8%	11%	11.6%
10 to 17	7.4%	9.5%	10.3%
18 to 24	5.7%	8.9%	9.1%
25 to 34	13.8%	14.2%	13.7%
35 to 44	9.8%	13%	13.2%
45 to 54	12.2%	12.2%	12.2%
55 to 64	13.8%	13.3%	12.7%
65 to 74	15.9%	10.3%	10.2%
75 and older	10.5%	7.6%	7%
No diploma	5.2%	12%	10.4%
High school	27.5%	24.3%	26%
Some college	12.4%	14.6%	19.1%
Associate’s	11.8%	8.8%	8.8%
Bachelor’s	21.9%	22.4%	21.6%
Graduate	21.1%	17.9%	14.1%

Full pageKinderhook by the numbersOpen the page

Ages47.2 median age · 26% are 65 or older Schooling43% have a four-year degree Homes79% own their home · Homeowners Income$82K a year · Median household income

Census population estimates, 2025 · U.S. Census Bureau · ACS 2020-2024 5-year estimates

Climate

Kinderhook has four seasons and pleasant summers

The Hudson Correctional Facility weather station, 12 miles away, records that about 15 days a year reach 90°: fewer than most of the country, but more than 75% of New York places with climate records.

Kinderhook has chilly, snowy winters and pleasant summers. July afternoons reach 84°, January nights drop to 16° and about 31 inches of snow falls in a winter.

31″snow a winter

Typical low → high °F

Winter19–37°

Spring37–59°

Summer59–82°

Fall42–62°

Oct 14

typical first frost

Apr 27

typical last frost

+1.6°

vs. the 20th-century average

Full pageKinderhook’s climate pageOpen the page

A year of weatherJuly highs 84°, January lows 16°Rain & snow31″ of snow a winter · 42 inches of rain and snow a year Heating & coolingMostly a heating bill Then and now+1.6° vs. the 20th century · Warmer than the 20th-century average

NOAA U.S. Climate Normals, 1991–2020

Natural hazardsHazard risk grade B

Kinderhook faces a low natural-hazard risk, led by inland flooding

Expected storm and flood damage is lower than in 62% of U.S. communities. Since 2000, 5 flood insurance claims have been paid out in Kinderhook.

38risk score of 100

FEMA risk score

Inland floodingTornadoesHurricanes

paid flood claims since 2000

federal disasters paid out here

Full pageKinderhook’s hazards pageOpen the page

What it facesLow risk Flood claims5 paid flood claims · Since 2000 Past disasters10 federal disasters · Paid out in Kinderhook Get ready1.9 events a year, on average · Ready for inland flooding

FEMA flood insurance claims · FEMA National Risk Index · OpenFEMA

HousingCost of living grade C

For cost of living, Kinderhook earns a C

At 6 years of the Hudson area’s $82K median household income, the typical home (about $486K) costs more against local pay than in 82% of New York towns; that ratio is one input to its C for cost of living.

Typical home values rose 6.5% in the year to September 2026.

$486KZillow home value

	Kinderhook	New York towns	U.S. towns
Households that own their home	79%	75%	73%
Median rent	$1,065 a month	$1,103 a month	$1,185 a month

Typical home value

Kinderhook$486K

New York$525K

+6.5%

value change, 1 year

homes sold in April

Full pageKinderhook’s housing & cost-of-living pageOpen the page

Prices over the yearsUp 6.5% in a year Years of income to buyA typical home costs 5.9 years of income Rents$1,065 a month · Median rent Vs. the neighborsAhead of 2 of its 3 graded neighbors

Zillow Home Value Index · Redfin Data Center

Keep exploring

Everything we know about Kinderhook

19pages on Kinderhook

The big questions

SchoolsB⁺Beat 73% of NY districts · 3 schools HealthA⁻Better than NY on 12 of 32 CDC measures Cost of livingC$486K typical home · up 6.5% in a year Work & commuteC⁺$82K median household income · 2,005 jobs here Natural hazardsBFEMA risk higher than 38% of U.S. communities · inland flooding

Out and about

OutdoorsB⁺9 mi of trails · 7% conserved land PlacesAttractions113 nearby · Martin Van Buren National Historic Site under 1 mi LibraryA⁻Valatie Free Library CollegesColumbia-Greene Community College is 14.9 mi away

The story

HistoryA⁺Settled 1651 · 10 on the National Register Famous people19 born in Kinderhook Town Hall & politicsOne full-time town employee per 622 residents Climate84° summer highs · 31″ of snow

Day to day

News1 recent stories about Kinderhook WeatherHandbookTown SquareNeighbors

After high school

Colleges nearby

1 within 15 miles of the center of Kinderhook

Columbia-Greene Community CollegeCommunity college · Public · Hudson14.9 mi$6,048 in-state tuition

About 3 of every 100 Kinderhook residents are enrolled in college, against 7 across New York.

Prices by family income, graduation and earnings →

A commuter town

84% of working residents leave Kinderhook for work

Where Kinderhook’s working residents go each day. Line width shows the share.

2,005jobs based in Kinderhook

16%of working residents work in town

17 mimedian commute distance

Census LEHD 2023

Landmarks

10 places in Kinderhook on the National Register of Historic Places.

All landmarks →

Martin Van Buren National Historic SiteNational Historic Landmark

Luycas Van Alen HouseNational Historic Landmark

Kinderhook Village District

First Presbyterian Church

Famous people from Kinderhook

19 notable people were born in Kinderhook.

See all 19 →

Hannah Van BurenWife of Martin Van Buren · 1783–1819

Benjamin Franklin ButlerUnited States Attorney General · 1795–1858

Cornelius P. Van NessAmerican politician · 1782–1852

Cornelius Van Alen Van DyckAmerican missionary · 1818–1895

James Isaac Van AlenAmerican politician · 1772–1822

John Evert Van AlenAmerican politician · 1749–1807

About Kinderhook

Town in New York, United States

Official town website ↗

Kinderhook is a town in the northern part of Columbia County, New York, United States. The population was 8,330 at the 2020 census, making it the most populous municipality in Columbia County. The eighth president of the United States, Martin Van Buren, was born in Kinderhook and retired to it. The town of Kinderhook contains two villages, one of which is also named Kinderhook; the other is the village of Valatie. In addition, the town contains the hamlet of Niverville, next to Kinderhook Lake.

From Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0 · facts via Wikidata (CC0)

Established: 1750
Area: 32 sq mi
Elevation: 240 ft
Area code: 518

Kinderhook’s neighbors

3 towns share a border with Kinderhook.

Explore the map →

ChathamStuyvesantGhentKinderhook

Chatham

E · 2% of Kinderhook workers commute here

Visit

Stuyvesant

Visit

Ghent

S · 3% of Kinderhook workers commute here

Visit

How the neighbors grade

Town	NY rank	Overall	Cost	Safety	Schools	Health
Kinderhook	#331	B	C	—	B⁺	A⁻
Chatham	#426	B⁻	C	—	C⁺	A
Stuyvesant	—	—	B	—	B⁺	A⁻
Ghent	#530	C	C⁻	—	C⁺	B⁺

Stuyvesant has fewer than 2,500 residents, so it gets subject grades but no overall grade. Kinderhook, Chatham, Stuyvesant and Ghent report no FBI crime data of their own. Compare Kinderhook with a neighbor →

Questions about Kinderhook

Short answers, built from the data on this page.

Is Kinderhook, NY a good place to live?

By most measures, yes. Kinderhook grades B overall, better than 58% of U.S. towns and #331 of 745 in New York. It grades A− for health and B+ for schools.

Is Kinderhook, NY expensive?

Cost of living, which also weighs rents, property taxes and how many households pay 30% or more of their income for housing, grades C.

What is Kinderhook, NY known for?

19 notable people were born here, including Hannah Van Buren and Benjamin Franklin Butler.

Post to Kinderhook

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KinderhookNY

Is Kinderhook a good place to live?

What makes Kinderhook stand out

Community nonprofits per 1,000 residents

375 years in pictures

How Kinderhook grades

Martin Van Buren National Historic Site and 55 more within 40 miles

Moving to Kinderhook: who provides what

The data

For health, Kinderhook earns an A−

For schools, Kinderhook earns a B+

With 0.5 jobs for every working resident, most of Kinderhook’s workers commute out

Where working residents work

Kinderhook has set aside 7.4% of its land for conservation

Older than New York overall

Ages · share of residents

Education · adults 25 and older

Women and men · all residents

Kinderhook has four seasons and pleasant summers

Typical low → high °F

Kinderhook faces a low natural-hazard risk, led by inland flooding

For cost of living, Kinderhook earns a C

Typical home value

Everything we know about Kinderhook

Colleges nearby

84% of working residents leave Kinderhook for work

Landmarks

Famous people from Kinderhook

About Kinderhook

Kinderhook’s neighbors

Questions about Kinderhook