See COVID-19's Impact on New York »
See COVID-19's Impact on New York »
Cases: 6,293,064 | Deaths: 73,718(Spencer Platt/Getty Images)
(Spencer Platt/Getty Images)
Overview of New York
- Area
- 54,559 SQ. MI.
- GDP
- $1,772 Billion
- College Educated
- 46.6%
- Population
- 19,453,561
- Capital
- Albany
- Median Income
- $36,165
- Area
- 54,559 SQ. MI.
- GDP
- $1,772 Billion
- College Educated
- 46.6%
- Population
- 19,453,561
- Capital
- Albany
- Median Income
- $36,165
Rankings Scorecard
- #7Health Care
- #16Education
- #43Economy
- #30Infrastructure
- #46Opportunity
- #20Fiscal Stability
- #11Crime & Corrections
- #5Natural Environment
The European settlement of New York was led by the Dutch, settling along the Hudson River in 1624. They established the colony of New Amsterdam on the island of Manhattan. When the British took control of the area in 1664, they renamed it New York, and it became one of the original 13 colonies. New York achieved statehood in 1788, with the adoption of the U.S. Constitution, and New York City served as the new nation’s first capital. George Washington was sworn in as president there, at Federal Hall on Wall Street, in 1789.
From the late 1800s to the mid-20th century, millions of immigrants arrived at New York Harbor, where Ellis Island became their gateway to U.S. citizenship. The Statue of Liberty, a gift from France, was erected on what became Liberty Island in 1886. It's estimated that as many as four in 10 Americans can trace at least one ancestor to this migration, 14 million arriving there through 1924.
With 47,000 square miles statewide, New York state offers vast regions of wilderness. Most notable are the Adirondack Mountains, home to hiking at the state's highest peaks and a family-oriented ski resort at Gore Mountain. The Adirondack Park encompasses 6 million acres, with 30,000 rivers and streams, 3,000 lakes and ponds. Mount Marcy, at 5,343 feet, is the state’s tallest. The 1980 Winter Olympics were staged at Lake Placid, where the ski jump areas and ice skating rink continue to draw tourists.
In addition to tourism, New York state’s economy is led by financial services, health care, professional services, retail trade, manufacturing and education.
The more enduring industry for which New York City is best known – the financial world of Wall Street – dates to the era of the American Revolution. The New York Stock Exchange, with a market capitalization of more than $20 trillion, is the world's largest stock exchange. It was founded in 1792 when 24 stockbrokers signed an agreement beneath a Buttonwood tree on Wall Street at the south end of Manhattan, near the Battery.
New York Rankings
Health Care | #7 |
---|---|
Education | #16 |
Economy | #43 |
Infrastructure | #30 |
Opportunity | #46 |
Fiscal Stability | #20 |
Crime & Corrections | #11 |
Natural Environment | #5 |
Health Care | #7 |
---|---|
Education | #16 |
Economy | #43 |
Infrastructure | #30 |
Opportunity | #46 |
Fiscal Stability | #20 |
Crime & Corrections | #11 |
Natural Environment | #5 |
Health Care Access | #10 |
---|---|
Health Care Quality | #20 |
Public Health | #3 |
Health Care Access | #10 |
---|---|
Health Care Quality | #20 |
Public Health | #3 |
Population Without Health Insurance
National Average: 12.9%
Preventable Hospital Admissions
National Average: 4,378
Obesity Rate
National Average: 32.1%
Higher Education | #14 |
---|---|
Pre-K - 12 | #19 |
Higher Education | #14 |
---|---|
Pre-K - 12 | #19 |
Debt at Graduation
National Average: $28,996
High School Graduation Rate
National Average: 85.3%
NAEP Math Scores
National Average: 282
Business Environment | #25 |
---|---|
Employment | #42 |
Growth | #44 |
Business Environment | #25 |
---|---|
Employment | #42 |
Growth | #44 |
Venture Capital per GDP
National Average: $6.05
Job Growth
National Average: 1.4%
Net Migration
National Average: 0.2%
Energy | #29 |
---|---|
Internet Access | #25 |
Transportation | #30 |
Energy | #29 |
---|---|
Internet Access | #25 |
Transportation | #30 |
Renewable Energy Usage
National Average: 11.2%
Average Commute Time
National Average: 27.6
Roads in Poor Condition
National Average: 19.9%
Affordability | #36 |
---|---|
Economic Opportunity | #38 |
Equality | #28 |
Affordability | #36 |
---|---|
Economic Opportunity | #38 |
Equality | #28 |
Cost of Living Index
National Average: 100.0
Median Household Income
National Average: $65,712
Poverty Rate
National Average: 12.3%
Long-Term Fiscal Stability | #9 |
---|---|
Short-Term Fiscal Stability | #44 |
Long-Term Fiscal Stability | #9 |
---|---|
Short-Term Fiscal Stability | #44 |
Government Credit Rating
National Average: N/A
Budget Balancing
National Average: 1.042
Liquidity
National Average: 2.5
Corrections | #17 |
---|---|
Public Safety | #13 |
Corrections | #17 |
---|---|
Public Safety | #13 |
Incarceration Rate
National Average: 419
Juvenile Incarceration
National Average: 85
Violent Crime Rate
National Average: 379
Air & Water Quality | #7 |
---|---|
Pollution | #11 |
Air & Water Quality | #7 |
---|---|
Pollution | #11 |
Days with Unhealthy Air Quality
National Average: 104
Drinking Water Violation Points
National Average: 2.08
Industrial Toxins
National Average: 959
New York in Photos: New York City, Albany, Buffalo, Trumansburg
Best States Methodology
The overall Best State ranking from U.S. News & World Report shows how each of the 50 U.S. states ranks in 71 metrics across eight categories.
Rankings Scorecard
- #7Health Care
- #16Education
- #43Economy
- #30Infrastructure
- #46Opportunity
- #20Fiscal Stability
- #11Crime & Corrections
- #5Natural Environment
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