Westchester County is home to some of the nation’s wealthiest neighborhoods, but it also has areas with high rates of poverty and significant disparities in health, education, and housing.
For many in the county, this inequality is hard to see. “Poverty in Westchester is growing, but many wealthier Westchester residents may not be aware of the extent of the need in towns outside their own,” said Tara Seeley, senior program officer at our Westchester Community Foundation, a Trust affiliate.
To better understand and address these disparities, the Foundation partnered with data analysts at nonprofit consultant CGR to launch the Westchester Index in spring 2022.
The Index provides data on a range of topics, including economic security, education, and health, combining information from the Census, American Communities Survey, and other sources into a visually appealing and user-friendly site. Available for free, it can be used by nonprofits, government agencies, and individuals to shape public policy, advocate for funding, and target resources more effectively. The Westchester Index is the single source for information at the city, town, and village level that combines data on the many conditions in which Westchester residents live, work, and age. The data can be explored in multiple ways, including charts, maps, and customized dashboards.
Alison Paul, a fundraising professional who has worked with the Public Schools of the Tarrytowns and the Pelham Art Center, among others, said, “I teach grant writing, and I include the Index as a very valuable way to find local information. I use it when I write grants for clients because it gives me a lot of data on a lot of different topics in one easy-to-use, readily accessible site. The Index saves me time because it’s all there.”
Laura Rossi, executive director of the Foundation, said, “We developed the Index to show where the disparities are, to see trends, to understand their context, and to work together for action. It will help the Foundation make a lasting impact that will improve the quality of life for all. It is up to us, all of us, to take data and to listen and learn from the people closest to the problems so that we may develop lasting solutions.”
Data from the Westchester Index that can guide policy and inform action
