Westchester County’s population is on the rise – and it’s breaking records. According to a new U.S. Census Bureau population estimate, Westchester County outpaced every other part of the state in terms of population gain between 2024 and 2025.
With an estimated population of 1,015,743 residents, this marks the highest recorded population for Westchester County – ever. The Census Bureau reported an increase of 6,578 Westchester residents in 2025; all who need somewhere to live.
County Executive Ken Jenkins said in a statement, “People are choosing Westchester – not just to visit, but to live, build families and invest in their future. When we create housing opportunities and vibrant neighborhoods, people come – and they stay. This jump underscores the County’s continued growth and strength as a place to live, work and raise a family.”
Members of the Welcome Home Westchester campaign, a multistakeholder advocacy effort driving a conversation addressing the County’s housing shortage, have long understood the desirability of Westchester’s vibrant communities and proximity to New York City and the increasing need for more housing.
In the 2019 Housing Needs Assessment, Westchester County reported that 11,703 affordable housing units were needed to serve the current population and households applying for housing through the County’s HomeSeeker platform. This number has continued to rise since 2019, while the rate of housing being built has not matched the need, according to a 2025 report from Welcome Home Westchester partner organizations Regional Plan Association and the Westchester County Association.
The “Building Growth” report asserted that the housing need has since grown to approximately 21,000 units – nearly double what Westchester County reported in 2019. Further, that shortfall could increase to 44,000 – 77,000 units by 2040.
Regional Plan Association Executive Vice President Kate Slevin stated, “Westchester’s population growth is a clear signal that demand to live in our region remains strong – and that communities that proactively address their housing needs are best positioned to benefit from that growth. But we are not keeping pace with our housing supply needs, putting increased pressure on existing residents and driving up housing costs. RPA’s research consistently shows that we must expand supply, especially near transit and job centers, to provide opportunities across a range of incomes. Without action, we risk rising displacement and missed economic opportunity. This announcement underscores the urgency of advancing equitable housing strategies so Westchester can meet this moment.”
For more data and information about how Westchester County municipalities can address the growing housing shortage, visit Welcome Home Westchester’s resources.