Population (2010 census): 11,981
Median Age: 40.9 
Median Income: $92,750 
% of Population with Bachelor's Degree or Higher: 35%
% Households with Children Under 18: 41.5%

Chester is a town in Orange County, New York, named after a location in England. The town includes the Village of Chester, in the Northern park of the town, and the hamlet of Sugar Loaf in the Southern part. 

Chester is a beautiful suburban area with farmlands and parks throughout the town. It used to be a large diary producing community (it still has lots of farms). It is the birthplace of Philadelphia style cream cheese. 

There are a few strip malls and drug stores in the town. For more extensive shopping, there are malls in the Middletown and Woodbury area, which are about 15-20 minutes away. 

The Goosepond Mountain State Park in Chester offers hiking and horseback riding opportunities. The beautiful Glenmere Lake is home to many species of wildlife, including some endangered ones. The Glenmere mansion, built in 1912, still stands and overlooks the lake. It is now operating as a luxury resort and spa. 

The hamlet of Sugar Loaf is now an arts and crafts village. Some artists live and work there in the original barns and buildings that date back to the 1700s, and sell a range of jewelry, paintings, pottery and more at the shops. The popular Sugar Loaf Arts and Crafts festivals are held in the hamlet, and you can find big name musical acts at the Sugar Loaf Performance Center. 

Chester Commute

The Town of Chester is located approximately 60 miles North of New York City. Driving to New York City, you will have to cross the Hudson River, and it takes approximately 1 hour and 30 minutes. You can take NY-17 to other towns in Orange County, which connects to I-84 and I-87. 

Chester Schools

Most of the students in Chester go to the Chester Union Free School District. It has one school for students K-5, and another for Grades 6-12. Click here to see more information about all Orange County school districts. 

Chester Real Estate

64.2% of the properties in Chester are detached single family homes, and another 15.3% of the properties are attached single family homes. Most of the development came in the 1960s: 13.7% of the homes were built between 1960-1970, 13.5% from 1970-1980, 25% of the homes were built between 1980-1990, and over 27% were built after 1990.

Approximately 80.6% of the homes in Chester are owner-occupied, and 19.4% are being rented.  

There were 74 single family homes sold in Chester in 2014, with a median sales price of $282,000. There were also 34 condos sold for a median sales price of $166,750.

Chester NY Links

The town of Chester website: http://www.chester-ny.gov/

The Village of Chester website: www.villageofchesterny.com

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