White Plains is a city in and thecounty seat ofWestchester County, New York, United States. It is aninner suburb ofNew York City, and a commercial hub of Westchester County, a densely populated suburban county that is home to about one million people. White Plains is located in south-central Westchester County. Its downtown (Mamaroneck Avenue) is 25 miles (40 km) north ofMidtown Manhattan.
The city's total population was 59,599 in the2020 census,[3] up from 53,077 at the 2010 census.[4] According to the city government, the daytime weekday population is estimated at 250,000.[5]
At the time of the Dutch settlement ofManhattan in the early 17th century, the region had been used as farmland by theWeckquaeskeck tribe, aWappinger people, and was called "Quarropas".[6] To early traders it was known as "the White Plains", either from thewhite balsam (Gnaphalium polycephalum) which was said to have covered it,[7][8] or from the heavy mist that local tradition suggests hovered over the swamplands near theBronx River.[9] The first non-native settlement came in November 1683, when a party ofConnecticutPuritans moved westward from an earlier settlement inRye and bought about 4,400 acres (18 km2), presumably from the Weckquaeskeck.[6] However, John Richbell ofMamaroneck claimed to have earlier title to much of the territory through his purchase of a far larger plot extending 20 miles (32 km) inland, perhaps from a different tribe.[9] The matter was not settled until 1721, when aRoyal Patent for White Plains was granted byKing George II.[9]
In 1758, White Plains became the seat ofWestchester County when the colonial government for the county left West Chester, which was located in what is now the northern part of the borough of theBronx, in New York City. The unincorporated village remained part of theTown of Rye until 1788 when the town of White Plains was created.[9]
On July 9, 1776, a copy of theDeclaration of Independence was delivered to the New York Provincial Congress, which was meeting in the county courthouse. The delegates quickly adopted a resolution approving the Declaration, thus declaring both the colony's independence and the formation of theState of New York. The Declaration itself was first publicly read from the steps of the courthouse on July 11.[9]
During September and October 1776, troops led byGeorge Washington took up positions in the hills of the village, hotly pursued by the British under GeneralSir William Howe, who attacked on October 28.[9] TheBattle of White Plains took place primarily on Chatterton Hill, (later known as "Battle Hill," and located just west of what was then a swamp but is now the downtown area) and the Bronx River. Howe's force of 4,000–6,000 British andHessian soldiers required three attacks before the Continentals, numbering about 1,600 under the command of Generals Alexander McDougall and Israel Putnam, retreated, joining Washington's main force, which did not take part in the battle. Howe's forces had suffered 250 casualties, a severe loss, and he made no attempt to pursue the Continentals, whose casualties were about 125 dead and wounded. Three days after the battle, Washington withdrew north of the village, which was then occupied by Howe's forces. But after several inconclusive skirmishes over the next week, Howe withdrew on November 5, leaving White Plains to the Continentals.[9] Ironically, one of Washington's subordinates, Major John Austin, who was probably drunk after having celebrated the enemy's withdrawal, reentered the village with his detachment and proceeded to burn it down. Although he was court-martialed and convicted for this action, he escaped punishment.[9]
The firstUnited States Census, conducted in 1790, listed the White Plains population at 505, of whom 46 were slaves.[9] New York City's population at that time was about 33,000. By 1800, the population stood at 575 and in 1830, 830.[9] By 1870, 26 years after the arrival of theNew York Central Railroad, it had swollen to 2,630[9] and by 1890 to 4,508. In the decades that followed the count grew to 7,899 (1900) and 26,425 (1910).[8] White Plains was incorporated as a village in 1866[10] and as a city in 1916.
AfterWorld War II, White Plains' downtown area developed into a shopping district featuring branches of many famous New York-based department and specialty stores. Some of these retail locations were the first large-scale suburban stores built in the United States.[citation needed] In 1949,Macy's launched a grand White Plains store on Main Street across from City Hall. Other prestigious stores followed, such asB. Altman and Company,Rogers Peet,Saks Fifth Avenue,Lord & Taylor,Alexander's,Wallachs, and a short-lived branch ofBergdorf Goodman, which was converted to sister chainNeiman Marcus in 1981. Construction of nearby parkways and expressways in the 1940s through the 1970s brought shoppers from elsewhere.
During the late 1960s, the city of White Plains developed an extensive urban renewal plan for residential, commercial and mixed-use redevelopment that called for the demolition of its entire central business district from theBronx River Parkway east to Mamaroneck Avenue. By 1978, theurban renewal program centered around the construction of the Westchester County Courthouse (1974), the Westchester One office building (1975), theGalleria at White Plains mall (1978), and a number of other office towers, retail centers and smaller commercial buildings.[citation needed] At the time of its construction, the Westchester One building was the largest office building between New York City andAlbany, and east toHartford.[citation needed]
Beginning in the 1950s, many major corporations based in New York City moved operations to White Plains and other suburban locations. These includedGeneral Foods,PepsiCo,Hitachi USA,IBM,Nestlé,Snapple, andHeineken USA. In the 1980s, at least 50Fortune 500 corporations had their headquarters in Westchester County and nearbyFairfield County, Connecticut, but with the corporate mergers and downsizing of the 1990s, many of these companies reduced their operations in White Plains or left the area completely.
New York Power Authority and Main Street
White Plains is home to the Arts Exchange Building, which serves as the headquarters of the Westchester Arts Council. Since March 1999, visual and performing artists, emerging cultural organizations and new creative businesses have had studios and offices in the building. It is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
The construction of the Galleria at White Plains mall in the 1970s ushered in a new era of downtown retail and office development, but by the early 1990s, economic development had stagnated, hampered by a deep recession and the overbuilding of the commercial real estate markets.[citation needed] For a time, White Plains had one of the highest office vacancy rates in the northeastern United States. Consolidation within the retail industry led to the closing of many of downtown's department and specialty stores. After its bankruptcy, the B. Altman store closed in 1989 and was demolished to make way forThe Westchester, an upscale mall that opened in 1995 with anchors Nordstrom and Neiman Marcus. A freestanding branch of Macy's, one of downtown's original retailanchor stores, was moved two blocks away to The Galleria mall by its parent company,Federated Department Stores, replacing sister retailerAbraham & Straus when these two store divisions were merged in 1995
City Center on Mamaroneck Avenue
A new courthouse for theSouthern District of New York was opened in 1998 and several large-scale office properties in and near downtown, including the former General Foods headquarters building, were retrofitted and leased to accommodate smaller businesses.[11] The Macy's store on Main Street remained vacant for several years until it was also later demolished to make way for the massiveCity Center at White Plains complex.[12] This large mixed-use development featurestwo 35-story apartment and condominium towers, 600,000-square-foot (60,000 m2) of retail, restaurant and entertainment space and new parking facilities.
Beginning in 2000, the city's permanent population experienced a growth spurt as additional apartment buildings were constructed. The city is 31 minutes by express train fromMidtown Manhattan,[13] and this has attracted new residents who commute to New York City for work. In early 2003, the Saks Fifth Avenue location was closed and demolished; it was replaced in 2004 with the large retail complex calledThe Source at White Plains. In 2007, construction was completed on Renaissance Square, a downtown parcel that includes the luxuryRitz-Carlton hotel.[14]
White Plains, N.Y. 1887. Includes list of important locations.
White Plains is bordered to the north by the town ofNorth Castle, to the north and east by the town/village ofHarrison, to the south by the town/village ofScarsdale, and to the west by the town ofGreenburgh. The city is about 7 miles (11 km) east of theHudson River and 7 miles (11 km) northwest of theLong Island Sound. According to theU.S. Census Bureau, White Plains has a land area of 9.77 square miles (25.3 km2), and a population density of 5,820.3 inhabitants per square mile (2,247.2/km2).[15]
White Plains has ahumid continental climate, with four distinct seasons. Winter is cold and wet, with occasional snow and an average January temperature of 29.8 °F (−1.2 °C), and summer is hot and humid, with a mean July temperature of 74.0 °F (23.3 °C).[16] In spring and fall, temperatures can fluctuate from cool to hot, but are usually mild and comfortable. Precipitation is plentiful in all months of the year. The city receives about 229 clear or partly cloudy days per annum,[17] with July typically being the sunniest month, averaging more than 70 percent of possible sunshine.[18]
The lowest temperature ever recorded in White Plains since record-keeping began in 1948 was −10 °F (−23 °C) on January 19, 1977,[16] and the highest ever was 102 °F (39 °C) on July 6, 2010.[16] Over the course of a typical year, there are 18 days of at least 90 °F (32 °C)[19] temperatures, and seven days when temperatures do not rise above the freezing point.
Saxon Woods Park provides a range of recreational amenities, including trails, a standard and miniaturegolf course, and the largest swimming pool in Westchester.
In 2000,Prodigy moved its headquarters from White Plains Plaza in White Plains toAustin, Texas.[28][29] White Plains continues to attract regional and national business as well as international headquarters such as Nine West Group, Allegiance Financial, ITT Corporation, Nokia, Heineken USA, Alliance Bernstein, AT&T and Verizon.[citation needed]
TheWhite Plains Public School System, with a 2006 enrollment of more than 6,000 students, maintains five elementary schools (grades K–5), two middle schools (Eastview for grade 6, Highlands for grades 7–8) and one high school (9–12), as well as auxiliary facilities, including a pre-kindergarten program, a community school (grades 7–12), adult and continuing education, and a program for school-age patients atNew York-Presbyterian Hospital,[30] whose campus is located in the city.[31]
Since 1988 the district has operated under a Controlled Parents' Choice Program,[32] whereby the parents of elementary school children can select the school which their child attends based on factors other than proximity to the school.
The five elementary schools, in addition to teaching core competencies, have different educational focuses including science and technology, communication arts and global understanding. Two of the elementary schools offer bilingual education where children are taught in both English and Spanish. Both English speaking and Spanish speaking families can choose to be entered into a lottery for a place in the bilingual classes.
White Plains High School, built in the late 1950s (when it moved from The Highlands School) on a 72-acre (29 ha) campus (formerlyJames Cash Penney's 72-acre Westchester Estate, until he moved to Westport, Connecticut in the 1940s), serves public school students in grades 9–12.[33] The school has a swimming pool that overlooks a small valley that holds the track and football field. The White Plains Recreation Department works with the schools to offer programs.
The district is governed by a seven-member Board of Education, elected at-large for staggered three-year terms. A school superintendent reports to the Board.
Good Counsel Academy, an all-girls Catholic high school for more than a century operated by the Sisters of the Divine Compassion on North Broadway, and Good Counsel Elementary (Pre-K through Grade 8, coeducational) located on the same campus close to the Pace Law School, have both closed, due to declining enrollments, and the aging and increased medical costs for the nuns of the order.,
Our Lady of Sorrows Elementary School in the Gedney area
Fordham University[34] Westchester Campus is home to Fordham's Graduate Schools of Business Administration, Education, Social Service, and Religion and Religious Education.
Pace University[35] The Pace University School of Law is located on North Broadway in White Plains. This campus originally belonged to Good Counsel College, later named the College of White Plains (1972–1976). The College of White Plains merged with Pace University in 1976. Pace formerly had a Graduate School campus in an office building on Martine Avenue in downtown White Plains. That location has closed.
As of the2020 United States census, there were 59,559 people residing in the city. The racial makeup of the city was 46.4% white, 11.9% Black, 0.1% Native American, 8% Asian, <0.1% Pacific Islander, 0.3% from some other race, and 2.7% from two or more races. 32.4% were Hispanic or Latino of any race.
As of the2010 United States census, there were 56,853 people residing in the city. The racial makeup of the city was 48.9% white, 13.2% Black, 0.1% Native American, 6.3% Asian, <0.1% Pacific Islander, 0.3% from some other race and 1.5% from two or more races. 29.6% were Hispanic or Latino of any race.
As of the census of 2000, there were 53,077 people, 20,921 households, and 12,704 families residing in the city. The population density was 5,415.5 inhabitants per square mile (2,090.9/km2). There were 21,576 housing units at an average density of 2,201.4 per square mile (850.0/km2). The racial makeup of the city was 64.93%white, 15.91%African American, 4.5%Asian, 0.34%Native American, 0.07%Pacific Islander, 10.37% fromother races, and 3.88% from two or more races.Hispanic orLatino of any race were 23.51% of the population. In 2010, Businessweek Magazine named White Plains one of the fastest-growing cities in the United States.[38]
There were 20,921 households, out of which 26.9% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 45.7% were married couples living together, 11.3% had a female householder with no husband present, and 39.3% were non-families. 33.4% of all households were made up of individuals, and 11.8% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.47 and the average family size was 3.14.
In the city, the population was spread out, with 21.2% under the age of 18, 7.5% from 18 to 24, 32.5% from 25 to 44, 23.6% from 45 to 64, and 15.2% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 38 years. For every 100 females, there were 89.8 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 85.7 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $58,545, and the median income for a family was $71,891 (these figures had risen to $73,744 and $92,215 respectively as of a 2007 estimate). Males had a median income of $47,742 versus $36,917 for females. The per capita income for the city was $33,825. About 9.2% of families and 12.4% of the population were below the poverty line, including 12.2% of those under age 18 and 7.2% of those age 65 or over.
The 10605 zip code, spanning the southern portion of the city, encompasses much of White Plains' residential neighborhoods and is primarily composed of single-family housing. As of the2020 United States census, there were 19,438 people residing in 10605. The median income for a household in the zip code was $140,262. As of 2024, the average home value in 10605 was $914,020.
The White Plains Performing Arts Center, which can seat up to 410 people, serves as a venue for a variety of events, such as Broadway theatre and concerts.[40]
The White PlainsFarmers' Market operates year-round in the city, setting up Downtown at 255 Main Street from May to November, and in theWestchester County Center the rest of the year. In addition to the various food products sold, there is often also live music at the Market.[43]
TheCross-Westchester Expressway, orI-287, runs through White Plains, connectingTarrytown toRye. On its eastern end, I-287 meetsI-95, the major commercial route along theEast Coast. At its western end, I-287 meetsI-87 and theNew York State Thruway on its approach to theTappan Zee Bridge, which crosses theHudson River intoRockland County. The bridge allows connections to Rockland, pointsupstate, and parts of northernNew Jersey. Current highway works include pedestrian walkways over the highway, an extra lane on either side, and on/off ramps to help motor traffic and pedestrians. Vegetation removals have upset some in the community but it is reported that the area will be fixed and trees will be replanted when work on the highway comes to an end.[48] TheBronx River Parkway, which runs north–south through White Plains, provides access south to New York City or north to theKensico Circle inNorth Castle.[49]
Westchester County Airport is located inHarrison, about 7 miles (11 km) northeast of downtown White Plains. Often the airlines and traveling public refer to Westchester County Airport as "White Plains." It serves as a minor hub forJetBlue Airways, which offer regularly scheduled flights to several destinations in Florida. In addition, JetBlue began service from Westchester toNassau, Bahamas in November 2011. White Plains is also located within an hour's drive of two major New York City airports.
Bee Line is Westchester County's public bus system andseveral routes pass through White Plains offering local service to many surrounding communities. A few routes serve theBronx and connect with the New York City subway. The main Bee Line hub in White Plains is the Trans-Center, adjacent to the Metro-North station. Other regional bus services that serve White Plains include theHudson Link toRockland County;Leprechaun Lines toPoughkeepsie;CT Transit's I-Bus toStamford, Connecticut; as well asGreyhound,Trailways andCoach USA service to upstate New York and Long Island.
The city of White Plains is protected by professional firefighters of the City of White Plains Fire Bureau, part of the Department of Public Safety, but commonly referred to as the "fire department" (WPFD).[50] The White Plains Fire Department is currently the seventh-largest fire department in the state of New York. The WPFD currently operates out of five fire stations located throughout the city, with each shift commanded by a deputy chief. The WPFD also operates a frontline fire apparatus fleet of five engines, three ladders, one rescue, and numerous other special, support, and reserve units.[51][52][53]
The Journal News, the major daily newspaper for the LowerHudson Valley region, is based in White Plains. The current paper, owned by theGannett Company, was formed in 1998 by the merger of eleven local papers in Westchester andRockland counties.
Jacob Purdy House[54] (1721), used as General George Washington's headquarters in 1778 and possibly in 1776 during theBattle of White Plains in theAmerican Revolutionary War. In the 1960s it was repaired and restored, and in 1973 the structure was moved to its present location.[55] A further renovation was conducted around 1980, involving both professional craftsmen and local teenagers in an apprentice program.[56]
Elijah Miller House[57] (1738), is a historic home in North White Plains, town of North Castle, Westchester County, New York. The house is an 18th-century Rhode Island-style farmhouse that was occupied by General George Washington on three occasions, most notably as a headquarters command post during the Battle of White Plains. In 2010 the county legislature passed a $1.2 million bond issue to finance itsrestoration.County executiveRobert Astorino, who had supportedpreserving the building five years earlier as a member of the legislature, vetoed the measure, saying it should be supported by private funds.[58]
White Plains Armory[59] (1910), erected on the site of the first Westchester County Courthouse. A monument in front of the building commemorates the first public reading in New York of the Declaration of Independence, on July 11, 1776.
White Plains Rural Cemetery,[60] incorporated 1854, although in use as a cemetery from 1797. The cemetery office occupies the structure that was the first Methodist Church in White Plains (1795, rebuilt in 1797 after a fire on the day of its original dedication).
Percy Grainger Home and Studio,[61] occupied by the composer from 1921 until his death in 1961, and by his widow, Ella Ström-Brandelius, until her death in 1979. It is now maintained as a museum by the International Percy Grainger Society.[62]
Hikaru Nakamura, five-time United States Chess Champion, and youngest American Grandmaster. Born in Japan and later moved to White Plains with his mother, brother and stepfather at the age of 2.[66]
Brian Burton (Danger Mouse), musician, songwriter and producer(b)[67]
^Gannett, Henry (1905).The Origin of Certain Place Names(PDF) (Second ed.). Washington, D.C.: United States Geological Survey. p. 324.Archived(PDF) from the original on April 15, 2015. RetrievedMarch 23, 2022.
^abEncyclopædia Britannica, Eleventh Edition (1911), Volume XXVIII, p. 607.
^abcdefghijkHoffman, Redona.Yesterday in White Plains, a Picture History of a Vanished Era, Second Edition, Privately Published, 1984. Available from the White Plains, NY Public Library and other sources.
^"Station: Westchester CO AP, NY".U.S. Climate Normals 2020: U.S. Monthly Climate Normals (1991-2020). National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.Archived from the original on May 9, 2021. RetrievedMay 8, 2021.
^"Station: Westerchester CO Airport, NY".U.S. Monthly Climate Normals (1981-2010). National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.Archived from the original on September 30, 2023. RetrievedMay 8, 2021.
^"National Register of Historic Places Listings"(PDF).Weekly List of Actions Taken on Properties: 4/25/11 through 4/29/11. National Park Service. May 6, 2011.Archived from the original on December 28, 2013. RetrievedAugust 5, 2012.
^"Doctors Are Married At Home Here",The Reporter Dispatch, October 9, 1950. Accessed September 5, 2025, viaNewspapers.com. "Dr. Louise Zibold, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Carl Edward Zibold of 13 Chadwick Road, was married Saturday 1 to Capt. Eric Reiss, an Army doctor, son of Mr. and Mrs. Leo J. Reiss of 15 Fort Washington Avenue, New York City.... The bride was graduated from White Plains High School and attended Skidmore College and the University of Pennsylvania."
^"Jimmy Roberts"(PDF).whiteplainspublicschools.org.Archived(PDF) from the original on April 2, 2022. RetrievedJuly 26, 2022.
