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Population20,002,427 (July 1, 2025 estimate)
Discover • Explore • Connect
Explore New York — From the Adirondacks to the Atlantic
New YorkNew York stretches from the Adirondack High Peaks and Finger Lakes to the Hudson Valley, Long Island and New York City. Use My Local Guide to explore counties, places, public resources and practical information across the Empire State.
New York at a Glance
Population20,002,427 (July 1, 2025 estimate).webp){kind=icon}
CapitalAlbany.webp){kind=icon}
Largest CityNew York City.webp){kind=icon}
Counties62 counties.webp){kind=icon}
Land Area47,123.4 sq mi.webp){kind=icon}
Water Area7,435.1 sq mi.webp){kind=icon}
Statehood1788.webp){kind=icon}
Highest PeakMount Marcy — 5,344 ft
Find Your County
Explore New York County by County
New York is made up of 62 counties, each with its own communities, services, attractions and local character. Choose a county guide to start exploring.
County Guides
Broome CountyCattaraugus CountyClinton CountyDelaware CountyDutchess CountyErie CountyFranklin CountyGreene CountyHerkimer CountyNiagara CountyOneida CountyOntario CountyOswego CountySt. Lawrence CountySteuben CountyUlster CountyYates County
From rural mountain communities and lake country to major cities and coastal neighborhoods, New York’s counties offer very different experiences within one state.
Featured Counties
Greene CountyGreene County was established in 1800 and spans a dramatic transition from Hudson River communities to the high country of the northern Catskills. Catskill…
Oneida CountyCreated in 1798, Oneida County developed around major transportation routes linking central New York with the Mohawk Valley and Great Lakes. Utica and Rome…
Broome CountyBroome County grew where the Susquehanna and Chenango rivers meet, with Binghamton and neighboring communities becoming centers for transportation, manufacturing, education, and culture. Historic…
Yates CountyYates County was formed in 1823 and occupies a compact but highly distinctive part of the Finger Lakes. Penn Yan is the county seat…
Explore More of New York
Greene CountyGreene County was established in 1800 and spans a dramatic transition from Hudson River communities to the high country of the northern Catskills. Catskill…
Oneida CountyCreated in 1798, Oneida County developed around major transportation routes linking central New York with the Mohawk Valley and Great Lakes. Utica and Rome…Broome CountyBroome County grew where the Susquehanna and Chenango rivers meet, with Binghamton and neighboring communities becoming centers for transportation, manufacturing, education, and culture. Historic…Yates CountyYates County was formed in 1823 and occupies a compact but highly distinctive part of the Finger Lakes. Penn Yan is the county seat…
American Story
New York
New York has played a major role in American commerce, immigration, transportation, industry, culture and civic life. Its communities range from small towns and agricultural regions to one of the world’s best-known metropolitan centers.
A state shaped by movement, culture, commerce and community
Gateway to the Nation
New York Harbor, the Erie Canal and major rail and highway networks helped connect people, goods and ideas across the country.
Outdoor Variety
The state includes Adirondack peaks, Finger Lakes, Great Lakes shoreline, waterfalls, forests, rivers, parks and Atlantic beaches.
Culture & Creativity
Museums, music, theater, architecture, historic sites and local arts communities can be found across the state.
Local Communities
New York’s identity is shaped by hundreds of cities, towns, villages and neighborhoods with distinct histories and traditions.
Latest Updates
New York Dispatch
Statewide news, public information and community updates from verified sources.
New York State Department of Transportation
State Department of Transportation Formally Dedicates Bridge in Rensselaer County in Memory of Highway Maintenance Supervisor Robert Bornt
Read the full storyCoverage Across New YorkPresented by
Around New York
Stories from every corner of New York.
State Department of Transportation Formally Dedicates Bridge in Rensselaer County in Memory of Highway Maintenance Supervisor Robert Bornt
Oct 1, 2026 • 2 min read
State Department of Transportation Continues Conversion to Mileage-Based Exit Numbering Along Interstate I-81
Sep 30, 2026 • 2 min read
State Department of Transportation to Begin Conversion to Mile-Based Exit Signs Along Interstate 88 Between the Capital Region and Southern Tier
Sep 24, 2026 • 2 min read
NY-21 GOP candidate Constantino addresses AI policy, Flock, ICE, tariffs as midterm elections near
Voting in New York's midterm elections begins in less than three weeks. The race taking center stage in…
Oct 6, 2026 • 2 min read
Republican suspends Schenectady City Council campaign; endorses Conservative candidate
Sarojanie Ibrahim, the Republican candidate for Schenectady City Council, is suspending her campaign and endorsing Conservative Party candidate…
Oct 5, 2026 • 2 min readWatch & Explore
See New York in Motion
Stories, places and perspectives from across the Empire State.
State Symbols
Nickname State Motto State Bird State Flower State Tree State Animal
Symbols of New York
Meet some of the official symbols and traditions that help define New York.
The Empire State
“The Empire State” is New York’s long-standing and widely recognized nickname.
Excelsior
Latin for “Ever Upward,” expressing aspiration and continued progress.
Eastern Bluebird
The Eastern Bluebird is New York’s official state bird.
Rose
The rose is New York’s official state flower.
Sugar Maple
The sugar maple is New York’s official state tree and is especially associated with the state’s forests and fall color.
Beaver — official state animal
The beaver is New York’s official state animal and a species closely tied to the state’s waterways and natural history.
New York Identity
New York combines globally known cities with small towns, farmland, mountains, lakes, river valleys and coast. The result is a state with strong regional identities linked by a shared history of movement, trade, culture and community.
Explore New York
New York
The Empire StateDiscover places, people, scenery and useful resources from across New York.
Our State. Our Stories.★
State Resources
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Useful New York Resources
Discover places, people, scenery and useful resources from across New York.
Government
Start here for official New York State services, agency information, records, taxes, licensing and local-government resources.
- NY.gov Service Finder — Search state services by topic, including business, health, housing, licenses, transportation and social programs.
- All New York State Services — Browse the statewide directory of online services and programs.
- New York State Agencies — Find state departments, offices, authorities and commissions.
- New York State Counties — Official statewide county directory and county links.
- Department of State — Business filings, licensing, local government, consumer protection and related services.
- Open NY — Search New York State public datasets and open-government information.
- Department of Taxation and Finance — Individual and business tax information, forms, filing and online services.
- New York State Archives — Government records, historical records, research tools and records-management resources.
Schools
Use these resources to find schools, compare school information, explore colleges and programs, and connect with education services across New York.
- New York State Education Department — Statewide education programs, standards, guidance and public information.
- NYS School Report Cards — Look up school and district enrollment, staffing, performance and other public data.
- NYSED Online Services — Access school report cards, registered-program information, professional-license searches and other public systems.
- School and District Search — Find public information for schools and districts throughout New York.
- SUNY — Explore State University of New York campuses, programs, admissions and student resources.
- CUNY — Explore City University of New York colleges, admissions, programs and student services.
- Adult Career & Continuing Education Services — Adult education, career training, vocational rehabilitation and high-school-equivalency resources.
- NYSED Higher Education — Information about colleges, educator preparation and higher-education policy and programs.
Hospitals
Find hospitals, clinics, health providers, health plans and public-health information using official New York State tools.
- NYS Health Profiles — Find and compare hospitals, nursing homes, home care, hospice and other health-care providers.
- Hospital Directory — Browse New York hospitals and hospital campuses with contact information.
- Hospitals & Clinics — State information about hospitals and diagnostic and treatment centers.
- Health Care Facilities — Resources for hospitals, nursing homes, home care, hospice and other facilities.
- Provider & Health Plan Look-Up — Search providers and facilities by health plan, location and service.
- New York State of Health — Official health-plan marketplace for coverage and enrollment information.
- Medicaid in New York — Eligibility, enrollment and program information for New York Medicaid.
- Local Health Departments — Connect with state and local public-health offices and programs.
Public Safety
Use these official resources for law-enforcement information, criminal-justice services, safety programs and public-safety assistance.
- New York State Police — State Police services, safety information, news and contact resources.
- Division of Criminal Justice Services — Criminal-justice programs, public-safety resources, statistics and services.
- Sex Offender Registry — Search New York State public sex-offender registry information.
- Missing Persons Clearinghouse — Official missing-person information and resources.
- Office of Victim Services — Information about victim compensation, assistance programs and local service providers.
- Traffic Safety — Statewide traffic-safety programs, education and highway-safety information.
- Homeland Security & Emergency Services — Preparedness, emergency management, fire prevention and homeland-security programs.
- NY.gov Safety & Justice Services — Search state services related to safety, justice and identification.
Emergency Services
For life-threatening emergencies call 911. These resources help with statewide alerts, preparedness, road conditions, disasters and emergency information.
- NY-Alert — Sign up for emergency notifications and public-safety alerts.
- Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Services — Emergency management, disaster preparedness, fire prevention and response resources.
- Before an Emergency — Build an emergency plan, prepare supplies and learn how to stay informed.
- 511NY — Check traffic, transit, road closures, incidents and travel conditions.
- National Weather Service — Official weather forecasts, watches, warnings and severe-weather information.
- FEMA — Federal disaster preparedness, response and assistance resources.
- American Red Cross — New York — Disaster assistance, preparedness information, shelters and local services.
- New York State Police — State Police contacts and public-safety information.
State Parks
Plan a New York park trip with official park finders, camping tools, events, passes, historic sites and recreation information.
- Find a State Park — Search New York state parks by region, county and recreation options.
- New York State Parks — Main portal for parks, historic sites, recreation, events and visitor information.
- Camping — Camping information, policies and reservation guidance for state parks.
- Park Activities — Explore trails, boating, swimming, golf, birding and seasonal activities.
- Park Regions — Browse parks and recreation opportunities by New York State Parks region.
- Historic Sites — Explore state-operated historic sites, museums and heritage destinations.
- DEC Places to Go — Find state forests, wildlife areas, campgrounds and other DEC-managed lands.
- DEC Camping — Camping information for DEC campgrounds and backcountry areas.
Trails
Find hiking, biking and multi-use trails, maps, safety information and public-land recreation throughout New York.
- DEC Hiking — Hiking destinations, seasonal suggestions, trail guidance and Hike Smart NY safety information.
- New York State Parks Trails — Trail information for parks and historic-site properties.
- DECinfo Locator — Interactive map for trails, parking, campsites, lean-tos and state-managed lands.
- Empire State Trail — Official information for the statewide multi-use trail connecting major regions of New York.
- Accessible Recreation — Find accessible hiking, fishing, boating, camping and picnic locations.
- State Park Activities — Browse hiking, biking, snowmobiling and other outdoor recreation options.
- DEC Places to Go — Discover public lands and recreation areas across the state.
- Hike Smart NY — Safety, planning and preparedness information for New York hikers.
Utilities
Find consumer help for electric, gas, water, telephone and cable services, plus energy-assistance and utility-regulation information.
- Department of Public Service — Utility regulation, consumer information and Public Service Commission resources.
- File a Utility Complaint — Get help with regulated utility billing or service problems after contacting the provider.
- Ask PSC — Consumer information and answers about electric, gas, telephone, cable and water utility issues.
- Utility Consumer Assistance — Online consumer complaint and case-status system.
- Home Energy Assistance Program — HEAP information for eligible households needing help with heating and energy costs.
- NYSERDA — Energy-efficiency, clean-energy and consumer energy programs.
- New York State Broadband Program — State broadband information, mapping and connectivity programs.
- NY.gov Services — Search statewide housing, energy and utility-related services.
Libraries
Use statewide tools to locate libraries, access research databases, explore digital collections and find accessible reading services.
- New York State Library — State Library collections, research services, government information and statewide programs.
- Find Your Public Library — Directory information for public libraries and library systems across New York.
- NOVELny — Free statewide access to research databases and online information resources.
- New York State Library Digital Collections — Search digitized books, documents, photographs and historical materials.
- Talking Book and Braille Library — Accessible reading services for eligible New Yorkers with print disabilities.
- New York State Archives — Historical records, genealogy resources and state-government archives.
- New York Heritage — Digital collections contributed by libraries, museums and cultural organizations statewide.
- Library Development — Information about public-library systems, services and statewide library programs.
Courts
Find courts, case information, forms, self-help guidance and court services through the New York State Unified Court System.
- New York Courts — Main portal for the New York State Unified Court System.
- Find a Court — Search courts by county, court type and case type.
- CourtHelp — Plain-language information for people handling common court matters.
- eCourts — Access public case information for supported New York court matters.
- Court Forms — Find statewide and court-specific forms.
- Programs & Services — Access ADR, accessibility, criminal-history search and other court-user services.
- Jury Service — Official New York juror information and service guidance.
- Law Libraries — Find court law libraries and legal-research assistance.
DMV
Handle common driver and vehicle tasks, find offices and get official requirements directly from the New York DMV.
- New York DMV — Main portal for driver, vehicle and identification services.
- DMV Online Transactions — Renew, replace, order records and complete many DMV services online.
- Driver Licenses & Permits — License, learner permit, testing and renewal information.
- Vehicle Registration — Registration, renewal, plates and vehicle-document requirements.
- Vehicle Titles — Title applications, transfers, liens and ownership information.
- Find a DMV Office — Locate DMV offices and check available services.
- REAL ID — Requirements and guidance for REAL ID-compliant identification.
- Driving Records — Information about ordering DMV records and driving abstracts.
Transportation
Check traffic and transit conditions, travel information, state highways and transportation services before you go.
- New York State Department of Transportation — State highway, transportation program, project and safety information.
- 511NY — Live traffic, incidents, road conditions, transit and travel information.
- NYSDOT Travel Center — Travel tools, winter road conditions, transit information and trip-planning resources.
- 511NY TransLinks — Find public transportation, paratransit and travel links by region or county.
- New York State Thruway Authority — Thruway traffic, tolling, service areas and traveler information.
- MTA — Subway, bus, commuter rail and transit information for the New York metropolitan region.
- Amtrak New York — Intercity passenger rail information serving New York destinations.
- Travel Information, Advisories & Maps — State travel advisories, maps and road-information links.
Postal Services
Use official U.S. Postal Service tools to find locations, ZIP Codes, mail services, tracking and address-change resources.
- USPS — Official postal services, shipping, mail and account tools.
- Find USPS Locations — Locate post offices, collection boxes and postal services.
- ZIP Code Lookup — Find ZIP Codes by address or city.
- Track a Package — Track eligible USPS mail and packages.
- Change of Address — Official USPS online change-of-address service.
- Informed Delivery — Preview eligible incoming mail and manage package notifications.
- Hold Mail — Request temporary mail holding during travel or absence.
- Calculate Postage — Estimate domestic and international mailing and shipping costs.
Veterans
Connect New York veterans, service members and families with state benefits, claims help, education, employment and federal VA resources.
- New York State Department of Veterans’ Services — Main portal for state veterans benefits, services and advocacy.
- Claims Assistance — Free help from Veterans Benefits Advisors with claims, documents, appeals and benefits questions.
- Find a Veterans Benefits Advisor — Connect with state veterans-benefits assistance and local field services.
- State Veterans Benefits — Explore New York-specific benefits and programs for eligible veterans and families.
- Veterans Education — State veterans resources related to education, training and transition support.
- Veterans Employment Resources — Employment and workforce assistance for veterans through the Department of Labor.
- U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs — Federal health care, disability, education, home-loan and other veterans benefits.
- VA Facility Locator — Find VA medical centers, clinics, benefits offices and cemeteries.
Employment
Search for jobs, career centers, training, unemployment assistance and worker-protection information across New York.
- New York State Department of Labor — Jobs, unemployment insurance, workforce programs and labor information.
- NYS Job Bank — Search job openings throughout New York.
- JobZone — Career exploration, job-search organization, skills tools and resume resources.
- Career Centers — Find local career centers for job-search, training and workforce assistance.
- Virtual Career Center — Online career and job-matching services from the Department of Labor.
- Unemployment Insurance — File claims, manage benefits and find claimant resources.
- Minimum Wage — Current New York minimum-wage information and lookup tools.
- Worker Protection Resources — Labor standards, wage-theft reporting, safety resources and worker protections.
Need a Starting Point?
Use the county guides and resource links to find the information you need.
Questions & Answers
Frequently Asked Questions
Quick answers to common questions about New York and this guide.
Start with the part of New York you actually care about. The state is huge, and the fastest way to make this guide useful is to pick a county, region, or type of experience first.
Good starting points:
- Browse New York’s counties to find the county you need.
- Explore New York State Parks for outdoor destinations, historic sites, beaches, waterfalls and recreation.
- Find DEC-managed places including forests, campgrounds, wildlife areas and public lands.
- Search NY.gov services when you need practical state information instead of trip ideas.
Tip: Use the county guides on My Local Guide for the local layer — places, businesses, services and community information closer to where you are.
Handle the essentials first: identification, vehicles, taxes, schools, utilities and local government.
- New York DMV — licenses, registrations, titles, REAL ID and online transactions.
- New York Tax Department — state tax information, filing and online services.
- NYSED school and district data — look up public schools and districts.
- Department of Public Service — utility information and consumer help.
- New York county directory — find the county government serving your new area.
Once you know the county, jump into its My Local Guide page to get more local information in one place.
These four official tools cover most outdoor planning needs in New York:
- Find a State Park — search state parks and destinations.
- DEC Places to Go — forests, campgrounds, wildlife areas and public lands.
- DECinfo Locator — interactive maps for trails, parking, campsites and more.
- Empire State Trail — plan trips on New York’s statewide multi-use trail network.
Before heading out: check weather, trail conditions and seasonal notices, especially in mountain and winter recreation areas.
You can search official state databases instead of guessing from search results.
- NYS Health Profiles — find and compare hospitals, nursing homes, home care, hospice and other providers.
- New York hospital directory — browse hospitals and hospital campuses.
- Provider & Health Plan Look-Up — search doctors and facilities by plan, location and service.
- New York State of Health — official health-plan marketplace and enrollment information.
If the situation is an immediate medical emergency, call 911.
If it involves your car, license or trip, these are the links worth saving:
- DMV Online Transactions — handle many renewals, replacements and records online.
- Find a DMV office — locate offices and check available services.
- 511NY — live traffic, incidents, road conditions and transit information.
- New York State Thruway Authority — toll, traffic and traveler information.
- NYSDOT Travel Center — transportation and travel tools.
Shortcut: check 511NY before a long drive. It can save you from finding out about a closure after you are already stuck in it.
For immediate danger or a life-threatening emergency, call 911. For alerts, preparedness and changing conditions, use these official resources:
- NY-Alert — emergency and public-safety notifications.
- NY Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Services — preparedness and emergency-management information.
- National Weather Service — official watches, warnings and forecasts.
- 511NY — road closures, crashes, traffic and transit conditions.
- FEMA — federal disaster preparedness and assistance information.
For storms or winter weather, checking both weather alerts and road conditions gives you a much better picture than either one alone.
Start with the New York State Unified Court System, then use the tool that matches what you need.
- Find a Court — locate courts by county and court type.
- CourtHelp — plain-language guidance for common court matters.
- eCourts — public case information for supported court matters.
- Court Forms — statewide and court-specific forms.
- Jury Service — official juror information.
Important: My Local Guide can point you to official resources, but it does not provide legal advice.
New York has separate official tools for K–12 schools, libraries and higher education.
- NYS School Report Cards & district data — enrollment, staffing, performance and district information.
- Find a Public Library — locate libraries and library systems across the state.
- NOVELny — statewide online research databases and information resources.
- SUNY — State University of New York campuses, programs and admissions.
- CUNY — City University of New York colleges and programs.
For local schools and libraries, your county guide can help narrow the statewide information down to the community level.
New York veterans can use both state and federal resources, and the state offers free benefits assistance.
- New York State Department of Veterans’ Services — state benefits, programs and advocacy.
- Veterans claims assistance — help with claims, documents, appeals and benefits questions.
- Veteran employment services — job and workforce assistance through the Department of Labor.
- U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs — federal health care, disability, education, home-loan and other benefits.
- VA Facility Locator — find VA hospitals, clinics, benefits offices and cemeteries.
If you are unsure where to begin, starting with a New York Veterans Benefits Advisor can help you figure out which programs apply to your situation.
New York has several official tools that do different parts of the job-search process.
- NYS Job Bank — search job openings across New York.
- JobZone — career exploration, resume tools, skills information and job-search organization.
- Career Centers — find local workforce offices and in-person assistance.
- Virtual Career Center — online career and job-matching tools.
- Unemployment Insurance — claims, benefits and claimant information.
- Worker Protection Resources — wage, labor-standard and worker-rights information.
Best move: use the Job Bank to find openings, then use JobZone or a Career Center if you want help improving your search, resume or next-step plan.
Keep Exploring New York
Local guides built for real communities.
Choose a county, find a resource or discover another part of the Empire State.
Local guides built for real communities.