Beacon

Beacon is a city located on the Hudson River in Dutchess County, New York. Situated in the Mid-Hudson Region, it's about 60 miles north of New York City and 90 miles south of Albany. As of 2020, the city's population was 13,769, but recent estimates place it closer to 14,834 in 2024. Beacon has undergone a significant transformation from its industrial past to become an arts and cultural hub, marked by the arrival of Dia Beacon, one of the largest modern art museums in the United States. Historically, Beacon was a factory town, known as the "Hat Making Capital of the US" in the 1800s. However, a decline in the economy in the 1970s led to a period of economic downturn. The opening of Dia Beacon in 2003 spurred an artistic and commercial rebirth, attracting new development and residents. Today, major employment sectors include educational services, healthcare, and professional, scientific, and technical services. Beacon's name commemorates the beacon fires that were lit on the Fishkill Mountains to alert the Continental Army of British troop movements during the Revolutionary War. The city offers a blend of historic sites, natural beauty with the Hudson River and Mount Beacon, and a growing arts scene, making it a desirable location in the Hudson Valley.