Why SO FEW People Live In Upstate New York

Why SO FEW People Live In Upstate New York

Upstate New York refers to the geographic region situated north and northwest of the New York City metropolitan area. While the exact boundaries are subject to debate, it commonly excludes New York City, Long Island, and often portions of Westchester and Rockland counties, typically categorized as part of downstate New York. Notably, Upstate New York boasts a robust outdoor recreation industry, with the Adirondack Park, the state's largest, attracting an annual influx of 7 to 12 million visitors—surpassing the annual visitation to the Grand Canyon.
As of 2023, New York State's population totaled 19,571,216, of which around 13.38 million resided in the New York metropolitan area. This leaves 6.19 million individuals scattered across the expansive 50,000 square miles that make up the rest of the state. Despite this vast land area and the thriving outdoor recreation industry, a question arises: why does Upstate New York remain comparatively sparsely populated?