Growth And Development

Within 3 years of its incorporation, the Village of Kiryas Joel was inhabited by 3,000 people, an increase of 2,500 in just under three years. Village officials were immersed in the planning of large-scale housing development even as they were coping with the delivery of essential services.

It was also during that period that much of the infrastructure of the community began to take shape, including water, roads, drainage, sidewalks, streetlights, shopping, social services and education. By 1990 (according to the U.S. Census), the population had swelled to nearly 7,500, a ten-year increase of 256% (compared to 18.5% for Orange County and 2.5% for the entire State of New York).

Since 2000, the population has continued to grow at a rate of 5% per annum, largely from natural growth (over 500 births occur in Kiryas Joel a year). Faced with such substantial increase in population, any municipal government would find itself taxed to the limit.

To view the 2000 U.S. Census data for Kiryas Joel click here.