Ulster County, New York, USA

Ulster County stretches from the west bank of the Hudson River into the central Catskill Mountains, with Kingston as its county seat. The Shawangunk Ridge, Wallkill Valley, Esopus and Rondout creeks, forest preserves and productive farmland create a varied landscape of river towns, mountain communities and rural valleys. Indigenous peoples lived in the region for thousands of years before Dutch and English settlement began in the 17th century, and the county later grew through farming, canals, railroads, quarrying and manufacturing. Ulster County had about 183,300 residents in 2025. Tourism, agriculture, arts and media, education, health care, manufacturing and small businesses all contribute to its Hudson Valley economy.