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Beacon is a city located on the Hudson River in Dutchess County, New York, United States. As of the 2020 census, the city's population was 13,769. Beacon is part of the Kiryas Joel–Poughkeepsie–Newburgh Metropolitan Statistical Area as well as the larger New York–Newark–Bridgeport, New York–New Jersey–Connecticut–Pennsylvania Combined Statistical Area. Beacon was so named to commemorate the historic beacon fires that blazed forth from the summit of the Fishkill Mountains to alert the Continental Army of British troop movements. Originally an industrial city along the Hudson, Beacon experienced a revival beginning in 2003 with the arrival of Dia Beacon, one of the largest modern art museums in the United States. Recent growth has generated debates on development and zoning issues. The area known as Beacon was settled by Europeans as the villages of Matteawan and Fishkill Landing in 1709. They were among the first colonial communities in the county. Beacon is located in the southwestern corner of Dutchess County in the Mid Hudson Region, approximately 90 mile (145 km) south of Albany, and approximately 60 mile (97 km) north of New York City.

In 1683 Francis Rombout and Gulian Verplanck, merchant fur traders from New York City, purchased the land that would come to include the City of Beacon from the Wappinger tribe. The sale was sanctioned by James II of England in 1685 in the Rombout Patent. Rombout died in 1691, leaving his share to his daughter, Catheryna Brett. The Rombout Patent was partitioned in 1706, and Brett received and maintained approximately along the Vis Kill. Brett sold some of her land to other settlers, often retaining the right to build a flour mill on the property. During the first third of the nineteenth century, Dutchess County ranked first among New York State counties in wheat production. Mills on Brett's property attracted farmers from both sides of the river. In 1748 Brett and a group of other settlers agreed to build the Frankfort Store House near the water at the "Lower Landing" north of Dennings Point. This store marked the beginning of river freighting in the area, and Fishkill Landing developed into a river port. As early as 1780 two dozen vessels operated out of Fishkill Landing. John Peter DeWint, owner of 2,000 acres at Fishkill Landing, helped further raise its status as a port by building the Long Dock in 1815. The village of Fishkill Landing was incorporated in 1864. Matteawan was situated on the Fishkill Creek about a mile and a half east of Fishkill Landing, and a like distance above the mouth of the creek, whose hydraulic properties contributed to its development as a manufacturing center. It lay at the foot of the Fishkill Mountains, and was a station on both the Newburgh, Dutchess & Connecticut, and the New York & New England Railroads, and was connected with the Fishkill Landing by stage, and rail. The city served a variety of roles during the Revolutionary War. It manufactured war supplies, and served as a fort and signaling point. The city's name came from signal fires lit atop nearby Mount Beacon. During the 1800s, the city became a factory town and was known as "The Hat Making Capital of the US" with nearly 50 hat factories operating at one time. The Matteawan Manufacturing Company was the first in the area devoted to hat production, employing 500 workers. Many others followed, including Dutchess Hat Works, which produced 450 dozen hats daily by 1900 and owned its own showroom in Manhattan. Beacon incorporated as a city in 1913, combining the villages of Fishkill Landing and Matteawan as well as a small portion of the hamlet of Glenham from the town of Fishkill. During the 1960s, urban renewal led to the destruction of some significant historic buildings. In 1975, the Dutchess Ski area, which had been a large tourist attraction, was closed. Also in the 1970s, a decline in the economy shuttered most of Beacon's factories. This resulted in a severe and ongoing economic downturn that lasted from about 1970 to the late 1990s, during which almost 80 percent of the city's commercial business spaces and factories were vacant. Starting in the late 1990s, and with the opening of Dia Beacon, one of the world's largest contemporary art museums, in 2003, Beacon began an artistic and commercial rebirth. New development continues to enlarge the city. The first several blocks of Main Street east of its junction with South Avenue constitutes the Lower Main Street Historic District and features many small businesses located in vintage Italianate style buildings.

The 2010 United States census listed the population at 15,541. The census of 2000 placed the city's population at 13,808 people. The census also showed that the city has 5,091 households and 3,360 families residing in the city. The population density was , based on the census population of 13,808. There were 5,406 housing units at an average density of The racial makeup of the city was 9,440 or 68.37% White and 4,368 or 31.63% Minority. The minority population was dominated by African Americans at 2,713 residents or 19.65%, then followed by Hispanic or Latino which make up 2,334 residents or 16.90% of the city. Smaller minority groups include 956 residents or 6.92% from other races, 181 residents or 1.31% Asian, 43 residents or 0.31% Native American, and 0.00% Pacific Islander. Also, the city includes 475 residents or 3.44% identifying themselves as two or more races. Based on census data showing 5,091 households, 34.7% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 44.6% were married couples living together, 16.9% had a female householder with no husband present, and 34.0% were non families. 28.6% of all households were made up of individuals, and 10.4% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.61 and the average family size was 3.23. Of the city's total population, 27.1% were under the age of 18, 7.1% were between 18 and 24, 31.9% were between 25 and 44, 21.7% were between 45 and 64, and 12.2% were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 36 years. For every 100 females, there were 90.3 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 86.3 males. The median income for a household in the city was $45,236, and the median income for a family was $53,811. Males had a median income of $40,949 versus $29,154 for females. The per capita income for the city was $20,654. 1,465 residents or 11% of the population and 310 families or 9.1% of the total number of families were living below the poverty line. Of the total population, 834 residents or 11% of those under the age of 18, and 99 residents or 8.6% of those 65 and older, were living below the poverty line. The city's housing stock was currently composed of 10% subsidized housing, of which about 400 units were state and federal housing projects.

Beacon is governed via the mayor council system. The mayor is elected in a citywide vote. The city council consists of six members. Two are elected at large. The other four are elected from one of four wards. Additionally, the City Administrator serves at the pleasure of the Mayor and supervises the operations of all departments and units of the city government. The Government section of the city's website includes information about current elected and appointed officials.

Founded in 1872 by General Joseph Howland and his spouse Eliza Howland, the Howland Public Library was originally housed in the Howland Cultural Center and is now located at 313 Main St. Beacon, NY 12508. In the 70s, the building was once the Fishman's Department Store. The interior includes the “Common Clay” relief sculpture mural, a community art project conceived by Mika Seeger; a colorful Main Street mural painted by Rick Price; and a South Cedar Street literary mural in memory of artist Audrey Chibbaro by Beacon High School art students. The Howland Public Library is a part of the Mid Hudson Library System.

The City of Beacon participates in the Dutchess County Department of Emergency Response. All calls for police are routed to the City of Beacon Police who dispatch their vehicles to the call. All calls for fire or medical assistance are dispatched by the County Department of Emergency Response. The City of Beacon Fire Department is a combination Paid and Volunteer Department that provides fire suppression, rescue, and emergency medical first response for the city. Beacon Volunteer Ambulance Corps is a combination paid and volunteer agency that provides Basic Life Support and Mobile Life Support Services provide Advanced Life Support medical care within the city.

Commuter service to New York City is available via the Beacon Train Station on the Hudson Line, served by Metro North Railroad.

From 1902 to 1978, the Mount Beacon Incline Railway was one of the steepest incline railways in existence (a 74% grade). It took an estimated 3.5 million people up to the 1540 feet (469 m) summit of Mount Beacon. Fire and vandalism destroyed the incline railway. From 1996 until 2022, the Mount Beacon Incline Railway Restoration Society worked to reopen the attraction, but ultimately could not raise enough funds for the project.

Between August 27, 1892, and April 20, 1930, an electric streetcar system connected Beacon with the Village of Fishkill, NY.

The Newburgh–Beacon Ferry is a ferry service crossing the Hudson River that connects Newburgh with Beacon, New York, primarily carrying commuters during rush hour.

Dutchess County Public Transit operates public bus service in and near Beacon on weekdays, Saturdays, and runs with limited schedules on Sunday. One line (Route A) travels from downtown Beacon northeast on NY 52 to Fishkill and north on U. S. Route 9 (US 9) through Wappingers Falls to South Hills Mall, Poughkeepsie Galleria and downtown Poughkeepsie. Another line (Route B) travels from Beacon north to Poughkeepsie along NY 9D and US 9. A third line (Route F) travels northeast from Beacon through Fishkill to Hopewell Junction.

Beacon also provides the Beacon FREE Loop, a free bus service that runs Monday Saturday, 6am 9pm. The bus makes stops at the Beacon Metro North Station, Dia:Beacon, Main Street, the Mt. Beacon parking lot, and other points along its route. The Free Loop was created in collaboration with Beacon Arts, Dutchess County Public Transit, North Road Communications and the City of Beacon. In 2018 Dutchess County rebranded the Beacon G Route that was started in 2013 as the Beacon Free Loop.

The city does not have dedicated bike lanes. In 2022, the Main Street Access Committee recommended that bicycle infrastructure would be best developed adjacent to Main Street, due to the narrow width of the street.

Beacon's most major route is Interstate 84 (I 84), which passes through the city's north side, providing a connection that is minutes to the Taconic State Parkway, New York State Thruway, and Stewart International Airport. The city also has the Newburgh Beacon Bridge which carries the Interstate Highway over the Hudson River. New York State Route 9D (NY 9D) serves as the city's north–south arterial. It starts at the city's north side and wraps around the city to its south side. The city also has NY 52 Business, which begins in the city's west side at NY 9D and runs across the middle of the city to I 84 east of the city limits.

In the nearby Town of Wappinger, the Dutchess County Airport services local commuter flights. The nearest major airport to Beacon is Stewart International Airport about 20 minutes away, in Newburgh.

Beacon Sloop Club started in 1978 with the launching of the Sloop Woody Guthrie, which was commissioned to be built by Cyrus Hamlin, by Pete Seeger and Toshi Seeger. Hamlin had previously built the Hudson River Sloop Clearwater for the Hudson River Sloop Restoration in 1969. The purpose of the club is "to promote and encourage interest in sound ecological practices affecting the Hudson River and its environs;" "to organize and arrange associated recreational activities such as picnics, crafts, festivals and other community gatherings on the waterfront of Beacon, New York;" and "to promote interest in sailing and foster good fellowship and safety in boating: to encourage the sport of boating: to promote the science of seamanship and navigation, and provide access to information and training in the skills and techniques thereof: and to provide and maintain a suitable clubhouse and anchorage for the use and recreation of its members." Each year the Beacon Sloop Club hosts the Strawberry Festival, the Corn Festival, and the Pumpkin Festival to help raise money for community activities and to raise awareness for social or environmental issues.

Beacon Climate Action Now (BCAN) is a community activism group focused on climate justice and the related crisis of care. BCAN is active in Beacon, NY and has members from the surrounding Hudson Valley.

BCAN's first campaign focused on banning natural gas in new constructions in Beacon, NY. BCAN crafted this campaign in the fall of 2022 and organized action through canvassing, public events, educational outreach, partnership with local environmental advocacy groups, and civic engagement with Beacon City Council. On March 20, 2023, the Beacon City Council unanimously voted in favor of passing Local Law No. 1 of 2023, to require the Electrification of Residential and Commercial Buildings, effective January 1, 2024. With passing this local law, Beacon became the third municipality in New York State to ban fossil fuels in new buildings, and the first in the Hudson Valley.

Beacon is served by two weekly newspapers: The Highlands Current, founded in 2010 and published on Friday, and the Beacon Free Press, published on Wednesdays. A daily paper, The Beacon Evening News, was published in the city from 1961 to 1990. The AM station WBNR is based in Beacon.

Dia Beacon: a contemporary arts museum. The Beacon Institute of Rivers and Estuaries: a major river and estuary research institute.

Hudson Valley Renegades: Class A Minor League Baseball Team for the New York Yankees. The team plays home games in Dutchess Stadium located in neighboring Fishkill (3–5 minutes north of city). The team, formerly a member of the New York–Penn League, joined the new High A East in 2021. Hudson Valley Hawks: semi professional basketball of the National Professional Basketball League. Played their games at Beacon High School. The Hudson Valley Bears were one of four founding members of the Eastern Professional Hockey League (2008–09). They played their home games at the Mid Hudson Civic Center in nearby Poughkeepsie. The Hudson Valley Highlanders of the North American Football League played their home games at Dietz Stadium in nearby Kingston.

An amateur rugby club, The Hudson Valley Rebels, are composed of a Women's Rugby team (formed in 2005), and a Men's team (started in 2002). A disc golf ("frisbee golf") course was constructed in the woods and fields of the University Settlement camp in 2011. This 18 hole course, "Beacon Glades", is free and open to the public. Stroke play tournaments are occasionally held. Beacon High School has a Fitness Center and 25 yard swimming pool run by the Athletic Department that is open to the public for membership.