Dutchess Ranks High Among 62 Counties Statewide For Highest Abortion Rate

Counties within the Hudson Valley enjoy one of the lowest rates of abortion statewide -- but also a couple of the highest.

Dutchess and Westchester counties ranked among the top 23 counties carrying out abortions in New York state, according to the latest figures from the state Health Department. Rockland County reported the second lowest abortion ratio among counties.
Photo Credit: *File*

Assemblyman Steve Katz commented on the expansion of abortion in New York state in 2015.
Photo Credit: *File*

Jon Craig

04/17/2017 7:00 a.m.

Rockland County reported the second lowest abortion ratio statewide, runner-up to Lewis County in 2014, according to the state Health Department. Rockland women had 80.1 induced abortions per 1,000 live births that year -- the latest year available -- compared to Lewis' 51.1 and the statewide average ratio of 400.2 abortions.

Meanwhile, the number of abortions in New York state declined from 97,502 in 2012 to 93,299 in 2014, a decrease of 4.2 percent, according to the state Health Department.

Dutchess County ranked 10th among the state's 62 counties with an abortion ratio (induced abortions per 1,000 live births) of 314.4.

Westchester County ranked 23rd statewide with an abortion ratio of 254.4

In case you were wondering, five counties in New York City led the state in abortion rates:

The Bronx was number one, followed by New York County, Kings County, Queens County and Richmond County (Staten Island).

Bronx County reported 804.7 induced abortions per 1,000 live births in 2014 -- or more than twice the entire state's ratio. New York County's ratio was 662.5. Kings County's ratio was 486.7, Queens County was 485.1 and Richmond County was 370.7.

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