Dutchess County is located in southeastern New York State, between the Hudson River on its west and the New York-Connecticut border on its east, about halfway between the cities of Albany and New York.

Dutchess County was one of the first 12 counties that were established in the Province of New York in 1683. Most of the first settlers in Dutchess County were Dutch. Franklin D. Roosevelt lived in his family home in Hyde Park, overlooking the Hudson River. His family's home is now managed by the National Park Service.

Education: Higher Education institutions in Dutches include Bard College, Culinary Institute of America, Dutchess Community College, Marist College, Ridley-Lowell Business & Technical Institute and Vassar College

Land: The terrain of the county is mostly hilly, especially in the Hudson Highlands in the southwestern corner and the Taconic Mountains to the northeast. Almost a half mile long border exists with Berkshire County, Massachusetts in the extreme northern end of the county. There are 3 national protected areas in Dutchess County including: Eleanor Roosevelt National Historic Site, Home of Franklin D. Roosevelt National Historic Site and the Vanderbilt Mansion National Historic Site