Bergen vs. Nassau vs. Westchester

[King of Kensington]

Of these three NYC suburban counties, which is the "odd man out"?

One obvious for Bergen being "different" is that it's in NJ

Westchester developed earlier and is more "old money"/"establishment"

Westchester and Bergen both have urbanized, more densely populated southern half and more exurban north half, while Nassau is both less urban and less "exurban"

Nassau is probably more old time "New Yawk"-ish in demographics while Westchester and Bergen likely attract more Manhattanites seeking a more suburban life and more transplants to the NYC area

 

[AGA]

In terms of politics Westchester because it delivers the strongest margins to the Democrats. Overall, I would say Nassau because it is mostly just suburban sprawl while Westchester and Bergen have some urban areas.

[Tintrlvr]

One key difference is that Bergen doesn't have good public transit into Manhattan. NJ Transit does have some trains in the west of the county (the east of the county, closer to the city, is entirely without train service), but someone commuting into Manhattan then has to change trains at Secaucus. That definitely affects the type of people who move to Bergen as compared to Westchester (especially) and Nassau (to a lesser extent). The people who like to commute by train and move to NJ mostly move elsewhere, such as the wealthy towns in the west of Essex/east of Morris or to Union or Middlesex.

Westchester is definitely the home of "old money" as noted. And its wealthy voters are more Democratic (or at least less Republican), which may be related to being "old money". What makes Westchester more Democratic is hard to express, but there is a certain je ne sais quoi about Westchester that makes its wealthy voters different. If you grew up in the New York area, you just know what that is in your bones.

Long Island is basically more New Jersey, just like Staten Island, at least until you get so far out that you're starting to get to the second homes (about halfway across Suffolk -- the key divider is the Ronkonkoma LIRR station, which is the last station that has frequent commuter service into NYC), so Nassau and Bergen really aren't that different, culturally.

[jimrtex]

Of these three NYC suburban counties, which is the "odd man out"?

One obvious for Bergen being "different" is that it's in NJ

Westchester developed earlier and is more "old money"/"establishment"

Westchester and Bergen both have urbanized, more densely populated southern half and more exurban north half, while Nassau is both less urban and less "exurban"

Nassau is probably more old time "New Yawk"-ish in demographics while Westchester and Bergen likely attract more Manhattanites seeking a more suburban life and more transplants to the NYC area

Both Nassau and Westchester have lost areas to NYC.

The Bronx was formed from the southern part of Westchester (that is why the former town of Westchester is in NYC). Queens shed its eastern part when it was incorporated into NYC.

[S019]

Nassau, probably, living in the Tri State Area, I just think Bergen and Westchester are more associated with being New York City suburbs, also politically both counties are reliably Democratic, while Nassau is swingy

[King of Kensington]

Both Nassau and Westchester have lost areas to NYC.

The Bronx was formed from the southern part of Westchester (that is why the former town of Westchester is in NYC). Queens shed its eastern part when it was incorporated into NYC.

Obviously state borders mattered.  Hudson County is often thought of as "the sixth borough."

[King of Kensington]

Demographically, Westchester is the least white, with its Hispanic and especially Black populations concentrated in the cities. 

Nassau has the most Blacks living in suburban settings I suspect though.

Bergen is the most Asian, due to the very large Korean population.  Nassau I believe has the most Indians and Chinese, and I suspect its proximity to Queens means it's likely to grow signficantly.  Few Asians in Westchester or northern NY suburbs.

[ملكة كرينجيتوك]

Demographically, Westchester is the least white, with its Hispanic and especially Black populations concentrated in the cities. 

Nassau has the most Blacks living in suburban settings I suspect though.

Bergen is the most Asian, due to the very large Korean population.  Nassau I believe has the most Indians and Chinese, and I suspect its proximity to Queens means it's likely to grow signficantly.  Few Asians in Westchester or northern NY suburbs.

What about Filipinos? I'm guessing they would also be less common in Westchester than Nassau or Bergen, but I'm not very familiar with the Tri-State Area.